Question

Luciferase genes are also used at times for detection. Choose the correct statement for them.

(a) They are obtained from fire flies only

(b) The detection requires provision of substrate which produces light

(c) Enzymes such as beta-galactosidase requires substrate X-gluc to produce light

(d) Lucifearse genes are preferred over fluorescent proteins

This question was posed to me during an online interview.

Enquiry is from Reporter Genes in chapter Screening Libraries of Genetic Engineering

Answer 1

Correct option is (b) The detection requires provision of substrate which produces light

For explanation I would say: Luciferase genes are not obtained only from fire flies but also from bio-luminescent bacteria and a sea pansy. The section requires a substrate which produces light. Enzymes such as beta-galactosidase requires X-gal for the production of blue light. Fluorescent proteins are more preferable over these because they don’t require substrates like luciferase genes.