Description
Renilla luciferase has been used as a reporter gene for studying gene regulation and function in vitro and in vivo. Recently, Renilla luciferase has been widely used in multiplex transcriptional reporter assays or as a normalizing transfection control for Firefly luciferase assay. Renilla luciferase, a monomeric 36,000 Dalton protein, catalyzes coelenterazine oxidation by oxygen to produce light. The enzyme does not require post-translational modification for its activity, and may function as a genetic reporter immediately following translation. Coelenterazine native is the natural substrate for Renilla luciferase. Coelenterazine also emits light from enzyme-independent oxidation, a process known as autoluminescence. The autoluminescence is enhanced by superoxide anion and peroxynitrite in cells and tissues