Importance of RNA analysis in interpretation of reporter gene expression data.

Reporter gene assays have proven to be an important tool in analyzing cis and trans factors that influence gene expression. However, they have sometimes been adapted for studies in which they are not totally reliable. Modifications that change the RNA expressed from the reporter gene may result in regulation of reporter gene expression at multiple levels simultaneously. The data provided here illustrate the difficulties that may arise from posttranscription regulation in various reporter gene formats. This serves as a warning that further RNA studies may be necessary, if comparisons are to be made between reporter constructs whose RNA is not identical.