MODIFIED LACZ GENE

摘要

A modified LacZ gene encoding a bacterial beta-galactosidase enzyme. The lac Z gene is modified by altering one or more of the following: one or more ATTTA motifs; one or more cryptic splice acceptor motifs; and one or more palindromic motifs. Preferably more than one of these is altered. In addition codon usage of the modified LacZ gene is altered so as to have a decrease in the proportion of codons that are proportionately less represented in mammalian genes relative to the wild type LacZ gene. Preferred forms of the modified LacZ gene provides for greatly enhanced detectability in mammalian cells.