Natural pigments derived from nature are rich in color and can be used in a variety of industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. In recent years, these colored compounds can also play a role in scientific research. Natural and harmless, environmentally friendly, and with color are the most important characteristics of natural pigments. Based on these characteristics, these colored compounds can be used as reporting systems to save time and cost for biogenetic transformation as well as gene expression. In addition, the environmental pollution problems caused by biomaterials are also circumvented to the maximum extent.
Overview of Reporting System
Reporter genes are a group of genes that encode protein or enzyme that is easily detectable. It is an important component of biological research and is widely used in research fields such as genetic transformation, tissue expression, transcriptional regulation and protein interactions. Several reporter gene systems, such as fluorescent proteins (GFP, RFP, CFP), β-glucuronide glycosidases (GUS) and luciferases (LUC) have been developed.
- Shortcomings of Existing Reporting Systems
Current reporter gene systems require external forces to function properly. The fluorescent protein-related genes are fluorescence-emitting with the help of a fluorescent exciter, which can then be further observed using a microscope. Some reporter genes also require expensive substrates to react in order to develop color, such as X-Gluc. In addition, these systems have limited application in plants and are not practical when studying large plants.
Natural Pigment Reporting System
Natural pigment-colored compounds have the potential to act as reporter molecules. For example, anthocyanins can display a bright red-blue color, and thus rice plants that produce anthocyanins have been used to generate interesting patterns in rice fields. However, because anthocyanin synthesis requires multiple enzymes and varies widely among plants. Therefore, the pigment is not suitable for use as a reporter gene. Therefore, the use of natural pigments as reporter genes must take into account the simplicity of their biosynthetic pathway.
- Betalain Reporting System
Betalain is a natural pigment with a bright red color, produced in a three-step enzymatic reaction using tyrosine as a substrate. Since every cell contains tyrosine, betalain can be used as a reporter gene without exogenous addition of substrate. Betalain, a natural pigment, acts as a reporter molecule that allows direct visual observation of color development changes in plants, allowing continuous monitoring throughout the life cycle of the organism. Currently, betalain pigment systems have been used by research teams to visualize genetic transformation and gene expression in Oryza sativa L. and Arabidopsis thaliana.
The color of betalain in Arabidopsis shows. (He, Y. et al. ,2020)
- Indigoidine Reporting System
Indigoidine is a natural product of bacteria with antioxidant and antibacterial activity. Its bright blue color resembles that of the industrial blue dye and thus represents a novel natural blue dye that may find use in industry. indigoidine is catalyzed by a non-ribosomal peptide synthase encoded by the bpsA gene. The pigment reporter system is currently available for bacterial and mammalian expression analysis.
Daji Belle has many natural colors that come from plants, insects, microorganisms and more. Here you can find a very wide range of color combinations. If you would like more information, please contact us.
References
- He, Y. et al. (2020). A reporter for noninvasively monitoring gene expression and plant transformation. Horticulture Research. (001), 007.
- M Müller. et al. (2012). A novel reporter system for bacterial and mammalian cells based on the non-ribosomal peptide indigoidine. Metabolic Engineering. 14(4), 325-335.
For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
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