[Analysis of reporter gene expression at different segments of the vaccinia virus genome].

Two reporter genes: the firefly Photinus pyralis luciferase gene and the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase gene were used for construction and characterization of the five unique recombinant vaccinia strain LIVP viruses expressing these genes in three nonessential regions of the virus genome. We give comparative characteristics of beta-galactosidase and luciferase activities in experiments of transient expression and expression dynamics of reporter genes by different stable recombinant viruses. Both genes are expressed with high efficiency independent on the sites of virus genome localization.

[Expression of the glow worm luciferase gene in mammalian cells using vectors based on vaccinia viruses].

The transient expression of the two reporter genes, the genes for luciferase and bacterial beta-galactosidase, were used for comparative estimation of vaccinia viral promoters and for characterizing of the constructed plasmids. The recombinant clones of vaccinia virus expressing simultaneously and with high efficiency the luciferase and beta-galactosidase were used for studying the reproduction of vaccinia virus in mammalian cells. The advantages of the luciferase gene in using it as a reporter gene are discussed.