β-Galactosidase reporter gene (β-gal or sometimes LacZ)

The β-galactosidase reporter gene encodes the enzyme β-galactosidase, a glycoside hydrolase that cleaves lactose into glucose and galactose, and is most commonly used as a molecular biology reporter to monitor gene expression and regulatory events. Its activity can be detected using chromogenic or fluorescent substrates, making it a standard tool in molecular genetics, cell biology, and biotechnology. In humans and bacteria, native β-galactosidase also plays a physiologic role in carbohydrate metabolism, but when used as a reporter gene (often as LacZ), it is not a therapeutic target, and its primary relevance is experimental rather than clinical.

Other names

Beta-galLacZβ-galactosidaselactase

For inhibitors: competitive inhibition of enzyme activity