OBJECTIVETo generate a sensitive tool for noninvasive monitoring of a therapeutic gene vasostatin.

METHODSWe fused the bioluminescent reporter gene firefly luciferase to the therapeutic transgene vasostatin and ensured that these two proteins would not interrupt each other and kept their own natural character.

RESULTSWe therefore examined clones of PC3 cells stably expressing fusion gene and positive controlfluc with bioluminescence. In vivo imaging of PC3-Fluc subcutaneous tumors showed that the mean tumor bioluminescence increased in animals over several weeks.

CONCLUSIONNoninvasive monitoring facilitates the detection of gene expression in vivo and in vitro.