The Renilla luciferase antibody is a key reagent in molecular and cellular biology, primarily used to detect Renilla luciferase—a bioluminescent enzyme derived from the marine organism *Renilla reniformis*. In research, Renilla luciferase is widely employed as a reporter gene in dual-luciferase assay systems, often paired with firefly luciferase. This dual system allows normalization of experimental variables, such as transfection efficiency, by using Renilla as an internal control while measuring firefly luciferase activity as the primary reporter.
The antibody specifically targets Renilla luciferase, enabling its quantification via techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, or ELISA. It is typically produced in hosts such as rabbits or mice using purified recombinant Renilla luciferase as an immunogen. High-quality antibodies exhibit strong specificity with minimal cross-reactivity to other luciferases, including firefly luciferase, ensuring accurate experimental results.
Applications include studies on gene regulation, promoter activity, and signal transduction pathways. For example, in gene expression assays, cells are co-transfected with a Renilla luciferase control vector and a firefly luciferase experimental construct. After lysis, Renilla activity is measured first (using coelenterazine as a substrate), followed by firefly luciferase detection. The Renilla antibody helps validate consistent expression of the control, ensuring data reliability. Commercial variants may include monoclonal or polyclonal formats, often validated for sensitivity and low background interference.