This high copy number eukaryotic vector, pDC57 contains a mutant luciferase gene under the control of the cytomegalovirus immediate early gene (CMV IE) promoter. The mutant enzyme catalyzes the production of long wavelength (red) light (Em:605) from D-luciferin.

The mutant luciferase also has been shown to remain stable at 37°C over long time periods, a characteristic not seen in wild type luciferases.

This vector is very useful for transfection of mammalian cells in culture and may also be used in other species. The mutant luciferase enzyme expression is enhanced by the Kozak's consensus sequence and SV40 late polyadenylylation signal.

The pDC57 expression vector also contains the β-lactamase gene, which acts as a selection marker (100μg/mL ampicillin resistance) in E. coli host.

In addition, the mutant luciferase gene can be excised using the XhoI/NotI sites to allow the insertion of other genes to be expressed under the same regulatory elements in mammalian cells.