This is a weak form of in-silico search, in which the consensus sequence for the motif is compared to genomic positions and the number of mismatches (between candidate site and consensus) is used as a measure of site-quality.

This is a reporter assay technique, used typically to measure expression of a target gene. A promoter of interest is investigated by fusioning it with the reporter gene, which is then monitored. In GUS, the reporter is the β-glucuronidase enzyme from Escherichia coli, capable of transforming non-fluorescent substates into fluorescent, thereby allowing detection.

Target-specific mutation, as opposed to non-specific mutation. In the context of TF-binding sites, site-directed mutagenesis is typically used to establish/confirm the specific sequence and location of a site, often in tandem with EMSA. Different positions of a putative binding site are mutated to non-consensus (or random) bases and binding to the mutated site is evaluated through EMSA or other means. Often implemented only in conserved motif positions or serially through all positions of a site.