1
|
Fu Q, Yang X, Wang M, Zhu K, Wang Y, Song J. Activatable Probes for Ratiometric Imaging of Endogenous Biomarkers In Vivo. ACS NANO 2024; 18:3916-3968. [PMID: 38258800 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c10659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Dynamic variations in the concentration and abnormal distribution of endogenous biomarkers are strongly associated with multiple physiological and pathological states. Therefore, it is crucial to design imaging systems capable of real-time detection of dynamic changes in biomarkers for the accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of diseases. Recently, ratiometric imaging has emerged as a widely used technique for sensing and imaging of biomarkers due to its advantage of circumventing the limitations inherent to conventional intensity-dependent signal readout methods while also providing built-in self-calibration for signal correction. Here, the recent progress of ratiometric probes and their applications in sensing and imaging of biomarkers are outlined. Ratiometric probes are classified according to their imaging mechanisms, and ratiometric photoacoustic imaging, ratiometric optical imaging including photoluminescence imaging and self-luminescence imaging, ratiometric magnetic resonance imaging, and dual-modal ratiometric imaging are discussed. The applications of ratiometric probes in the sensing and imaging of biomarkers such as pH, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), glutathione (GSH), gas molecules, enzymes, metal ions, and hypoxia are discussed in detail. Additionally, this Review presents an overview of challenges faced in this field along with future research directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qinrui Fu
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266021, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266021, China
| | - Mengzhen Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266021, China
| | - Kang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yin Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266021, China
| | - Jibin Song
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Williams SJ, Gewing-Mullins JA, Lieberman WK, Kolbaba-Kartchner B, Iqbal R, Burgess HM, Colee CM, Ornelas MY, Reid-McLaughlin ES, Mills JH, Prescher JA, Leconte AM. Biochemical Analysis Leads to Improved Orthogonal Bioluminescent Tools. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200726. [PMID: 36592373 PMCID: PMC10265744 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Engineered luciferase-luciferin pairs have expanded the number of cellular targets that can be visualized in tandem. While light production relies on selective processing of synthetic luciferins by mutant luciferases, little is known about the origin of selectivity. The development of new and improved pairs requires a better understanding of the structure-function relationship of bioluminescent probes. In this work, we report a biochemical approach to assessing and optimizing two popular bioluminescent pairs: Cashew/d-luc and Pecan/4'-BrLuc. Single mutants derived from Cashew and Pecan revealed key residues for selectivity and thermal stability. Stability was further improved through a rational addition of beneficial residues. In addition to providing increased stability, the known stabilizing mutations surprisingly also improved selectivity. The resultant improved pair of luciferases are >100-fold selective for their respective substrates and highly thermally stable. Collectively, this work highlights the importance of mechanistic insight for improving bioluminescent pairs and provides significantly improved Cashew and Pecan enzymes which should be immediately suitable for multicomponent imaging applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sierra J Williams
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1120 Natural Science II, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jordan A Gewing-Mullins
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Whitney K Lieberman
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Bethany Kolbaba-Kartchner
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Physical Sciences Center PSd-D102, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- The Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Arizona State University, 1001 S McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Reema Iqbal
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Hana M Burgess
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Clair M Colee
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Marya Y Ornelas
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Edison S Reid-McLaughlin
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Jeremy H Mills
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Physical Sciences Center PSd-D102, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- The Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Arizona State University, 1001 S McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Jennifer A Prescher
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1120 Natural Science II, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, 101 Theory, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Aaron M Leconte
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Multiplexed bioluminescence microscopy via phasor analysis. Nat Methods 2022; 19:893-898. [PMID: 35739310 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-022-01529-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging with luciferase-luciferin pairs is a well-established technique for visualizing biological processes across tissues and whole organisms. Applications at the microscale, by contrast, have been hindered by a lack of detection platforms and easily resolved probes. We addressed this limitation by combining bioluminescence with phasor analysis, a method commonly used to distinguish spectrally similar fluorophores. We built a camera-based microscope equipped with special optical filters to directly assign phasor locations to unique luciferase-luciferin pairs. Six bioluminescent reporters were easily resolved in live cells, and the readouts were quantitative and instantaneous. Multiplexed imaging was also performed over extended time periods. Bioluminescent phasor further provided direct measures of resonance energy transfer in single cells, setting the stage for dynamic measures of cellular and molecular features. The merger of bioluminescence with phasor analysis fills a long-standing void in imaging capabilities, and will bolster future efforts to visualize biological events in real time and over multiple length scales.
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu S, Su Y, Lin MZ, Ronald JA. Brightening up Biology: Advances in Luciferase Systems for in Vivo Imaging. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:2707-2718. [PMID: 34780699 PMCID: PMC8689642 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Bioluminescence imaging
(BLI) using luciferase reporters is an
indispensable method for the noninvasive visualization of cell populations
and biochemical events in living animals. BLI is widely performed
with preclinical rodent models to understand disease processes and
evaluate potential cell- or gene-based therapies. However, in vivo BLI remains constrained by low photon production
and tissue attenuation, limiting the sensitivity of reporting from
small numbers of cells in deep locations and hindering its application
to larger animal models. This Review highlights recent advances in
the development of luciferase systems that improve the sensitivity
of in vivo BLI and discusses the expanding array
of biological applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Liu
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A3K7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A3K7, Canada
| | - Yichi Su
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Michael Z. Lin
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - John A. Ronald
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A3K7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A3K7, Canada
| |
Collapse
|