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Kuchimaru T. Emerging Synthetic Bioluminescent Reactions for Non-Invasive Imaging of Freely Moving Animals. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7338. [PMID: 39000448 PMCID: PMC11242611 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is an indispensable technique for visualizing the dynamics of diverse biological processes in mammalian animal models, including cancer, viral infections, and immune responses. However, a critical scientific challenge remains: non-invasively visualizing homeostatic and disease mechanisms in freely moving animals to understand the molecular basis of exercises, social behavior, and other phenomena. Classical BLI relies on prolonged camera exposure to accumulate the limited number of photons that traveled from deep tissues in anesthetized or constrained animals. Recent advancements in synthetic bioluminescence reactions, utilizing artificial luciferin-luciferase pairs, have considerably increased the number of detectable photons from deep tissues, facilitating high-speed BLI to capture moving objects. In this review, I provide an overview of emerging synthetic bioluminescence reactions that enable the non-invasive imaging of freely moving animals. This approach holds the potential to uncover unique physiological processes that are inaccessible with current methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Kuchimaru
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
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2
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Amaral DT, Kaplan RA, Takishita TKE, de Souza DR, Oliveira AG, Rosa SP. Glowing wonders: exploring the diversity and ecological significance of bioluminescent organisms in Brazil. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2024; 23:1373-1392. [PMID: 38733516 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-024-00590-x] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Bioluminescence, the emission of light by living organisms, is a captivating and widespread phenomenon with diverse ecological functions. This comprehensive review explores the biodiversity, mechanisms, ecological roles, and conservation challenges of bioluminescent organisms in Brazil, a country known for its vast and diverse ecosystems. From the enchanting glow of fireflies and glow-in-the-dark mushrooms to the mesmerizing displays of marine dinoflagellates and cnidarians, Brazil showcases a remarkable array of bioluminescent species. Understanding the biochemical mechanisms and enzymes involved in bioluminescence enhances our knowledge of their evolutionary adaptations and ecological functions. However, habitat loss, climate change, and photopollution pose significant threats to these bioluminescent organisms. Conservation measures, interdisciplinary collaborations, and responsible lighting practices are crucial for their survival. Future research should focus on identifying endemic species, studying environmental factors influencing bioluminescence, and developing effective conservation strategies. Through interdisciplinary collaborations, advanced technologies, and increased funding, Brazil can unravel the mysteries of its bioluminescent biodiversity, drive scientific advancements, and ensure the long-term preservation of these captivating organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo T Amaral
- Centro de Ciências Naturais E Humanas, Universidade Federal Do ABC (UFABC), Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós Graduação Em Biotecnociência, Universidade Federal Do ABC (UFABC), Avenida Dos Estados, Bloco A, Room 504-3. ZIP 09210-580, Santo André, São Paulo, 5001, Brazil.
| | - Rachel A Kaplan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Yeshiva University, 245 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | | | - Daniel R de Souza
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados Em Jornalismo, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anderson G Oliveira
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Yeshiva University, 245 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Simone Policena Rosa
- Instituto de Recursos Naturais (IRN), Universidade Federal de Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá, MG, Brazil
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Alonso MT, Torres-Vidal P, Calvo B, Rodriguez C, Delrio-Lorenzo A, Rojo-Ruiz J, Garcia-Sancho J, Patel S. Use of aequorin-based indicators for monitoring Ca 2+ in acidic organelles. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119481. [PMID: 37142127 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the last years, there is accumulating evidence that acidic organelles can accumulate and release Ca2+ upon cell activation. Hence, reliable recording of Ca2+ dynamics in these compartments is essential for understanding the physiopathological aspects of acidic organelles. Genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators (GECIs) are valuable tools to monitor Ca2+ in specific locations, although their use in acidic compartments is challenging due to the pH sensitivity of most available fluorescent GECIs. By contrast, bioluminescent GECIs have a combination of features (marginal pH sensitivity, low background, no phototoxicity, no photobleaching, high dynamic range and tunable affinity) that render them advantageous to achieve an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio in acidic compartments. This article reviews the use of bioluminescent aequorin-based GECIs targeted to acidic compartments. A need for more measurements in highly acidic compartments is identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- M T Alonso
- Unidad de Excelencia, Instituto de Biomedicina y Genética Molecular de Valladolid (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), c/ Sanz y Forés 3, 47003 Valladolid, Spain.
| | - P Torres-Vidal
- Unidad de Excelencia, Instituto de Biomedicina y Genética Molecular de Valladolid (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), c/ Sanz y Forés 3, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
| | - B Calvo
- Unidad de Excelencia, Instituto de Biomedicina y Genética Molecular de Valladolid (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), c/ Sanz y Forés 3, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
| | - C Rodriguez
- Unidad de Excelencia, Instituto de Biomedicina y Genética Molecular de Valladolid (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), c/ Sanz y Forés 3, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
| | - A Delrio-Lorenzo
- Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, Madrid, Avenida Universidad, 1, 28691 Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Rojo-Ruiz
- Unidad de Excelencia, Instituto de Biomedicina y Genética Molecular de Valladolid (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), c/ Sanz y Forés 3, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
| | - J Garcia-Sancho
- Unidad de Excelencia, Instituto de Biomedicina y Genética Molecular de Valladolid (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), c/ Sanz y Forés 3, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
| | - S Patel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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4
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Larionova MD, Wu L, Eremeeva EV, Natashin PV, Gulnov DV, Nemtseva EV, Liu D, Liu Z, Vysotski ES. Crystal structure of semisynthetic obelin-v. Protein Sci 2022; 31:454-469. [PMID: 34802167 PMCID: PMC8819848 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Coelenterazine-v (CTZ-v), a synthetic derivative with an additional benzyl ring, yields a bright bioluminescence of Renilla luciferase and its "yellow" mutant with a significant shift in the emission spectrum toward longer wavelengths, which makes it the substrate of choice for deep tissue imaging. Although Ca2+ -regulated photoproteins activated with CTZ-v also display red-shifted light emission, in contrast to Renilla luciferase their bioluminescence activities are very low, which makes photoproteins activated by CTZ-v unusable for calcium imaging. Here, we report the crystal structure of Ca2+ -regulated photoprotein obelin with 2-hydroperoxycoelenterazine-v (obelin-v) at 1.80 Å resolution. The structures of obelin-v and obelin bound with native CTZ revealed almost no difference; only the minor rearrangement in hydrogen-bond pattern and slightly increased distances between key active site residues and some atoms of 2-hydroperoxycoelenterazine-v were found. The fluorescence quantum yield (ΦFL ) of obelin bound with coelenteramide-v (0.24) turned out to be even higher than that of obelin with native coelenteramide (0.19). Since both obelins are in effect the enzyme-substrate complexes containing the 2-hydroperoxy adduct of CTZ-v or CTZ, we reasonably assume the chemical reaction mechanisms and the yields of the reaction products (ΦR ) to be similar for both obelins. Based on these findings we suggest that low bioluminescence activity of obelin-v is caused by the low efficiency of generating an electronic excited state (ΦS ). In turn, the low ΦS value as compared to that of native CTZ might be the result of small changes in the substrate microenvironment in the obelin-v active site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina D. Larionova
- Photobiology LaboratoryInstitute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS”KrasnoyarskRussia,iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Lijie Wu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Elena V. Eremeeva
- Photobiology LaboratoryInstitute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS”KrasnoyarskRussia,Institute of Fundamental Biology and Biotechnology, Siberian Federal UniversityKrasnoyarskRussia
| | - Pavel V. Natashin
- Photobiology LaboratoryInstitute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS”KrasnoyarskRussia
| | - Dmitry V. Gulnov
- Institute of Fundamental Biology and Biotechnology, Siberian Federal UniversityKrasnoyarskRussia
| | - Elena V. Nemtseva
- Photobiology LaboratoryInstitute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS”KrasnoyarskRussia,Institute of Fundamental Biology and Biotechnology, Siberian Federal UniversityKrasnoyarskRussia
| | - Dongsheng Liu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhi‐Jie Liu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghaiChina,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Eugene S. Vysotski
- Photobiology LaboratoryInstitute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS”KrasnoyarskRussia
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Vicente M, Salgado-Almario J, Martínez-Sielva A, Llopis J, Domingo B. Optimized Aequorin Reconstitution Protocol to Visualize Calcium Ion Transients in the Heart of Transgenic Zebrafish Embryos In Vivo. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2524:271-280. [PMID: 35821478 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2453-1_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We introduce how to image calcium ion levels in the heart of zebrafish embryos and larvae up to 5 days post-fertilization with the photoprotein green fluorescent protein (GFP)-aequorin (GA) in the transgenic line Tg(myl7:GA). Incubation of the embryos with CTZ to obtain the functional photoprotein yields few emission counts, suggesting that, when the heart is beating, the rate of aequorin consumption is faster than that of the reconstitution with CTZ. In this chapter, we present an improved aequorin reconstitution protocol. We further describe the experimental procedure as well as the bioluminescence data analysis and processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Vicente
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Jussep Salgado-Almario
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Antonio Martínez-Sielva
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Juan Llopis
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Beatriz Domingo
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain.
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6
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Vicente M, Salgado-Almario J, Collins MM, Martínez-Sielva A, Minoshima M, Kikuchi K, Domingo B, Llopis J. Cardioluminescence in Transgenic Zebrafish Larvae: A Calcium Imaging Tool to Study Drug Effects and Pathological Modeling. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101294. [PMID: 34680411 PMCID: PMC8533351 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish embryos and larvae have emerged as an excellent model in cardiovascular research and are amenable to live imaging with genetically encoded biosensors to study cardiac cell behaviours, including calcium dynamics. To monitor calcium ion levels in three to five days post-fertilization larvae, we have used bioluminescence. We generated a transgenic line expressing GFP-aequorin in the heart, Tg(myl7:GA), and optimized a reconstitution protocol to boost aequorin luminescence. The analogue diacetylh-coelenterazine enhanced light output and signal-to-noise ratio. With this cardioluminescence model, we imaged the time-averaged calcium levels and beat-to-beat calcium oscillations continuously for hours. As a proof-of-concept of the transgenic line, changes in ventricular calcium levels were observed by Bay K8644, an L-type calcium channel activator and with the blocker nifedipine. The β-adrenergic blocker propranolol decreased calcium levels, heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output, suggesting that larvae have a basal adrenergic tone. Zebrafish larvae treated with terfenadine for 24 h have been proposed as a model of heart failure. Tg(myl7:GA) larvae treated with terfenadine showed bradycardia, 2:1 atrioventricular block, decreased time-averaged ventricular calcium levels but increased calcium transient amplitude, and reduced cardiac output. As alterations of calcium signalling are involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure and arrhythmia, the GFP-aequorin transgenic line provides a powerful platform for understanding calcium dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Vicente
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, C/Almansa 14, 02006 Albacete, Spain; (M.V.); (J.S.-A.); (A.M.-S.)
| | - Jussep Salgado-Almario
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, C/Almansa 14, 02006 Albacete, Spain; (M.V.); (J.S.-A.); (A.M.-S.)
| | - Michelle M. Collins
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada;
| | - Antonio Martínez-Sielva
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, C/Almansa 14, 02006 Albacete, Spain; (M.V.); (J.S.-A.); (A.M.-S.)
| | - Masafumi Minoshima
- Department of Material and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (M.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Kazuya Kikuchi
- Department of Material and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (M.M.); (K.K.)
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Beatriz Domingo
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, C/Almansa 14, 02006 Albacete, Spain; (M.V.); (J.S.-A.); (A.M.-S.)
- Correspondence: (B.D.); (J.L.); Tel.: +34-967-599-315 (J.L.); +34-967-599-200 (ext. 2686) (B.D.)
| | - Juan Llopis
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, C/Almansa 14, 02006 Albacete, Spain; (M.V.); (J.S.-A.); (A.M.-S.)
- Correspondence: (B.D.); (J.L.); Tel.: +34-967-599-315 (J.L.); +34-967-599-200 (ext. 2686) (B.D.)
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7
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RedquorinXS Mutants with Enhanced Calcium Sensitivity and Bioluminescence Output Efficiently Report Cellular and Neuronal Network Activities. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21217846. [PMID: 33105848 PMCID: PMC7660078 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21217846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Considerable efforts have been focused on shifting the wavelength of aequorin Ca2+-dependent blue bioluminescence through fusion with fluorescent proteins. This approach has notably yielded the widely used GFP-aequorin (GA) Ca2+ sensor emitting green light, and tdTomato-aequorin (Redquorin), whose bioluminescence is completely shifted to red, but whose Ca2+ sensitivity is low. In the present study, the screening of aequorin mutants generated at twenty-four amino acid positions in and around EF-hand Ca2+-binding domains resulted in the isolation of six aequorin single or double mutants (AequorinXS) in EF2, EF3, and C-terminal tail, which exhibited markedly higher Ca2+ sensitivity than wild-type aequorin in vitro. The corresponding Redquorin mutants all showed higher Ca2+ sensitivity than wild-type Redquorin, and four of them (RedquorinXS) matched the Ca2+ sensitivity of GA in vitro. RedquorinXS mutants exhibited unaltered thermostability and peak emission wavelengths. Upon stable expression in mammalian cell line, all RedquorinXS mutants reported the activation of the P2Y2 receptor by ATP with higher sensitivity and assay robustness than wt-Redquorin, and one, RedquorinXS-Q159T, outperformed GA. Finally, wide-field bioluminescence imaging in mouse neocortical slices showed that RedquorinXS-Q159T and GA similarly reported neuronal network activities elicited by the removal of extracellular Mg2+. Our results indicate that RedquorinXS-Q159T is a red light-emitting Ca2+ sensor suitable for the monitoring of intracellular signaling in a variety of applications in cells and tissues, and is a promising candidate for the transcranial monitoring of brain activities in living mice.
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Krasitskaya VV, Bashmakova EE, Frank LA. Coelenterazine-Dependent Luciferases as a Powerful Analytical Tool for Research and Biomedical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7465. [PMID: 33050422 PMCID: PMC7590018 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
: The functioning of bioluminescent systems in most of the known marine organisms is based on the oxidation reaction of the same substrate-coelenterazine (CTZ), catalyzed by luciferase. Despite the diversity in structures and the functioning mechanisms, these enzymes can be united into a common group called CTZ-dependent luciferases. Among these, there are two sharply different types of the system organization-Ca2+-regulated photoproteins and luciferases themselves that function in accordance with the classical enzyme-substrate kinetics. Along with deep and comprehensive fundamental research on these systems, approaches and methods of their practical use as highly sensitive reporters in analytics have been developed. The research aiming at the creation of artificial luciferases and synthetic CTZ analogues with new unique properties has led to the development of new experimental analytical methods based on them. The commercial availability of many ready-to-use assay systems based on CTZ-dependent luciferases is also important when choosing them by first-time-users. The development of analytical methods based on these bioluminescent systems is currently booming. The bioluminescent systems under consideration were successfully applied in various biological research areas, which confirms them to be a powerful analytical tool. In this review, we consider the main directions, results, and achievements in research involving these luciferases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasilisa V. Krasitskaya
- Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS”, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (V.V.K.); (E.E.B.)
| | - Eugenia E. Bashmakova
- Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS”, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (V.V.K.); (E.E.B.)
| | - Ludmila A. Frank
- Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS”, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (V.V.K.); (E.E.B.)
- School of Fundamental Biology and Biotechnology, Siberian Federal University, 660041 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
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Abstract
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a widely used model system during the last four decades. The fact that the zebrafish larva is transparent enables sophisticated in vivo imaging, including calcium imaging of intracellular transients in many different tissues. While being a vertebrate, the reduced complexity of its nervous system and small size make it possible to follow large-scale activity in the whole brain. Its genome is sequenced and many genetic and molecular tools have been developed that simplify the study of gene function in health and disease. Since the mid 90's, the development and neuronal function of the embryonic, larval, and later, adult zebrafish have been studied using calcium imaging methods. This updated chapter is reviewing the advances in methods and research findings of zebrafish calcium imaging during the last decade. The choice of calcium indicator depends on the desired number of cells to study and cell accessibility. Synthetic calcium indicators, conjugated to dextrans and acetoxymethyl (AM) esters, are still used to label specific neuronal cell types in the hindbrain and the olfactory system. However, genetically encoded calcium indicators, such as aequorin and the GCaMP family of indicators, expressed in various tissues by the use of cell-specific promoters, are now the choice for most applications, including brain-wide imaging. Calcium imaging in the zebrafish has contributed greatly to our understanding of basic biological principles during development and adulthood, and the function of disease-related genes in a vertebrate system.
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Vicente M, Salgado-Almario J, Soriano J, Burgos M, Domingo B, Llopis J. Visualization of Mitochondrial Ca 2+ Signals in Skeletal Muscle of Zebrafish Embryos with Bioluminescent Indicators. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215409. [PMID: 31671636 PMCID: PMC6862566 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are believed to play an important role in shaping the intracellular Ca2+ transients during skeletal muscle contraction. There is discussion about whether mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ dynamics always mirror the cytoplasmic changes and whether this happens in vivo in whole organisms. In this study, we characterized cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+ signals during spontaneous skeletal muscle contractions in zebrafish embryos expressing bioluminescent GFP-aequorin (GA, cytoplasm) and mitoGFP-aequorin (mitoGA, trapped in the mitochondrial matrix). The Ca2+ transients measured with GA and mitoGA reflected contractions of the trunk observed by transmitted light. The mitochondrial uncoupler FCCP and the inhibitor of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), DS16570511, abolished mitochondrial Ca2+ transients whereas they increased the frequency of cytosolic Ca2+ transients and muscle contractions, confirming the subcellular localization of mitoGA. Mitochondrial Ca2+ dynamics were also determined with mitoGA and were found to follow closely cytoplasmic changes, with a slower decay. Cytoplasmic Ca2+ kinetics and propagation along the trunk and tail were characterized with GA and with the genetically encoded fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, Twitch-4. Although fluorescence provided a better spatio-temporal resolution, GA was able to resolve the same kinetic parameters while allowing continuous measurements for hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Vicente
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, C/Almansa 14, 02006 Albacete, Spain.
| | - Jussep Salgado-Almario
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, C/Almansa 14, 02006 Albacete, Spain.
| | - Joaquim Soriano
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, C/Almansa 14, 02006 Albacete, Spain.
| | - Miguel Burgos
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, C/Almansa 14, 02006 Albacete, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Domingo
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, C/Almansa 14, 02006 Albacete, Spain.
| | - Juan Llopis
- Physiology and Cell Dynamics Group, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, C/Almansa 14, 02006 Albacete, Spain.
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11
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Red-shifted bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer: Improved tools and materials for analytical in vivo approaches. Trends Analyt Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2019.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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12
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An orange calcium-modulated bioluminescent indicator for non-invasive activity imaging. Nat Chem Biol 2019; 15:433-436. [PMID: 30936501 PMCID: PMC6563924 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-019-0256-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fluorescent indicators are widely used to visualize calcium dynamics downstream of membrane depolarization or G protein-coupled receptor activation, but are poorly suited for non-invasive imaging in mammals. Here, we report a bright calcium-modulated bioluminescent indicator named Orange CaMBI. Orange CaMBI reports calcium dynamics in single cells and, in the context of a transgenic mouse, reveals calcium oscillations in whole organs in an entirely noninvasive manner.
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Slavcev RA, Sum CH, St Jean J, Huh H, Nafissi N. Specific Systems for Evaluation. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2018; 110:99-123. [PMID: 30536228 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-78259-1_4] [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: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescent-based visualization techniques have long been used to monitor biological activity. This chapter explores the delivery of reporter genes as a means to assay and track activity in biological systems. Bioluminescence is the production of light due to biochemical processes. By encoding genes for bioluminescence, biological processes can be visualized based on gene expression. This chapter also discusses the primary applications of bioluminescence as seen through bioluminescent imaging techniques, flow cytometry, and PCR-based methods of gene detection. These techniques are described in terms of researching gene expression, cancer therapy, and protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chi Hong Sum
- University of Waterloo, School of Pharmacy, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Jesse St Jean
- University of Waterloo, School of Pharmacy, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Haein Huh
- University of Waterloo, School of Pharmacy, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Nafiseh Nafissi
- University of Waterloo, School of Pharmacy, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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14
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Mezzanotte L, van 't Root M, Karatas H, Goun EA, Löwik CWGM. In Vivo Molecular Bioluminescence Imaging: New Tools and Applications. Trends Biotechnol 2017; 35:640-652. [PMID: 28501458 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLi) is an optical molecular imaging technique used to visualize molecular and cellular processes in health and diseases and to follow the fate of cells with high sensitivity using luciferase-based gene reporters. The high sensitivity of this technique arises from efficient photon production, followed by the reaction between luciferase enzymes and luciferin substrates. Novel discoveries and developments of luciferase reporters, substrates, and gene-editing techniques, and emerging fields of applications, promise a new era of deeper and more sensitive molecular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mezzanotte
- Optical Molecular imaging, Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Moniek van 't Root
- Optical Molecular imaging, Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hacer Karatas
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elena A Goun
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Clemens W G M Löwik
- Optical Molecular imaging, Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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15
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Bakayan A, Domingo B, Vaquero CF, Peyriéras N, Llopis J. Fluorescent Protein-photoprotein Fusions and Their Applications in Calcium Imaging. Photochem Photobiol 2017; 93:448-465. [PMID: 27925224 DOI: 10.1111/php.12682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Calcium-activated photoproteins, such as aequorin, have been used as luminescent Ca2+ indicators since 1967. After the cloning of aequorin in 1985, microinjection was substituted by its heterologous expression, which opened the way for a widespread use. Molecular fusion of green fluorescent protein (GFP) to aequorin recapitulated the nonradiative energy transfer process that occurs in the jellyfish Aequorea victoria, from which these two proteins were obtained, resulting in an increase of light emission and a shift to longer wavelength. The abundance and location of the chimera are seen by fluorescence, whereas its luminescence reports Ca2+ levels. GFP-aequorin is broadly used in an increasing number of studies, from organelles and cells to intact organisms. By fusing other fluorescent proteins to aequorin, the available luminescence color palette has been expanded for multiplexing assays and for in vivo measurements. In this report, we will attempt to review the various photoproteins available, their reported fusions with fluorescent proteins and their biological applications to image Ca2+ dynamics in organelles, cells, tissue explants and in live organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adil Bakayan
- BioEmergences Unit (CNRS, USR3695), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Beatriz Domingo
- Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Cecilia F Vaquero
- Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Nadine Peyriéras
- BioEmergences Unit (CNRS, USR3695), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Juan Llopis
- Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB) and Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
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16
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Alonso MT, Rojo-Ruiz J, Navas-Navarro P, Rodríguez-Prados M, García-Sancho J. Measuring Ca 2+ inside intracellular organelles with luminescent and fluorescent aequorin-based sensors. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2016; 1864:894-899. [PMID: 27939433 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
GFP-Aequorin Protein (GAP) can be used to measure [Ca2+] inside intracellular organelles, both by luminescence and by fluorescence. The low-affinity variant GAP3 is adequate for ratiometric imaging in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, and it can be combined with conventional synthetic indicators for simultaneous measurements of cytosolic Ca2+. GAP is bioorthogonal as it does not have mammalian homologues, and it is robust and functionally expressed in transgenic flies and mice, where it can be used for Ca2+ measurements ex vivo and in vivo to explore animal models of health and disease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: ECS Meeting edited by Claus Heizmann, Joachim Krebs and Jacques Haiech.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Teresa Alonso
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), C/Sanz y Forés 3, 47003, Valladolid, Spain.
| | - Jonathan Rojo-Ruiz
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), C/Sanz y Forés 3, 47003, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Paloma Navas-Navarro
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), C/Sanz y Forés 3, 47003, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Macarena Rodríguez-Prados
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), C/Sanz y Forés 3, 47003, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Javier García-Sancho
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), C/Sanz y Forés 3, 47003, Valladolid, Spain.
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17
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Burakova LP, Natashin PV, Markova SV, Eremeeva EV, Malikova NP, Cheng C, Liu ZJ, Vysotski ES. Mitrocomin from the jellyfish Mitrocoma cellularia with deleted C-terminal tyrosine reveals a higher bioluminescence activity compared to wild type photoprotein. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY 2016; 162:286-297. [PMID: 27395792 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2016.06.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The full-length cDNA genes encoding five new isoforms of Ca(2+)-regulated photoprotein mitrocomin from a small tissue sample of the outer bell margin containing photocytes of only one specimen of the luminous jellyfish Mitrocoma cellularia were cloned, sequenced, and characterized after their expression in Escherichia coli and subsequent purification. The analysis of cDNA nucleotide sequences encoding mitrocomin isoforms allowed suggestion that two isoforms might be the products of two allelic genes differing in one amino acid residue (64R/Q) whereas other isotypes appear as a result of transcriptional mutations. In addition, the crystal structure of mitrocomin was determined at 1.30Å resolution which expectedly revealed a high similarity with the structures of other hydromedusan photoproteins. Although mitrocomin isoforms reveal a high degree of identity of amino acid sequences, they vary in specific bioluminescence activities. At that, all isotypes displayed the identical bioluminescence spectra (473-474nm with no shoulder at 400nm). Fluorescence spectra of Ca(2+)-discharged mitrocomins were almost identical to their light emission spectra similar to the case of Ca(2+)-discharged aequorin, but different from Ca(2+)-discharged obelins and clytin which fluorescence is red-shifted by 25-30nm from bioluminescence spectra. The main distinction of mitrocomin from other hydromedusan photoproteins is an additional Tyr at the C-terminus. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we showed that this Tyr is not important for bioluminescence because its deletion even increases specific activity and efficiency of apo-mitrocomin conversion into active photoprotein, in contrast to C-terminal Pro of other photoproteins. Since genes in a population generally exist as different isoforms, it makes us anticipate the cloning of even more isoforms of mitrocomin and other hydromedusan photoproteins with different bioluminescence properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila P Burakova
- Photobiology Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Krasnoyarsk 660036, Russia
| | - Pavel V Natashin
- Photobiology Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Krasnoyarsk 660036, Russia; National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Svetlana V Markova
- Photobiology Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Krasnoyarsk 660036, Russia
| | - Elena V Eremeeva
- Photobiology Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Krasnoyarsk 660036, Russia
| | - Natalia P Malikova
- Photobiology Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Krasnoyarsk 660036, Russia
| | - Chongyun Cheng
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhi-Jie Liu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Institute of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Eugene S Vysotski
- Photobiology Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Krasnoyarsk 660036, Russia.
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18
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Grinstead KM, Rowe L, Ensor CM, Joel S, Daftarian P, Dikici E, Zingg JM, Daunert S. Red-Shifted Aequorin Variants Incorporating Non-Canonical Amino Acids: Applications in In Vivo Imaging. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158579. [PMID: 27367859 PMCID: PMC4930207 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The increased importance of in vivo diagnostics has posed new demands for imaging technologies. In that regard, there is a need for imaging molecules capable of expanding the applications of current state-of-the-art imaging in vivo diagnostics. To that end, there is a desire for new reporter molecules capable of providing strong signals, are non-toxic, and can be tailored to diagnose or monitor the progression of a number of diseases. Aequorin is a non-toxic photoprotein that can be used as a sensitive marker for bioluminescence in vivo imaging. The sensitivity of aequorin is due to the fact that bioluminescence is a rare phenomenon in nature and, therefore, it does not suffer from autofluorescence, which contributes to background emission. Emission of bioluminescence in the blue-region of the spectrum by aequorin only occurs when calcium, and its luciferin coelenterazine, are bound to the protein and trigger a biochemical reaction that results in light generation. It is this reaction that endows aequorin with unique characteristics, making it ideally suited for a number of applications in bioanalysis and imaging. Herein we report the site-specific incorporation of non-canonical or non-natural amino acids and several coelenterazine analogues, resulting in a catalog of 72 cysteine-free, aequorin variants which expand the potential applications of these photoproteins by providing several red-shifted mutants better suited to use in vivo. In vivo studies in mouse models using the transparent tissue of the eye confirmed the activity of the aequorin variants incorporating L-4-iodophehylalanine and L-4-methoxyphenylalanine after injection into the eye and topical addition of coelenterazine. The signal also remained localized within the eye. This is the first time that aequorin variants incorporating non-canonical amino acids have shown to be active in vivo and useful as reporters in bioluminescence imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen M. Grinstead
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, R. Bunn Gautier Bldg., 1011 NW 15th Street, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, United States of America
| | - Laura Rowe
- Department of Chemistry, 1610 Campus Drive East, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN, 46385, United States of America
| | - Charles M. Ensor
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, United States of America
| | - Smita Joel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, R. Bunn Gautier Bldg., 1011 NW 15th Street, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, United States of America
| | - Pirouz Daftarian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, R. Bunn Gautier Bldg., 1011 NW 15th Street, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, United States of America
| | - Emre Dikici
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, R. Bunn Gautier Bldg., 1011 NW 15th Street, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, United States of America
| | - Jean-Marc Zingg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, R. Bunn Gautier Bldg., 1011 NW 15th Street, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, United States of America
| | - Sylvia Daunert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, R. Bunn Gautier Bldg., 1011 NW 15th Street, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, United States of America
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19
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Improving the luminescence properties of aequorin by conjugating to CdSe/ZnS quantum dot nanoparticles: Red shift and slowing decay rate. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY 2016; 162:153-161. [PMID: 27371914 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2016.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Changing the properties of photoprotein aequorin such as the wavelength emission and decay half-life by using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) phenomenon is the main aim in this paper. BRET system was set up with CdSe/ZnS quantum dot nanoparticles as an acceptor molecule and photoprotein as an energy donor molecule. Quantum dots are semiconductor nanoparticles with very interesting optical properties, including broad excitation spectra, narrow and the symmetric band width emission spectra, tunable by their sizes, compositions, negligible photo-bleaching and good chemical and photo-stability. In this QD-BRET system, aequorin is conjugated to the carboxyl groups on quantum dot surface by EDC/NHS chemistry as cross linker. Bioluminescence energy generates by aequorin upon adding Ca(2+) and transfers to the quantum dots in a radiationless manner and emits at a longer wavelength. The determined bioluminescent parameters for this method included aequorin activity, emission spectra and decay half-life time. In fact, this spectrum tuning strategy resulted in a change in bioluminescent properties of photoprotein, therefore, the maximum emission wavelength shifted from 455 to 540nm and the decay time increased from 3.76 to 12.11s. Nowadays, photoproteins with different characteristics are capable of being employed as a reporter in multi-analyte detections and in vivo imaging.
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20
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Grinstead K, Joel S, Zingg JM, Dikici E, Daunert S. Enabling Aequorin for Biotechnology Applications Through Genetic Engineering. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2015:149-179. [PMID: 26475468 DOI: 10.1007/10_2015_336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, luminescent proteins have been studied for their potential application in a variety of detection systems. Bioluminescent proteins, which do not require an external excitation source, are especially well-suited as reporters in analytical detection. The photoprotein aequorin is a bioluminescent protein that can be engineered for use as a molecular reporter under a wide range of conditions while maintaining its sensitivity. Herein, the characteristics of aequorin as well as the engineering and production of aequorin variants and their impact on signal detection in biological systems are presented. The structural features and activity of aequorin, its benefits as a label for sensing and applications in highly sensitive detection, as well as in gaining insight into biological processes are discussed. Among those, focus has been placed on the highly sensitive calcium detection in vivo, in vitro DNA and small molecule sensing, and development of in vivo imaging technologies. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Grinstead
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Smita Joel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Jean-Marc Zingg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Emre Dikici
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Sylvia Daunert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
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21
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van Unen J, Woolard J, Rinken A, Hoffmann C, Hill SJ, Goedhart J, Bruchas MR, Bouvier M, Adjobo-Hermans MJW. A Perspective on Studying G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling with Resonance Energy Transfer Biosensors in Living Organisms. Mol Pharmacol 2015; 88:589-95. [PMID: 25972446 DOI: 10.1124/mol.115.098897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The last frontier for a complete understanding of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) biology is to be able to assess GPCR activity, interactions, and signaling in vivo, in real time within biologically intact systems. This includes the ability to detect GPCR activity, trafficking, dimerization, protein-protein interactions, second messenger production, and downstream signaling events with high spatial resolution and fast kinetic readouts. Resonance energy transfer (RET)-based biosensors allow for all of these possibilities in vitro and in cell-based assays, but moving RET into intact animals has proven difficult. Here, we provide perspectives on the optimization of biosensor design, of signal detection in living organisms, and the multidisciplinary development of in vitro and cell-based assays that more appropriately reflect the physiologic situation. In short, further development of RET-based probes, optical microscopy techniques, and mouse genome editing hold great potential over the next decade to bring real-time in vivo GPCR imaging to the forefront of pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakobus van Unen
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (M.J.W.A.-H.); Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada (M.B.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri (M.R.B.); Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (J.U., J.G.); Cell Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (J.W., S.J.H.); Bio-Imaging-Center/Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (C.H.); and Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia (A.R.)
| | - Jeanette Woolard
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (M.J.W.A.-H.); Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada (M.B.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri (M.R.B.); Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (J.U., J.G.); Cell Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (J.W., S.J.H.); Bio-Imaging-Center/Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (C.H.); and Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia (A.R.)
| | - Ago Rinken
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (M.J.W.A.-H.); Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada (M.B.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri (M.R.B.); Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (J.U., J.G.); Cell Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (J.W., S.J.H.); Bio-Imaging-Center/Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (C.H.); and Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia (A.R.)
| | - Carsten Hoffmann
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (M.J.W.A.-H.); Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada (M.B.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri (M.R.B.); Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (J.U., J.G.); Cell Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (J.W., S.J.H.); Bio-Imaging-Center/Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (C.H.); and Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia (A.R.)
| | - Stephen J Hill
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (M.J.W.A.-H.); Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada (M.B.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri (M.R.B.); Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (J.U., J.G.); Cell Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (J.W., S.J.H.); Bio-Imaging-Center/Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (C.H.); and Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia (A.R.)
| | - Joachim Goedhart
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (M.J.W.A.-H.); Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada (M.B.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri (M.R.B.); Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (J.U., J.G.); Cell Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (J.W., S.J.H.); Bio-Imaging-Center/Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (C.H.); and Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia (A.R.)
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (M.J.W.A.-H.); Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada (M.B.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri (M.R.B.); Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (J.U., J.G.); Cell Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (J.W., S.J.H.); Bio-Imaging-Center/Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (C.H.); and Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia (A.R.)
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (M.J.W.A.-H.); Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada (M.B.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri (M.R.B.); Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (J.U., J.G.); Cell Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (J.W., S.J.H.); Bio-Imaging-Center/Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (C.H.); and Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia (A.R.)
| | - Merel J W Adjobo-Hermans
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (M.J.W.A.-H.); Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada (M.B.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri (M.R.B.); Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Section of Molecular Cytology, van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (J.U., J.G.); Cell Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom (J.W., S.J.H.); Bio-Imaging-Center/Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (C.H.); and Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia (A.R.)
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