1
|
Chang CH, Fontaine DM, Gómez S, Branchini BR, Anderson JC. Synthesis and Bioluminescence of 'V'-Shaped Firefly Luciferin Analogues Based on A Novel Benzobisthiazole Core. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202302204. [PMID: 37743319 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302204] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The design of π-extended conjugation 'V'-shaped red shifted bioluminescent D-luciferin analogues based on a novel benzobisthiazole core is described. The divergent synthetic route allowed access to a range of amine donor substituents through an SN Ar reaction. In spectroscopic studies, the 'V'-shaped luciferins exhibited narrower optical band gaps, more red-shifted absorption and emission spectra than D-luciferin. Their bioluminescence characteristics were recorded against four different luciferases (PpyLuc, FlucRed, CBR2 and PLR3). With native luciferase PpyLuc, the 'V'-shaped luciferins demonstrated more red-shifted emissions than D-luciferin (λbl =561 nm) by 60 to 80 nm. In addition, the benzobisthiazole luciferins showed a wide range of bioluminescence spectra from the visible light region (λbl =500 nm) to the nIR window (>650 nm). The computational results validate the design concept which can be used as a guide for further novel D-luciferin analogues based upon other 'V'-shaped heterocyclic cores.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hao Chang
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | | | - Sandra Gómez
- Departamento de Quimica Fisica, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, 37008, Spain
| | - Bruce R Branchini
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, CT-06320, USA
| | - James C Anderson
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Calabretta MM, Gregucci D, Michelini E. New synthetic red- and orange-emitting luciferases to upgrade in vitro and 3D cell biosensing. Analyst 2023; 148:5642-5649. [PMID: 37791570 DOI: 10.1039/d3an01251d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescence (BL), i.e., the emission of light in living organisms, has become an indispensable tool for a plethora of applications including bioassays, biosensors, and in vivo imaging. Current efforts are focused on the obtainment of new luciferases having optimized properties, such as improved thermostability at 37 °C, pH-insensitive emission, high quantum yield, extended kinetics and red-shifted emission. To address these issues we have obtained two new synthetic luciferases, an orange and a red-emitting luciferase, which were designed to achieve high sensitivity (BoLuc) and multiplexing capability (BrLuc) for in vitro and in vivo biosensing using as a starting template a recently developed thermostable synthetic luciferase (BgLuc). Both luciferases were characterized in terms of emission behaviour and thermal and pH stability showing promising features as reporter proteins and BL probes. As proof-of-principle application, an inflammation assay based on Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK293T) 3D cell cultures was developed using either the orange or the red-emitting mutant. The assay provided good analytical performance, with limits of detection for Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNFα) of 0.06 and 0.12 ng mL-1 for BoLuc and BrLuc, respectively. Moreover, since these luciferases require the same substrate, D-luciferin, they can be easily implemented in dual-color assays with a significant reduction of total cost per assay.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orso-la-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Denise Gregucci
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orso-la-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orso-la-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HSTICIR), University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gregucci D, Nazir F, Calabretta MM, Michelini E. Illuminating Progress: The Contribution of Bioluminescence to Sustainable Development Goal 6-Clean Water and Sanitation-Of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:7244. [PMID: 37631781 PMCID: PMC10458275 DOI: 10.3390/s23167244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The United Nations Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims at ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation. The routine monitoring of water contaminants requires accurate and rapid analytical techniques. Laboratory analyses and conventional methods of field sampling still require considerable labor and time with highly trained personnel and transport to a central facility with sophisticated equipment, which renders routine monitoring cumbersome, time-consuming, and costly. Moreover, these methods do not provide information about the actual toxicity of water, which is crucial for characterizing complex samples, such as urban wastewater and stormwater runoff. The unique properties of bioluminescence (BL) offer innovative approaches for developing advanced tools and technologies for holistic water monitoring. BL biosensors offer a promising solution by combining the natural BL phenomenon with cutting-edge technologies. This review provides an overview of the recent advances and significant contributions of BL to SDG 6, focusing attention on the potential use of the BL-based sensing platforms for advancing water management practices, protecting ecosystems, and ensuring the well-being of communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denise Gregucci
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (F.N.); (M.M.C.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Faisal Nazir
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (F.N.); (M.M.C.)
| | - Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (F.N.); (M.M.C.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (F.N.); (M.M.C.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HSTICIR), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Burrack AL, Spartz EJ, Rollins MR, Miller EA, Firulyova M, Cruz E, Goldberg MF, Wang IX, Nanda H, Shen S, Zaitsev K, Stromnes IM. Cxcr3 constrains pancreatic cancer dissemination through instructing T cell fate. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:1461-1478. [PMID: 36472588 PMCID: PMC10198906 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03338-7] [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: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal and metastatic malignancy resistant to therapy. Elucidating how pancreatic tumor-specific T cells differentiate and are maintained in vivo could inform novel therapeutic avenues to promote T cell antitumor activity. Here, we show that the spleen is a critical site harboring tumor-specific CD8 T cells that functionally segregate based on differential Cxcr3 and Klrg1 expression. Cxcr3+ Klrg1- T cells express the memory stem cell marker Tcf1, whereas Cxcr3-Klrg1 + T cells express GzmB consistent with terminal differentiation. We identify a Cxcr3+ Klrg1+ intermediate T cell subpopulation in the spleen that is highly enriched for tumor specificity. However, tumor-specific T cells infiltrating primary tumors progressively downregulate both Cxcr3 and Klrg1 while upregulating exhaustion markers PD-1 and Lag-3. We show that antigen-specific T cell infiltration into PDA is Cxcr3 independent. Further, Cxcr3-deficiency results in enhanced antigen-specific T cell IFNγ production in primary tumors, suggesting that Cxcr3 promotes loss of effector function. Ultimately, however, Cxcr3 was critical for mitigating cancer cell dissemination following immunotherapy with CD40 agonist + anti-PD-L1 or T cell receptor engineered T cell therapy targeting mesothelin. In the absence of Cxcr3, splenic Klrg1 + GzmB + antitumor T cells wain while pancreatic cancer disseminates suggesting a role for these cells in eliminating circulating metastatic tumor cells. Intratumoral myeloid cells are poised to produce Cxcl10, whereas splenic DC subsets produce Cxcl9 following immunotherapy supporting differential roles for these chemokines on T cell differentiation. Together, our study supports that Cxcr3 mitigates tumor cell dissemination by impacting peripheral T cell fate rather than intratumoral T cell trafficking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Burrack
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Ellen J Spartz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Meagan R Rollins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Ebony A Miller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Maria Firulyova
- Computer Technologies Laboratory, ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Eduardo Cruz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Michael F Goldberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Iris X Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Hezkiel Nanda
- Institute for Health Informatics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Clinical Translational Science Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Steven Shen
- Institute for Health Informatics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Clinical Translational Science Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Konstantin Zaitsev
- Computer Technologies Laboratory, ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ingunn M Stromnes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA.
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA.
- Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, USA.
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Martínez-Pérez-Cejuela H, Gregucci D, Calabretta MM, Simó-Alfonso EF, Herrero-Martínez JM, Michelini E. Novel Nanozeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF-8)-Luciferase Biocomposite for Nanosensing Applications. Anal Chem 2022; 95:2540-2547. [PMID: 36473148 PMCID: PMC9893222 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The identification of new strategies to improve the stability of proteins is of utmost importance for a number of applications, from biosensing to biocatalysis. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been shown as a versatile host platform for the immobilization of proteins, with the potential to protect proteins in harsh conditions. In this work, a new thermostable luciferase mutant has been selected as a bioluminescent protein model to investigate the suitability of MOFs to improve its stability and prompt its applications in real-world applications, for example, ATP detection in portable systems. The luciferase has been immobilized onto zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) to obtain a bioluminescent biocomposite with enhanced performance. The biocomposite ZIF-8@luc has been characterized in harsh conditions (e.g., high temperature, non-native pH, etc.). Bioluminescence properties confirmed that MOF enhanced the luciferase stability at acidic pH, in the presence of organic solvents, and at -20 °C. To assess the feasibility of this approach, the recyclability, storage stability, precision, and Michaelis-Menten constants (Km) for ATP and d-luciferin have been also evaluated. As a proof of principle, the suitability for ATP detection was investigated and the biocomposite outperformed the free enzyme in the same experimental conditions, achieving a limit of detection for ATP down to 0.2 fmol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Martínez-Pérez-Cejuela
- Department
of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy,Department
of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, C/Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Denise Gregucci
- Department
of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy,Center
for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department
of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy,Center
for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Elisa Michelini
- Department
of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy,Center
for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy,Health
Sciences and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial
Research (HSTICIR), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy,. Tel: +39 051 20 9 9533
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
A Luciferase Mutant with Improved Brightness and Stability for Whole-Cell Bioluminescent Biosensors and In Vitro Biosensing. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12090742. [PMID: 36140127 PMCID: PMC9496056 DOI: 10.3390/bios12090742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The availability of new bioluminescent proteins with tuned properties, both in terms of emission wavelength, kinetics and protein stability, is highly valuable in the bioanalytical field, with the potential to improve the sensitivity and analytical performance of the currently used methods for ATP detection, whole-cell biosensors, and viability assays among others. We present a new luciferase mutant, called BgLuc, suitable for developing whole-cell biosensors and in vitro biosensors characterized by a bioluminescence maximum of 548 nm, narrow emission bandwidth, favorable kinetic properties, and excellent pH- and thermo-stabilities at 37 and 45 °C and pH from 5.0 to 8.0. We assessed the suitability of this new luciferase for whole-cell biosensing with a cell-based bioreporter assay for Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-kB) signal transduction pathway using 2D and 3D human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cells, and for ATP detection with the purified enzyme. In both cases the luciferase showed suitable for sensitive detection of the target analytes, with better or similar performance than the commercial counterparts.
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu YJ. Understanding the complete bioluminescence cycle from a multiscale computational perspective: A review. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY C: PHOTOCHEMISTRY REVIEWS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochemrev.2022.100537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
|
8
|
Liu L, Liang X, Li Z, Zhang M, Gao M. Detection of ATP in cancer cells with a label-free fluorescent aptasensor. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2022; 17:765-774. [PMID: 35642581 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2021-0466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To develop a new detection technique for ATP in cancer cells using fluorescent biosensing. Materials & methods: This research presents a new label-free fluorescent aptasensor for ATP measurement that incorporates a DNA aptamer, SYBR Gold and single-walled carbon nanohorns. Results: The aptasensor showed selectivity toward ATP and a low limit of detection (37.6 nM). The linear detection range was 100-50,000 nM, and the fluorescence intensity and ATP concentration logarithm showed an excellent linear correlation (R2 = 0.9924). Conclusion: The developed aptasensor may be used to detect cellular ATP in cancer cells and could be employed for biological sample analysis. The benefits of the aptasensor, such as its simplicity, speed, cost-effectiveness, specificity and sensitivity, give it promising implications as a potentially adaptable sensing platform.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liying Liu
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Xiuju Liang
- Department of Oncology, No. 960 Hospital, The People's Liberation Army, Jinan, 250031, China
| | - Zhaoming Li
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - MingZhi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Ming Gao
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Systematic Comparison of Beetle Luciferase-Luciferin Pairs as Sources of Near-Infrared Light for In Vitro and In Vivo Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052451. [PMID: 35269601 PMCID: PMC8910387 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Luciferases catalyze light-emitting reactions that produce a rainbow of colors from their substrates (luciferins), molecular oxygen, and often additional cofactors. These bioluminescence (BL) systems have afforded an incredible variety of basic research and medical applications. Driven by the importance of BL-based non-invasive animal imaging (BLI) applications, especially in support of cancer research, new BL systems have been developed by engineering beetle luciferase (Luc) variants and synthetic substrate combinations to produce red to near-infrared (nIR) light to improve imaging sensitivity and resolution. To stimulate the application of BLI research and advance the development of improved reagents for BLI, we undertook a systematic comparison of the spectroscopic and BL properties of seven beetle Lucs with LH2 and nine substrates, which included two new quinoline ring-containing analogs. The results of these experiments with purified Luc enzymes in vitro and in live HEK293T cells transfected with luc genes have enabled us to identify Luc/analog combinations with improved properties compared to those previously reported and to provide live cell BL data that may be relevant to in vivo imaging applications. Additionally, we found strong candidate enzyme/substrate pairs for in vitro biomarker applications requiring nIR sources with minimal visible light components. Notably, one of our new substrates paired with a previously developed Luc variant was demonstrated to be an excellent in vitro source of nIR and a potentially useful BL system for improved resolution in BLI.
Collapse
|
10
|
Calabretta MM, Lopreside A, Montali L, Zangheri M, Evangelisti L, D'Elia M, Michelini E. Portable light detectors for bioluminescence biosensing applications: A comprehensive review from the analytical chemist's perspective. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1200:339583. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.339583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
11
|
Bergua JF, Álvarez-Diduk R, Hu L, Hassan AHA, Merkoçi A. Improved Aliivibrio fischeri based-toxicity assay: Graphene-oxide as a sensitivity booster with a mobile-phone application. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 406:124434. [PMID: 33307446 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Recently, many bioluminescence-based applications have arisen in several fields, such as biosensing, bioimaging, molecular biology, and human health diagnosis. Among all bioluminescent organisms, Aliivibrio fischeri (A. fischeri) is a bioluminescent bacterium used to carry out water toxicity assays since the late 1970s. Since then, several commercial A. fischeri-based products have been launched to the market, as these bacteria are considered as a gold standard for water toxicity assessment worldwide. However, the aforementioned commercial products rely on expensive equipment, requiring several reagents and working steps, as well as high-trained personnel to perform the assays and analyze the output data. For these reasons, in this work, we have developed for the first time a mobile-phone-based sensing platform for water toxicity assessment in just 5 min using two widespread pesticides as model analytes. To accomplish this, we have established new methodologies to enhance the bioluminescent signal of A. fischeri based on the bacterial culture in a solid media and/or using graphene oxide. Finally, we have addressed the biocompatibility of graphene oxide to A. fischeri, boosting the sensitivity of the toxicity assays and the bacterial growth of the lyophilized bacterial cultures for more user-friendly storage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Francisco Bergua
- Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ruslan Álvarez-Diduk
- Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Liming Hu
- Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Abdelrahim H A Hassan
- Department of Food Hygiene and Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Arben Merkoçi
- Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; ICREA, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Syed AJ, Anderson JC. Applications of bioluminescence in biotechnology and beyond. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:5668-5705. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01492c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Bioluminescent probes have hugely benefited from the input of synthetic chemistry and protein engineering. Here we review the latest applications of these probes in biotechnology and beyond, with an eye on current limitations and future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aisha J. Syed
- Department of Chemistry
- University College London
- London
- UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Giuliani G, Merolla A, Paolino M, Reale A, Saletti M, Blancafort L, Cappelli A, Benfenati F, Cesca F. Stability Studies of New Caged bis-deoxy-coelenterazine Derivatives and Their Potential Use as Cellular pH Probes. Photochem Photobiol 2020; 97:343-352. [PMID: 33095933 DOI: 10.1111/php.13347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis of new bis-deoxy-coelenterazine (1) derivatives bearing ester protective groups (acetate, propionate and butyrate esters) was accomplished. Moreover, their hydrolytic stability at room temperature was evaluated in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as solvent, using the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of the key products at different time intervals. The results showed an increasing hydrolysis rate according to longest aliphatic chain, with a half-life of 24 days of the more stable acetate derivative (4a). Furthermore, the analysis of the experimental data revealed the greater stability of the enol tautomer in this aprotic polar solvent. This result was confirmed by theoretical calculations using the density functional theory (DFT) approach, which gave us the opportunity to propose a detailed decomposition mechanism. Additionally, the derivatives obtained were tested by bioluminescence luciferase assays to evaluate their potential use as extracellular pH-sensitive reporter substrates of luciferase. The biological data support the idea that further structural modifications of these molecules may open promising perspectives in this field of research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Germano Giuliani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Assunta Merolla
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Marco Paolino
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Annalisa Reale
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Mario Saletti
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Lluís Blancafort
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC), Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Andrea Cappelli
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Cesca
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
Bioluminescence (BL) is an excellent optical readout platform that has great potential to be utilized in various bioassays and molecular imaging. The advantages of BL-based bioassays include the long dynamic range, minimal background, high signal-to-noise ratios, biocompatibility for use in cell-based assays, no need of external light source for excitation, simplicity in the measurement system, and versatility in the assay design. The recent intensive research in BL has greatly diversified the available luciferase-luciferin systems in the bioassay toolbox. However, the wide variety does not promise their successful utilization in various bioassays as new tools. This is mainly due to complexity and confusion with the diversity, and the unavailability of defined standards. This review is intended to provide an overview of recent basic developments and applications in BL studies, and showcases the bioanalytical utilities. We hope that this review can be used as an instant reference on BL and provides useful guidance for readers in narrowing down their potential options in their own assay designs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Bae Kim
- Research Institute for Environmental Management Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
| | - Ramasamy Paulmurugan
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Bio-X Program, Stanford University School of Medicine
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gosset P, Taupier G, Crégut O, Brazard J, Mély Y, Dorkenoo KD, Léonard J, Didier P. Excited-State Proton Transfer in Oxyluciferin and Its Analogues. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:3653-3659. [PMID: 32310668 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c00839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
One of the most characterized bioluminescent reactions involves the firefly luciferase that catalyzes the oxidation of the luciferin producing oxyluciferin in its first excited state. While relaxing to the ground state, oxyluciferin emits visible light with an emission maximum that can vary from green to red. Oxyluciferin exists under six different chemical forms resulting from a keto/enol tautomerization and the deprotonation of the phenol or enol moieties. The optical properties of each chemical form have been recently characterized by the investigations of a variety of oxyluciferin derivatives, indicating unresolved excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) reactions. In this work, femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy are used to investigate the picosecond kinetics of the ESPT reactions and demonstrate the excited state keto to enol conversion of oxyluciferin and its derivatives in aqueous buffer as a function of pH. A comprehensive photophysical scheme is provided describing the complex luminescence pathways of oxyluciferin in protic solution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Gosset
- Institut de Physique et de Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UMR 7504, Strasbourg, France
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Grégory Taupier
- Institut de Physique et de Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UMR 7504, Strasbourg, France
| | - Olivier Crégut
- Institut de Physique et de Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UMR 7504, Strasbourg, France
| | - Johanna Brazard
- Institut de Physique et de Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UMR 7504, Strasbourg, France
| | - Yves Mély
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Kokou-Dodzi Dorkenoo
- Institut de Physique et de Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UMR 7504, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jérémie Léonard
- Institut de Physique et de Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UMR 7504, Strasbourg, France
| | - Pascal Didier
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Calabretta MM, Álvarez-Diduk R, Michelini E, Roda A, Merkoçi A. Nano-lantern on paper for smartphone-based ATP detection. Biosens Bioelectron 2019; 150:111902. [PMID: 31786021 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2019.111902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
ATP-driven bioluminescence relying on the D-luciferin-luciferase reaction is widely employed for several biosensing applications where bacterial ATP detection allows to verify microbial contamination for hygiene monitoring in hospitals, food processing and in general for cell viability studies. Several ATP kit assays are already commercially available but an user-friendly ATP biosensor characterized by low-cost, portability, and adequate sensitivity would be highly valuable for rapid and facile on site screening. Thanks to an innovative freeze-drying procedure, we developed a user-friendly, ready-to-use and stable ATP sensing paper biosensor that can be combined with smartphone detection. The ATP sensing paper includes a lyophilized "nano-lantern" with reaction components being rapidly reconstituted by 10 μL sample addition, enabling detection of 10-14 mol of ATP within 10 min. We analysed urinary microbial ATP as a biomarker of urinary tract infection (UTI), confirming the capability of the ATP sensing paper to detect the threshold for positivity corresponding to 105 colony-forming units of bacteria per mL of urine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ruslan Álvarez-Diduk
- Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, 00136, Rome, Italy; Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 41/E 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, 00136, Rome, Italy.
| | - Arben Merkoçi
- Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain; Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Burrack AL, Spartz EJ, Raynor JF, Wang I, Olson M, Stromnes IM. Combination PD-1 and PD-L1 Blockade Promotes Durable Neoantigen-Specific T Cell-Mediated Immunity in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cell Rep 2019; 28:2140-2155.e6. [PMID: 31433988 PMCID: PMC7975822 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal cancer resistant to immunotherapy. We create a PDA mouse model and show that neoantigen expression is required for intratumoral T cell accumulation and response to immune checkpoint blockade. By generating a peptide:MHC tetramer, we identify that PDA induces rapid intratumoral, and progressive systemic, tumor-specific T cell exhaustion. Monotherapy PD-1 or PD-L1 blockade enhances systemic T cell expansion and induces objective responses that require systemic T cells. However, tumor escape variants defective in IFNγ-inducible Tap1 and MHC class I cell surface expression ultimately emerge. Combination PD-1 + PD-L1 blockade synergizes therapeutically by increasing intratumoral KLRG1+Lag3-TNFα+ tumor-specific T cells and generating memory T cells capable of expanding to spontaneous tumor recurrence, thereby prolonging animal survival. Our studies support that PD-1 and PD-L1 are relevant immune checkpoints in PDA and identify a combination for clinical testing in those patients with neoantigen-specific T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Burrack
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ellen J Spartz
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Jackson F Raynor
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Iris Wang
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Margaret Olson
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ingunn M Stromnes
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Masonic Cancer Center of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
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]
|
19
|
Pierce J, Hiebert JB, Mahoney D, Shen Q, Peltzer J, Rahman F, Johnson S, Pierce JT. Development of a point-of-contact technique to measure adenosine triphosphate: A quality improvement study. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2019; 41:29-32. [PMID: 31011421 PMCID: PMC6462498 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2019.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) experience fatigue due to impaired myocardial bioenergetics. Cardiomyocyte function depends on the delivery of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), yet there is no convenient bedside method to measure ATP. The purpose of this study was to develop a point-of-contact measurement of ATP that can be used in a clinical setting. Methods In a laboratory setting, digital finger punctures were conducted using 5 μl and 10 μl of capillary blood placed into various amounts of water (H2O). After mixing the solution for 10 s, a Hygiena AquaSnapTM Free ATP probe was placed into the solution for 10 s for the detection of ATP. The probe was then placed into the Hygiena luminometer for 15 s, and a value in relative light units (RLU) was obtained. Results Test samples using 10 μl of blood diluted from 50 to 500 mls of H2O produced ATP readings of 10,000-7569 RLUs. Using 5 μl of blood in 375–900 ml of H2O decreased the ATP values to 6459-4189 RLUs. Dilutional volume sparing experiments were conducted with ATP standards to determine the concentration of ATP per RLUs. Conclusion Patients with HFpEF have increased metabolic demand and impaired myocardial bioenergetics. Thus, identifying a method to measure ATP that is quick and accurate is imperative to accurately assess cellular energy production in this population. Point-of-contact measures, such as ATP, are needed for precision-guided treatment. Data from this study provides the first step toward developing evidence for health policies related to managing fatigue. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is required for almost all cells to produce energy. A point-of-contact instrument is needed in the clinical setting to measure ATP. To assess the symptom of fatigue, a measure of ATP is preferred. Using blood from a finger stick, an ATP measurement can be obtained in 2 min.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janet Pierce
- University of Kansas Medical Center, School of Nursing, Mail Stop 4043, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - John B Hiebert
- University of Kansas Medical Center, School of Nursing, Mail Stop 4043, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Diane Mahoney
- University of Kansas Medical Center, School of Nursing, Mail Stop 4043, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Qiuhua Shen
- University of Kansas Medical Center, School of Nursing, Mail Stop 4043, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Jill Peltzer
- University of Kansas Medical Center, School of Nursing, Mail Stop 4043, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Faith Rahman
- University of Kansas Medical Center, School of Nursing, Mail Stop 4043, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Samantha Johnson
- University of Kansas Medical Center, School of Nursing, Mail Stop 4043, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - John T Pierce
- University of Kansas Medical Center, School of Nursing, Mail Stop 4043, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Integration of Nanomaterials and Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer Techniques for Sensing Biomolecules. BIOSENSORS-BASEL 2019; 9:bios9010042. [PMID: 30884844 PMCID: PMC6468577 DOI: 10.3390/bios9010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) techniques offer a high degree of sensitivity, reliability and ease of use for their application to sensing biomolecules. BRET is a distance dependent, non-radiative energy transfer, which uses a bioluminescent protein to excite an acceptor through the resonance energy transfer. A BRET sensor can quickly detect the change of a target biomolecule quantitatively without an external electromagnetic field, e.g., UV light, which normally can damage tissue. Having been developed quite recently, this technique has evolved rapidly. Here, different bioluminescent proteins have been reviewed. In addition to a multitude of bioluminescent proteins, this manuscript focuses on the recent development of BRET sensors by utilizing quantum dots. The special size-dependent properties of quantum dots have made the BRET sensing technique attractive for the real-time monitoring of the changes of target molecules and bioimaging in vivo. This review offers a look into the basis of the technique, donor/acceptor pairs, experimental applications and prospects.
Collapse
|
21
|
Miller SC, Mofford DM, Adams ST. Lessons Learned from Luminous Luciferins and Latent Luciferases. ACS Chem Biol 2018; 13:1734-1740. [PMID: 29439568 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.7b00964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Compared to the broad palette of fluorescent molecules, there are relatively few structures that are competent to support bioluminescence. Here, we focus on recent advances in the development of luminogenic substrates for firefly luciferase. The scope of this light-emitting chemistry has been found to extend well beyond the natural substrate and to include enzymes incapable of luciferase activity with d-luciferin. The broadening range of luciferin analogues and evolving insight into the bioluminescent reaction offer new opportunities for the construction of powerful optical reporters of use in live cells and animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C. Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - David M. Mofford
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Spencer T. Adams
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Cheng YY, Liu YJ. Theoretical Development of Near-Infrared Bioluminescent Systems. Chemistry 2018; 24:9340-9352. [PMID: 29710377 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201800416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The luciferin/luciferase system of the firefly has been used in bioluminescent imaging to monitor biological processes. In order to enhance the efficiency and expand the application range, some efforts have been made to tune the light emission, especially the effort to obtain NIR light. However, those case-by-case studies have not together revealed the nature and mechanism of the color tuning. In this paper, we theoretically investigated the fluorescence of all kinds of typical oxyluciferin analogues. The present systematical modifications of both oxyluciferin and luciferase indicate that the essential factor affecting the emission color is the charge distribution (or the electric dipole moment) on the oxyluciferin, which impacts on the charge transfer to form the light emitter and, subsequently, influence the strength and wavelength of the emission light. More negative charge distributed on the "thiazolone moiety" of the oxyluciferin or its analogues leads to a redshift. Based on this conclusion, we theoretically designed optimal pairs of luciferin analogue and luciferase for emitting NIR light, which could inspire new synthetic procedures and practical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Yuan Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China
| | - Ya-Jun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Berraud-Pache R, Lindh R, Navizet I. QM/MM Study of the Formation of the Dioxetanone Ring in Fireflies through a Superoxide Ion. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:5173-5182. [PMID: 29659277 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b00642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The bioluminescence emission from fireflies is an astounding tool to mark and view cells. However, the bioluminescent mechanism is not completely deciphered, limiting the comprehension of key processes. We use a theoretical approach to study for the first time the arrival of a dioxygen molecule inside the fireflies protein and one path of the formation of the dioxetanone ring, the high-energy intermediate precursor of the bioluminescence. To describe this reaction step, a joint approach combining classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations is used. The formation of the dioxetanone ring has been studied for both singlet and triplet states with the help of MS-CASPT2 calculations. We also emphasize the role played by the proteinic environment in the formation of the dioxetanone ring. The results obtained shed some light on an important reaction step and give new insights concerning the bioluminescence in fireflies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Romain Berraud-Pache
- Université Paris-Est, Laboratoire Modélisation et Simulation Multi Echelle, MSME, UMR 8208 CNRS , UPEM , 5 bd Descartes , 77454 Marne-la-Vallée , France
| | - Roland Lindh
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström , University of Uppsala , P.O. Box 538, SE-751 21 Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Isabelle Navizet
- Université Paris-Est, Laboratoire Modélisation et Simulation Multi Echelle, MSME, UMR 8208 CNRS , UPEM , 5 bd Descartes , 77454 Marne-la-Vallée , France
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Pozzo T, Akter F, Nomura Y, Louie AY, Yokobayashi Y. Firefly Luciferase Mutant with Enhanced Activity and Thermostability. ACS OMEGA 2018; 3:2628-2633. [PMID: 30023842 PMCID: PMC6044891 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.7b02068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The luciferase isolated from the firefly Photinus pyralis (Ppy) catalyzes a two-step reaction that results in the oxidation of d-luciferin accompanied by emission of yellow-green light with a peak at 560 nm. Among many applications, Ppy luciferase has been used extensively as a reporter gene in living cells and organisms. However, some biological applications are limited by the low stability of the luciferase and limited intracellular luciferin concentration. To address these challenges, efforts to protein engineer Ppy luciferase have resulted in a number of mutants with improved properties such as thermostability, pH tolerance, and catalytic turn over. In this work, we combined amino acid mutations that were shown to enhance the enzyme's thermostability (Mutant E) with those reported to enhance catalytic activity (LGR). The resulting mutant (YY5) contained eight amino acid changes from the wild-type luciferase and exhibited both improved thermostability and brighter luminescence at low luciferin concentrations. Therefore, YY5 may be useful for reporter gene applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tania Pozzo
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California at Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Farhima Akter
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California at Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Yoko Nomura
- Nucleic
Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit, Okinawa
Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904 0495, Japan
| | - Angelique Y. Louie
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
California at Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Yohei Yokobayashi
- Nucleic
Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit, Okinawa
Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904 0495, Japan
- E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|