The use of bioluminescent biotests for study of natural and laboratory aquatic ecosystems

Droplet Microfluidic Device for Chemoenzymatic Sensing

The rapid detection of pollutants in water can be performed with enzymatic probes, the catalytic light-emitting activity of which decreases in the presence of many types of pollutants. Herein, we present a microfluidic system for continuous chemoenzymatic biosensing that generates emulsion droplets containing two enzymes of the bacterial bioluminescent system (luciferase and NAD(P)H:FMN-oxidoreductase) with substrates required for the reaction. The developed chip generates "water-in-oil" emulsion droplets with a volume of 0.1 μL and a frequency of up to 12 drops per minute as well as provides the efficient mixing of reagents in droplets and their distancing. The bioluminescent signal from each individual droplet was measured by a photomultiplier tube with a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 3000/1. The intensity of the luminescence depended on the concentration of the copper sulfate with the limit of its detection of 5 μM. It was shown that bioluminescent enzymatic reactions could be carried out in droplet reactors in dispersed streams. The parameters and limitations required for the bioluminescent reaction to proceed were also studied. Hereby, chemoenzymatic sensing capabilities powered by a droplet microfluidics manipulation technique may serve as the basis for early-warning online water pollution systems.

Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition assay for ecotoxicity assessment: A review

Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition bioassay (VFBIA) has been widely applied for the monitoring of toxicity on account of multiple advantages encompassing shorter test duration, sensitive, cost-effective and ease of operation. Moreover, this bioassay found to be equally applicable to all types of matrices (organic & inorganic compounds, metals, wastewater, river water, sewage sludge, landfill leachate, herbicides, treated wastewater etc.) for toxicity monitoring. This review highlights the apparent significance of Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition assay for ecotoxicological screening and evaluation of diverse chemical substances toxicity profile. The biochemical and genetic basis of the bioluminescence assay and its regulatory mechanism have been concisely discussed. The basic test protocol with ongoing improvements, widespread applications, typical advantages and probable limitations of the assay have been overviewed. The sensitivity of VFBIA and toxicity bioassays has also been compared.

The management and exploitation of naturally light-emitting bacteria as a flexible analytical tool: A tutorial

Conventional detection of toxic contaminants on surfaces, in food, and in the environment takes time. Current analytical approaches to chemical detection can be of limited utility due to long detection times, high costs, and the need for a laboratory and trained personnel. A non-specific but easy, rapid, and inexpensive screening test can be useful to quickly classify a specimen as toxic or non toxic, so prompt appropriate measures can be taken, exactly where required. The bioluminescent bacteria-based tests meet all these characteristics. Bioluminescence methods are extremely attractive because of their high sensitivity, speed, ease of implementation, and statistical significance. They are usually sensitive enough to detect the majority of pollutants toxic to humans and mammals. This tutorial provides practical guidelines for isolating, cultivating, and exploiting marine bioluminescent bacteria as a simple and versatile analytical tool. Although mostly applied for aqueous phase sample and organic extracts, the test can also be conducted directly on soil and sediment samples so as to reflect the true toxicity due to the bioavailability fraction. Because tests can be performed with freeze-dried cell preparations, they could make a major contribution to field screening activity. They can be easily conducted in a mobile environmental laboratory and may be adaptable to miniaturized field instruments and field test kits.

Application of different enzyme assays and biomarkers for pollution monitoring of the marine environment

New phosphatase and DNase inhibition tests for assessing the total pollution of a natural marine ecosystem were applied. The seawater samples with different pollution degrees were collected in the Troitsa Bay of the Peter the Great Bay (the Sea of Japan). The sensitivity of the alkaline phosphatase test to integrated pollution was in accordance with the sensitivity of the standard sea urchin sperm cell toxicity test. The increased seawater pollution level was shown to result in an up to fourfold increase in specific activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases from the mussel Crenomytilus grayanus. It was demonstrated that a complex methodological approach can be used to assess marine water areas, as well as to assess the biological conditions of invertebrates adapting to different environmental and anthropogenic effects.

Effect of low-dose ionizing radiation on luminous marine bacteria: radiation hormesis and toxicity

The paper summarizes studies of effects of alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides (americium-241, uranium-235+238, and tritium) on marine microorganisms under conditions of chronic low-dose irradiation in aqueous media. Luminous marine bacteria were chosen as an example of these microorganisms; bioluminescent intensity was used as a tested physiological parameter. Non-linear dose-effect dependence was demonstrated. Three successive stages in the bioluminescent response to americium-241 and tritium were found: 1--absence of effects (stress recognition), 2--activation (adaptive response), and 3--inhibition (suppression of physiological function, i.e. radiation toxicity). The effects were attributed to radiation hormesis phenomenon. Biological role of reactive oxygen species, secondary products of the radioactive decay, is discussed. The study suggests an approach to evaluation of non-toxic and toxic stages under conditions of chronic radioactive exposure.

Pollutant toxicity and detoxification by humic substances: mechanisms and quantitative assessment via luminescent biomonitoring

The paper considers mechanisms of detoxification of pollutant solutions by water-soluble humic substances (HSs), natural detoxifying agents. The problems and perspectives of bioassay application for toxicity monitoring of complex solutions are discussed from ecological point of view. Bioluminescence assays based on marine bacteria and their enzymes are of special attention here; they were shown to be convenient tools to study the detoxifying effects on cellular and biochemical levels. The advantages of bioluminescent enzymatic assay for monitoring both integral and oxidative toxicities in complex solutions of model pollutants and HS were demonstrated. The efficiencies of detoxification of the solutions of organic oxidizers and salts of metals (including radioactive ones) by HS were analyzed. The dependencies of detoxification efficiency on time of exposure to HS and HS concentrations were demonstrated. Antioxidant properties of HS were considered in detail. The detoxifying effects of HS were shown to be complex and regarded as 'external' (binding and redox processes in solutions outside the organisms) and/or 'internal' organismal processes. The paper demonstrates that the HS can stimulate a protective response of bacterial cells as a result of (1) changes of rates of biochemical reactions and (2) stabilization of mucous layers outside the cell walls. Acceleration of auto-oxidation of NADH, endogenous reducer, by HS was suggested as a reason for toxicity increase in the presence of HS due to abatement of reduction ability of intracellular media.

Comparison of chronic low-dose effects of alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides on marine bacteria

Effects of Americium-241 (241Am), alpha-emitting radionuclide of high specific radioactivity, and tritium (3H), beta-emitting radionuclide, on luminous bacteria Photobacterium phosphoreum were compared. Bioluminescence intensity served as a marker of bacterial physiological activity. Three successive stages in the bioluminescence response to 241Am and 3H were found under conditions of lowdose irradiation: (1) absence of effects, (2) activation, and (3) inhibition. They were interpreted in terms of bacterial response to stressfactor as stress recognition, adaptive response/syndrome, and suppression of physiological function (i.e. radiation toxicity). Times of bioluminescence activation (TBA) and inhibition (TBI) were suggested as parameters to characterize hormesis and toxic stages in a course of chronic low-dose irradiation of the microorganisms. Values of TBA and TBI of 241Am were shorter than those of 3H, revealing higher impact of alpha-irradiation (as compared to beta-irradiation) under comparable radiation doses. Increases of peroxide concentration and NADH oxidation rates in 241Am aquatic solutions were demonstrated; these were not found in tritiated water. The results reveal a biological role of reactive oxygen species generated in water solutions as secondary products of the radioactive decay. The study provides a scientific basis for elaboration of bioluminescence-based assay to monitor radiotoxicity of alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides in aquatic solutions.

Influence of ultrahigh frequency irradiation on Photobacterium phosphoreum luxb gene expression

Continuous increase in the number and the variety of anthropogenic sources of electromagnetic radiation causes a high interest in studying the effects ultrahigh frequency on living organisms. In the present research influence of UHF EMR (15 W, 2.45 GHz) for 5 and 15 min on morphological and genetic peculiarities of Photobacterium phosphoreum colonies was studied. It has been revealed that UHF EMR affected colony growth parameters, induced transcriptional activity of luciferase encoding gene expression and that the effect was depended on exposure duration. The subsequent cultivation of bacteria during a two week period after treatment showed maintaining of the increased luxb mRNA level in irradiated colonies. Opposite bacterial stress responses were detected to UHF EMR and elevated temperature treatments that assumed UHF EMR comprised of not only thermal but specific component of non-thermal nature.

Enzymatic methods for the determination of pollution in seawater using salt resistant alkaline phosphatase from eggs of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius

A new salt resistant alkaline phosphatase from eggs of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius (StAP) has been shown to have a unique property to hydrolyze substrate in seawater without loss of enzymatic activity. The enzyme has pH optimum at 8.0-8.5. Model experiments showed various concentrations of copper, zinc, cadmium and lead added to seawater or a standard buffer mixture to inhibit completely the enzyme activity at the concentrations of 15-150 μg/l. StAP sensitivity to the presence in seawater of metals, pesticides, detergents and oil products appears to be considerably less. Samples of seawater taken from aquatic areas of the Troitsy Bay of the Peter the Great Bay, Japan Sea have been shown to inhibit the enzyme activity; the same was shown for the samples of fresh waters. The phosphatase inhibition assay developed proved to be highly sensitive, technically easy-to use allowing to test a great number of samples.

Application of enzyme bioluminescence in ecology

: This review examines the general principles of bioluminescent enzymatic toxicity bioassays and describes the applications of these methods and the implementation in commercial biosensors. Bioluminescent enzyme system technology (BEST) has been proposed in the bacterial coupled enzyme system, wherein NADH:FMN-oxidoreductase-luciferase substitutes for living organisms. BEST was introduced to facilitate and accelerate the development of cost-competitive enzymatic systems for use in biosensors for medical, environmental, and industrial applications. For widespread use of BEST, the multicomponent reagent "Enzymolum" has been developed, which contains the bacterial luciferase, NADH:FMN-oxidoreductase, and their substrates, co-immobilized in starch or gelatin gel. Enzymolum is the central part of Portable Laboratory for Toxicity Detection (PLTD), which consists of a biodetector module, a sampling module, a sample preparation module, and a reagent module. PLTD instantly signals chemical-biological hazards and allows us to detect a wide range of toxic substances. Enzymolum can be integrated as a biological module into the portable biodetector-biosensor originally constructed for personal use. Based on the example of Enzymolum and the algorithm for creating new enzyme biotests with tailored characteristics, a new approach was demonstrated in biotechnological design and construction. The examples of biotechnological design of various bioluminescent methods for ecological monitoring were provided. Possible applications of enzyme bioassays are seen in the examples for medical diagnostics, assessment of the effect of physical load on sportsmen, analysis of food additives, and in practical courses for higher educational institutions and schools. The advantages of enzymatic assays are their rapidity (the period of time required does not exceed 3-5 min), high sensitivity, simplicity and safety of procedure, and possibility of automation of ecological monitoring; the required luminometer is easily available.

Emerging technologies for non-invasive quantification of physiological oxygen transport in plants

Oxygen plays a critical role in plant metabolism, stress response/signaling, and adaptation to environmental changes (Lambers and Colmer, Plant Soil 274:7-15, 2005; Pitzschke et al., Antioxid Redox Signal 8:1757-1764, 2006; Van Breusegem et al., Plant Sci 161:405-414, 2001). Reactive oxygen species (ROS), by-products of various metabolic pathways in which oxygen is a key molecule, are produced during adaptation responses to environmental stress. While much is known about plant adaptation to stress (e.g., detoxifying enzymes, antioxidant production), the link between ROS metabolism, O2 transport, and stress response mechanisms is unknown. Thus, non-invasive technologies for measuring O2 are critical for understanding the link between physiological O2 transport and ROS signaling. New non-invasive technologies allow real-time measurement of O2 at the single cell and even organelle levels. This review briefly summarizes currently available (i.e., mainstream) technologies for measuring O2 and then introduces emerging technologies for measuring O2. Advanced techniques that provide the ability to non-invasively (i.e., non-destructively) measure O2 are highlighted. In the near future, these non-invasive sensors will facilitate novel experimentation that will allow plant physiologists to ask new hypothesis-driven research questions aimed at improving our understanding of physiological O2 transport.

Bioluminescent enzymatic rapid assay of water integral toxicity

A bioluminescent rapid method was developed to estimate the integral toxicity of natural and wastewater. This method is based on registering the effect of the polluted water sample on the parameters of the bioluminescent reaction catalyzed by the multi-component reagent containing NADH:FMN oxidoreductase, luciferase, and their substrates co-immobilized in a starch carrier. Several ways to increase the method's sensitivity to toxic substances were suggested; conditions were selected to make it possible to determine, with maximum efficiency, the content of toxic substances corresponding to a certain maximum permissible concentration. The sensitivity of soluble and immobilized coupled enzymatic systems to a series of organic pollutants (phenols, quinones, and salts of heavy metals) was compared. It was shown that the reagent is the most sensitive to the effect of phenols and quinones. The method was tested during analysis of the wastewater from a pulp and paper plant and can be used for biotesting in both laboratory and field conditions.

Monitoring of environmental pollutants by bioluminescent bacteria

This review deals with the applications of bioluminescent bacteria to the environmental analyses, published during the years 2000-2007. The ecotoxicological assessment, by bioassays, of the environmental risks and the luminescent approaches are reported. The review includes a brief introduction to the characteristics and applications of bioassays, a description of the characteristics and applications of natural bioluminescent bacteria (BLB), and a collection of the main applications to organic and inorganic pollutants. The light-emitting genetically modified bacteria applications, as well as the bioluminescent immobilized systems and biosensors are outlined. Considerations about commercially available BLB and BLB catalogues are also reported. Most of the environmental applications, here mentioned, of luminescent organisms are on wastewater, seawater, surface and ground water, tap water, soil and sediments, air. Comparison to other bioindicators and bioassay has been also made. Various tables have been inserted, to make easier to take a rapid glance at all possible references concerning the topic of specific interest.

A bioluminescent signal system: detection of chemical toxicants in water

Prototype technologies of a bioluminescent signal system (BSS) based on the luminous bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum and three enzymatic bioluminescence systems have been proposed for detecting and signalling the presence of toxicants in water systems. A number of pesticides, mostly known as poisonous substances, similar in their structures and physicochemical properties, have been taken as model compounds of chemical agents. The effect of toxicants (organophosphates, derivatives of dithiocarbamide acid, and pyrethroid preparations) on the bioluminescence of the four systems has been analysed. EC(50) and EC(80) have been determined and compared to the maximum permissible concentration for each of the analysed substances. The triple-enzyme systems with ADH and trypsin have been shown to be more sensitive to organophosphorous compounds (0.13-11 mg/L), while the triple-enzyme system with trypsin is highly sensitive to lipotropic poison, a derivative of dithiocarbamine acid (0.03 mg/L). Sensitivities of the triple-enzyme systems to pyrethroid preparations are similar to those of luminous bacteria (0.9-5 mg/L). The results can be used to construct an alarm-test bioluminescence system for detecting chemical toxicants, based on intact bacteria or enzyme systems.

Bioluminescent monitoring of detoxification processes: activity of humic substances in quinone solutions

This study deals with application of bioluminescent assay systems to evaluate the detoxifying effect of humic substances (HS) on the solutions of organic oxidizers - quinones. A series of homologous quinones with different redox characteristics: 1,4-benzoquinone, tetrafluoro-1,4-benzoquinone, methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, tetramethyl-1,4-benzoquinone, and 1,4-naphtoquinone, was used. Bioluminescent bacteria Photobacterium phosphoreum, and NADH:FMN-oxidoreductase-luciferase enzyme system isolated from these bacteria were used as assay systems. The toxicity was compared in the presence and in the absence of HS. Variation of complexity of bioassays (in vivo or in vitro) combined with spectrometric and microscopic methods, provides insight into the process of detoxification in quinone solutions. Two ways of HS effect were studied: the reduction activity of HS and intensification of self-protection of bacterial cells on HS addition.

Effect of heavy atoms in bioluminescent reactions

Bioluminescent reactions of luminous organisms are excellent models for studying the effects of heavy atoms on enzymatic processes. The effects of potassium halides with halide anions of different atomic weight were compared in bioluminescent reactions of the firefly (Luciola mingrelica), a marine coelenterate (Obelia longissima), and a marine bacterium (Photobacterium leiognathi). Two mechanisms of the effects of the halides were examined-the physicochemical effect of the external heavy atom, based on spin-orbit interactions in electron-excited structures, and the biochemical effect, i.e. interactions with the enzymes resulting in changes of enzymatic activity. The physicochemical effect was evaluated by using photoexcitation of model fluorescent compounds (flavin mononucleotide, firefly luciferin, and coelenteramide) of similar structure to the bioluminescence emitters. The bioluminescent and photoluminescent inhibition coefficients were calculated and compared for the luminous organisms to evaluate the relative contributions of the two mechanisms. The biochemical mechanism was found to be dominant. Hence, the bioluminescent reactions can be used as assays to monitor enzyme inhibition, in metabolic processes, by Br or I-containing compounds.

Redox compounds influence on the NAD(P)H:FMN-oxidoreductase-luciferase bioluminescent system

A review of the mechanisms of the exogenous redox compounds influence on the bacterial coupled enzyme system: NAD(P)H:FMN-oxidoreductase-luciferase has been done. A series of quinones has been used as model organic oxidants. The three mechanisms of the quinones' effects on bioluminescence were suggested: (1) inhibition of the NADH-dependent redox reactions; (2) interactions between the compounds and the enzymes of the coupled enzyme system; and (3) intermolecular energy migration. The correlation between the kinetic parameters of bioluminescence and the standard redox potential of the quinones proved that the inhibition of redox reactions was the key mechanism by which the quinones decrease the light emission intensity. The changes in the fluorescence anisotropy decay of the endogenous flavin of the enzyme preparations showed the direct interaction between quinones and enzymes. It has been demonstrated that the intermolecular energy migration mechanism played a minor role in the effect of quinones on the bioluminescence. A comparative analysis of the effect of quinones, phenols and inorganic redox compounds on bioluminescent coupled enzyme systems has been carried out.

Effect of low-level alpha-radiation on bioluminescent assay systems of various complexity

This study addresses the effects of low-level alpha-radiation on bioluminescent assay systems of different levels of organization: in vivo and in vitro. Three bioluminescent assay systems are used: intact bacteria, lyophilized bacteria, and bioluminescent system of coupled enzyme reactions. Solutions of 241Am(NO3)3 are used as a source of alpha-radiation. It has been shown that activation processes predominate in all the three bioluminescent assay systems subjected to short-term exposure (20-55 h) and inhibition processes in the systems subjected to longer-term exposure to radiation. It has been found that these effects are caused by the radiation component of 241Am3+ impact. The intensity of the 241Am3+ effect on the bioluminescent assay systems has been shown to depend on the 241Am3+ concentration, level of organization and integrity of the bioluminescent assay system. The bioluminescent assay systems in vivo have been found to be highly sensitive to 241Am3+ (up to 10(-17) M).

Bioluminescence and exogenous compounds: physico-chemical basis for bioluminescent assay

Bioluminescent systems are convenient objects to study mechanisms of influence of exogenous molecules on living organisms. Classification of physical and physico-chemical mechanisms of the effects of luminous bacteria Photobacterium leiognathi on bioluminescent reactions is suggested. Five mechanisms are discussed: (1) change of electron-excited states' population and energy transfer, (2) change of efficiency of S-T conversion in the presence of external heavy atom, (3) change of rates of coupled reactions, (4) interactions with enzymes and variation of enzymatic activity, (5) nonspecific effects of electron acceptors. Effects of various groups of chemical compounds are discussed according to the classification suggested. The compounds are: a series of fluorescent dyes, organic oxidizers, organic and inorganic heavy-atom containing compounds, and metallic salts. Applications of fluorescence time-resolved and steady-state techniques, as well as bioluminescence kinetics study, are discussed. The patterns of exogenous compounds' influence form a physico-chemical basis for bioluminescent ecological assay.

Characteristics of endogenous flavin fluorescence of Photobacterium leiognathi luciferase and Vibrio fischeri NAD(P)H:FMN-oxidoreductase

The bioluminescent bacterial enzyme system NAD(P)H:FMN-oxidoreductase-luciferase has been used as a test system for ecological monitoring. One of the modes to quench bioluminescence is the interaction of xenobiotics with the enzymes, which inhibit their activity. The use of endogenous flavin fluorescence for investigation of the interactions of non-fluorescent compounds with the bacterial luciferase from Photobacterium leiognathi and NAD(P)H:FMN-oxidoreductase from Vibrio fischeri has been proposed. Fluorescence spectroscopy methods have been used to study characteristics of endogenous flavin fluorescence (fluorophore lifetime, the rotational correlation time). The fluorescence anisotropy behaviour of FMN has been analysed and compared to that of the enzyme-bound flavin. The fluorescence characteristics of endogenous flavin of luciferase and NAD(P)H:FMN-oxidoreductase have been shown to be applicable in studying enzymes' interactions with non-fluorescent compounds.

Calibration and deployment of custom-designed bioreporters for protecting biological remediation consortia from toxic shock

We have previously described the development of a panel of site-specific lux-based bioreporters from an industrial wastewater treatment system remediating coking effluents. The Pseudomonad strains carry a stable chromosomal copy of the luxCDABE operon from Photorhabdus luminescens and display proportional responses in bioluminescence decay with increasing phenol concentration up to 800 mg l-1. In this work we describe their deployment to provide a strategic sensing network for protecting bacterial communities involved in the biological breakdown of coking effluents. This evaluation demonstrated the utility of strategic placement of reporters around heavy industry treatment systems and the reliability of the reporter strains under normal operational conditions. Mono-phenol or total phenolic variation within the treatment system accounted for>65-80% of the luminescence response. The reporters exhibited stable luminescence output during normal operations with maximum standard deviations of luminescence over time of c. 5-15% depending on the treatment compartment. Furthermore, deployment of the bioreporters over a 5-month period allowed the determination of an operational range (OR) for each reporter for effluent samples from each compartment. The OR allowed a convenient measure of toxicity effects between treatment compartments and accurately reflected a specific pollution event occurring within compartments of the treatment system. This work demonstrates the utility of genetic modification to provide ecologically relevant bioreporters, extends the sensing capabilities currently obtained through marine derived biosensors and significantly enhances the potential for in situ deployment of reporting agents.

Effect of quinones and phenols on the triple-enzyme bioluminescent system with protease

The study addressed the effects of redox-active compounds on trypsin activity. Series of organic oxidizers (quinones) and reducers (phenols) were chosen as model redox-active compounds. Trypsin activity was quantified by bioluminescent technique. Interactions of these compounds with trypsin were studied by fluorescent and light absorption methods. Luminescence intensity decay constants in the reduced nicotinamidadeninedinucleotide (NADH): flavinmononucleotide (FMN)-oxidoreductase (R)-luciferase (L)-trypsin (T) (R + L + T) triple-enzyme system were calculated and compared in the presence of different concentrations of quinones and phenols. The triple-enzyme system was shown to be sensitive to quinones and not sensitive to phenols. It has been found that the effects produced by quinones on the coupled enzyme system (R + L) and on the trypsin molecule (T) are not related. The conclusions were extrapolated to the properties of other proteases and antiproteases.