A “Caged” Luciferin for Imaging Cell–Cell Contacts

DNA-Directed Activation of Photocatalytic Labeling at Cell-Cell Contact Sites

Cell-cell interactions govern diverse biological activities, necessitating molecular tools for understanding and regulating these interactions. Photoredox chemistry can detect cell-cell interactions by anchoring photocatalysts on cellular membranes to generate reactive species that tag closely contacting cells. However, the activation of photocatalysts lacks precise spatial resolution for selectively labeling intercellular interfaces. Herein, we report a DNA-based approach to selectively activate photocatalytic reactions at cell-cell contacts. Two cell populations are coated with distinct DNA strands, which interact at intercellular contacts, mediating the site-specific turn-on of a Ru(bpy)3-type photocatalyst. We demonstrate high spatial specificity for intercellular chemical labeling in cultured mammalian cells. Furthermore, as a proof of concept, we activate the dynamic DNA catalyst at cell-cell contacts in response to customized DNA triggers. This study lays the foundation for designing versatile chemical tools with high spatial precision and programmable responsiveness, along with the temporal resolution afforded by photoirradiation, to investigate and manipulate cell-cell interactions.

Visualization of Endogenous Hypochlorite in Drug-Induced Liver Injury Mice via a Bioluminescent Probe Combined with Firefly Luciferase mRNA-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a common liver disease with a high rate of morbidity, and its pathogenesis is closely associated with the overproduction of highly reactive hypochlorite (ClO-) in the liver. However, bioluminescence imaging of endogenous hypochlorite in nontransgenic natural mice remains challenging. Herein, to address this issue, we report a strategy for imaging ClO- in living cells and DILI mice by harnessing a bioluminescent probe formylhydrazine luciferin (ClO-Luc) combined with firefly luciferase (fLuc) mRNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). LNPs could efficiently deliver fLuc mRNA into living cells and in vivo, expressing abundant luciferase in the cytoplasm in situ. In the presence of ClO-, probe ClO-Luc locked by formylhydrazine could release cage-free d-luciferin through oxidation and follow-up hydrolysis reactions, further allowing for bioluminescence imaging. Moreover, based on the luciferase-luciferin system, it was able to sensitively and selectively detect ClO- in vitro with a limit of detection of 0.59 μM and successfully monitor the endogenous hypochlorite generation in the DILI mouse model for the first time. We postulate that this work provides a new method to elucidate the roles of ClO- in related diseases via bioluminescence imaging.

Caged luciferins enable rapid multicomponent bioluminescence imaging

Bioluminescence is a sensitive technique for imaging biological features over time. Historically, though, the modality has been challenging to employ for multiplexed tracking due to a lack of resolvable luciferase-luciferin pairs. Recent years have seen the development of numerous orthogonal probes for multi-parameter imaging. While successful, generating such tools often requires complex syntheses and lengthy enzyme evolution campaigns. This work showcases an alternative strategy for multiplexed bioluminescence that takes advantage of already-orthogonal caged luciferins and established uncaging enzymes. These probes generate unique bioluminescent signals that can be distinguished via a linear unmixing algorithm. Caged luciferins enabled two- and three-component imaging on the minutes time scale. We further showed that the tools can be used in conjunction with endogenous enzymes for multiplexed studies. Collectively, this approach lowers the barrier to multicomponent bioluminescence imaging and can be readily adopted by the broader community.

In vivo bioluminescence imaging of labile iron in xenograft models and liver using FeAL-1, an iron-activatable form of D-luciferin

Dysregulated iron homeostasis underlies diverse pathologies, from ischemia-reperfusion injury to epithelial-mesenchymal transition and drug-tolerant "persister" cancer cell states. Here, we introduce ferrous iron-activatable luciferin-1 (FeAL-1), a small-molecule probe for bioluminescent imaging of the labile iron pool (LIP) in luciferase-expressing cells and animals. We find that FeAL-1 detects LIP fluctuations in cells after iron supplementation, depletion, or treatment with hepcidin, the master regulator of systemic iron in mammalian physiology. Utilizing FeAL-1 and a dual-luciferase reporter system, we quantify LIP in mouse liver and three different orthotopic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tumors. We observed up to a 10-fold increase in FeAL-1 bioluminescent signal in xenograft tumors as compared to healthy liver, the major organ of iron storage in mammals. Treating mice with hepcidin further elevated hepatic LIP, as predicted. These studies reveal a therapeutic index between tumoral and hepatic LIP and suggest an approach to sensitize tumors toward LIP-activated therapeutics.

Decoding the Complexity of Immune-Cancer Cell Interactions: Empowering the Future of Cancer Immunotherapy

The tumor and tumor microenvironment (TME) consist of a complex network of cells, including malignant, immune, fibroblast, and vascular cells, which communicate with each other. Disruptions in cell-cell communication within the TME, caused by a multitude of extrinsic and intrinsic factors, can contribute to tumorigenesis, hinder the host immune system, and enable tumor evasion. Understanding and addressing intercellular miscommunications in the TME are vital for combating these processes. The effectiveness of immunotherapy and the heterogeneous response observed among patients can be attributed to the intricate cellular communication between immune cells and cancer cells. To unravel these interactions, various experimental, statistical, and computational techniques have been developed. These include ligand-receptor analysis, intercellular proximity labeling approaches, and imaging-based methods, which provide insights into the distorted cell-cell interactions within the TME. By characterizing these interactions, we can enhance the design of cancer immunotherapy strategies. In this review, we present recent advancements in the field of mapping intercellular communication, with a particular focus on immune-tumor cellular interactions. By modeling these interactions, we can identify critical factors and develop strategies to improve immunotherapy response and overcome treatment resistance.

Hydrolysis-Resistant Ester-Based Linkers for Development of Activity-Based NIR Bioluminescence Probes

Activity-based sensing (ABS) probes equipped with a NIR bioluminescence readout are promising chemical tools to study cancer biomarkers owing to their high sensitivity and deep tissue compatibility. Despite the demand, there is a dearth of such probes because NIR substrates (e.g., BL660 (a NIR luciferin analog)) are not equipped with an appropriate attachment site for ABS trigger installation. For instance, our attempts to mask the carboxylic acid moiety with standard self-immolative benzyl linkers resulted in significant background signals owing to undesirable ester hydrolysis. In this study, we overcame this longstanding challenge by rationally designing a new hydrolysis-resistant ester-based linker featuring an isopropyl shielding arm. Compared to the parent, the new design is 140.5-fold and 67.8-fold more resistant toward spontaneous and esterase-mediated hydrolysis, respectively. Likewise, we observed minimal cleavage of the ester moiety when incubated with a panel of enzymes possessing ester-hydrolyzing activity. These impressive in vitro results were corroborated through a series of key experiments in live cells. Further, we showcased the utility of this technology by developing the first NIR bioluminescent probe for nitroreductase (NTR) activity and applied it to visualize elevated NTR expression in oxygen deficient lung cancer cells and in a murine model of non-small cell lung cancer. The ability to monitor the activity of this key biomarker in a deep tissue context is critical because it is associated with tumor hypoxia, which in turn is linked to drug resistance and aggressive cancer phenotypes.

Computational Investigation of Substituent Effects on the Fluorescence Wavelengths of Oxyluciferin Analogs

Oxyluciferin, which is the light emitter for firefly bioluminescence, has been subjected to extensive chemical modifications to tune its emission wavelength and quantum yield. However, the exact mechanisms for various electron-donating and withdrawing groups to perturb the photophysical properties of oxyluciferin analogs are still not fully understood. To elucidate the substituent effects on the fluorescence wavelength of oxyluciferin analogs, we applied the absolutely localized molecular orbitals (ALMO)-based frontier orbital analysis to assess various types of interactions (i.e. permanent electrostatics/exchange repulsion, polarization, occupied-occupied orbital mixing, virtual-virtual orbital mixing, and charge-transfer) between the oxyluciferin and substituent orbitals. We suggested two distinct mechanisms that can lead to red-shifted oxyluciferin emission wavelength, a design objective that can help increase the tissue penetration of bioluminescence emission. Within the first mechanism, an electron-donating group (such as an amino or dimethylamino group) can contribute its highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) to an out-of-phase combination with oxyluciferin's HOMO, thus raising the HOMO energy of the substituted analog and narrowing its HOMO-LUMO gap. Alternatively, an electron-withdrawing group (such as a nitro or cyano group) can participate in an in-phase virtual-virtual orbital mixing of fragment LUMOs, thus lowering the LUMO energy of the substituted analog. Such an ALMO-based frontier orbital analysis is expected to lead to intuitive principles for designing analogs of not only the oxyluciferin molecule, but also many other functional dyes.

Constructing firefly luciferin bioluminescence probes for in vivo imaging

Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is a widely applied visual approach for real-time detecting many physiological and pathological processes in a variety of biological systems. Based on the caging strategy, lots of bioluminescent probes have been well developed. While the targets react with recognizable groups, caged luciferins liberate luciferase substrates, which react with luciferase generating a bioluminescent response. Among the various bioluminescent systems, the most widely utilized bioluminescent system is the firefly luciferin system. The H and carboxylic acid of luciferin are critically caged sites. The introduced self-immolative linker extends the applications of probes. Firefly luciferin system probes have been successfully applied for analyzing physiological processes, monitoring the environment, diagnosing diseases, screening candidate drugs, and evaluating the therapeutic effect. Here, we systematically review the general design strategies of firefly luciferin bioluminescence probes and their applications. Bioluminescence probes provide a new approach for facilitating investigation in a diverse range of fields. It inspires us to explore more robust light emission luciferin and novel design strategies to develop bioluminescent probes.

Caged Cumate Enables Proximity-Dependent Control Over Gene Expression

Cell-cell interactions underlie diverse physiological processes yet remain challenging to examine with conventional imaging tools. Here we report a novel strategy to illuminate cell proximity using transcriptional activators. We repurposed cumate, a small molecule inducer of gene expression, by caging its key carboxylate group with a nitrile. Nitrilase-expressing activator cells released the cage, liberating cumate for consumption by reporter cells. Reporter cells comprising a cumate-responsive switch expressed a target gene when in close proximity to the activator cells. Overall, this strategy provides a versatile platform to image and potentially manipulate cellular interactions over time.

Clip Chemistry: Diverse (Bio)(macro)molecular and Material Function through Breaking Covalent Bonds

In the two decades since the introduction of the "click chemistry" concept, the toolbox of "click reactions" has continually expanded, enabling chemists, materials scientists, and biologists to rapidly and selectively build complexity for their applications of interest. Similarly, selective and efficient covalent bond breaking reactions have provided and will continue to provide transformative advances. Here, we review key examples and applications of efficient, selective covalent bond cleavage reactions, which we refer to herein as "clip reactions." The strategic application of clip reactions offers opportunities to tailor the compositions and structures of complex (bio)(macro)molecular systems with exquisite control. Working in concert, click chemistry and clip chemistry offer scientists and engineers powerful methods to address next-generation challenges across the chemical sciences.

Molecular Design of d-Luciferin-Based Bioluminescence and 1,2-Dioxetane-Based Chemiluminescence Substrates for Altered Output Wavelength and Detecting Various Molecules

Optical imaging including fluorescence and luminescence is the most popular method for the in vivo imaging in mice. Luminescence imaging is considered to be superior to fluorescence imaging due to the lack of both autofluorescence and the scattering of excitation light. To date, various luciferin analogs and bioluminescence probes have been developed for deep tissue and molecular imaging. Recently, chemiluminescence probes have been developed based on a 1,2-dioxetane scaffold. In this review, the accumulated findings of numerous studies and the design strategies of bioluminescence and chemiluminescence imaging reagents are summarized.

Direct Comparison of Triggering Motifs on Chemiluminescent Probes for Hydrogen Sulfide Detection in Water

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important biomolecule and significant efforts have focused on developing chemical tools to aid different biological investigations. Of such tools, there are relatively few chemiluminescent or bioluminescent methods for H2S detection. Here we report two dioxetane-based chemiluminescent probes for H2S detection. With these probes, we directly compare the probe response to H2S-mediated azide reduction and nucleophilic displacement of 2,4-dinitrophenyl motifs and demonstrate that the SNAr cleavage of the DNP group results in a larger response and greater stability in water.

Microbial nitroreductases: A versatile tool for biomedical and environmental applications

Nitroreductases, enzymes found mostly in bacteria and also in few eukaryotes, use nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) as a cofactor for their activity and metabolize an enormous list of a diverse nitro group-containing compounds. Nitroreductases that are capable of metabolizing nitroaromatic and nitro heterocyclic compounds have drawn great attention in recent years owing to their biotechnological, biomedical, environmental, and human impact. These enzymes attracted medicinal chemists and pharmacologists because of their prodrug selectivity for activation/reduction of nitro compounds that wipe out pathogens/cancer cells, leaving the host/normal cells unharmed. It is applied in diverse fields of study like prodrug activation in treating cancer and leishmaniasis, designing fluorescent probes for hypoxia detection, cell imaging, ablation of specific cell types, biodegradation of nitro-pollutants, and interpretation of mutagenicity of nitro compounds. Keeping in view the immense prospects of these enzymes and a large number of research contributions in this area, the present review encompasses the enzymatic reaction mechanism, their role in antibiotic resistance, hypoxia sensing, cell imaging, cancer therapy, reduction of recalcitrant nitro chemicals, enzyme variants, and their specificity to substrates, reaction products, and their applications.

Bioluminescent Imaging Systems for Assay Developments

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.

Bioluminescent Sensor Reveals that Carboxylesterase 1A is a Novel Endoplasmic Reticulum-Derived Serologic Indicator for Hepatocyte Injury

Discovery of novel liver injury indicators and development of practical assays to detect target indicator(s) would strongly facilitate the diagnosis of liver disorders. Herein, an alternative biomarker discovery strategy was applied to find suitable endoplasmic reticulum-resident protein(s) as serologic indicator(s) for hepatocyte injury via analysis of the human proteome database among plasma and various organs. Both database searching and preliminary experiments suggested that human carboxylesterase 1A (CES1A), one of the most abundant and hepatic-restricted proteins, could serve as a good serologic indicator for hepatocyte injury. Then, a highly selective and practical bioluminescent sensor was developed for real-time sensing of CES1A in various biological systems including plasma. With the help of this bioluminescent sensor, the release of hepatic CES1A into the extracellular medium or the circulation system could be directly monitored. Further investigations demonstrated that serum activity levels of CES1A were elevated dramatically in mice with liver injury or patients with liver diseases. Collectively, this study provided solid evidence to support that CES1A was a novel serological indicator for hepatocyte injury. Furthermore, the strategy used in this study paved a new way for the rational discovery of practical indicators to monitor the dynamic progression of injury in a given tissue or organ.

New directions of activity-based sensing for in vivo NIR imaging

In vivo imaging is a powerful approach to study biological processes. Beyond cellular methods, in vivo studies allow for biological stimuli (small molecules or proteins) to be studied in their native environment. This has the potential to aid in the discovery of new biology and guide the development of diagnostics and therapies for diseases. To ensure selectivity and an observable readout, the probe development field is shifting towards activity-based sensing (ABS) approaches and near-infrared (NIR) imaging modalities. This perspective will highlight recent in vivo ABS applications that utilize NIR imaging platforms.

Theoretical Study of the Wavelength Selection for the Photocleavage of Coumarin-caged D-luciferin

The equilibrium structures and optical properties of the photolabile caged luciferin, (7-diethylaminocoumarin-4-yl)methyl caged D-luciferin (DEACM-caged D-luciferin), in aqueous solution were investigated via quantum chemical calculations. The probable conformers of DEACM-caged D-luciferin were determined by potential energy curve scans and structural optimizations. We identified 40 possible conformers of DEACM-caged D-luciferin in water by comparing the Gibbs free energy of the optimized structures. Despite the difference in their structures, the conformers were similar in terms of assignments, oscillator strengths and energies of the three low-lying excited states. From the concentrations of the conformers and their oscillator strengths, we obtained a theoretical UV/Vis spectrum of DEACM-caged D-luciferin that has two main bands of shape nearly identical to the experimental UV/Vis spectrum. The absorption bands with maxima ~ 384 and 339 nm were attributed to the electronic excitations of the caged group and the luciferin moiety, respectively, by analysis of the theoretical UV/Vis spectrum. Furthermore, the analysis showed that DEACM-caged D-luciferin is excited in the caged group only by light of wavelength ranging within 400-430 nm, which is in the long-wavelength tail of the 384 nm band. This should be tested to lower damage upon photocleavage.

Development of a Split Esterase for Protein-Protein Interaction-Dependent Small-Molecule Activation

Split reporters based on fluorescent proteins and luciferases have emerged as valuable tools for measuring interactions in biological systems. Relatedly, biosensors that transduce measured input signals into outputs that influence the host system are key components of engineered gene circuits for synthetic biology applications. While small-molecule-based imaging agents are widely used in biological studies, and small-molecule-based drugs and chemical probes can target a range of biological processes, a general method for generating a target small molecule in a biological system based on a measured input signal is lacking. Here, we develop a proximity-dependent split esterase that selectively unmasks ester-protected small molecules in an interaction-dependent manner. Exploiting the versatility of an ester-protected small-molecule output, we demonstrate fluorescent, chemiluminescent, and pharmacological probe generation, each created by masking key alcohol functional groups on a target small molecule. We show that the split esterase system can be used in combination with ester-masked fluorescent or luminescent probes to measure protein-protein interactions and protein-protein interaction inhibitor engagement. We demonstrate that the esterase-based reporter system is compatible with other commonly used split reporter imaging systems for the simultaneous detection of multiple protein-protein interactions. Finally, we develop a system for selective small-molecule-dependent cell killing by unmasking a cytotoxic molecule using an inducible split esterase. Presaging utility in future synthetic biology-based therapeutic applications, we also show that the system can be used for intercellular cell killing via a bystander effect, where one activated cell unmasks a cytotoxic molecule and kills cells physically adjacent to the activated cells. Collectively, this work illustrates that the split esterase system is a valuable new addition to the split protein toolbox, with particularly exciting potential in synthetic biology applications.

Development and Applications of Bioluminescent and Chemiluminescent Reporters and Biosensors

Although fluorescent reporters and biosensors have become indispensable tools in biological and biomedical fields, fluorescence measurements require external excitation light, thereby limiting their use in thick tissues and live animals. Bioluminescent reporters and biosensors may potentially overcome this hurdle because they use enzyme-catalyzed exothermic biochemical reactions to generate excited-state emitters. This review first introduces the development of bioluminescent reporters, and next, their applications in sensing biological changes in vitro and in vivo as biosensors. Lastly, we discuss chemiluminescent sensors that produce photons in the absence of luciferases. This review aims to explore fundamentals and experimental insights and to emphasize the yet-to-be-reached potential of next-generation luminescent reporters and biosensors.

Gap-Junction-Dependent Labeling of Nascent Proteins in Multicellular Networks

Intercellular communication via gap junctions is crucial for orchestrating behaviors of multicellular systems. Imaging methods and electrophysiological techniques have been widely used to identify gap junctions and map the gap-junction-connected cell networks. However, analyzing gene expression within a gap-junction network remains challenging. Herein, we report the development of bio-orthogonal recording of translation in adjacent cells connected by gap junctions (BORTAC-GJ), a gap-junction-dependent protein tagging method based on local activation of clickable amino acid analogues that pass through gap junctions and are metabolically incorporated into nascent proteins. We demonstrated that BORTAC-GJ enabled selective labeling of nascent proteomes, thus recording translation, in cell networks connected by gap junctions, leaving unconnected cells not labeled. We further applied BORTAC-GJ to probe bystander STING activation triggered by gap-junction-mediated cGAMP transfer, an important process in innate immune response. BORTAC-GJ provides a means to investigate the gap-junction network at the proteome level and is broadly applicable for various cell types connected by gap junctions.

Chemiluminescence molecular probe with a linear chain reaction amplification mechanism

A new signal amplification probe with a linear chain reaction amplification mechanism and distinct chemiluminescence output was developed.

Cell-Specific Chemical Delivery Using a Selective Nitroreductase-Nitroaryl Pair

The utility of small molecules to probe or perturb biological systems is limited by the lack of cell-specificity. "Masking" the activity of small molecules using a general chemical modification and "unmasking" it only within target cells overcomes this limitation. To this end, we have developed a selective enzyme-substrate pair consisting of engineered variants of E. coli nitroreductase (NTR) and a 2-nitro- N-methylimidazolyl (NM) masking group. To discover and optimize this NTR-NM system, we synthesized a series of fluorogenic substrates containing different nitroaromatic masking groups, confirmed their stability in cells, and identified the best substrate for NTR. We then engineered the enzyme for improved activity in mammalian cells, ultimately yielding an enzyme variant (enhanced NTR, or eNTR) that possesses up to 100-fold increased activity over wild-type NTR. These improved NTR enzymes combined with the optimal NM masking group enable rapid, selective unmasking of dyes, indicators, and drugs to genetically defined populations of cells.

Synthesis and quantitative characterization of coumarin-caged D-luciferin

Caged luciferin compounds of firefly luciferins have recently drawn much attention since firefly bioluminescence, in which D-luciferin acts as a substrate, is widely used in noninvasive gene-expression imaging, studies of in vivo cell trafficking, and the detection of enzyme activity. The objectives of this study are the development of new caged luciferins and the quantitative determination of the photophysical parameters of their photo-decomposition. We synthesized 7-(diethylaminocoumarin)-4-(yl)methyl caged D-luciferin (DEACM-caged D-luciferin) and quantitatively characterized its absorption spectrum, bioluminescence, and photoproducts using chiral HPLC chromatography, as a function of light-irradiation time. We observed that 4 min of UV irradiation generated maximum D-luciferin concentrations, which corresponds to 16.2% of the original DEACM-caged-D-luciferin concentration. Moreover, we evaluated not only the rate of photocleavage (0.20/min) from DEACM-caged D-luciferin to luciferin but also the rate of caged-luciferin degradation that did not produce luciferin (0.28/min) and the rate of luciferin decomposition (0.20/min) after exposure to irradiation with a 70 mW/cm² high-pressure mercury lamp (254-600 nm). The formation rate of L-luciferin via DEACM-caged-D-luciferin photocleavage was smaller by a factor of 1/10 compared with that of D-luciferin. These quantitative measurements and simultaneous evaluations of photocleavage, degradation, and decomposition are the most important and original methodology presented in this study.

Chemiluminescence molecular probe with intrinsic auto-inductive amplification: incorporation of chemiexcitation in a quinone-methide elimination

A new signal amplification system with an auto-inductive mode of action and distinct chemiluminescence output was developed.

The emergence of aqueous chemiluminescence: new promising class of phenoxy 1,2-dioxetane luminophores

For the first time, science now have a single-entity chemiluminescent luminophore that can serve to prepare effective diagnostic probes to evaluate biological processesin vitroandin vivo.

Firefly Luciferin-Inspired Biocompatible Chemistry for Protein Labeling and In Vivo Imaging

Biocompatible reactions have emerged as versatile tools to build various molecular imaging probes that hold great promise for the detection of biological processes in vitro and/or in vivo. In this Minireview, we describe the recent advances in the development of a firefly luciferin-inspired biocompatible reaction between cyanobenzothiazole (CBT) and cysteine (Cys), and highlight its versatility to label proteins and build multimodality molecular imaging probes. The review starts from the general introduction of biocompatible reactions, which is followed by briefly describing the development of the firefly luciferin-inspired biocompatible chemistry. We then discuss its applications for the specific protein labeling and for the development of multimodality imaging probes (fluorescence, bioluminescence, MRI, PET, photoacoustic, etc.) that enable high sensitivity and spatial resolution imaging of redox environment, furin and caspase-3/7 activity in living cells and mice. Finally, we offer the conclusions and our perspective on the various and potential applications of this reaction. We hope that this review will contribute to the research of biocompatible reactions for their versatile applications in protein labeling and molecular imaging.

In vivo bioluminescence imaging of labile iron accumulation in a murine model of Acinetobacter baumannii infection

Iron is an essential metal for all organisms, yet disruption of its homeostasis, particularly in labile forms that can contribute to oxidative stress, is connected to diseases ranging from infection to cancer to neurodegeneration. Iron deficiency is also among the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide. To advance studies of iron in healthy and disease states, we now report the synthesis and characterization of iron-caged luciferin-1 (ICL-1), a bioluminescent probe that enables longitudinal monitoring of labile iron pools (LIPs) in living animals. ICL-1 utilizes a bioinspired endoperoxide trigger to release d-aminoluciferin for selective reactivity-based detection of Fe2+ with metal and oxidation state specificity. The probe can detect physiological changes in labile Fe2+ levels in live cells and mice experiencing iron deficiency or overload. Application of ICL-1 in a model of systemic bacterial infection reveals increased iron accumulation in infected tissues that accompany transcriptional changes consistent with elevations in both iron acquisition and retention. The ability to assess iron status in living animals provides a powerful technology for studying the contributions of iron metabolism to physiology and pathology.

Near-Infrared Dioxetane Luminophores with Direct Chemiluminescence Emission Mode

Chemiluminescent luminophores are considered as one of the most sensitive families of probes for detection and imaging applications. Due to their high signal-to-noise ratios, luminophores with near-infrared (NIR) emission are particularly important for in vivo use. In addition, light with such long wavelength has significantly greater capability for penetration through organic tissue. So far, only a few reports have described the use of chemiluminescence systems for in vivo imaging. Such systems are always based on an energy-transfer process from a chemiluminescent precursor to a nearby emissive fluorescent dye. Here, we describe the development of the first chemiluminescent luminophores with a direct mode of NIR light emission that are suitable for use under physiological conditions. Our strategy is based on incorporation of a substituent with an extended π-electron system on the excited species obtained during the chemiexcitation pathway of Schaap's adamantylidene-dioxetane probe. In this manner, we designed and synthesized two new luminophores with direct light emission wavelength in the NIR region. Masking of the luminophores with analyte-responsive groups has resulted in turn-ON probes for detection and imaging of β-galactosidase and hydrogen peroxide. The probes' ability to image their corresponding analyte/enzyme was effectively demonstrated in vitro for β-galactosidase activity and in vivo in a mouse model of inflammation. We anticipate that our strategy for obtaining NIR luminophores will open new doors for further exploration of complex biomolecular systems using non-invasive intravital chemiluminescence imaging techniques.

Bioluminescent Probes for Imaging Biology beyond the Culture Dish

Bioluminescence with luciferase-luciferin pairs is an attractive method for surveying cells in live tissues and whole organisms. Recent advances in luciferin chemistry and luciferase engineering are further expanding the scope of the technology. It is now possible to spy on cells in a variety of deep tissues and visualize multicellular interactions, feats that are enabling new questions to be asked and new ideas to be explored. This perspective piece highlights recent successes in bioluminescent probe development and their applications to imaging in live cells, tissues, and animals.

Form Follows Function: Designer Chemistry at the 52nd Bürgenstock Conference

The 52nd Bürgenstock Conference on Stereochemistry took place from April 30-May 4, 2017, and showed how chemistry and design go hand-in-hand (as reflected in the image of the Bauhausarchiv in Berlin). In this Conference Report, Philipp Heretsch outlines the program.

Opening a Gateway for Chemiluminescence Cell Imaging: Distinctive Methodology for Design of Bright Chemiluminescent Dioxetane Probes

Chemiluminescence probes are considered to be among the most sensitive diagnostic tools that provide high signal-to-noise ratio for various applications such as DNA detection and immunoassays. We have developed a new molecular methodology to design and foresee light-emission properties of turn-ON chemiluminescence dioxetane probes suitable for use under physiological conditions. The methodology is based on incorporation of a substituent on the benzoate species obtained during the chemiexcitation pathway of Schaap's adamantylidene-dioxetane probe. The substituent effect was initially evaluated on the fluorescence emission generated by the benzoate species and then on the chemiluminescence of the dioxetane luminophores. A striking substituent effect on the chemiluminescence efficiency of the probes was obtained when acrylate and acrylonitrile electron-withdrawing groups were installed. The chemiluminescence quantum yield of the best probe was more than 3 orders of magnitude higher than that of a standard, commercially available adamantylidene-dioxetane probe. These are the most powerful chemiluminescence dioxetane probes synthesized to date that are suitable for use under aqueous conditions. One of our probes was capable of providing high-quality chemiluminescence cell images based on endogenous activity of β-galactosidase. This is the first demonstration of cell imaging achieved by a non-luciferin small-molecule probe with direct chemiluminescence mode of emission. We anticipate that the strategy presented here will lead to development of efficient chemiluminescence probes for various applications in the field of sensing and imaging.

A Bioluminogenic Probe for Monitoring Tyrosinase Activity

A bioluminogenic probe based on luciferin was designed and synthesized to monitor tyrosinase activity. This probe was efficient in assessing tyrosinase activity in a buffered aqueous solution and in measuring endogenous tyrosinase activity in melanoma cells.

Mechanistic model for the firefly luciferin regeneration in biomimetic conditions: a model for the in vivo process?

Firefly luciferin is recycled back in vivo by 2-cyano-6-hydroxybenzothiazole coupling with cysteine in a complex multi-step process involving specific base catalysis.

In vivo bioluminescence imaging reveals copper deficiency in a murine model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Copper is a required metal nutrient for life, but global or local alterations in its homeostasis are linked to diseases spanning genetic and metabolic disorders to cancer and neurodegeneration. Technologies that enable longitudinal in vivo monitoring of dynamic copper pools can help meet the need to study the complex interplay between copper status, health, and disease in the same living organism over time. Here, we present the synthesis, characterization, and in vivo imaging applications of Copper-Caged Luciferin-1 (CCL-1), a bioluminescent reporter for tissue-specific copper visualization in living animals. CCL-1 uses a selective copper(I)-dependent oxidative cleavage reaction to release d-luciferin for subsequent bioluminescent reaction with firefly luciferase. The probe can detect physiological changes in labile Cu+ levels in live cells and mice under situations of copper deficiency or overload. Application of CCL-1 to mice with liver-specific luciferase expression in a diet-induced model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease reveals onset of hepatic copper deficiency and altered expression levels of central copper trafficking proteins that accompany symptoms of glucose intolerance and weight gain. The data connect copper dysregulation to metabolic liver disease and provide a starting point for expanding the toolbox of reactivity-based chemical reporters for cell- and tissue-specific in vivo imaging.

Brominated Luciferins Are Versatile Bioluminescent Probes

We report a set of brominated luciferins for bioluminescence imaging. These regioisomeric scaffolds were accessed by using a common synthetic route. All analogues produced light with firefly luciferase, although varying levels of emission were observed. Differences in photon output were analyzed by computation and photophysical measurements. The brightest brominated luciferin was further evaluated in cell and animal models. At low doses, the analogue outperformed the native substrate in cells. The remaining luciferins, although weak emitters with firefly luciferase, were inherently capable of light production and thus potential substrates for orthogonal mutant enzymes.

Remarkable Enhancement of Chemiluminescent Signal by Dioxetane-Fluorophore Conjugates: Turn-ON Chemiluminescence Probes with Color Modulation for Sensing and Imaging

Chemiluminescence is among the most sensitive methods for achieving a high signal-to-noise ratio in various chemical and biological applications. We have developed a modular practical synthetic route for preparation of turn-ON fluorophore-tethered dioxetane chemiluminescent probes. The chemiluminescent emission of the probes was significantly amplified through an energy-transfer mechanism under physiological conditions. Two probes were composed with green and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent dyes tethered to Schaap's dioxetane. While both probes were able to provide chemiluminescence in vivo images following subcutaneous injection, only the NIR probe could provide a chemiluminescence image following intraperitoneal injection. These are the first in vivo images produced by Schaap's dioxetane chemiluminescence probes with no need of an enhancer. Previously, chemiluminescence cell images could only be obtained with a luciferin-based probe. Our NIR probe was able to image cells transfected with β-galactosidase gene by chemiluminescence microscopy. We also report, for the first time, the instability of dioxetane-fluorophore conjugates to ambient light. Our synthetic route effectively overcomes this limitation through a late-stage functionalization of the dioxetane intermediate. We anticipate that our practical synthetic methodology will be useful for preparation of various chemiluminescent probes for numerous applications.

Economical and scalable synthesis of 6-amino-2-cyanobenzothiazole

2-Cyanobenzothiazoles (CBTs) are useful building blocks for: 1) luciferin derivatives for bioluminescent imaging; and 2) handles for bioorthogonal ligations. A particularly versatile CBT is 6-amino-2-cyanobenzothiazole (ACBT), which has an amine handle for straight-forward derivatisation. Here we present an economical and scalable synthesis of ACBT based on a cyanation catalysed by 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), and discuss its advantages for scale-up over previously reported routes.

The Expanding Toolbox of In Vivo Bioluminescent Imaging

In vivo bioluminescent imaging (BLI) permits the visualization of engineered bioluminescence from living cells and tissues to provide a unique perspective toward the understanding of biological processes as they occur within the framework of an authentic in vivo environment. The toolbox of in vivo BLI includes an inventory of luciferase compounds capable of generating bioluminescent light signals along with sophisticated and powerful instrumentation designed to detect and quantify these light signals non-invasively as they emit from the living subject. The information acquired reveals the dynamics of a wide range of biological functions that play key roles in the physiological and pathological control of disease and its therapeutic management. This mini review provides an overview of the tools and applications central to the evolution of in vivo BLI as a core technology in the preclinical imaging disciplines.