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Amaral DT, Kaplan RA, Takishita TKE, de Souza DR, Oliveira AG, Rosa SP. Glowing wonders: exploring the diversity and ecological significance of bioluminescent organisms in Brazil. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2024:10.1007/s43630-024-00590-x. [PMID: 38733516 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-024-00590-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Bioluminescence, the emission of light by living organisms, is a captivating and widespread phenomenon with diverse ecological functions. This comprehensive review explores the biodiversity, mechanisms, ecological roles, and conservation challenges of bioluminescent organisms in Brazil, a country known for its vast and diverse ecosystems. From the enchanting glow of fireflies and glow-in-the-dark mushrooms to the mesmerizing displays of marine dinoflagellates and cnidarians, Brazil showcases a remarkable array of bioluminescent species. Understanding the biochemical mechanisms and enzymes involved in bioluminescence enhances our knowledge of their evolutionary adaptations and ecological functions. However, habitat loss, climate change, and photopollution pose significant threats to these bioluminescent organisms. Conservation measures, interdisciplinary collaborations, and responsible lighting practices are crucial for their survival. Future research should focus on identifying endemic species, studying environmental factors influencing bioluminescence, and developing effective conservation strategies. Through interdisciplinary collaborations, advanced technologies, and increased funding, Brazil can unravel the mysteries of its bioluminescent biodiversity, drive scientific advancements, and ensure the long-term preservation of these captivating organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo T Amaral
- Centro de Ciências Naturais E Humanas, Universidade Federal Do ABC (UFABC), Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós Graduação Em Biotecnociência, Universidade Federal Do ABC (UFABC), Avenida Dos Estados, Bloco A, Room 504-3. ZIP 09210-580, Santo André, São Paulo, 5001, Brazil.
| | - Rachel A Kaplan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Yeshiva University, 245 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | | | - Daniel R de Souza
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados Em Jornalismo, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anderson G Oliveira
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Yeshiva University, 245 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Simone Policena Rosa
- Instituto de Recursos Naturais (IRN), Universidade Federal de Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá, MG, Brazil
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2
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Schramm S, Weiß D. Bioluminescence - The Vibrant Glow of Nature and its Chemical Mechanisms. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202400106. [PMID: 38469601 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400106] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Bioluminescence, the mesmerizing natural phenomenon where living organisms produce light through chemical reactions, has long captivated scientists and laypersons alike, offering a rich tapestry of insights into biological function, ecology, evolution as well as the underlying chemistry. This comprehensive introductory review systematically explores the phenomenon of bioluminescence, addressing its historical context, geographic dispersion, and ecological significance with a focus on their chemical mechanisms. Our examination begins with terrestrial bioluminescence, discussing organisms from different habitats. We analyze thefireflies of Central Europe's meadows and the fungi in the Atlantic rainforest of Brazil. Additionally, we inspect bioluminescent species in New Zealand, specifically river-dwelling snails and mosquito larvae found in Waitomo Caves. Our exploration concludes in the Siberian Steppes, highlighting the area's luminescent insects and annelids. Transitioning to the marine realm, the second part of this review examines marine bioluminescent organisms. We explore this phenomenon in deep-sea jellyfish and their role in the ecosystem. We then move to Toyama Bay, Japan, where seasonal bioluminescence of dinoflagellates and ostracods present a unique case study. We also delve into the bacterial world, discussing how bioluminescent bacteria contribute to symbiotic relationships. For each organism, we contextualize its bioluminescence, providing details about its discovery, ecological function, and geographical distribution. A special focus lies on the examination of the underlying chemical mechanisms that enables these biological light displays. Concluding this review, we present a series of practical bioluminescence and chemiluminescence experiments, providing a resource for educational demonstrations and student research projects. Our goal with this review is to provide a summary of bioluminescence across the diverse ecological contexts, contributing to the broader understanding of this unique biological phenomenon and its chemical mechanisms serving researchers new to the field, educators and students alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schramm
- University of Applied Sciences Dresden (HTW Dresden), Friedrich-List-Platz 1, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Dieter Weiß
- Institut für Organische und Makromolekulare Chemie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
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3
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Quan Z, Ohmiya Y, Liu YJ. Chemical Mechanism of Fireworm Bioluminescence - A Theoretical Proposition. J Phys Chem A 2023; 127:10851-10859. [PMID: 38103213 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.3c07409] [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: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Odontosyllis undecimdonta is a marine worm, commonly known as a fireworm, that exhibits bluish-green bioluminescence (BL). The luciferin (L) and oxyluciferin (OL) during fireworm BL have been experimentally identified in vitro. The L and OL are the respective starting point and ending point of a series of complicated chemical reactions in the BL. However, the chemical mechanism of the fireworm BL remains largely unknown. Before the experiments provided strong evidence for the mechanism, based on our previously successful studies on several bioluminescent systems, we theoretically proposed the chemical mechanism of the fireworm BL in this article. By means of the spin-flip and time-dependent density functional calculations, we clearly described the complete process from L to OL: under the catalysis of luciferase, L undergoes deprotonation and reacts with 3O2 to form a dioxetanone anion via the single-electron transfer mechanism; the dioxetanone anion decomposes into the OL at the first singlet excited state (S1) by the gradually reversible charge-transfer-induced luminescence mechanism; and the S1-OL emits light and deexcites to OL in the ground state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Quan
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yoshihiro Ohmiya
- Osaka Institute of Technology (OIT), 5-16-1 Ohmiya, Asahi-ku, Osaka 535-8585, Japan
| | - Ya-Jun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Center for Advanced Materials Research, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China
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4
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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]
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5
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Schramm S, Weiß D. Biolumineszenz – Teil 2: Maritime Biolumineszenz. CHEM UNSERER ZEIT 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ciuz.202100020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schramm
- Institut für Organische und Makromolekulare Chemie Friedrich‐Schiller Universität Jena Humboldtstraße 10 07743 Jena Deutschland
- Merck KGaA Frankfurter Straße 250 64293 Darmstadt Deutschland
| | - Dieter Weiß
- Institut für Organische und Makromolekulare Chemie Friedrich‐Schiller Universität Jena Humboldtstraße 10 07743 Jena Deutschland
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6
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Kanie S, Komatsu M, Mitani Y. Molecular insights into luminescence system of the pelagic shrimp Lucensosergia lucens. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2022; 86:368-373. [PMID: 35025982 DOI: 10.1093/bbb/zbac004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Lucensosergia lucens is a luminous marine shrimp that has been suggested to use a coelenterazine-dependent luminescence system. However, the genetic information related to the luminescence system is lacking. Our RNA-Seq analysis of this shrimp did not show the existence of known or homologous coelenterazine-dependent luciferase genes. Subsequent biochemical analyses suggested that the shrimp possessed unknown proteinaceous components for coelenterazine luminescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shusei Kanie
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan
| | - Mami Komatsu
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yasuo Mitani
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan
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7
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Mitani Y, Yasuno R, Kihira K, Chung K, Mitsuda N, Kanie S, Tomioka A, Kaji H, Ohmiya Y. Host-Dependent Producibility of Recombinant Cypridina noctiluca Luciferase With Glycosylation Defects. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:774786. [PMID: 35198542 PMCID: PMC8859458 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.774786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cypridina noctiluca luciferase (CLuc) is a secreted luminescent protein that reacts with its substrate (Cypridina luciferin) to emit light. CLuc is known to be a thermostable protein and has been used for various research applications, including in vivo imaging and high-throughput reporter assays. Previously, we produced a large amount of recombinant CLuc for crystallographic analysis. However, this recombinant protein did not crystallize, probably due to heterogeneous N-glycan modifications. In this study, we produced recombinant CLuc without glycan modifications by introducing mutations at the N-glycan modification residues using mammalian Expi293F cells, silkworms, and tobacco Bright Yellow-2 cells. Interestingly, recombinant CLuc production depended heavily on the expression hosts. Among these selected hosts, we found that Expi293F cells efficiently produced the recombinant mutant CLuc without significant effects on its luciferase activity. We confirmed the lack of N-glycan modifications for this mutant protein by mass spectrometry analysis but found slight O-glycan modifications that we estimated were about 2% of the ion chromatogram peak area for the detected peptide fragments. Moreover, by using CLuc deletion mutants during the investigation of O-glycan modifications, we identified amino acid residues important to the luciferase activity of CLuc. Our results provide invaluable information related to CLuc function and pave the way for its crystallographic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuo Mitani
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Yasuo Mitani,
| | - Rie Yasuno
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, AIST, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - KwiMi Chung
- Bioproduction Research Institute, AIST, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - Shusei Kanie
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan
| | - Azusa Tomioka
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, AIST, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kaji
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, AIST, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ohmiya
- Biomedical Research Institute, AIST, Ikeda, Japan
- Osaka Institute of Technology (OIT), Osaka, Japan
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8
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Yasuno R, Mitani Y, Ohmiya Y. Gene Cloning and Functional Analysis of the Luciferase from Luminous Syllids of the Genus Odontosyllis. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2524:3-15. [PMID: 35821459 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2453-1_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The marine fireworm Odontosyllis spp. produce the bluish-green bioluminescence (BL). Despite years of research, molecular mechanisms of this unique luciferin-luciferase reaction have not been elucidated. Recently, the genes encoding luciferases of O. undecimdonta and O. enopla have been identified. Here, we describe gene cloning techniques for the luciferase of Odontosyllis spp. from a small number of specimens using highly sensitive mass spectrometry analysis in combination with RNA-sequencing. The luciferase activities of the cloned cDNAs are confirmed by BL assay in vitro using recombinant protein expressed in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rie Yasuno
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yasuo Mitani
- Bioproduction Research Institute, AIST, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Yoshihiro Ohmiya
- Biomedical Research Institute, AIST, Osaka, Japan
- Osaka Institute of Technology (OIT), Osaka, Japan
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9
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Kanie S, Miura D, Jimi N, Hayashi T, Nakamura K, Sakata M, Ogoh K, Ohmiya Y, Mitani Y. Violet bioluminescent Polycirrus sp. (Annelida: Terebelliformia) discovered in the shallow coastal waters of the Noto Peninsula in Japan. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19097. [PMID: 34580316 PMCID: PMC8476577 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98105-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Terebellidae worms have large numbers of tentacles responsible for various biological functions. Some Terebellidae worms whose tentacles emit light are found around the world, including exceptional violet-light-emitting Polycirrus spp. found in Europe and North America. However, there is no video-recorded observation of the luminous behavior of such unique species in nature, and the genetic information related to their ecology are lacking. Here, for the first time, we video-recorded the violet-light-emitting behavior of an undescribed Japanese worm in its natural habitat. The worm was designated as Polycirrus sp. ISK based on morphological observations, and the luminescence spectrum showed a peak at 444 nm, which is an exceptionally short wavelength for bioluminescence in a shallow coastal water environment. An analysis of differentially expressing genes based on separate RNA-Seq analysis for the tentacles and the rest of body revealed the specific expression of genes that are probably involved in innate immunity in the tentacles exposed to predators. We also found a Renilla luciferase homologous gene, but coelenterazine was not detected in the worm extract by analyses using a liquid chromatography and a recombinant Renilla luciferase. These results will promote an understanding of the ecology and luminescence mechanisms of luminous Polycirrus spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shusei Kanie
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, 062-8517, Japan
| | - Daisuke Miura
- Biomedical Research Institute, AIST, Tsukuba, 305-8566, Japan
| | - Naoto Jimi
- National Institute of Polar Research, Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190-8518, Japan.,Sugashima Marine Biological Laboratory, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Toba, Mie, 517-0004, Japan
| | - Taro Hayashi
- Olympus Corporation, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-8512, Japan
| | - Koji Nakamura
- Japan Underwater Films Co., Ltd., 2-11-15, Nakaochiai, Shinjyuku, Tokyo, 161-0032, Japan
| | - Masahiko Sakata
- Japan Underwater Films Co., Ltd., 2-11-15, Nakaochiai, Shinjyuku, Tokyo, 161-0032, Japan
| | - Katsunori Ogoh
- Olympus Corporation, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-8512, Japan.,HATENOURUMA, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192‑0023, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ohmiya
- Biomedical Research Institute, AIST, Ikeda, 563-8577, Japan.,Osaka Institute of Technology (OIT), Osaka, 535-8585, Japan
| | - Yasuo Mitani
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, 062-8517, Japan.
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10
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Tsarkova AS. Luciferins Under Construction: A Review of Known Biosynthetic Pathways. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.667829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence, or the ability of a living organism to generate visible light, occurs as a result of biochemical reaction where enzyme, known as a luciferase, catalyzes the oxidation of a small-molecule substrate, known as luciferin. This advantageous trait has independently evolved dozens of times, with current estimates ranging from the most conservative 40, based on the biochemical diversity found across bioluminescence systems (Haddock et al., 2010) to 100, taking into account the physiological mechanisms involved in the behavioral control of light production across a wide range of taxa (Davis et al., 2016; Verdes and Gruber, 2017; Bessho-Uehara et al., 2020a; Lau and Oakley, 2021). Chemical structures of ten biochemically unrelated luciferins and several luciferase gene families have been described; however, a full biochemical pathway leading to light emission has been elucidated only for two: bacterial and fungal bioluminescence systems. Although the recent years have been marked by extraordinary discoveries and promising breakthroughs in understanding the molecular basis of multiple bioluminescence systems, the mechanisms of luciferin biosynthesis for many organisms remain almost entirely unknown. This article seeks to provide a succinct overview of currently known luciferins’ biosynthetic pathways.
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11
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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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha J. Syed
- Department of Chemistry
- University College London
- London
- UK
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12
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Luciferase gene of a Caribbean fireworm (Syllidae) from Puerto Rico. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13015. [PMID: 31506523 PMCID: PMC6736977 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49538-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The fireworms Odontosyllis spp. are globally distributed and well-known for their characteristic and fascinating mating behavior, with secreted mucus emitting bluish-green light. However, knowledge about the molecules involved in the light emission are still scarce. The fireworms are believed to emit light with a luciferin-luciferase reaction, but biochemical evidence of the luciferase is established for only one species living in Japan and no information is available for its luciferin structure. In this study, we identified a luciferase gene from a related Puerto Rican fireworm. We identified eight luciferase-like genes in this Puerto Rican fireworm, finding amino acid identities between Japanese and Puerto Rican luciferase-like genes to be less than 60%. We confirmed cross reactivity of extracts of the Japanese fireworm luciferin with a recombinant Puerto Rican luciferase (PR1). The emission spectrum of recombinant PR1 was similar to the crude extract of the native luciferase, suggesting that PR1 is a functional luciferase of this Puerto Rican fireworm. Our results indicate that the molecular mechanism of luminescence is widely conserved among fireworms.
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Abstract
We report the identification and characterization of the small molecule aspects of the Odontosyllis undecimdonta bioluminescence system. The chemical structures of the 4 best-known marine luciferins are as diverse as their phylogenetic distribution. The unique structure of Odontosyllis luciferin provides a key insight into a completely novel chemical basis of bioluminescence. Odontosyllis oxyluciferin is the only green primary emitter described for any known bioluminescent marine organism. Together with Odontosyllis luciferase, our recent findings provide insight into the biochemistry and photochemistry of a new light-emitting system. Our studies represent a crucial step in the development of orthogonal luminescence-based analytical methods for a variety of applications, including live animal imaging and pharmaceutical development. Marine polychaetes Odontosyllis undecimdonta, commonly known as fireworms, emit bright blue-green bioluminescence. Until the recent identification of the Odontosyllis luciferase enzyme, little progress had been made toward characterizing the key components of this bioluminescence system. Here we present the biomolecular mechanisms of enzymatic (leading to light emission) and nonenzymatic (dark) oxidation pathways of newly described O. undecimdonta luciferin. Spectral studies, including 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction, of isolated substances allowed us to characterize the luciferin as an unusual tricyclic sulfur-containing heterocycle. Odontosyllis luciferin does not share structural similarity with any other known luciferins. The structures of the Odontosyllis bioluminescent system’s low molecular weight components have enabled us to propose chemical transformation pathways for the enzymatic and nonspecific oxidation of luciferin.
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Daniels BJ, Li FF, Furkert DP, Brimble MA. Naturally Occurring Lumazines. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2019; 82:2054-2065. [PMID: 31317731 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Natural products containing a lumazine motif were first isolated from natural sources in 1940. These natural products are relatively rare, with fewer than 100 lumazines known to occur in Nature. This review discusses the isolation of lumazines, their biological activity, and their biosynthesis, where known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Daniels
- School of Chemical Sciences , The University of Auckland , 23 Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand
| | - Freda F Li
- School of Chemical Sciences , The University of Auckland , 23 Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand
| | - Daniel P Furkert
- School of Chemical Sciences , The University of Auckland , 23 Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery , The University of Auckland , 3 Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand
| | - Margaret A Brimble
- School of Chemical Sciences , The University of Auckland , 23 Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery , The University of Auckland , 3 Symonds Street , Auckland 1010 , New Zealand
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15
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Kin I, Jimi N, Oba Y. Bioluminescence properties of Thelepus japonicus (Annelida: Terebelliformia). LUMINESCENCE 2019; 34:602-606. [PMID: 31083817 DOI: 10.1002/bio.3643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Terebelliformia is a benthic group of marine annelid worms. The bioluminescence of several species has been reported in taxonomical and histological literature, but very little information is known about the biochemical aspects of this phenomenon. In this study, we examined the basic properties of the luminescence system using an extract of the Japanese terebelliform worm, Thelepus japonicus. The bioluminescence extract was soluble in water, and emitted blue-green light at λmax 508 nm following the addition of divalent cations. This triggering action was highly specific to Fe2+ and addition of ATP, H2 O2 or coelenterazine did not enhance activity. The bioluminescence was inactivated by heat treatment and organic solvents, indicating the involvement of a protein component. These results suggested that Thelepus worm produces light using a novel system that differs from that in other known luminescent annelids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikuhiko Kin
- Department of Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chubu University, Kasugai, Japan
| | - Naoto Jimi
- Department of Natural History Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuichi Oba
- Department of Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chubu University, Kasugai, Japan
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