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Tan L, Hirte S, Palmacci V, Stork C, Kirchmair J. Tackling assay interference associated with small molecules. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:319-339. [PMID: 38622244 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-024-00593-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Biochemical and cell-based assays are essential to discovering and optimizing efficacious and safe drugs, agrochemicals and cosmetics. However, false assay readouts stemming from colloidal aggregation, chemical reactivity, chelation, light signal attenuation and emission, membrane disruption, and other interference mechanisms remain a considerable challenge in screening synthetic compounds and natural products. To address assay interference, a range of powerful experimental approaches are available and in silico methods are now gaining traction. This Review begins with an overview of the scope and limitations of experimental approaches for tackling assay interference. It then focuses on theoretical methods, discusses strategies for their integration with experimental approaches, and provides recommendations for best practices. The Review closes with a summary of the critical facts and an outlook on potential future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Tan
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Steffen Hirte
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences (PhaNuSpo), University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vincenzo Palmacci
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences (PhaNuSpo), University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Conrad Stork
- Department of Informatics, Center for Bioinformatics, Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- BASF SE, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Johannes Kirchmair
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Molecular Informatics in the Biosciences, Department for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Calabretta MM, Michelini E. Current advances in the use of bioluminescence assays for drug discovery: an update of the last ten years. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:85-95. [PMID: 37814480 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2266989] [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] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bioluminescence is a well-established optical detection technique widely used in several bioanalytical applications, including high-throughput and high-content screenings. Thanks to advances in synthetic biology techniques and deep learning, a wide portfolio of luciferases is now available with tuned emission wavelengths, kinetics, and high stability. These luciferases can be implemented in the drug discovery and development pipeline, allowing high sensitivity and multiplexing capability. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the latest advancements of bioluminescent systems as toolsets in drug discovery programs for in vitro applications. Particular attention is paid to the most advanced bioluminescence-based technologies for drug screening over the past 10 years (from 2013 to 2023) such as cell-free assays, cell-based assays based on genetically modified cells, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer, and protein complementation assays in 2D and 3D cell models. EXPERT OPINION The availability of tuned bioluminescent proteins with improved emission and stability properties is vital for the development of bioluminescence assays for drug discovery, spanning from reporter gene technology to protein-protein techniques. Further studies, combining machine learning with synthetic biology, will be necessary to obtain new tools for sustainable and highly predictive bioluminescent drug discovery platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), IRCCS St. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), IRCCS St. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HSTICIR), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Calabretta MM, Gregucci D, Michelini E. New synthetic red- and orange-emitting luciferases to upgrade in vitro and 3D cell biosensing. Analyst 2023; 148:5642-5649. [PMID: 37791570 DOI: 10.1039/d3an01251d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescence (BL), i.e., the emission of light in living organisms, has become an indispensable tool for a plethora of applications including bioassays, biosensors, and in vivo imaging. Current efforts are focused on the obtainment of new luciferases having optimized properties, such as improved thermostability at 37 °C, pH-insensitive emission, high quantum yield, extended kinetics and red-shifted emission. To address these issues we have obtained two new synthetic luciferases, an orange and a red-emitting luciferase, which were designed to achieve high sensitivity (BoLuc) and multiplexing capability (BrLuc) for in vitro and in vivo biosensing using as a starting template a recently developed thermostable synthetic luciferase (BgLuc). Both luciferases were characterized in terms of emission behaviour and thermal and pH stability showing promising features as reporter proteins and BL probes. As proof-of-principle application, an inflammation assay based on Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK293T) 3D cell cultures was developed using either the orange or the red-emitting mutant. The assay provided good analytical performance, with limits of detection for Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNFα) of 0.06 and 0.12 ng mL-1 for BoLuc and BrLuc, respectively. Moreover, since these luciferases require the same substrate, D-luciferin, they can be easily implemented in dual-color assays with a significant reduction of total cost per assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orso-la-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Denise Gregucci
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orso-la-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orso-la-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HSTICIR), University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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Gregucci D, Nazir F, Calabretta MM, Michelini E. Illuminating Progress: The Contribution of Bioluminescence to Sustainable Development Goal 6-Clean Water and Sanitation-Of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:7244. [PMID: 37631781 PMCID: PMC10458275 DOI: 10.3390/s23167244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The United Nations Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims at ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation. The routine monitoring of water contaminants requires accurate and rapid analytical techniques. Laboratory analyses and conventional methods of field sampling still require considerable labor and time with highly trained personnel and transport to a central facility with sophisticated equipment, which renders routine monitoring cumbersome, time-consuming, and costly. Moreover, these methods do not provide information about the actual toxicity of water, which is crucial for characterizing complex samples, such as urban wastewater and stormwater runoff. The unique properties of bioluminescence (BL) offer innovative approaches for developing advanced tools and technologies for holistic water monitoring. BL biosensors offer a promising solution by combining the natural BL phenomenon with cutting-edge technologies. This review provides an overview of the recent advances and significant contributions of BL to SDG 6, focusing attention on the potential use of the BL-based sensing platforms for advancing water management practices, protecting ecosystems, and ensuring the well-being of communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Gregucci
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (F.N.); (M.M.C.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Faisal Nazir
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (F.N.); (M.M.C.)
| | - Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (F.N.); (M.M.C.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (F.N.); (M.M.C.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HSTICIR), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Jiang T, Song J, Zhang Y. Coelenterazine-Type Bioluminescence-Induced Optical Probes for Sensing and Controlling Biological Processes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065074. [PMID: 36982148 PMCID: PMC10049153 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence-based probes have long been used to quantify and visualize biological processes in vitro and in vivo. Over the past years, we have witnessed the trend of bioluminescence-driven optogenetic systems. Typically, bioluminescence emitted from coelenterazine-type luciferin–luciferase reactions activate light-sensitive proteins, which induce downstream events. The development of coelenterazine-type bioluminescence-induced photosensory domain-based probes has been applied in the imaging, sensing, and control of cellular activities, signaling pathways, and synthetic genetic circuits in vitro and in vivo. This strategy can not only shed light on the mechanisms of diseases, but also promote interrelated therapy development. Here, this review provides an overview of these optical probes for sensing and controlling biological processes, highlights their applications and optimizations, and discusses the possible future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Jiang
- Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Shandong University–Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, Shenzhen 518000, China
- Correspondence: (T.J.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Jingwen Song
- Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Shandong University–Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Youming Zhang
- Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Shandong University–Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Correspondence: (T.J.); (Y.Z.)
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