1
|
Mazzotta S, Rositano V, Senaldi L, Bernardi A, Allegrini P, Appendino G. Scalemic natural products. Nat Prod Rep 2023; 40:1647-1671. [PMID: 37439042 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00014a] [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] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Covering: up to the end of 2022The area of scalemic natural products is often enigmatic from a mechanistic standpoint, since low optical purity is observed in compounds having multiple contiguous stereogenic centers resulting from mechanistically distinct biogenetic steps. A scalemic state is rarely the result of a sloppy enzymatic activity, rather resulting from the expression of antipodal enzymes/directing proteins or from the erosion of optical purity by enzymatic or spontaneous reactions. Evidence for these processes is critically reviewed, identifying the mechanisms most often associated to the enzymatic generation of scalemic natural products and also discussing analytical exploitations of natural products' scalemicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Mazzotta
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Rositano
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy
- Indena SpA, Via Don Minzoni 6, 20049 Settala, MI, Italy
| | - Luca Senaldi
- Indena SpA, Via Don Minzoni 6, 20049 Settala, MI, Italy
| | - Anna Bernardi
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Appendino
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Trabuco Amaral D, Mitani Y, Aparecida Silva Bonatelli I, Cerri R, Ohmiya Y, Viviani V. Genome analysis of Phrixothrix hirtus (Phengodidae) railroad worm shows the expansion of odorant-binding gene families and positive selection on morphogenesis and sex determination genes. Gene X 2022; 850:146917. [PMID: 36174905 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146917] [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: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Among bioluminescent beetles of the Elateroidea superfamily, Phengodidae is the third largest family, with 244 bioluminescent species distributed only in the Americas, but is still the least studied from the phylogenetic and evolutionary points of view. The railroad worm Phrixothrix hirtus is an essential biological model and symbolic species due to its bicolor bioluminescence, being the only organism that produces true red light among bioluminescent terrestrial species. Here, we performed partial genome assembly of P. hirtus, combining short and long reads generated with Illumina sequencing, providing the first source of genomic information and a framework for comparative analyses of the bioluminescent system in Elateroidea. This is the largest genome described in the Elateroidea superfamily, with an estimated size of ∼3.4 Gb, displaying 32 % GC content, and 67 % transposable elements. Comparative genomic analyses showed a positive selection of genes and gene family expansion events of growths and morphogenesis gene products, which could be associated with the atypical anatomical development and morphogenesis found in paedomorphic females and underdeveloped males. We also observed gene family expansion among distinct odorant-binding receptors, which could be associated with the pheromone communication system typical of these beetles, and retrotransposable elements. Common genes putatively regulating bioluminescence production and control, including two luciferase genes corresponding to lateral lanterns green-emitting and head lanterns red-emitting luciferases with 7 exons and 6 introns, and genes potentially involved in luciferin biosynthesis were found, indicating that there are no clear differences about the presence or absence of gene families associated with bioluminescence in Elateroidea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Trabuco Amaral
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnociência, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas. Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC), Santo André, Brazil
| | - Yasuo Mitani
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan
| | | | - Ricardo Cerri
- Department of Computational Science, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Yoshihiro Ohmiya
- Biomedical Research Institute, AIST, Ikeda-Osaka, Japan; Osaka Institute of Technology, OIT, Osaka, Japan
| | - Vadim Viviani
- Graduate Program of Evolutive Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil; Graduate Program of Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Sorocaba, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
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]
|
4
|
de Souza DR, Silva JR, Moreira A, Viviani VR. Biosensing firefly luciferin synthesis in bacteria reveals a cysteine-dependent quinone detoxification route in Coleoptera. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14815. [PMID: 36045277 PMCID: PMC9433453 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17205-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Luciferin biosynthetic origin and alternative biological functions during the evolution of beetles remain unknown. We have set up a bioluminescent sensing method for luciferin synthesis from cysteine and benzoquinone using E. coli and Pichia pastoris expressing the bright Amydetes vivianii firefly and P. termitilluminans click beetle luciferases. In the presence of d-cysteine and benzoquinone, intense bioluminescence is quickly produced, indicating the expected formation of d-luciferin. Starting with l-cysteine and benzoquinone, the bioluminescence is weaker and delayed, indicating that bacteria produce l-luciferin, and then racemize it to d-luciferin in the presence of endogenous esterases, CoA and luciferase. In bacteria the p-benzoquinone toxicity (IC50 ~ 25 µM) is considerably reduced in the presence of cysteine, maintaining cell viability at 3.6 mM p-benzoquinone concomitantly with the formation of luciferin. Transcriptional analysis showed the presence of gene products involved with the sclerotization/tanning in the photogenic tissues, suggesting a possible link between these pathways and bioluminescence. The lack of two enzymes involved with the last steps of these pathways, indicate the possible accumulation of toxic quinone intermediates in the lanterns. These results and the abundance of cysteine producing enzymes suggest that luciferin first appeared as a detoxification byproduct of cysteine reaction with accumulated toxic quinone intermediates during the evolution of sclerotization/tanning in Coleoptera.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Rangel de Souza
- Graduate Program of Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Rodrigues Silva
- Departament of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba, Brazil
| | - Ariele Moreira
- Departament of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba, Brazil
| | - Vadim R Viviani
- Graduate Program of Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba, Brazil. .,Departament of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
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.
Collapse
|
6
|
Guo YJ, Cui CX, Liu YJ. Theoretical Study on Storage and Release of Firefly Luciferin. Photochem Photobiol 2021; 98:184-192. [PMID: 34333799 DOI: 10.1111/php.13496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Among numerous bioluminescent organisms, firefly is the most studied one. Recent experiment proposed that sulfoluciferin (SLH2 ) may serve as a storage form of luciferin (LH2 ). In the present article, we employed density functional theory calculation to uncover the mechanism and detailed process of the storage and release reactions. Due to lack of available crystallographic structure of the related enzyme, the calculation was performed on a model system. For the storage reaction, possible amino acid residues were used for imitating the protein environment. For the release reaction, the dielectric constant of 3.0 was employed to simulate the polarity of the protein cavity. The computational results indicated that the reactions from LH2 to SLH2 and from SLH2 to LH2 are both exergonic, which favor the storage and release processes and coincide with the experimental observation. Basing on experimental and current theoretical study, we supplemented the stages of LH2 storage and release in the entire bioluminescent cycle of firefly. The current theoretical calculation could inspire the study on LH2 storage and release of other bioluminescent organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Jie Guo
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng-Xing Cui
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
| | - Ya-Jun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.,Center for Advanced Materials Research, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Nazir M, Saleem M, Tousif MI, Anwar MA, Surup F, Ali I, Wang D, Mamadalieva NZ, Alshammari E, Ashour ML, Ashour AM, Ahmed I, Elizbit, Green IR, Hussain H. Meroterpenoids: A Comprehensive Update Insight on Structural Diversity and Biology. Biomolecules 2021; 11:957. [PMID: 34209734 PMCID: PMC8301922 DOI: 10.3390/biom11070957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Meroterpenoids are secondary metabolites formed due to mixed biosynthetic pathways which are produced in part from a terpenoid co-substrate. These mixed biosynthetically hybrid compounds are widely produced by bacteria, algae, plants, and animals. Notably amazing chemical diversity is generated among meroterpenoids via a combination of terpenoid scaffolds with polyketides, alkaloids, phenols, and amino acids. This review deals with the isolation, chemical diversity, and biological effects of 452 new meroterpenoids reported from natural sources from January 2016 to December 2020. Most of the meroterpenoids possess antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, enzyme inhibitory, and immunosupressive effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mamona Nazir
- Department of Chemistry, Government Sadiq College Women University Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Saleem
- Institute of Chemistry, Baghdad-ul-Jadeed Campus, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Imran Tousif
- Department of Chemistry, DG Khan Campus, University of Education Lahore, Dera Ghazi Khan 32200, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Aijaz Anwar
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, PCSIR Laboratories Complex Karachi, Karachi 75280, Pakistan
| | - Frank Surup
- Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Iftikhar Ali
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Key Laboratory for Applied Technology of Sophisticated Analytical Instruments of Shandong Province, Shandong Analysis and Test Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China
- Department of Chemistry, Karakoram International University, Gilgit 15100, Pakistan
| | - Daijie Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Key Laboratory for Applied Technology of Sophisticated Analytical Instruments of Shandong Province, Shandong Analysis and Test Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China
| | - Nilufar Z Mamadalieva
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120 Halle, Germany
- Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Mirzo Ulugbek Str 77, Tashkent 100170, Uzbekistan
| | - Elham Alshammari
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed L Ashour
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Ashour
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, P.O. Box 13578, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ishtiaq Ahmed
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
| | - Elizbit
- Department of Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) H12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Ivan R Green
- Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Hidayat Hussain
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120 Halle, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Pourhasan Kisomi R, Shirini F, Golshekan M. Fe
3
O
4
@MCM‐41@ZrCl
2
: A novel magnetic mesoporous nanocomposite catalyst including zirconium nanoparticles for the synthesis of 1‐(benzothiazolylamino)phenylmethyl‐2‐naphthols. Appl Organomet Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/aoc.6212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Farhad Shirini
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences University of Guilan Rasht Iran
| | - Mostafa Golshekan
- Medical Biotechnology Research center, School of Paramedicine Guilan University of Medical Sciences Rasht Iran
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Xie J, Rice MA, Chen Z, Cheng Y, Hsu EC, Chen M, Song G, Cui L, Zhou K, Castillo JB, Zhang CA, Shen B, Chin FT, Kunder CA, Brooks JD, Stoyanova T, Rao J. In Vivo Imaging of Methionine Aminopeptidase II for Prostate Cancer Risk Stratification. Cancer Res 2021; 81:2510-2521. [PMID: 33637565 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, yet limited tools exist for prognostic risk stratification of the disease. Identification of new biomarkers representing intrinsic features of malignant transformation and development of prognostic imaging technologies are critical for improving treatment decisions and patient survival. In this study, we analyzed radical prostatectomy specimens from 422 patients with localized disease to define the expression pattern of methionine aminopeptidase II (MetAP2), a cytosolic metalloprotease that has been identified as a druggable target in cancer. MetAP2 was highly expressed in 54% of low-grade and 59% of high-grade cancers. Elevated levels of MetAP2 at diagnosis were associated with shorter time to recurrence. Controlled self-assembly of a synthetic small molecule enabled design of the first MetAP2-activated PET imaging tracer for monitoring MetAP2 activity in vivo. The nanoparticles assembled upon MetAP2 activation were imaged in single prostate cancer cells with post-click fluorescence labeling. The fluorine-18-labeled tracers successfully differentiated MetAP2 activity in both MetAP2-knockdown and inhibitor-treated human prostate cancer xenografts by micro-PET/CT scanning. This highly sensitive imaging technology may provide a new tool for noninvasive early-risk stratification of prostate cancer and monitoring the therapeutic effect of MetAP2 inhibitors as anticancer drugs. SIGNIFICANCE: This study defines MetAP2 as an early-risk stratifier for molecular imaging of aggressive prostate cancer and describes a MetAP2-activated self-assembly small-molecule PET tracer for imaging MetAP2 activity in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinghang Xie
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Meghan A Rice
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - Zixin Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Yunfeng Cheng
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - En-Chi Hsu
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Guosheng Song
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Liyang Cui
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Kaixiang Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Jessa B Castillo
- Department of Radiology, Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Facility, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Chiyuan A Zhang
- Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Bin Shen
- Department of Radiology, Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Facility, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Frederick T Chin
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.,Department of Radiology, Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Facility, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Christian A Kunder
- Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - James D Brooks
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California.,Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Tanya Stoyanova
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California.
| | - Jianghong Rao
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California. .,Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ren Y, Qiang Y, Zhu B, Tang W, Duan X, Li Z. General Strategy for Bioluminescence Sensing of Peptidase Activity In Vivo Based on Tumor-Targeting Probiotic. Anal Chem 2021; 93:4334-4341. [PMID: 33624497 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The abnormally expressed peptidases in human tissues are associated with many kinds of cancers. Monitoring of endogenous peptidase activity could allow us for pathophysiology elucidation and early clinical diagnosis. Herein, we developed a general strategy for bioluminescence (BL) sensing of peptidase activity in vivo based on tumor-targeting probiotics. The probiotic that harbored a luciferase-encoding plasmid was used to target and colonize tumor and provide luciferase for BL imaging. The peptide-based probes Lc and GPc were applied to track leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) activity, respectively, by simply adding l-leucine and Gly-Pro dipeptides at the N-terminus of d-cysteine, which were specifically controlled by peptidase cleavage and released free d-cysteine to conduct a subsequent click condensation reaction with 2-cyano-6-hydroxybenzothiazole (HCBT) to produce firefly luciferin in situ, giving rise to a strong BL signal. Neither gene modification of cells of interest nor complicated synthesis was required in this BL system. Encouraged by these advantages, we successfully used our probes to monitor LAP and DPPIV activities in vitro and in vivo, respectively. A good linearity between BL and peptidase was obtained in the concentration range of 2.5-40.0 mU/mL with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.1 mU/mL (55 ng/mL) for LAP and 2.0-40.0 mU/mL with a LOD of 0.78 mU/mL (1.15 ng/mL) for DPPIV, respectively. Additionally, approximately 5-fold (LAP) and 10-fold (DPPIV) differences in the BL signal before and after treatment with a specific inhibitor were also obtained for in vivo BL imaging. All these results reflected the potential application value of our probes in BL sensing of peptidase activity. We envision that our strategy may be a useful approach for monitoring a wide range of peptidases in tumors, especially in primary tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiqian Ren
- Key laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Yao Qiang
- Key laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Beibei Zhu
- Key laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Wei Tang
- Key laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Xinrui Duan
- Key laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Zhengping Li
- Key laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Bioluminescence (BL) is an excellent optical readout platform that has great potential to be utilized in various bioassays and molecular imaging. The advantages of BL-based bioassays include the long dynamic range, minimal background, high signal-to-noise ratios, biocompatibility for use in cell-based assays, no need of external light source for excitation, simplicity in the measurement system, and versatility in the assay design. The recent intensive research in BL has greatly diversified the available luciferase-luciferin systems in the bioassay toolbox. However, the wide variety does not promise their successful utilization in various bioassays as new tools. This is mainly due to complexity and confusion with the diversity, and the unavailability of defined standards. This review is intended to provide an overview of recent basic developments and applications in BL studies, and showcases the bioanalytical utilities. We hope that this review can be used as an instant reference on BL and provides useful guidance for readers in narrowing down their potential options in their own assay designs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Bae Kim
- Research Institute for Environmental Management Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
| | - Ramasamy Paulmurugan
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Bio-X Program, Stanford University School of Medicine
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Love AC, Prescher JA. Seeing (and Using) the Light: Recent Developments in Bioluminescence Technology. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:904-920. [PMID: 32795417 PMCID: PMC7472846 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescence has long been used to image biological processes in vivo. This technology features luciferase enzymes and luciferin small molecules that produce visible light. Bioluminescent photons can be detected in tissues and live organisms, enabling sensitive and noninvasive readouts on physiological function. Traditional applications have focused on tracking cells and gene expression patterns, but new probes are pushing the frontiers of what can be visualized. The past few years have also seen the merger of bioluminescence with optogenetic platforms. Luciferase-luciferin reactions can drive light-activatable proteins, ultimately triggering signal transduction and other downstream events. This review highlights these and other recent advances in bioluminescence technology, with an emphasis on tool development. We showcase how new luciferins and engineered luciferases are expanding the scope of optical imaging. We also highlight how bioluminescent systems are being leveraged not just for sensing-but also controlling-biological processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Love
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jennifer A Prescher
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Adams ST, Miller SC. Enzymatic promiscuity and the evolution of bioluminescence. FEBS J 2020; 287:1369-1380. [PMID: 31828943 PMCID: PMC7217382 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescence occurs when an enzyme, known as a luciferase, oxidizes a small-molecule substrate, known as a luciferin. Nature has evolved multiple distinct luciferases and luciferins independently, all of which accomplish the impressive feat of light emission. One of the best-known examples of bioluminescence is exhibited by fireflies, a class of beetles that use d-luciferin as their substrate. The evolution of bioluminescence in beetles is thought to have emerged from ancestral fatty acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) enzymes present in all insects. This theory is supported by multiple lines of evidence: Beetle luciferases share high sequence identity with these enzymes, often retain ACS activity, and some ACS enzymes from nonluminous insects can catalyze bioluminescence from synthetic d-luciferin analogues. Recent sequencing of firefly genomes and transcriptomes further illuminates how the duplication of ACS enzymes and subsequent diversification drove the evolution of bioluminescence. These genetic analyses have also uncovered candidate enzymes that may participate in luciferin metabolism. With the publication of the genomes and transcriptomes of fireflies and related insects, we are now better positioned to dissect and learn from the evolution of bioluminescence in beetles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Spencer T. Adams
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of
Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Stephen C. Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of
Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cheng YY, Liu YJ. Luciferin Regeneration in Firefly Bioluminescence via Proton-Transfer-Facilitated Hydrolysis, Condensation and Chiral Inversion. Chemphyschem 2019; 20:1719-1727. [PMID: 31090243 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201900306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Firefly bioluminescence is produced via luciferin enzymatic reactions in luciferase. Luciferin has to be unceasingly replenished to maintain bioluminescence. How is the luciferin reproduced after it has been exhausted? In the early 1970s, Okada proposed the hypothesis that the oxyluciferin produced by the previous bioluminescent reaction could be converted into new luciferin for the next bioluminescent reaction. To some extent, this hypothesis was evidenced by several detected intermediates. However, the detailed process and mechanism of luciferin regeneration remained largely unknown. For the first time, we investigated the entire process of luciferin regeneration in firefly bioluminescence by density functional theory calculations. This theoretical study suggests that luciferin regeneration consists of three sequential steps: the oxyluciferin produced from the last bioluminescent reaction generates 2-cyano-6-hydroxybenzothiazole (CHBT) in the luciferin regenerating enzyme (LRE) via a hydrolysis reaction; CHBT combines with L-cysteine in vivo to form L-luciferin via a condensation reaction; and L-luciferin inverts into D-luciferin in luciferase and thioesterase. The presently proposed mechanism not only supports the sporadic evidence from previous experiments but also clearly describes the complete process of luciferin regeneration. This work is of great significance for understanding the long-term flashing of fireflies without an in vitro energy supply.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Yuan Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China
| | - Ya-Jun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Li J, Yang F, Wang Z, Wu W, Liu L, Wang SP, Zhao BX, Jiao WH, Xu SH, Lin HW. Unusual anti-inflammatory meroterpenoids from the marine sponge Dactylospongia sp. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 16:6773-6782. [PMID: 30191932 DOI: 10.1039/c8ob01580e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Five new sesquiterpene hydroquinones, dactylospongins A-D (1-4) and 19-O-methylpelorol (10), as well as four new sesquiterpene quinones, melemeleones C-E (6-8) and dysidaminone N (9), were isolated from the marine sponge Dactylospongia sp. collected from the South China Sea, along with five known analogues, ent-melemeleone B (5), pelorol (11), 17-O-acetylavarol (12), 20-O-acetylavarol (13), and 20-O-acetylneoavarol (14). The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analyses and comparison with the published NMR data, while the absolute configurations of new structures were assigned by comparison between the experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Dactylospongins A (1) and B (2) are the first sesquiterpenoids with a benzothiazole ring from the marine environment. Anti-inflammatory evaluation showed that 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, and 10 showed potent inhibitory effects on the production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, and PEG2) in LPS-induced THP-1 cells with IC50 values of 5.1-9.2 μM; however, none of them showed significant effects on the production of MCP-1 and TNF-α. Additionally, 19-O-methylpelorol (10) exhibited cytotoxicity against lung cancer PC-9 cell lines with an IC50 value of 9.2 μM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
RNA-Seq analysis of the bioluminescent and non-bioluminescent species of Elateridae (Coleoptera): Comparison to others photogenic and non-photogenic tissues of Elateroidea species. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2018; 29:154-165. [PMID: 30472608 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
17
|
Jiao H, Wang Y, Zhang L, Jiang P, Zhao H. Lineage-specific duplication and adaptive evolution of bitter taste receptor genes in bats. Mol Ecol 2018; 27:4475-4488. [PMID: 30230081 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
By generating raw genetic material and diverse biological functions, gene duplication represents a major evolutionary mechanism that is of fundamental importance in ecological adaptation. The lineage-specific duplication events of bitter taste receptor genes (Tas2rs) have been identified in a number of vertebrates, but functional evolution of new Tas2r copies after duplication remains largely unknown. Here, we present the largest data set of bat Tas2rs to date, identified from existing genome sequences of 15 bat species and newly sequenced from 17 bat species, and demonstrate lineage-specific duplications of Tas2r16, Tas2r18 and Tas2r41 that only occurred in Myotis bats. Myotis bats are highly speciose and represent the only mammalian genus that is naturally distributed on every continent except Antarctica. The occupation of such diverse habitats might have driven the Tas2r gene expansion. New copies of Tas2rs in Myotis bats have shown molecular adaptation and functional divergence. For example, three copies of Tas2r16 in Myotis davidii showed differential sensitivities to arbutin and salicin that may occur in their insect prey, as suggested by cell-based functional assays. We hypothesize that functional differences among Tas2r copies in Myotis bats would increase their survival rate through preventing the ingestion of an elevated number of bitter-tasting dietary toxins from their insect prey, which may have facilitated their adaptation to diverse habitats. Our study demonstrates functional changes of new Tas2r copies after lineage-specific duplications in Myotis bats and highlights the potential role of taste perception in exploiting new environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hengwu Jiao
- Department of Ecology and Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Ecology and Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Libiao Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peihua Jiang
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Huabin Zhao
- Department of Ecology and Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Fallon TR, Lower SE, Chang CH, Bessho-Uehara M, Martin GJ, Bewick AJ, Behringer M, Debat HJ, Wong I, Day JC, Suvorov A, Silva CJ, Stanger-Hall KF, Hall DW, Schmitz RJ, Nelson DR, Lewis SM, Shigenobu S, Bybee SM, Larracuente AM, Oba Y, Weng JK. Firefly genomes illuminate parallel origins of bioluminescence in beetles. eLife 2018; 7:e36495. [PMID: 30324905 PMCID: PMC6191289 DOI: 10.7554/elife.36495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Fireflies and their luminous courtships have inspired centuries of scientific study. Today firefly luciferase is widely used in biotechnology, but the evolutionary origin of bioluminescence within beetles remains unclear. To shed light on this long-standing question, we sequenced the genomes of two firefly species that diverged over 100 million-years-ago: the North American Photinus pyralis and Japanese Aquatica lateralis. To compare bioluminescent origins, we also sequenced the genome of a related click beetle, the Caribbean Ignelater luminosus, with bioluminescent biochemistry near-identical to fireflies, but anatomically unique light organs, suggesting the intriguing hypothesis of parallel gains of bioluminescence. Our analyses support independent gains of bioluminescence in fireflies and click beetles, and provide new insights into the genes, chemical defenses, and symbionts that evolved alongside their luminous lifestyle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R Fallon
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
- Department of BiologyMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Sarah E Lower
- Department of Molecular Biology and GeneticsCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of BiologyBucknell UniversityLewisburgUnited States
| | - Ching-Ho Chang
- Department of BiologyUniversity of RochesterRochesterUnited States
| | - Manabu Bessho-Uehara
- Department of Environmental BiologyChubu UniversityKasugaiJapan
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural SciencesNagoya UniversityNagoyaJapan
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research InstituteMoss LandingUnited States
| | - Gavin J Martin
- Department of BiologyBrigham Young UniversityProvoUnited States
| | - Adam J Bewick
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
| | - Megan Behringer
- Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of EvolutionArizona State UniversityTempeUnited States
| | - Humberto J Debat
- Center of Agronomic Research, National Institute of Agricultural TechnologyCórdobaArgentina
| | - Isaac Wong
- Department of BiologyUniversity of RochesterRochesterUnited States
| | - John C Day
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH)WallingfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Anton Suvorov
- Department of BiologyBrigham Young UniversityProvoUnited States
| | - Christian J Silva
- Department of BiologyUniversity of RochesterRochesterUnited States
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of California DavisDavisUnited States
| | | | - David W Hall
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
| | | | - David R Nelson
- Department of Microbiology Immunology and BiochemistryUniversity of Tennessee HSCMemphisUnited States
| | - Sara M Lewis
- Department of BiologyTufts UniversityMedfordUnited States
| | - Shuji Shigenobu
- NIBB Core Research FacilitiesNational Institute for Basic BiologyOkazakiJapan
| | - Seth M Bybee
- Department of BiologyBrigham Young UniversityProvoUnited States
| | | | - Yuichi Oba
- Department of Environmental BiologyChubu UniversityKasugaiJapan
| | - Jing-Ke Weng
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
- Department of BiologyMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
He S, Johnston PR, Kuropka B, Lokatis S, Weise C, Plarre R, Kunte HJ, McMahon DP. Termite soldiers contribute to social immunity by synthesizing potent oral secretions. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 27:564-576. [PMID: 29663551 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The importance of soldiers to termite society defence has long been recognized, but the contribution of soldiers to other societal functions, such as colony immunity, is less well understood. We explore this issue by examining the role of soldiers in protecting nestmates against pathogen infection. Even though they are unable to engage in grooming behaviour, we find that the presence of soldiers of the Darwin termite, Mastotermes darwiniensis, significantly improves the survival of nestmates following entomopathogenic infection. We also show that the copious exocrine oral secretions produced by Darwin termite soldiers contain a high concentration of proteins involved in digestion, chemical biosynthesis, and immunity. The oral secretions produced by soldiers are sufficient to protect nestmates against infection, and they have potent inhibitory activity against a broad spectrum of microbes. Our findings support the view that soldiers may play an important role in colony immunity, and broaden our understanding of the possible function of soldiers during the origin of soldier-first societies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S He
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department for Materials and Environment, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin, Germany
| | - P R Johnston
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
| | - B Kuropka
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - S Lokatis
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department for Materials and Environment, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin, Germany
| | - C Weise
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - R Plarre
- Department for Materials and Environment, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin, Germany
| | - H-J Kunte
- Department for Materials and Environment, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin, Germany
| | - D P McMahon
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department for Materials and Environment, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kanie S, Nakai R, Ojika M, Oba Y. 2-S-cysteinylhydroquinone is an intermediate for the firefly luciferin biosynthesis that occurs in the pupal stage of the Japanese firefly, Luciola lateralis. Bioorg Chem 2018; 80:223-229. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
21
|
Sandargo B, Thongbai B, Stadler M, Surup F. Cysteine-Derived Pleurotin Congeners from the Nematode-Trapping Basidiomycete Hohenbuehelia grisea. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2018; 81:286-291. [PMID: 29356520 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.7b00713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of a Hohenbuehelia grisea specimen during a field trip in Northern Thailand led to the isolation and identification of three novel sulfur-bearing derivatives of dihydropleurotinic acid (4). Thiopleurotinic acid A (1) was established by the interpretation of spectral data (HRESIMS, 2D-NMR) as a 2-hydroxy-3-mercaptopropanoic acid conjugate of dihydropleurotinic acid. Thiopleurotinic acid B (2) was shown to be the N-acetylcysteine conjugate of 4. A third compound (3) was established as a thiazole-containing derivative. Through feeding experiments with [U-13C3, 15N]-l-cysteine the formation of all three metabolites was shown to involve cysteine condensation with 4. The decreased cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities of the new derivatives 1-3, compared to the parent compound 4, indicate a possible detoxification pathway of filamentous fungi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Birthe Sandargo
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH , Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF) , partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Benjarong Thongbai
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University , Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Marc Stadler
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH , Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF) , partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Frank Surup
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH , Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF) , partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Watkins OC, Sharpe ML, Perry NB, Krause KL. New Zealand glowworm (Arachnocampa luminosa) bioluminescence is produced by a firefly-like luciferase but an entirely new luciferin. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3278. [PMID: 29459729 PMCID: PMC5818473 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21298-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The New Zealand glowworm, Arachnocampa luminosa, is well-known for displays of blue-green bioluminescence, but details of its bioluminescent chemistry have been elusive. The glowworm is evolutionarily distant from other bioluminescent creatures studied in detail, including the firefly. We have isolated and characterised the molecular components of the glowworm luciferase-luciferin system using chromatography, mass spectrometry and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The purified luciferase enzyme is in the same protein family as firefly luciferase (31% sequence identity). However, the luciferin substrate of this enzyme is produced from xanthurenic acid and tyrosine, and is entirely different to that of the firefly and known luciferins of other glowing creatures. A candidate luciferin structure is proposed, which needs to be confirmed by chemical synthesis and bioluminescence assays. These findings show that luciferases can evolve independently from the same family of enzymes to produce light using structurally different luciferins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver C Watkins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd., Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Miriam L Sharpe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Nigel B Perry
- New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd., Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - Kurt L Krause
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Amaral DT, Silva JR, Viviani VR. Transcriptomes from the photogenic and non-photogenetic tissues and life stages of the Aspisoma lineatum firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae): Implications for the evolutionary origins of bioluminescence and its associated light organs. GENE REPORTS 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2017.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
24
|
Biomimicking synthesis of photoluminescent molecular lantern catalyzed by in-situ formation of nanogold catalysts. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2017; 77:1111-1116. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2017.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
25
|
Amaral DT, Silva JR, Viviani VR. Transcriptional comparison of the photogenic and non-photogenic tissues of Phrixothrix hirtus (Coleoptera: Phengodidae) and non-luminescent Chauliognathus flavipes (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) give insights on the origin of lanterns in railroad worms. GENE REPORTS 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
|
26
|
Salatino CT, Melo DU, Yoshitake AM, Sgarbi LS, Homem-de-Mello P, Bartoloni FH, Ciscato LFML. Mechanistic model for the firefly luciferin regeneration in biomimetic conditions: a model for the in vivo process? Org Biomol Chem 2017; 15:3479-3484. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ob00603a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carla T. Salatino
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas
- Universidade Federal do ABC
- Santo André/SP 09210-580
- Brazil
| | - Diêgo U. Melo
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas
- Universidade Federal do ABC
- Santo André/SP 09210-580
- Brazil
| | - Ariane M. Yoshitake
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas
- Universidade Federal do ABC
- Santo André/SP 09210-580
- Brazil
| | - Lucas S. Sgarbi
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas
- Universidade Federal do ABC
- Santo André/SP 09210-580
- Brazil
| | - Paula Homem-de-Mello
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas
- Universidade Federal do ABC
- Santo André/SP 09210-580
- Brazil
| | - Fernando H. Bartoloni
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas
- Universidade Federal do ABC
- Santo André/SP 09210-580
- Brazil
| | - Luiz F. M. L. Ciscato
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas
- Universidade Federal do ABC
- Santo André/SP 09210-580
- Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Tsarkova AS, Kaskova ZM, Yampolsky IV. A Tale Of Two Luciferins: Fungal and Earthworm New Bioluminescent Systems. Acc Chem Res 2016; 49:2372-2380. [PMID: 27696815 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.6b00322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescence, the ability of a living organism to produce light through a chemical reaction, is one of Nature's most amazing phenomena widely spread among marine and terrestrial species. There are various different mechanisms underlying the emission of "cold light", but all involve a small molecule, luciferin, that provides energy for light-generation upon oxidation, and a protein, luciferase, that catalyzes the reaction. Different species often use different proteins and substrates in the process, which suggests that the ability to produce light evolved independently several times throughout evolution. Currently, it is estimated that there are more than 30 different mechanisms of bioluminescence. Even though the chemical foundation underlying the bioluminescence phenomenon is by now generally understood, only a handful of luciferins have been isolated and characterized. Today, the known bioluminescence reactions are used as indispensable analytical tools in various fields of science and technology. A pressing need for new bioluminescent analytical techniques with a wider range of practical applications stimulates the search and chemical studies of new bioluminescent systems. In the past few years two such systems were unraveled: those of the earthworms Fridericia heliota and the higher fungi. The luciferins of these two systems do not share structural similarity with the previously known ones. This Account will survey structure elucidation of the novel luciferins and identification of their mechanisms of action. Fridericia luciferin is a key component of a novel ATP-dependent bioluminescence system. Structural studies were performed on 0.005 mg of natural substance and revealed its unusual extensively modified peptidic nature. Elucidation of Fridericia oxyluciferin revealed that oxidative decarboxylation of a lysine fragment of luciferin supplies energy for light generation, while a fluorescent CompX moiety remains intact and serves as a light emitter. Along with luciferin, a number of its natural analogs were found in the extracts of worm biomass. They occurred to be highly unusual modified peptides comprising a set of amino acids, including threonine, aminobutyric acid, homoarginine, unsymmetrical N,N-dimethylarginine and extensively modified tyrosine. These natural compounds represent a unique peptide chemistry found in terrestrial animals and raise novel questions concerning their biosynthetic origin. Also in this Account we discuss identification of the luciferin of higher fungi 3-hydroxyhispidin which is biosynthesized by oxidation of the precursor hispidin, a known fungal and plant secondary metabolite. Furthermore, it was shown that 3-hydroxyhispidin leads to bioluminescence in extracts from four diverse genera of luminous fungi, thus suggesting a common biochemical mechanism for fungal bioluminescence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra S. Tsarkova
- Institute
of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya
16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovitianova 1, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Zinaida M. Kaskova
- Institute
of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya
16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovitianova 1, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Ilia V. Yampolsky
- Institute
of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya
16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovitianova 1, Moscow 117997, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
In Vivo Analysis of Protein-Protein Interactions with Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET): Progress and Prospects. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17101704. [PMID: 27727181 PMCID: PMC5085736 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17101704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins are the elementary machinery of life, and their functions are carried out mostly by molecular interactions. Among those interactions, protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are the most important as they participate in or mediate all essential biological processes. However, many common methods for PPI investigations are slightly unreliable and suffer from various limitations, especially in the studies of dynamic PPIs. To solve this problem, a method called Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET) was developed about seventeen years ago. Since then, BRET has evolved into a whole class of methods that can be used to survey virtually any kinds of PPIs. Compared to many traditional methods, BRET is highly sensitive, reliable, easy to perform, and relatively inexpensive. However, most importantly, it can be done in vivo and allows the real-time monitoring of dynamic PPIs with the easily detectable light signal, which is extremely valuable for the PPI functional research. This review will take a comprehensive look at this powerful technique, including its principles, comparisons with other methods, experimental approaches, classifications, applications, early developments, recent progress, and prospects.
Collapse
|
29
|
Vongsangnak W, Chumnanpuen P, Sriboonlert A. Transcriptome analysis reveals candidate genes involved in luciferin metabolism in Luciola aquatilis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). PeerJ 2016; 4:e2534. [PMID: 27761329 PMCID: PMC5068357 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence, which living organisms such as fireflies emit light, has been studied extensively for over half a century. This intriguing reaction, having its origins in nature where glowing insects can signal things such as attraction or defense, is now widely used in biotechnology with applications of bioluminescence and chemiluminescence. Luciferase, a key enzyme in this reaction, has been well characterized; however, the enzymes involved in the biosynthetic pathway of its substrate, luciferin, remains unsolved at present. To elucidate the luciferin metabolism, we performed a de novo transcriptome analysis using larvae of the firefly species, Luciola aquatilis. Here, a comparative analysis is performed with the model coleopteran insect Tribolium casteneum to elucidate the metabolic pathways in L. aquatilis. Based on a template luciferin biosynthetic pathway, combined with a range of protein and pathway databases, and various prediction tools for functional annotation, the candidate genes, enzymes, and biochemical reactions involved in luciferin metabolism are proposed for L. aquatilis. The candidate gene expression is validated in the adult L. aquatilis using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). This study provides useful information on the bio-production of luciferin in the firefly and will benefit to future applications of the valuable firefly bioluminescence system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wanwipa Vongsangnak
- Department of Zoology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand; Computational Biomodelling Laboratory for Agricultural Science and Technology (CBLAST), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pramote Chumnanpuen
- Department of Zoology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand; Computational Biomodelling Laboratory for Agricultural Science and Technology (CBLAST), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ajaraporn Sriboonlert
- Department of Genetics, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Fallon TR, Li FS, Vicent MA, Weng JK. Sulfoluciferin is Biosynthesized by a Specialized Luciferin Sulfotransferase in Fireflies. Biochemistry 2016; 55:3341-4. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R. Fallon
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department
of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Fu-Shuang Li
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Maria A. Vicent
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department
of Biology, Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts 01267, United States
| | - Jing-Ke Weng
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department
of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Kanie S, Nishikawa T, Ojika M, Oba Y. One-pot non-enzymatic formation of firefly luciferin in a neutral buffer from p-benzoquinone and cysteine. Sci Rep 2016; 6:24794. [PMID: 27098929 PMCID: PMC4838837 DOI: 10.1038/srep24794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Firefly luciferin, the substrate for the bioluminescence reaction of luminous beetles, possesses a benzothiazole ring, which is rare in nature. Here, we demonstrate a novel one-pot reaction to give firefly luciferin in a neutral buffer from p-benzoquinone and cysteine without any synthetic reagents or enzymes. The formation of firefly luciferin was low in yield in various neutral buffers, whereas it was inhibited or completely prevented in acidic or basic buffers, in organic solvents, or under a nitrogen atmosphere. Labelling analysis of the firefly luciferin using stable isotopic cysteines showed that the benzothiazole ring was formed via the decarboxylation and carbon-sulfur bond rearrangement of cysteine. These findings imply that the biosynthesis of firefly luciferin can be developed/evolved from the non-enzymatic production of firefly luciferin using common primary biosynthetic units, p-benzoquinone and cysteine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shusei Kanie
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Toshio Nishikawa
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Makoto Ojika
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Yuichi Oba
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
- Department of Environmental Biology, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chubu University, Kasugai 487-8501, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Adams ST, Miller SC. Beyond D-luciferin: expanding the scope of bioluminescence imaging in vivo. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2014; 21:112-20. [PMID: 25078002 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2014.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Revised: 06/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The light-emitting chemical reaction catalyzed by the enzyme firefly luciferase is widely used for noninvasive imaging in live mice. However, photon emission from the luciferase is crucially dependent on the chemical properties of its substrate, D-luciferin. In this review, we describe recent work to replace the natural luciferase substrate with synthetic analogs that extend the scope of bioluminescence imaging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Spencer T Adams
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Stephen C Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| |
Collapse
|