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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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Xi Q, Wang SY, Deng XB, Zhang CH. Catalytic Hairpin Assembly-Based Self-Ratiometric Gel Electrophoresis Detection Platform for Reliable Nucleic Acid Analysis. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:232. [PMID: 38785706 PMCID: PMC11118829 DOI: 10.3390/bios14050232] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The development of gel electrophoresis-based biodetection assays for point-of-care analysis are highly demanding. In this work, we proposed a ratiometric gel electrophoresis-based biosensing platform by employing catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) process functions as both the signal output and the signal amplification module. Two types of nucleic acids, DNA and miRNA, are chosen for demonstration. The proposed strategy indeed provides a new paradigm for the design of a portable detection platform and may hold great potential for sensitive diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Xi
- Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases, Affiliated Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases of University of South China, Changsha 410007, China; (Q.X.); (S.-Y.W.)
| | - Si-Yi Wang
- Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases, Affiliated Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases of University of South China, Changsha 410007, China; (Q.X.); (S.-Y.W.)
| | - Xiao-Bing Deng
- Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases, Affiliated Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases of University of South China, Changsha 410007, China; (Q.X.); (S.-Y.W.)
| | - Chong-Hua Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China
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3
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Nishimiya Y, Morita Y, Wu C, Ohyama Y, Tochigi Y, Okuzawa T, Sakashita M, Asakawa A, Irie T, Ohmiya Y, Ohgiya S, Morita N. Molecular evolution of Cypridina noctiluca secretory luciferase for production of spectrum-shifted luminescence-emitting mutants and their application in nuclear receptor-reporter assays. Photochem Photobiol 2024; 100:573-586. [PMID: 37715991 DOI: 10.1111/php.13857] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Luciferase is a popular enzyme used for biological analyses, such as reporter assays. In addition to a conventional reporter assay using a pair of firefly and Renilla luciferases, a simple multicolor reporter assay using multiple firefly or beetle luciferases emitting different color luminescence with a single substrate has been reported. Secretory luciferases have also been used for convenient sample preparation in reporter assays; however, reporter assay using secretory luciferase mutants that emit spectrum-shifted luminescence have not yet been reported. In this study, we generated blue- and red-shifted (-16 and 12 nm) luminescence-emitting Cypridina secretory luciferase (CLuc) mutants using multiple cycles of random and site-directed mutagenesis. Even for red-shifted CLuc mutant, which exhibited relatively low activity and stability, its enzymatic activity was sufficiently high for a luciferase assay (3.26 × 106 relative light unit/s), light emission was sufficiently prolonged (half-life is 3 min), and stability at 37°C was high. We independently determined the luminescence of these CLuc mutants using a luminometer with an optical filter. Finally, we replaced the commonly used reporters, firefly and Renilla luciferases used in a conventional nuclear receptor-reporter assay with these CLuc mutants and established a secretory luciferase-based single-substrate dual-color nuclear receptor-reporter assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Nishimiya
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yosuke Morita
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan
- Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Chun Wu
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Ikeda, Japan
| | - Yasushi Ohyama
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuki Tochigi
- Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsugumi Okuzawa
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan
| | - Mami Sakashita
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan
| | | | | | - Yoshihiro Ohmiya
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Ikeda, Japan
- Osaka Institute of Technology (OIT), Osaka, Japan
| | - Satoru Ohgiya
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan
- Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- NOASTEC Foundation, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Naoki Morita
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Japan
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4
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Pelentir GF, Tomazini A, Bevilaqua VR, Viviani VR. Role of Histidine 310 in Amydetes vivianii firefly luciferase pH and metal sensitivities and improvement of its color tuning properties. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2024; 23:997-1010. [PMID: 38693447 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-024-00570-1] [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: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Firefly luciferases emit yellow-green light and are pH-sensitive, changing the bioluminescence color to red in the presence of heavy metals, acidic pH and high temperatures. These pH and metal-sensitivities have been recently harnessed for intracellular pH indication and toxic metal biosensing. However, whereas the structure of the pH sensor and the metal binding site, which consists mainly of two salt bridges that close the active site (E311/R337 and H310/E354), has been identified, the specific role of residue H310 in pH and metal sensing is still under debate. The Amydetes vivianii firefly luciferase has one of the lowest pH sensitivities among the group of pH-sensitive firefly luciferases, displaying high bioluminescent activity and special spectral selectivity for cadmium and mercury, which makes it a promising analytical reagent. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we have investigated in detail the role of residue H310 on pH and metal sensitivity in this luciferase. Negatively charged residues at position 310 increase the pH sensitivity and metal sensitivity; H310G considerably increases the size of the cavity, severely impacting the activity, H310R closes the cavity, and H310F considerably decreases both pH and metal sensitivities. However, no substitution completely abolished pH and metal sensitivities. The results indicate that the presence of negatively charged and basic side chains at position 310 is important for pH sensitivity and metals coordination, but not essential, indicating that the remaining side chains of E311 and E354 may still coordinate some metals in this site. Furthermore, a metal binding site search predicted that H310 mutations decrease the affinity mainly for Zn, Ni and Hg but less for Cd, and revealed the possible existence of additional binding sites for Zn, Ni and Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel F Pelentir
- Graduate Program of Biotechnology, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Atílio Tomazini
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9190401, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Vanessa R Bevilaqua
- Biomaterials Laboratory, Pontifical Catholic University-PUC, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Vadim R Viviani
- Graduate Program of Biotechnology, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, Center for Sustainable Sciences and Technologies (CCTS), UFSCar, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
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Viviani VR, Benites GR, Souza DR, Pelentir GF, Reis RM, Bechara EJH, Tomazini A. The orange light emitting luciferase from the rare Euryopa clarindae adult railroadworm (Coleoptera:Phengodidae): structural/functional and evolutionary relationship with green and red emitting luciferases. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2024; 23:257-269. [PMID: 38141147 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-023-00515-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Railroadworms luciferases emit the widest range of bioluminescence colors among beetles, ranging from green to red, being model enzymes to investigate the structure and bioluminescence colors relationships. Only three active railroadworms luciferases from the larval stage have been cloned and investigated: the Phrixothrix hirtus head lanterns red-emitting luciferase (PhRE); the Phrixothrix vivianii lateral lanterns green emitting luciferases (PvGR) and the Phengodes sp. dorsal lanterns yellow-green emitting luciferase (Ph). No active luciferase emitting in the yellow-orange region, however, has been cloned yet. Here we report the cloning and characterization of the orange emitting luciferase from the adult males of a rare Brazilian Cerrado railroadworm, Euryopa clarindae, and the transcriptional identification of two isozymes from the Amazon forest Mastinomorphus sp. railroadworm. The luciferase of E. clarindae has 548 residues, emits orange bioluminescence (600 nm), and displays intermediate kinetic values [KM(luciferin) = 50 µM, KM(ATP) ~ 170 µM] between those reported for green-emitting lateral lanterns and red emitting head lanterns luciferases. It displays 74-78% identity with the lateral lanterns luciferases of other railroadworms and 70% with the head lantern PhRE luciferase, and 96% with the larval Mastinomorphus sp. Mast-1, suggesting that this larva could be from the Euryopa genus. The phylogenetic analysis and kinetic/functional properties, place this orange-emitting enzyme as an intermediate form between the green-emitting lateral lanterns and red-emitting head lanterns luciferases. Major structural differences that could be associated with bioluminescence color determination are a relatively larger cavity size, and substitutions in the loops 223-235 and 311-316, especially N/C/T311, and their interactions which may help to close the bottom of LBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- V R Viviani
- Departamento de Física, Química e Matemática, CCTS, Federal University of Sao Carlos: Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
- Graduate Program of Evolutive Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil.
- Graduate Program of Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba, Brazil.
- Graduate Program of Biotechnology, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil.
| | - G R Benites
- Departamento de Física, Química e Matemática, CCTS, Federal University of Sao Carlos: Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Evolutive Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - D R Souza
- Departamento de Física, Química e Matemática, CCTS, Federal University of Sao Carlos: Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba, Brazil
| | - G F Pelentir
- Departamento de Física, Química e Matemática, CCTS, Federal University of Sao Carlos: Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Biotechnology, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Raone M Reis
- Departamento de Física, Química e Matemática, CCTS, Federal University of Sao Carlos: Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba, Brazil
| | | | - Atilio Tomazini
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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He J, Li J, Zhang R, Dong Z, Liu G, Chang Z, Bi W, Ruan Y, Yang Y, Liu H, Qiu L, Zhao R, Wan W, Li Z, Chen L, Li Y, Li X. Multiple Origins of Bioluminescence in Beetles and Evolution of Luciferase Function. Mol Biol Evol 2024; 41:msad287. [PMID: 38174583 PMCID: PMC10798137 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad287] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence in beetles has long fascinated biologists, with diverse applications in biotechnology. To date, however, our understanding of its evolutionary origin and functional variation mechanisms remains poor. To address these questions, we obtained high-quality reference genomes of luminous and nonluminous beetles in 6 Elateroidea families. We then reconstructed a robust phylogenetic relationship for all luminous families and related nonluminous families. Comparative genomic analyses and biochemical functional experiments suggested that gene evolution within Elateroidea played a crucial role in the origin of bioluminescence, with multiple parallel origins observed in the luminous beetle families. While most luciferase-like proteins exhibited a conserved nonluminous amino acid pattern (TLA346 to 348) in the luciferin-binding sites, luciferases in the different luminous beetle families showed divergent luminous patterns at these sites (TSA/CCA/CSA/LVA). Comparisons of the structural and enzymatic properties of ancestral, extant, and site-directed mutant luciferases further reinforced the important role of these sites in the trade-off between acyl-CoA synthetase and luciferase activities. Furthermore, the evolution of bioluminescent color demonstrated a tendency toward hypsochromic shifts and variations among the luminous families. Taken together, our results revealed multiple parallel origins of bioluminescence and functional divergence within the beetle bioluminescent system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwu He
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, China
| | - Ru Zhang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Zhiwei Dong
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Guichun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Zhou Chang
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Wenxuan Bi
- Room 401, No. 2, Lane 155, Lianhua South Road, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Yongying Ruan
- Plant Protection Research Center, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuxia Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, School of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Haoyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, School of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Lu Qiu
- Engineering Research Center for Forest and Grassland Disaster Prevention and Reduction, Mianyang Normal University, 621000 Mianyang, China
| | - Ruoping Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Wenting Wan
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Zihe Li
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Lei Chen
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Yuanning Li
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Xueyan Li
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
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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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Zhu DL, Guo Y, Ma BC, Lin YQ, Wang HJ, Gao CX, Liu MQ, Zhang NX, Luo H, Hui CY. Pb(II)-inducible proviolacein biosynthesis enables a dual-color biosensor toward environmental lead. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1218933. [PMID: 37577420 PMCID: PMC10413148 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1218933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
With the rapid development of synthetic biology, various whole-cell biosensors have been designed as valuable biological devices for the selective and sensitive detection of toxic heavy metals in environmental water. However, most proposed biosensors are based on fluorescent and bioluminescent signals invisible to the naked eye. The development of visible pigment-based biosensors can address this issue. The pbr operon from Klebsiella pneumoniae is selectively induced by bioavailable Pb(II). In the present study, the proviolacein biosynthetic gene cluster was transcriptionally fused to the pbr Pb(II) responsive element and introduced into Escherichia coli. The resultant biosensor responded to Pb(II) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. After a 5-h incubation with Pb(II), the brown pigment was produced, which could be extracted into n-butanol. Extra hydrogen peroxide treatment during n-butanol extract resulted in the generation of a stable green pigment. An increased brown signal was observed upon exposure to lead concentrations above 2.93 nM, and a linear regression was fitted from 2.93 to 3,000 nM. Extra oxidation significantly decreased the difference between parallel groups. The green signal responded to as low as 0.183 nM Pb(II), and a non-linear regression was fitted in a wide concentration range from 0.183 to 3,000 nM. The specific response toward Pb(II) was not interfered with by various metals except for Cd(II) and Hg(II). The PV-based biosensor was validated in monitoring bioaccessible Pb(II) spiked into environmental water. The complex matrices did not influence the regression relationship between spiked Pb(II) and the dual-color signals. Direct reading with the naked eye and colorimetric quantification enable the PV-based biosensor to be a dual-color and low-cost bioindicator for pollutant heavy metal.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-long Zhu
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Yan Guo
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bing-chan Ma
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong-qin Lin
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hai-jun Wang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao-xian Gao
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ming-qi Liu
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Nai-xing Zhang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hao Luo
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Chang-ye Hui
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
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Baljinnyam B, Ronzetti M, Simeonov A. Advances in luminescence-based technologies for drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:25-35. [PMID: 36562206 PMCID: PMC9892298 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2160441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Luminescence-based technologies, specifically bioluminescence and chemiluminescence, are powerful tools with extensive use in drug discovery. Production of light during chemiluminescence and bioluminescence, unlike fluorescence, doesn't require an excitation light source, resulting in high signal-to-noise ratio, less background interference, and no issues from phototoxicity and photobleaching. These characteristics of luminescence technologies offer unique advantages for experimental designs, allowing for greater flexibility to target a wide range of proteins and biological processes for drug discovery at different stages. AREAS COVERED This review provides a basic overview of luciferase-based technologies and details recent advances and use cases of luciferase and luciferin variations and their applicability in the drug discovery toolset. The authors expand upon specific applications of luciferase technologies, including chemiluminescent and bioluminescent-based microscopy. Finally, the authors lay out forward-looking statements on the field of luminescence and how it may shape the translational scientists' work moving forward. EXPERT OPINION The demand for improved luciferase and luciferin pairs correlates strongly with efforts to improve the sensitivity and robustness of high-throughput assays. As luminescent reporter systems improve, so will the expansion of use cases for luminescence-based technologies in early-stage drug discovery. With the synthesis of novel, non-enzymatic chemiluminescence-based probes, which previously were restrained to only basic research applications, they may now be readily implemented in drug discovery campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolormaa Baljinnyam
- Staff Scientist, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Michael Ronzetti
- Predoctoral IRTA Fellow, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Anton Simeonov
- Group Leader, Scientific Director, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
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