Orthogonal Bioluminescent Probes from Disubstituted Luciferins

Biochemistry. 2021 Mar 2;60(8):563-572. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00894. Epub 2021 Feb 18.

Abstract

Bioluminescence imaging with luciferase-luciferin pairs is routinely used to monitor cellular functions. Multiple targets can be visualized in tandem using luciferases that process unique substrates, but only a handful of such orthogonal probes are known. Multiplexed studies require additional robust, light-emitting molecules. In this work, we report new luciferins for orthogonal imaging that comprise disubstituted cores. These probes were found to be bright emitters with various engineered luciferases. The unique patterns of light output also provided insight into enzyme-substrate interactions necessary for productive emission. Screening studies identified mutant luciferases that could preferentially process the disubstituted analogues, enabling orthogonal imaging with existing bioluminescent reporters. Further mutational analyses revealed the origins of substrate selectivity. Collectively, this work provides insights into luciferase-luciferin features relevant to bioluminescence and expands the number of probes for multicomponent tracking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Firefly Luciferin / chemistry*
  • Firefly Luciferin / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Luciferases / metabolism*
  • Luminescent Agents / chemistry*
  • Luminescent Agents / metabolism*
  • Luminescent Measurements
  • Molecular Structure

Substances

  • Luminescent Agents
  • Firefly Luciferin
  • Luciferases