Emerging tools for bioluminescence imaging

Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2021 Aug:63:86-94. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.02.005. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Abstract

Bioluminescence (BL) relies on the enzymatic reaction between luciferase, a substrate conventionally named luciferin, and various cofactors. BL imaging has become a widely used technique to interrogate gene expression and cell fate, both in small and large animal models of research. Recent developments include the generation of improved luciferase-luciferin systems for deeper and more sensitive imaging as well as new caged luciferins to report on enzymatic activity and other intracellular functions. Here, we critically evaluate the emerging tools for BL imaging aiming to provide the reader with an updated compendium of the latest developments (2018-2020) and their notable applications.

Keywords: Bioluminescence imaging; Caged luciferin; Luciferase; Luciferin; Photouncaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Knock-In Techniques
  • Humans
  • Luciferases / genetics*
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Luminescent Agents / chemistry*
  • Luminescent Measurements / methods*
  • Optical Imaging / methods*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Luminescent Agents
  • Luciferases