Intracellular synthesis of d-aminoluciferin for bioluminescence generation

Chem Commun (Camb). 2017 Mar 23;53(25):3567-3570. doi: 10.1039/c7cc00999b.

Abstract

d-Luciferin is the most widely used substrate for bioluminescence (BL) applications but its low chemical stability always affects its performance. Herein, we rationally designed two chemically stable precursor molecules CBT-d-cystine-CBT (d-1) and CBT-l-cystine-CBT (l-1), and subjected them to reduction-controlled condensation to form 1-oligomer and subsequent proteolysis to yield d-aminoluciferin for BL generation in cells and in vivo. We envision that our precursor molecules might serve as d-luciferin alternatives for a wide range of BL applications in the near future.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzothiazoles / chemical synthesis
  • Benzothiazoles / chemistry
  • Benzothiazoles / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cystine / chemistry
  • Glutathione / chemistry
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Luminescent Measurements*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Protease Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protease Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Transplantation, Heterologous

Substances

  • Benzothiazoles
  • D-luciferin
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • aminobenzothiazole compound
  • Cystine
  • Glutathione