Luciferase, an alternative to fluorescence

Discover the many features of this unique enzyme

Luciferase enzymes regulate bioluminescence in cells and can be found in a variety of organisms. It provides a useful research tool that allows for the study of gene regulation, among other things, and offers an alternative method to fluorescent techniques. Check out this DECODED article to find out what it is and how it can be used in the lab.

Luciferases are a category of enzymes that emit light when oxidation occurs. It is an enzyme that is made in cells of specific systems to regulate bioluminescence. These enzymes are found in a variety of organisms such as fireflies, marine organisms, algae, fungi, and bacteria and are commonly used as reporters in biological experiments [1]. An assay using luciferase can be used to study gene expression as well as gene regulation and because it is extremely responsive, very small changes in transcription can be determined using this technique [2].  In addition, it is an alternative to using fluorescence to study these processes as it provides several advantages including decreased background interference or minimal autofluorescence as well as higher amplification and a dynamic range of signal produced from the assay [2,3].

One of the first luciferase enzymes to be investigated and subsequently used as a reporter construct was from the North American firefly Photinus pyralis. The oxidation reaction of this luciferase requires oxygen, ATP, and the luciferin substrate where the resulting excited state of oxyluciferin leads to bioluminescence [1].  For the firefly this is used for reproduction while in the lab this reaction is helpful for a wide variety of genetic applications. There are many other species that also use the luciferase enzyme; however, this enzyme is highly diverse and in each case the substrate and structure can vary so research is ongoing into many other organisms and their specific luciferase enzymes to better understand how to use them in research applications [1].  Table 1 includes some of the most common species used as Luciferase reporters along with the organism it is found in, size of the protein, substrates needed for the oxidation reaction to occur, and the name of the luciferase.

Table 1. Common Luciferase reporters.

 

Species Organism Size(kDa) Substrate Luciferase
 Cypridina noctiluca  Ostracod  62  Vargulin  Cluc
 Gaussia princeps  Copepod  20  Coelenterazine  Gluc
 Renilla reniformis  Sea pansy  36  Coelenterazine  Rluc
 Photinus pyralis  Firefly  61  Luciferin  Fluc

 

Luciferase gene and protein

As discussed above, a variety of organisms utilize luciferase gene regulation for an array of light generating reactions and thus the proteins encoded by the luciferase gene also differ based upon species.  As shown in Table 1, the size of the proteins differs ranging from 20 to 62 kDa in just the four species shown. Additionally, the structures and folding patterns are also quite variable from one species to the next.  For example, the luciferase from the firefly P. pyralis folds into two distinct domains forming a unique anvil and hammer motif not seen in other luciferase enzymes.  In comparison, bacterial luciferase folds into a common and well-known TIM barrel structure [1].

Luciferase function

The overall function of luciferase is to regulate bioluminescence. In the lab for research purposes, it can be used as a light reporter for assays developed to study promoter activity, transcription, or enzyme activity.  It can also be used for imaging studies or to detect ATP levels and can be used in cell viability assays as well as protein denaturation studies.  It provides many useful experimental opportunities.

Luciferase assay

The luciferase assay is a useful tool that can be used to look at gene expression in the laboratory.  One beneficial use is to look at whether activation or repression of a gene is taking place by a protein. This can be done using the luciferase assay because it makes an association between a protein being present and the resulting amount of gene product made [4]. Using the assay for this purpose requires making a construct that includes the promoter region of your gene of interest (the target gene) and fusing it with the coding sequence for luciferase. In addition, a second DNA construct is also needed that codes for the protein thought to be involved in regulating transcription of your target gene [4]

24_GF_Figure_DECODED_Luciferase
Figure 1. Example of a luciferase assay design.  In this example, a DNA construct that has the promoter region of the target gene fused to the coding sequence of the luciferase reporter is used in conjunction with a second DNA construct that codes for the protein of interest.  This protein is hypothesized to be involved in transcriptional regulation (either activation or repression of gene expression) of the gene of interest.  If the protein from the second construct activates transcription, the luciferase reporter will be produced and bioluminescence will occur.

There are many other ways that the luciferase assay can also be used as this is just one example.  In addition, luciferase from many different organisms can be selected for your assay depending on the nature of the experiment being conducted. Factors that need to be considered include the following:

  1. The substrate used by the luciferase for that organism.
  2. The flash kinetics (sensitivity) of that enzyme.
  3. The glow kinetics (stability) of your chosen enzyme.
  4. The wavelength at which the luciferase emits light.
  5. Whether or not the enzyme is dependent upon ATP for oxidation. 

Selecting the assay that is optimal for your type of study is critical for optimal results. Imaging studies are better suited for luciferases that emit light at wavelengths >600 nm and cell viability studies are best for luciferases that are ATP-dependent [5].

GFP Luciferase

For some species, close coupling of luciferase with GFP is needed for bioluminescence to occur.  This is the case with Renilla reniformis which is a bit more complex that some of the other luciferase reactions.  This particular luciferase has a GFP protein that interacts closely to fully complete a visible reaction. Initially when the coelenterazine substrate is oxidized, the blue light that is emitted is not visible in vivo.  It requires another reaction which results in green bioluminescence that is now visible in the animal [6].

How can IDT help?

IDT offers a variety of products and tools that can help you get started generating your constructs for your luciferase assays.  Depending on the size of the construct you are looking for, IDT provides gene fragment products that may meet your needs.  Check out our gBlocks™ and eBlocks™ Gene Fragments to see if one of these products might help with your experiments. If you want to order your construct as a plasmid IDT offers that option as well as a Gene and MiniGene™ product.  If you are not sure what product is best for your work contact us.

Instead of spending days designing and constructing your synthetic gene, you can use the Codon Optimization Tool to order your gene in minutes through IDT and spend the saved time advancing your research while we make your genes or IDT Gene Fragments. Access IDT’s free online Codon Optimization Tool and get started. We also provide a step-by-step video tutorial for using the Codon Optimization Tool.

Contact us

If you are working with an organism not listed in the Codon Optimization Tool’s Organism list, or do not see the information you need, contact us. We can accept non-standard optimizations that fall outside of the rules used by the tool (design fee may apply).

References

  1. Baldwin TO. Firefly luciferase: the structure is known, but the mystery remains. Structure. 1996;4(3):223-228.
  2. Sato W, Rasmussen M, Deich C, Engelhart AE, Adamala KP. Expanding luciferase reporter systems for cell-free protein expression. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):11489. Published 2022 Jul 7. 
  3. Leippe DM, Nguyen D, Zhou M, et al. A bioluminescent assay for the sensitive detection of proteasesBiotechniques. 2011;51(2):105-110.
  4. Carter M and Shieh J. Biochemical Assays and Intracellular Signaling. Guide to Research Techniques in Neuroscience. 2015; 15:341-342.
  5. Negrin RS, Contag CH. In vivo imaging using bioluminescence: a tool for probing graft-versus-host diseaseNat Rev Immunol. 2006;6(6):484-490.
  6. Ward WW, Cormier MJ. An energy transfer protein in coelenterate bioluminescence. Characterization of the Renilla green-fluorescent proteinJ Biol Chem. 1979;254(3):781-788.
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Published Apr 16, 2024