Scientists have discovered the essence of nanoluciferase, now it can shine more brightly

26 Jan 2024 Leoš Verner Mezinárodní centrum klinického výzkumu (ICRC) Kevin Francis Roche

“Nanoluciferase, the most brilliant of the luciferases, is an extremely popular bioluminescent enzyme; nevertheless, until now, the molecular principle behind its ability to produce light remained unknown”, says Martin Marek, head of the research team at Loschmidt Laboratories (Faculty of Science, Masaryk University) and the International Centre for Clinical Research (University Hospital at St. Anna and the Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University).

In the laboratory, however, scientists from Martin’s team have succeeded in biochemically preparing a complex containing nanoluciferase and luciferin molecules, thereby enabling the determination of the atomic structures of these macromolecular complexes. “We now understand its reaction mechanism at the molecular level, or, in other words, the essence of how nanoluciferase glows”, explained Jana Horáčková and Daniel Pluskal, members of Martin’s research team.

Thanks to their discovery, the researchers were able to make structural changes in the nanoluciferase molecule that led to an improvement in their optical properties. Now, thanks to these Brno scientists, this tiny enzyme can shine even more intensely. The results of their research have now been published in the journal Nature Communications.

According to the scientists, the knowledge gained will contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of bioluminescence, i.e. the generation of light by living organisms. Thanks to their research, there is now the potential to develop a new generation of ultrasensitive biosensors used in non-invasive biological imaging of cells and tissues. This will represent a huge step forward in future research into human cells and the testing of new drugs, as well as applications related to tumour biology or the study of gene expression.

Further information on the team’s research and its potential is available in a press release from the International Centre for Clinical Research at the University of St. Anna in Brno HERE.