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Calabretta MM, Michelini E. Current advances in the use of bioluminescence assays for drug discovery: an update of the last ten years. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:85-95. [PMID: 37814480 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2266989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bioluminescence is a well-established optical detection technique widely used in several bioanalytical applications, including high-throughput and high-content screenings. Thanks to advances in synthetic biology techniques and deep learning, a wide portfolio of luciferases is now available with tuned emission wavelengths, kinetics, and high stability. These luciferases can be implemented in the drug discovery and development pipeline, allowing high sensitivity and multiplexing capability. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the latest advancements of bioluminescent systems as toolsets in drug discovery programs for in vitro applications. Particular attention is paid to the most advanced bioluminescence-based technologies for drug screening over the past 10 years (from 2013 to 2023) such as cell-free assays, cell-based assays based on genetically modified cells, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer, and protein complementation assays in 2D and 3D cell models. EXPERT OPINION The availability of tuned bioluminescent proteins with improved emission and stability properties is vital for the development of bioluminescence assays for drug discovery, spanning from reporter gene technology to protein-protein techniques. Further studies, combining machine learning with synthetic biology, will be necessary to obtain new tools for sustainable and highly predictive bioluminescent drug discovery platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), IRCCS St. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), IRCCS St. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HSTICIR), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Calabretta MM, Gregucci D, Michelini E. New synthetic red- and orange-emitting luciferases to upgrade in vitro and 3D cell biosensing. Analyst 2023; 148:5642-5649. [PMID: 37791570 DOI: 10.1039/d3an01251d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescence (BL), i.e., the emission of light in living organisms, has become an indispensable tool for a plethora of applications including bioassays, biosensors, and in vivo imaging. Current efforts are focused on the obtainment of new luciferases having optimized properties, such as improved thermostability at 37 °C, pH-insensitive emission, high quantum yield, extended kinetics and red-shifted emission. To address these issues we have obtained two new synthetic luciferases, an orange and a red-emitting luciferase, which were designed to achieve high sensitivity (BoLuc) and multiplexing capability (BrLuc) for in vitro and in vivo biosensing using as a starting template a recently developed thermostable synthetic luciferase (BgLuc). Both luciferases were characterized in terms of emission behaviour and thermal and pH stability showing promising features as reporter proteins and BL probes. As proof-of-principle application, an inflammation assay based on Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK293T) 3D cell cultures was developed using either the orange or the red-emitting mutant. The assay provided good analytical performance, with limits of detection for Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNFα) of 0.06 and 0.12 ng mL-1 for BoLuc and BrLuc, respectively. Moreover, since these luciferases require the same substrate, D-luciferin, they can be easily implemented in dual-color assays with a significant reduction of total cost per assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orso-la-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Denise Gregucci
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orso-la-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orso-la-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HSTICIR), University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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Gregucci D, Nazir F, Calabretta MM, Michelini E. Illuminating Progress: The Contribution of Bioluminescence to Sustainable Development Goal 6-Clean Water and Sanitation-Of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Sensors (Basel) 2023; 23:7244. [PMID: 37631781 PMCID: PMC10458275 DOI: 10.3390/s23167244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The United Nations Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims at ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation. The routine monitoring of water contaminants requires accurate and rapid analytical techniques. Laboratory analyses and conventional methods of field sampling still require considerable labor and time with highly trained personnel and transport to a central facility with sophisticated equipment, which renders routine monitoring cumbersome, time-consuming, and costly. Moreover, these methods do not provide information about the actual toxicity of water, which is crucial for characterizing complex samples, such as urban wastewater and stormwater runoff. The unique properties of bioluminescence (BL) offer innovative approaches for developing advanced tools and technologies for holistic water monitoring. BL biosensors offer a promising solution by combining the natural BL phenomenon with cutting-edge technologies. This review provides an overview of the recent advances and significant contributions of BL to SDG 6, focusing attention on the potential use of the BL-based sensing platforms for advancing water management practices, protecting ecosystems, and ensuring the well-being of communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Gregucci
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (F.N.); (M.M.C.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Faisal Nazir
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (F.N.); (M.M.C.)
| | - Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (F.N.); (M.M.C.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (F.N.); (M.M.C.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HSTICIR), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Martínez-Pérez-Cejuela H, Calabretta MM, Bocci V, D'Elia M, Michelini E. Super-Stable Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)/Luciferase Paper-Sensing Platform for Rapid ATP Detection. Biosensors (Basel) 2023; 13:bios13040451. [PMID: 37185526 PMCID: PMC10136344 DOI: 10.3390/bios13040451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) determination has been used for many decades to assess microbial contamination for hygiene monitoring in different locations and workplace environments. Highly sophisticated methods have been reported, yet commercially available kits rely on a luciferase-luciferin system and require storage and shipping at controlled temperatures (+4 or -20 °C). The applicability of these systems is limited by the need for a secure cold chain, which is not always applicable, especially in remote areas or low-resource settings. In this scenario, easy-to-handle and portable sensors would be highly valuable. Prompted by this need, we developed a bioluminescence paper biosensor for ATP monitoring in which a new luciferase mutant was combined with a metal-organic framework (MOF); i.e., zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8). A paper biosensor was developed, ZIF-8@Luc paper sensor, and interfaced with different portable light detectors, including a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) and smartphones. The use of ZIF-8 not only provided a five-fold increase in the bioluminescence signal, but also significantly improved the stability of the sensor, both at +4 and +28 °C. The ATP content in complex biological matrices was analyzed with the ZIF-8@Luc paper sensor, enabling detection down to 7 × 10-12 moles of ATP and 8 × 10-13 moles in bacterial lysates and urine samples, respectively. The ZIF-8@Luc sensor could, therefore, be applied in many fields in which ATP monitoring is required such as the control of microbial contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Martínez-Pérez-Cejuela
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, C/Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Valerio Bocci
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) Sezione di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello D'Elia
- Scientific Police Centre for Emilia-Romagna Region, 40123 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HSTICIR), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Calabretta MM, Gregucci D, Desiderio R, Michelini E. Colorimetric Paper Sensor for Food Spoilage Based on Biogenic Amine Monitoring. Biosensors (Basel) 2023; 13:126. [PMID: 36671961 PMCID: PMC9855854 DOI: 10.3390/bios13010126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Biogenic amines (BAs), nitrogenous molecules usually present in different foods, can be considered an indicator of freshness and food quality since their amount increases during food spoilage. Their detection, possibly in real time via the use of smart packaging, is therefore of crucial importance to ensure food safety and to fulfill consumers' demand. To this end, colorimetric sensors are considered one of the most feasible solutions. Here, we report a user-friendly colorimetric sensing paper able to detect BAs via the naked eye. The sensing molecule is the aglycone genipin, a natural cross-linking agent extracted from gardenia fruit, able to bind BAs producing water-soluble blue pigments. The paper sensor was applied to chicken meat quality monitoring and a quantitative analysis was performed with image acquisition via a smartphone camera, achieving a limit of detection equivalent to 0.1 mM of putrescine. The suitability of the BA sensing paper was assessed by integrating the sensor into smart packaging and analyzing commercial chicken meat samples stored at different temperatures; the results of the sensor paralleled the "best before date" indicated on the label, confirming the potential applicability of the sensor as a smart label.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), IRCCS St. Orsola Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Denise Gregucci
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), IRCCS St. Orsola Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Riccardo Desiderio
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), IRCCS St. Orsola Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HSTICIR), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Martínez-Pérez-Cejuela H, Gregucci D, Calabretta MM, Simó-Alfonso EF, Herrero-Martínez JM, Michelini E. Novel Nanozeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF-8)-Luciferase Biocomposite for Nanosensing Applications. Anal Chem 2022; 95:2540-2547. [PMID: 36473148 PMCID: PMC9893222 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The identification of new strategies to improve the stability of proteins is of utmost importance for a number of applications, from biosensing to biocatalysis. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been shown as a versatile host platform for the immobilization of proteins, with the potential to protect proteins in harsh conditions. In this work, a new thermostable luciferase mutant has been selected as a bioluminescent protein model to investigate the suitability of MOFs to improve its stability and prompt its applications in real-world applications, for example, ATP detection in portable systems. The luciferase has been immobilized onto zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) to obtain a bioluminescent biocomposite with enhanced performance. The biocomposite ZIF-8@luc has been characterized in harsh conditions (e.g., high temperature, non-native pH, etc.). Bioluminescence properties confirmed that MOF enhanced the luciferase stability at acidic pH, in the presence of organic solvents, and at -20 °C. To assess the feasibility of this approach, the recyclability, storage stability, precision, and Michaelis-Menten constants (Km) for ATP and d-luciferin have been also evaluated. As a proof of principle, the suitability for ATP detection was investigated and the biocomposite outperformed the free enzyme in the same experimental conditions, achieving a limit of detection for ATP down to 0.2 fmol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Martínez-Pérez-Cejuela
- Department
of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy,Department
of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, C/Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Denise Gregucci
- Department
of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy,Center
for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department
of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy,Center
for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Elisa Michelini
- Department
of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy,Center
for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy,Health
Sciences and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial
Research (HSTICIR), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy,. Tel: +39 051 20 9 9533
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Ferri M, Tedeschi T, Prandi B, Michelini E, Calabretta MM, Babini E, Graen-Heedfeld J, Bretz K, Raddadi N, Gianotti A, Lamborghini M, Tassoni A. Looking for peptides from rice starch processing by-product: Bioreactor production, anti-tyrosinase and anti-inflammatory activity, and in silico putative taste assessment. Front Plant Sci 2022; 13:929918. [PMID: 35909767 PMCID: PMC9335147 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.929918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
One of the major challenges for the modern society, is the development of a sustainable economy also aiming at the valorization of agro-industrial by-products in conjunction with at a significant reduction of generated residues from farm to retail. In this context, the present study demonstrates a biotechnological approach to yield bioactive peptides from a protein fraction obtained as a by-product of the rice starch production. Enzymatic hydrolysis, with the commercial proteases Alcalase and Protamex, were optimized in bioreactor up to 2 L of volume. The two best digestates, selected with respect to peptide release and extract antioxidant capacity, were further fractionated (cut-offs of 10, 5, and 1 kDa) via cross-flow filtration. Amino acid composition indicated that most of the fractions showed positive nutritional characteristics, but a putative bitter taste. A fraction obtained with Alcalase enzyme (retentate 8 kDa) exerted anti-inflammatory potential, while the smaller molecular weight fractions (retentate 1-5 kDa and permeate < 1 kDa) were more active in tyrosinase inhibition. The latter were further sub-fractionated by size-exclusion chromatography. From the 15 most anti-tyrosinase sub-fractions, 365 peptide sequences were identified via liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry. The present data support the possible exploitation of bioactive peptide from rice starch by-product as ingredients into food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Ferri
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Tullia Tedeschi
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Barbara Prandi
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Elena Babini
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre of Agri-Food Industrial Research, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Jürgen Graen-Heedfeld
- Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology, Oberhausen, Germany
| | - Karlheinz Bretz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology, Oberhausen, Germany
| | - Noura Raddadi
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Gianotti
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre of Agri-Food Industrial Research, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | | | - Annalisa Tassoni
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre of Agri-Food Industrial Research, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
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Calabretta MM, Lopreside A, Montali L, Zangheri M, Evangelisti L, D'Elia M, Michelini E. Portable light detectors for bioluminescence biosensing applications: A comprehensive review from the analytical chemist's perspective. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1200:339583. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.339583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Abstract
Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) is the primary energy carrier in all living organisms, and its detection in living cells represents a well-established approach. ATP-driven bioluminescence (BL) relying on the D-luciferin-luciferase reaction is a bioanalytical tool widely employed for monitoring hygiene and microbial contamination of foods.Here, we report a straightforward method for ATP BL detection using an ATP sensing paper fabricated with an alternative freeze-dry procedure. The assay can be easily implemented in laboratories equipped with (i) freeze-drying, wax printing, and 3D printing technologies and (ii) instrumentation for BL detection such as benchtop luminometers and portable light detectors including a smartphone camera without the need for additional equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ruslan Alvarez-Diduk
- Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Arben Merkoçi
- Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
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Lopreside A, Montali L, Wang B, Tassoni A, Ferri M, Calabretta MM, Michelini E. Orthogonal paper biosensor for mercury(II) combining bioluminescence and colorimetric smartphone detection. Biosens Bioelectron 2021; 194:113569. [PMID: 34438340 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Mercury contamination in the environment has reached alarming levels. Due to its persistence and bioaccumulation, mercury is one of the most widespread toxic heavy metals found in air, water and food. Thus, it is mandatory to monitor mercury and its compounds, and the availability of sensitive and rapid biosensors is highly valuable. We developed a low-cost biosensor for orthogonal detection of mercury(II) integrating three different biorecognition principles on a three-leaf paper: i) a mercury-specific bioluminescent Escherichia coli bioreporter strain expressing NanoLuc luciferase as reporter protein, ii) a purified β-galactosidase (β-gal) enzyme which is irreversibly inhibited by mercury and other metal ions, and iii) an Aliivibrio fischeri bioluminescent strain which is used to quantitatively assess sample toxicity and correct the analytical signal accordingly. Both sensory elements and substrates, Furimazine for the bioluminescent reporter strain and chlorophenol red-β-D-galactopyranoside for colorimetric detection of β-gal, were integrated in the paper sensor to provide a stable all-in-one disposable cartridge which can be easily snapped into a smartphone with a clover-shaped 3D printed housing. This is the first integration of bioluminescence and colorimetric detection on a smartphone-paper sensor, providing a readout within 15 and 60 min for the colorimetric and bioluminescent detection respectively. The biosensor was applied to water samples spiked with different concentrations of mercury, interferents and toxic chemicals providing a limit of detection for Hg(II) at the ppb levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Lopreside
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Montali
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Baojun Wang
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Hangzhou Innovation Center, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311200, China
| | - Annalisa Tassoni
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maura Ferri
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Civil, Chemical Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy; Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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Calabretta MM, Zangheri M, Calabria D, Lopreside A, Montali L, Marchegiani E, Trozzi I, Guardigli M, Mirasoli M, Michelini E. Paper-Based Immunosensors with Bio-Chemiluminescence Detection. Sensors (Basel) 2021; 21:4309. [PMID: 34202483 PMCID: PMC8271422 DOI: 10.3390/s21134309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Since the introduction of paper-based analytical devices as potential diagnostic platforms a few decades ago, huge efforts have been made in this field to develop systems suitable for meeting the requirements for the point-of-care (POC) approach. Considerable progress has been achieved in the adaptation of existing analysis methods to a paper-based format, especially considering the chemiluminescent (CL)-immunoassays-based techniques. The implementation of biospecific assays with CL detection and paper-based technology represents an ideal solution for the development of portable analytical devices for on-site applications, since the peculiarities of these features create a unique combination for fitting the POC purposes. Despite this, the scientific production is not paralleled by the diffusion of such devices into everyday life. This review aims to highlight the open issues that are responsible for this discrepancy and to find the aspects that require a focused and targeted research to make these methods really applicable in routine analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (D.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Zangheri
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (D.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.)
| | - Donato Calabria
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (D.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.)
| | - Antonia Lopreside
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (D.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Montali
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (D.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Marchegiani
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (D.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.)
| | - Ilaria Trozzi
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (D.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.)
| | - Massimo Guardigli
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (D.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.)
- Interdepartmental Centre for Renewable Sources, Environment, Sea and Energy (CIRI FRAME), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 48123 Ravenna, Italy
| | - Mara Mirasoli
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (D.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.)
- Interdepartmental Centre for Renewable Sources, Environment, Sea and Energy (CIRI FRAME), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 48123 Ravenna, Italy
- INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Via Medaglie d’Oro, 00136 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (D.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Via Medaglie d’Oro, 00136 Rome, Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Calabria D, Calabretta MM, Zangheri M, Marchegiani E, Trozzi I, Guardigli M, Michelini E, Di Nardo F, Anfossi L, Baggiani C, Mirasoli M. Recent Advancements in Enzyme-Based Lateral Flow Immunoassays. Sensors (Basel) 2021; 21:3358. [PMID: 34065971 PMCID: PMC8150770 DOI: 10.3390/s21103358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Paper-based lateral-flow immunoassays (LFIAs) have achieved considerable commercial success and their impact in diagnostics is continuously growing. LFIA results are often obtained by visualizing by the naked eye color changes in given areas, providing a qualitative information about the presence/absence of the target analyte in the sample. However, this platform has the potential to provide ultrasensitive quantitative analysis for several applications. Indeed, LFIA is based on well-established immunological techniques, which have known in the last year great advances due to the combination of highly sensitive tracers, innovative signal amplification strategies and last-generation instrumental detectors. All these available progresses can be applied also to the LFIA platform by adapting them to a portable and miniaturized format. This possibility opens countless strategies for definitively turning the LFIA technique into an ultrasensitive quantitative method. Among the different proposals for achieving this goal, the use of enzyme-based immunoassay is very well known and widespread for routine analysis and it can represent a valid approach for improving LFIA performances. Several examples have been recently reported in literature exploiting enzymes properties and features for obtaining significative advances in this field. In this review, we aim to provide a critical overview of the recent progresses in highly sensitive LFIA detection technologies, involving the exploitation of enzyme-based amplification strategies. The features and applications of the technologies, along with future developments and challenges, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donato Calabria
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.); (E.M.)
| | - Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.); (E.M.)
| | - Martina Zangheri
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.); (E.M.)
| | - Elisa Marchegiani
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.); (E.M.)
| | - Ilaria Trozzi
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.); (E.M.)
| | - Massimo Guardigli
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.); (E.M.)
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.); (E.M.)
| | - Fabio Di Nardo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 5, 10125 Turin, Italy; (F.D.N.); (L.A.); (C.B.)
| | - Laura Anfossi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 5, 10125 Turin, Italy; (F.D.N.); (L.A.); (C.B.)
| | - Claudio Baggiani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 5, 10125 Turin, Italy; (F.D.N.); (L.A.); (C.B.)
| | - Mara Mirasoli
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.M.C.); (M.Z.); (E.M.); (I.T.); (M.G.); (E.M.)
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Calabretta MM, Montali L, Lopreside A, Fragapane F, Iacoangeli F, Roda A, Bocci V, D'Elia M, Michelini E. Ultrasensitive On-Field Luminescence Detection Using a Low-Cost Silicon Photomultiplier Device. Anal Chem 2021; 93:7388-7393. [PMID: 33973781 PMCID: PMC8253476 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c00899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
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The availability
of portable analytical devices for on-site monitoring
and rapid detection of analytes of forensic, environmental, and clinical
interest is vital. We report the development of a portable device
for the detection of biochemiluminescence relying on silicon photomultiplier
(SiPM) technology, called LuminoSiPM, which includes a 3D printed
sample holder that can be adapted for both liquid samples and paper-based
biosensing. We performed a comparison of analytical performance in
terms of detectability with a benchtop luminometer, a portable cooled
charge-coupled device (CCD sensor), and smartphone-integrated complementary
metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensors. As model systems, we used
two luciferase/luciferin systems emitting at different wavelengths
using purified protein solutions: the green-emitting P. pyralis mutant Ppy-GR-TS (λmax 550 nm) and the blue-emitting
NanoLuc (λmax 460 nm). A limit of detection of 9
femtomoles was obtained for NanoLuc luciferase, about 2 and 3 orders
of magnitude lower than that obtained with the portable CCD camera
and with the smartphone, respectively. A proof-of-principle forensic
application of LuminoSiPM is provided, exploiting an origami chemiluminescent
paper-based sensor for acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, showing high
potential for this portable low-cost device for on-site applications
with adequate sensitivity for detecting low light intensities in critical
fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.,Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Montali
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.,Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonia Lopreside
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.,Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Fragapane
- Gabinetto Regionale di Polizia Scientifica per l'Emilia-Romagna, 40123, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.,INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, 00136 Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Bocci
- INFN, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare Sezione di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello D'Elia
- Gabinetto Regionale di Polizia Scientifica per l'Emilia-Romagna, 40123, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.,Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.,INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, 00136 Rome, Italy.,Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Calabretta MM, Lopreside A, Montali L, Cevenini L, Roda A, Michelini E. A Genetically Encoded Bioluminescence Intracellular Nanosensor for Androgen Receptor Activation Monitoring in 3D Cell Models. Sensors (Basel) 2021; 21:s21030893. [PMID: 33572727 PMCID: PMC7865915 DOI: 10.3390/s21030893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for predictive and sensitive in vitro tools for drug discovery. Split complementation assays have the potential to enlarge the arsenal of in vitro tools for compound screening, with most of them relying on well-established reporter gene assays. In particular, ligand-induced complementation of split luciferases is emerging as a suitable approach for monitoring protein–protein interactions. We hereby report an intracellular nanosensor for the screening of compounds with androgenic activity based on a split NanoLuc reporter. We also confirm the suitability of using 3D spheroids of Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK-293) cells for upgrading the 2D cell-based assay. A limit of detection of 4 pM and a half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 1.7 ± 0.3 nM were obtained for testosterone with HEK293 spheroids. This genetically encoded nanosensor also represents a new tool for real time imaging of the activation state of the androgen receptor, thus being suitable for analysing molecules with androgenic activity, including new drugs or endocrine disrupting molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (L.C.); (A.R.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonia Lopreside
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (L.C.); (A.R.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Montali
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (L.C.); (A.R.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Cevenini
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (L.C.); (A.R.)
| | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (L.C.); (A.R.)
- Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), 00136 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.M.C.); (A.L.); (L.M.); (L.C.); (A.R.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), 00136 Rome, Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence:
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15
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Lopreside A, Calabretta MM, Montali L, Zangheri M, Guardigli M, Mirasoli M, Michelini E. Bioluminescence goes portable: recent advances in whole-cell and cell-free bioluminescence biosensors. LUMINESCENCE 2020; 36:278-293. [PMID: 32945075 DOI: 10.1002/bio.3948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Recent advancements in synthetic biology, organic chemistry, and computational models have allowed the application of bioluminescence in several fields, ranging from well established methods for detecting microbial contamination to in vivo imaging to track cancer and stem cells, from cell-based assays to optogenetics. Moreover, thanks to recent technological progress in miniaturized and sensitive light detectors, such as photodiodes and imaging sensors, it is possible to implement laboratory-based assays, such as cell-based and enzymatic assays, into portable analytical devices for point-of-care and on-site applications. This review highlights some recent advances in the development of whole-cell and cell-free bioluminescence biosensors with a glance on current challenges and different strategies that have been used to turn bioassays into biosensors with the required analytical performance. Critical issues and unsolved technical problems are also highlighted, to give the reader a taste of this fascinating and challenging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Lopreside
- Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician', University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Laura Montali
- Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician', University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Zangheri
- Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician', University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimo Guardigli
- Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician', University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, Italy.,Interdepartmental Centre for Renewable Sources, Environment, Sea and Energy (CIRI FRAME), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Sant'Alberto 163, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Mara Mirasoli
- Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician', University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, Italy.,Interdepartmental Centre for Renewable Sources, Environment, Sea and Energy (CIRI FRAME), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Sant'Alberto 163, Ravenna, Italy.,INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Via Medaglie d'Oro, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician', University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, Italy.,Interdepartmental Centre for Renewable Sources, Environment, Sea and Energy (CIRI FRAME), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Sant'Alberto 163, Ravenna, Italy.,Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 41/E 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
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Babini E, Taneyo-Saa DL, Tassoni A, Ferri M, Kraft A, Grän-Heedfeld J, Bretz K, Roda A, Michelini E, Calabretta MM, Guillon F, Tagliazucchi D, Martini S, Nissen L, Gianotti A. Microbial Fermentation of Industrial Rice-Starch Byproduct as Valuable Source of Peptide Fractions with Health-Related Activity. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E986. [PMID: 32630107 PMCID: PMC7409224 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8070986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The rice-starch processing industry produces large amounts of a protein-rich byproducts during the conversion of broken rice to powder and crystal starch. Given the poor protein solubility, this material is currently discarded or used as animal feed. To fully exploit rice's nutritional properties and reduce this waste, a biotechnological approach was adopted, inducing fermentation with selected microorganisms capable of converting the substrate into peptide fractions with health-related bioactivity. Lactic acid bacteria were preferred to other microorganisms for their safety, efficient proteolytic system, and adaptability to different environments. Peptide fractions with different molecular weight ranges were recovered from the fermented substrate by means of cross-flow membrane filtration. The fractions displayed in vitro antioxidant, antihypertensive, and anti-tyrosinase activities as well as cell-based anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects. In the future, the peptide fractions isolated from this rice byproduct could be directly exploited as health-promoting functional foods, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical preparations. The suggested biotechnological process harnessing microbial bioconversion may represent a potential solution for many different protein-containing substrates currently treated as byproducts (or worse, waste) by the food industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Babini
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DiSTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, V.le Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (E.B.); (D.L.T.-S.); (L.N.)
| | - Danielle Laure Taneyo-Saa
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DiSTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, V.le Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (E.B.); (D.L.T.-S.); (L.N.)
| | - Annalisa Tassoni
- Department of Biological Geological and Environmental Sciences (BIGeA), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.T.); (M.F.)
| | - Maura Ferri
- Department of Biological Geological and Environmental Sciences (BIGeA), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.T.); (M.F.)
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Terracini 28, 40131 Bologna, Italy
| | - Axel Kraft
- Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT), Osterfelder Str. 3, 46047 Oberhausen, Germany; (A.K.); (J.G.-H.); (K.B.)
| | - Jürgen Grän-Heedfeld
- Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT), Osterfelder Str. 3, 46047 Oberhausen, Germany; (A.K.); (J.G.-H.); (K.B.)
| | - Karlheinz Bretz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT), Osterfelder Str. 3, 46047 Oberhausen, Germany; (A.K.); (J.G.-H.); (K.B.)
| | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician” (CHIM), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.R.); (E.M.); (M.M.C.)
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician” (CHIM), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.R.); (E.M.); (M.M.C.)
| | - Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician” (CHIM), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.R.); (E.M.); (M.M.C.)
| | - Fabien Guillon
- Sterlab, Cell Culture Laboratory, Ch. St-Bernard 2720, 06224 Vallauris Cedex, France;
| | - Davide Tagliazucchi
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola 2, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (D.T.); (S.M.)
| | - Serena Martini
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola 2, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (D.T.); (S.M.)
| | - Lorenzo Nissen
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DiSTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, V.le Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (E.B.); (D.L.T.-S.); (L.N.)
| | - Andrea Gianotti
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DiSTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, V.le Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (E.B.); (D.L.T.-S.); (L.N.)
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Calabretta MM, Montali L, Lopreside A, Michelini E, Roda A. High-Throughput Bioluminescence Imaging and Reporter Gene Assay with 3D Spheroids from Human Cell Lines. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2081:3-14. [PMID: 31721114 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9940-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
3D cell culture models represent an attractive approach to decode intracellular and intercellular signaling, providing biologically relevant information and predictive data. Bioluminescent reporter gene assays and bioluminescence imaging in 3D cell models are very promising bioanalytical tools for several applications.Here we report a very straightforward method for bioluminescence imaging and bioluminescent reporter gene assays in 3D cell-culture models. Both the assays can be easily implemented in laboratories equipped with basic cell culture facilities and instrumentation for bioluminescence detection, that is, low-light detectors connected to inverted microscopes and luminometers, without the need for additional equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Montali
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonia Lopreside
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. .,INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Rome, Italy. .,Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Rome, Italy
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Calabretta MM, Álvarez-Diduk R, Michelini E, Roda A, Merkoçi A. Nano-lantern on paper for smartphone-based ATP detection. Biosens Bioelectron 2019; 150:111902. [PMID: 31786021 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2019.111902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
ATP-driven bioluminescence relying on the D-luciferin-luciferase reaction is widely employed for several biosensing applications where bacterial ATP detection allows to verify microbial contamination for hygiene monitoring in hospitals, food processing and in general for cell viability studies. Several ATP kit assays are already commercially available but an user-friendly ATP biosensor characterized by low-cost, portability, and adequate sensitivity would be highly valuable for rapid and facile on site screening. Thanks to an innovative freeze-drying procedure, we developed a user-friendly, ready-to-use and stable ATP sensing paper biosensor that can be combined with smartphone detection. The ATP sensing paper includes a lyophilized "nano-lantern" with reaction components being rapidly reconstituted by 10 μL sample addition, enabling detection of 10-14 mol of ATP within 10 min. We analysed urinary microbial ATP as a biomarker of urinary tract infection (UTI), confirming the capability of the ATP sensing paper to detect the threshold for positivity corresponding to 105 colony-forming units of bacteria per mL of urine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maddalena Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ruslan Álvarez-Diduk
- Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, 00136, Rome, Italy; Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 41/E 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, 00136, Rome, Italy.
| | - Arben Merkoçi
- Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain; Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain.
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Lopreside A, Wan X, Michelini E, Roda A, Wang B. Comprehensive Profiling of Diverse Genetic Reporters with Application to Whole-Cell and Cell-Free Biosensors. Anal Chem 2019; 91:15284-15292. [PMID: 31690077 PMCID: PMC6899433 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b04444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Whole-cell
and cell-free transcription-translation biosensors have
recently become favorable alternatives to conventional detection methods,
as they are cost-effective, environmental friendly, and easy to use.
Importantly, the biological responses from the biosensors need to
be converted into a physicochemical signal for easy detection, and
a variety of genetic reporters have been employed for this purpose.
Reporter gene selection is vital to a sensor performance and application
success. However, it was largely based on trial and error with very
few systematic side-by-side investigations reported. To address this
bottleneck, here we compared eight reporters from three reporter categories,
i.e., fluorescent (gfpmut3, deGFP, mCherry, mScarlet-I), colorimetric
(lacZ), and bioluminescent (luxCDABE from Aliivibrio fischeri and Photorhabdus
luminescens, NanoLuc) reporters, under the
control of two representative biosensors for mercury- and quorum-sensing
molecules. Both whole-cell and cell-free formats were investigated
to assess key sensing features including limit of detection (LOD),
input and output dynamic ranges, response time, and output visibility.
For both whole-cell biosensors, the lowest detectable concentration
of analytes and the fastest responses were achieved with NanoLuc.
Notably, we developed, to date, the most sensitive whole-cell mercury
biosensor using NanoLuc as reporter, with an LOD ≤ 50.0 fM
HgCl2 30 min postinduction. For cell-free biosensors, overall, NanoLuc and deGFP led to shorter response
time and lower LOD than the others. This comprehensive profile of
diverse reporters in a single setting provides a new important benchmark
for reporter selection, aiding the rapid development of whole-cell
and cell-free biosensors for various applications in the environment
and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Lopreside
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum , University of Bologna , 40126 Bologna , Italy
| | | | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum , University of Bologna , 40126 Bologna , Italy
| | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum , University of Bologna , 40126 Bologna , Italy
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Lopreside A, Calabretta MM, Montali L, Ferri M, Tassoni A, Branchini BR, Southworth T, D'Elia M, Roda A, Michelini E. Prêt-à-porter nanoYESα and nanoYESβ bioluminescent cell biosensors for ultrarapid and sensitive screening of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Anal Bioanal Chem 2019; 411:4937-4949. [PMID: 30972468 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-019-01805-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cell-based assays utilizing reporter gene technology have been widely exploited for biosensing, as they provide useful information about the bioavailability and cell toxicity of target analytes. The long assay time due to gene transcription and translation is one of the main drawbacks of cell biosensors. We report the development of two yeast biosensors stably expressing human estrogen receptors α and β and employing NanoLuc as the reporter protein to upgrade the widely used yeast estrogen screening (YES) assays. A viability control strain was also developed based on a chimeric green-emitting luciferase, PLG2, expressed for the first time in Saccharomycescerevisiae. Thanks to their brightness, NanoLuc and PLG2 provided excellent sensitivity, enabling the implementation of these biosensors into low-cost smartphone-based devices. The developed biosensors had a rapid (1 h) response and reported on (anti)estrogenic activity via human estrogen receptors α and β as well as general sample toxicity. Under optimized conditions, we obtained LODs of 7.1 ± 0.4 nM and 0.38 ± 0.08 nM for E2 with nanoYESα and nanoYESβ, respectively. As a proof of concept, we analyzed real samples from plants showing significant estrogenic activity or known to contain significant amounts of phytoestrogens. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Lopreside
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Laura Montali
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maura Ferri
- Department of Biological Geological and Environmental Sciences (BIGeA), University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna, Via Terracini 28, 40131, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tassoni
- Department of Biological Geological and Environmental Sciences (BIGeA), University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Bruce R Branchini
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, 270 Mohegan Ave., New London, CT, 06320, USA
| | - Tara Southworth
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, 270 Mohegan Ave., New London, CT, 06320, USA
| | - Marcello D'Elia
- Gabinetto Regionale di Polizia Scientifica per l'Emilia-Romagna, Via Volto Santo 3, 40123, Bologna, Italy
| | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
- INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Viale delle Medaglie d'Oro, 305, 00136, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
- INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Viale delle Medaglie d'Oro, 305, 00136, Rome, Italy.
- Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 41/E, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
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Michelini E, Calabretta MM, Cevenini L, Lopreside A, Southworth T, Fontaine DM, Simoni P, Branchini BR, Roda A. Smartphone-based multicolor bioluminescent 3D spheroid biosensors for monitoring inflammatory activity. Biosens Bioelectron 2019; 123:269-277. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2018.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Cevenini L, Calabretta MM, Calabria D, Roda A, Michelini E. Luciferase Genes as Reporter Reactions: How to Use Them in Molecular Biology? Adv Biochem Eng Biotechnol 2018; 154:3-17. [PMID: 25898810 DOI: 10.1007/10_2015_325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
: The latest advances in molecular biology have made available several biotechnological tools that take advantage of the high detectability and quantum efficiency of bioluminescence (BL), with an ever-increasing number of novel applications in environmental, pharmaceutical, food, and forensic fields. Indeed, BL proteins are being used to develop ultrasensitive binding assays and cell-based assays, thanks to their high detectability and to the availability of highly sensitive BL instruments. The appealing aspect of molecular biology tools relying on BL reactions is their general applicability in both in vitro assays, such as cell cultures or purified proteins, and in vivo settings, such as in whole-animal BL imaging. The aim of this chapter is to provide the reader with an overview of state-of-the-art bioluminescent tools based on luciferase genes, highlighting molecular biology strategies that have been applied so far, together with some selected examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Cevenini
- Dept. of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - M M Calabretta
- Dept. of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - D Calabria
- Dept. of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Roda
- Dept. of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - E Michelini
- Dept. of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
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La Barbera G, Capriotti AL, Michelini E, Piovesana S, Calabretta MM, Zenezini Chiozzi R, Roda A, Laganà A. Proteomic analysis and bioluminescent reporter gene assays to investigate effects of simulated microgravity on Caco-2 cells. Proteomics 2018; 17. [PMID: 28727291 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201700081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Microgravity is one of the most important features in spaceflight. Previous evidence from in-vitro studies has shown that significant changes occur under simulated microgravity. For this reason, human colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells were selected as cell model of intestinal epithelial barrier and their response to altered gravity conditions was investigated, especially on the protein level. In this study, we combined label-free shotgun proteomics and bioluminescent reporter gene assays to identify key proteins and pathways involved in the response of Caco-2 cells under reference and microgravity conditions. A two-dimensional clinostat was modified with 3D-printed adaptors to hold conventional T25 culture flasks. The comparative proteome analysis led to identify 38 and 26 proteins differently regulated by simulated microgravity after 48 and 72 h, respectively. Substantial fractions of these proteins are involved in regulation, cellular and metabolic processes and localization. Bioluminescent reporter gene assays were carried out to investigate microgavity-induced alterations on the transcriptional regulation of key targets, such as NF-kB pathway and CYP27A1. While no significant difference was found in the basal transcription, a lower NF-kB basal activation in simulated microgravity conditions was reported, corroborating the hypothesis of reduced immunity in microgravity conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elisa Michelini
- Dipartimento di Chimica "G.Ciamician", Università di Bologna - Alma Mater Studiorum, Bologna, Italy.,INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Rome, Italy
| | - Susy Piovesana
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Aldo Roda
- Dipartimento di Chimica "G.Ciamician", Università di Bologna - Alma Mater Studiorum, Bologna, Italy.,INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Laganà
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
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Ferri M, Rondini G, Calabretta MM, Michelini E, Vallini V, Fava F, Roda A, Minnucci G, Tassoni A. White grape pomace extracts, obtained by a sequential enzymatic plus ethanol-based extraction, exert antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase and anti-inflammatory activities. N Biotechnol 2017; 39:51-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Branchini BR, Southworth TL, Fontaine DM, Kohrt D, Welcome FS, Florentine CM, Henricks ER, DeBartolo DB, Michelini E, Cevenini L, Roda A, Grossel MJ. Red-emitting chimeric firefly luciferase for in vivo imaging in low ATP cellular environments. Anal Biochem 2017; 534:36-39. [PMID: 28687486 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Beetle luciferases have been adapted for live cell imaging where bioluminescence is dependent on the cellular availability of ATP, O2, and added luciferin. Previous Photinus pyralis red-emitting variants with high Km values for ATP have performed disappointingly in live cells despite having much higher relative specific activities than enzymes like Click Beetle Red (CBR). We engineered a luciferase variant PLR3 having a Km value for ATP similar to CBR and ∼2.6-fold higher specific activity. The red-emitting PLR3 was ∼2.5-fold brighter than CBR in living HEK293T and HeLa cells, an improvement consistent with the importance of the Km value in low ATP environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce R Branchini
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320, USA.
| | - Tara L Southworth
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320, USA
| | | | - Dawn Kohrt
- Department of Biology, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320, USA
| | | | | | - Emma R Henricks
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320, USA
| | | | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Cevenini
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Martha J Grossel
- Department of Biology, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320, USA
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26
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Cevenini L, Calabretta MM, Lopreside A, Branchini BR, Southworth TL, Michelini E, Roda A. Bioluminescence Imaging of Spheroids for High‐throughput Longitudinal Studies on 3D Cell Culture Models. Photochem Photobiol 2017; 93:531-535. [DOI: 10.1111/php.12718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 12/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Cevenini
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician” University of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | | | - Antonia Lopreside
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician” University of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | | | | | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician” University of Bologna Bologna Italy
- Health Sciences and Technologies‐Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST‐ICIR) University of Bologna Bologna Italy
- INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi Roma Italy
| | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician” University of Bologna Bologna Italy
- INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi Roma Italy
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Ferri M, Graen-Heedfeld J, Bretz K, Guillon F, Michelini E, Calabretta MM, Lamborghini M, Gruarin N, Roda A, Kraft A, Tassoni A. Peptide Fractions Obtained from Rice By-Products by Means of an Environment-Friendly Process Show In Vitro Health-Related Bioactivities. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170954. [PMID: 28125712 PMCID: PMC5268429 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the isolation of new health-related bioactive molecules derived from agro-food industrial by-products by means of environment-friendly extraction processes has become of particular interest. In the present study, a protein by-product from the rice starch industry was hydrolysed with five commercial proteolytic enzymes, avoiding the use of solvents or chemicals. The digestion processes were optimised, and the digestates were separated in fractions with four different molecular weight ranges by using a cross-flow membrane filtration technique. Total hydrolysates and fractions were tested in vitro for a wide range of biological activities. For the first time rice-derived peptides were assayed for anti-tyrosinase, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity and irritation capacities. Antioxidant and anti-hypertensive activities were also evaluated. Protamex, Alcalase and Neutrase treatments produced peptide fractions with valuable bioactivities without resulting cytotoxic or irritant. Highest levels of bioactivity were detected in Protamex-derived samples, followed by samples treated with Alcalase. Based on the present results, a future direct exploitation of isolated peptide fractions in the nutraceutical, functional food and cosmetic industrial fields may be foreseen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Ferri
- Department of Biological Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jürgen Graen-Heedfeld
- Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology UMSICHT, Oberhausen, Germany
| | - Karlheinz Bretz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology UMSICHT, Oberhausen, Germany
| | | | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Nicolò Gruarin
- Department of Biological Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Axel Kraft
- Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology UMSICHT, Oberhausen, Germany
| | - Annalisa Tassoni
- Department of Biological Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Roda A, Michelini E, Zangheri M, Di Fusco M, Calabria D, Simoni P. Smartphone-based biosensors: A critical review and perspectives. Trends Analyt Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2015.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 331] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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D'Alessandro S, Camarda G, Corbett Y, Siciliano G, Parapini S, Cevenini L, Michelini E, Roda A, Leroy D, Taramelli D, Alano P. A chemical susceptibility profile of the Plasmodium falciparum transmission stages by complementary cell-based gametocyte assays. J Antimicrob Chemother 2016; 71:1148-58. [PMID: 26888912 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkv493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES As most available antimalarial drugs are ineffective against the Plasmodium falciparum transmission stages, new drugs against the parasite's gametocytes are urgently needed to combat malaria globally. The unique biology of gametocytes requires assays that need to be specific, to faithfully monitor anti-gametocyte activity, and to be easy to perform, cheap and scalable to high-throughput screening (HTS). METHODS We developed an HTS cell-based assay with P. falciparum gametocytes specifically expressing a potent luciferase. To confirm HTS hit activity for several parasite genotypes, the luciferase assay and the gametocyte lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, usable on any parasite isolate, were compared by screening antimalarial drugs and determining IC50 values of anti-gametocyte hits from the 'Malaria Box' against early- and late-stage gametocytes. RESULTS Comparison of the two assays, conducted on the early and on late gametocyte stages, revealed an excellent correlation (R(2) > 0.9) for the IC50 values obtained by the respective readouts. Differences in susceptibility to drugs and compounds between the two parasite developmental stages were consistently measured in both assays. CONCLUSIONS This work indicates that the luciferase and gametocyte LDH assays are interchangeable and that their specific advantages can be exploited to design an HTS pipeline leading to new transmission-blocking compounds. Results from these assays consistently defined a gametocyte chemical susceptibility profile, relevant to the planning of future drug discovery strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah D'Alessandro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Grazia Camarda
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie, Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Yolanda Corbett
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulia Siciliano
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie, Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Parapini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Cevenini
- Dipartimento di Chimica 'G. Ciamician', Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Dipartimento di Chimica 'G. Ciamician', Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), Roma, Italy
| | - Aldo Roda
- Dipartimento di Chimica 'G. Ciamician', Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), Roma, Italy
| | - Didier Leroy
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Donatella Taramelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Pietro Alano
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie, Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Roda A, Mirasoli M, Michelini E, Di Fusco M, Zangheri M, Cevenini L, Roda B, Simoni P. Progress in chemical luminescence-based biosensors: A critical review. Biosens Bioelectron 2016; 76:164-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2015.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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31
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Branchini BR, Southworth TL, Fontaine DM, Kohrt D, Talukder M, Michelini E, Cevenini L, Roda A, Grossel MJ. An enhanced chimeric firefly luciferase-inspired enzyme for ATP detection and bioluminescence reporter and imaging applications. Anal Biochem 2015; 484:148-53. [PMID: 26049097 PMCID: PMC4496250 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2015.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Firefly luciferases, which emit visible light in a highly specific ATP-dependent process, have been adapted for a variety of applications, including gene reporter assays, whole-cell biosensor measurements, and in vivo imaging. We previously reported the approximately 2-fold enhanced activity and 1.4-fold greater bioluminescence quantum yield properties of a chimeric enzyme that contains the N-domain of Photinus pyralis luciferase joined to the C-domain of Luciola italica luciferase. Subsequently, we identified 5 amino acid changes based on L. italica that are the main determinants of the improved bioluminescence properties. Further engineering to enhance thermal and pH stability produced a novel luciferase called PLG2. We present here a systematic comparison of the spectral and physical properties of the new protein with P. pyralis luciferase and demonstrate the potential of PLG2 for use in assays based on the detection of femtomole levels of ATP. In addition, we compared the performance of a mammalian codon-optimized version of the cDNA for PLG2 with the luc2 gene in HEK293T cells. Using an optimized low-cost assay system, PLG2 activity can be monitored in mammalian cell lysates and living cells with 4.4-fold and approximately 3.0-fold greater sensitivity, respectively. PLG2 could be an improved alternative to Promega's luc2 for reporter and imaging applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce R Branchini
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320, USA.
| | - Tara L Southworth
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320, USA
| | | | - Dawn Kohrt
- Department of Biology, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320, USA
| | - Munya Talukder
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320, USA
| | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Cevenini
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Martha J Grossel
- Department of Biology, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320, USA
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Roda A, Guardigli M, Calabria D, Calabretta MM, Cevenini L, Michelini E. A 3D-printed device for a smartphone-based chemiluminescence biosensor for lactate in oral fluid and sweat. Analyst 2014; 139:6494-501. [DOI: 10.1039/c4an01612b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Cevenini L, Camarda G, Michelini E, Siciliano G, Calabretta MM, Bona R, Kumar TRS, Cara A, Branchini BR, Fidock DA, Roda A, Alano P. Multicolor bioluminescence boosts malaria research: quantitative dual-color assay and single-cell imaging in Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Anal Chem 2014; 86:8814-21. [PMID: 25102353 PMCID: PMC4151787 DOI: 10.1021/ac502098w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
![]()
New
reliable and cost-effective antimalarial drug screening assays
are urgently needed to identify drugs acting on different stages of
the parasite Plasmodium falciparum,
and particularly those responsible for human-to-mosquito transmission,
that is, the P. falciparum gametocytes.
Low Z′ factors, narrow dynamic ranges, and/or
extended assay times are commonly reported in current gametocyte assays
measuring gametocyte-expressed fluorescent or luciferase reporters,
endogenous ATP levels, activity of gametocyte enzymes, or redox-dependent
dye fluorescence. We hereby report on a dual-luciferase gametocyte
assay with immature and mature P. falciparum gametocyte stages expressing red and green-emitting luciferases
from Pyrophorus plagiophthalamus under
the control of the parasite sexual stage-specific pfs16 gene promoter. The assay was validated with reference antimalarial
drugs and allowed to quantitatively and simultaneously measure stage-specific
drug effects on parasites at different developmental stages. The optimized
assay, requiring only 48 h incubation with drugs and using a cost-effective
luminogenic substrate, significantly reduces assay cost and time in
comparison to state-of-the-art analogous assays. The assay had a Z′ factor of 0.71 ± 0.03, and it is suitable
for implementation in 96- and 384-well microplate formats. Moreover,
the use of a nonlysing d-luciferin substrate significantly
improved the reliability of the assay and allowed one to perform,
for the first time, P. falciparum bioluminescence
imaging at single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Cevenini
- INBB, Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi , 00136 Rome, Italy
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Roda A, Michelini E, Cevenini L, Calabria D, Calabretta MM, Simoni P. Integrating biochemiluminescence detection on smartphones: mobile chemistry platform for point-of-need analysis. Anal Chem 2014; 86:7299-304. [PMID: 25017302 DOI: 10.1021/ac502137s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we report, for the first time, the use of a smartphone to image and quantify biochemiluminescence coupled biospecific enzymatic reactions to detect analytes in biological fluids. Using low-cost three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, we fabricated a smartphone accessory and a minicartridge for hosting biospecific reactions. As a proof-of-principle, we report two assays: a bioluminescence assay for total bile acids using 3α-hydroxyl steroid dehydrogenase coimmobilized with bacterial luciferase system and a chemiluminescence assay for total cholesterol using cholesterol esterase/cholesterol oxidase coupled with the luminol-H2O2-horseradish peroxidase system. These assays can be performed within 3 min in a very straightforward manner and provided adequate analytical performance for the analysis of total cholesterol in serum (limit of detection (LOD) = 20 mg/dL) and total bile acid in serum and oral fluid (LOD = 0.5 μmol/L) with a reasonable accuracy and precision. Smartphone-based biochemiluminescence detection could be thus applied to a variety of clinical chemistry assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna , Via Selmi 2, Bologna, 40126, Italy
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Michelini E, Cevenini L, Calabretta MM, Calabria D, Roda A. Exploiting in vitro and in vivo bioluminescence for the implementation of the three Rs principle (replacement, reduction, and refinement) in drug discovery. Anal Bioanal Chem 2014; 406:5531-9. [PMID: 24908412 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-014-7925-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Revised: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Bioluminescence-based analytical tools are suitable for high-throughput and high-content screening assays, finding widespread application in several fields related to the drug discovery process. Cell-based bioluminescence assays, because of their peculiar advantages of predictability, possibility of automation, multiplexing, and miniaturization, seem the most appealing tool for the high demands of the early stages of drug screening. Reporter gene technology and the bioluminescence resonance energy transfer principle are widely used, and receptor binding studies of new agonists/antagonists for a variety of human receptors expressed in different cell lines can be performed. Moreover, bioluminescence can be used for in vitro and in vivo real-time monitoring of pathophysiological processes within living cells and small animals. New luciferases and substrates have recently arrived on the market, further expanding the spectrum of applications. A new generation of probes are also emerging that promise to revolutionize the preclinical imaging market. This formidable toolbox is demonstrated to facilitate the implementation of the three Rs principle in the early drug discovery process, in compliance with ethical and responsible research to reduce cost and improve the reliability and predictability of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy,
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Mirasoli M, Guardigli M, Michelini E, Roda A. Recent advancements in chemical luminescence-based lab-on-chip and microfluidic platforms for bioanalysis. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2014; 87:36-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2013.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Revised: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Roda A, Cevenini L, Borg S, Michelini E, Calabretta MM, Schüler D. Bioengineered bioluminescent magnetotactic bacteria as a powerful tool for chip-based whole-cell biosensors. Lab Chip 2013; 13:4881-4889. [PMID: 24193113 DOI: 10.1039/c3lc50868d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes the generation of genetically engineered bioluminescent magnetotactic bacteria (BL-MTB) and their integration into a microfluidic analytical device to create a portable toxicity detection system. Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense strain MSR-1 was bioengineered to constitutively express a red-emitting click beetle luciferase whose bioluminescent signal is directly proportional to bacterial viability. The magnetic properties of these bacteria have been exploited as "natural actuators" to transfer the cells in the chip from the reaction to the detection area, optimizing the chip's analytical performance. A robust and cost-effective biosensor for the evaluation of sample toxicity, named MAGNETOX, based on lens-free contact imaging detection, has been developed. A microfluidic chip has been fabricated using multilayered black and transparent polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) in which BL-MTB are incubated for 30 min with the sample, then moved by microfluidics, trapped, and concentrated in detection chambers by an array of neodymium-iron-boron magnets. The chip is placed in contact with a cooled CCD via a fiber optic taper to perform quantitative bioluminescence imaging after addition of luciferin substrate. A model toxic compound (dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO) and a bile acid (taurochenodeoxycholic acid, TCDCA) were used to investigate the analytical performance of the MAGNETOX. Incubation with DMSO and TCDCA drastically reduces the bioluminescent signal in a dose-related manner. The generation of bacteria that are both magnetic and bioluminescent combines the advantages of easy 2D cell handling with ultra sensitive detection, offering undoubted potential to develop cell-based biosensors integrated into microfluidic chips.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Roda
- Laboratory of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
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Michelini E, Cevenini L, Calabretta MM, Spinozzi S, Camborata C, Roda A. Field-deployable whole-cell bioluminescent biosensors: so near and yet so far. Anal Bioanal Chem 2013; 405:6155-63. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-013-7043-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Revised: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Ekström L, Cevenini L, Michelini E, Schulze J, Thörngren JO, Belanger A, Guillemette C, Garle M, Roda A, Rane A. Testosterone challenge and androgen receptor activity in relation to UGT2B17 genotypes. Eur J Clin Invest 2013; 43:248-55. [PMID: 23294483 DOI: 10.1111/eci.12037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2012] [Accepted: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We investigated the androgen receptor (AR) bioluminescense response in serum and urine before and after testosterone challenge in different genotypes of the UGT2B17 enzyme, which catalyses testosterone glucuronidation. MATERIAL AND METHODS The androgen receptor activity was determined using a yeast-based bioluminescence assay. The androgens were analysed using LC-MS/MS, and the individuals were genotyped for UGT2B17 deletion polymorphism using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The serum concentrations of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were markedly elevated on days 2 and 4 and were still above baseline on day 15 after a dose of 500 mg testosterone enanthate. The androgenic activity in serum increased in parallel and correlated with the hormone concentrations and remained above baseline on day 15. The urinary androgenic activity increased 4-5-fold and was closely related to the unconjugated testosterone and independent of the UGT2B17 genotype. CONCLUSIONS The AR assay may serve as a complement to the urinary testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) doping test, because this is profoundly influenced by the UGT2B17 deletion polymorphism. It may also be useful for detection of other illicit androgens in sports, or in the society, or for monitoring and diagnostics of androgen-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Ekström
- Laboratory Medicine, Division Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Michelini E, Donati M, Aldini R, Cevenini L, Mezzanotte L, Nardini P, Foschi C, Zvi IB, Cevenini M, Montagnani M, Marangoni A, Roda A, Cevenini R. Dual-color bioluminescent assay using infected HepG2 cells sheds new light on Chlamydia pneumoniae and human cytomegalovirus effects on human cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) transcription. Anal Biochem 2012; 430:92-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2012.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Revised: 07/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Michelini E, Lonardo A, Ballestri S, Costantini M, Caporali C, Bonati ME, Bertolotti M, Iori R, Loria P. Is cholangiocarcinoma another complication of insulin resistance: a report of three cases. Metab Syndr Relat Disord 2012; 5:194-202. [PMID: 18370827 DOI: 10.1089/met.2006.0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary liver cancer, and the number of cases of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) have been steadily increasing worldwide. Although the reasons for this surge are unknown, insulin resistance (IR) could be a risk factor, similar to what has been reported for other cancers. CASE REPORT We report on 3 cases of ICC arising in subjects sharing IR as an underlying risk factor. Case 1 was an obese and dyslipidemic patient with NAFLD. The second and the third patients were affected by type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Evidence for a link between IR and onset of cholangiocarcinoma in our patients rests on three lines of evidence: epidemiological, biological, and exclusion of others risk factors. Studies are needed to confirm our hypothesis that IR is a risk factor for the development of ICC.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Michelini
- Dipartimento Integrato di Medicina, Endocrinologia, Metabolismo, e Geriatria-Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense di Baggiovara, Modena, Italy
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Michelini E. Khalid Shah (Ed.): Molecular imaging. Methods and protocols. Anal Bioanal Chem 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-012-6064-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Nazari M, Emamzadeh R, Hosseinkhani S, Cevenini L, Michelini E, Roda A. Renilla luciferase-labeled Annexin V: a new probe for detection of apoptotic cells. Analyst 2012; 137:5062-70. [DOI: 10.1039/c2an35741k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Roda A, Roda B, Cevenini L, Michelini E, Mezzanotte L, Reschiglian P, Hakkila K, Virta M. Analytical strategies for improving the robustness and reproducibility of bioluminescent microbial bioreporters. Anal Bioanal Chem 2011; 401:201-11. [PMID: 21603915 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-011-5091-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2011] [Revised: 05/04/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Whole-cell bioluminescent (BL) bioreporter technology is a useful analytical tool for developing biosensors for environmental toxicology and preclinical studies. However, when applied to real samples, several methodological problems prevent it from being widely used. Here, we propose a methodological approach for improving its analytical performance with complex matrix. We developed bioluminescent Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae bioreporters for copper ion detection. In the same cell, we introduced two firefly luciferases requiring the same luciferin substrate emitting at different wavelengths. The expression of one was copper ion specific. The other, constitutively expressed, was used as a cell viability internal control. Engineered BL cells were characterized using the noninvasive gravitational field-flow fractionation (GrFFF) technique. Homogeneous cell population was isolated. Cells were then immobilized in a polymeric matrix improving cell responsiveness. The bioassay was performed in 384-well black polystyrene microtiter plates directly on the sample. After 2 h of incubation at 37 °C and the addition of the luciferin, we measured the emitted light. These dual-color bioreporters showed more robustness and a wider dynamic range than bioassays based on the same strains with a single reporter gene and that uses a separate cell strain as BL control. The internal correction allowed to accurately evaluate the copper content even in simulated toxic samples, where reduced cell viability was observed. Homogenous cells isolated by GrFFF showed improvement in method reproducibility, particularly for yeast cells. The applicability of these bioreporters to real samples was demonstrated in tap water and wastewater treatment plant effluent samples spiked with copper and other metal ions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Roda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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Roda A, Cevenini L, Michelini E, Branchini BR. A portable bioluminescence engineered cell-based biosensor for on-site applications. Biosens Bioelectron 2011; 26:3647-53. [PMID: 21388801 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2011.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2010] [Revised: 02/02/2011] [Accepted: 02/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We have developed a portable biosensing device based on genetically engineered bioluminescent (BL) cells. Cells were immobilized on a 4 × 3 multiwell cartridge using a new biocompatible matrix that preserved their vitality. Using a fiber optic taper, the cartridge was placed in direct contact with a cooled CCD sensor to image and quantify the BL signals. Yeast and bacterial cells were engineered to express recognition elements, whose interaction with the analyte led to luciferase expression, via reporter gene technology. Three different biosensors were developed. The first detects androgenic compounds using yeast cells carrying a green-emitting P. pyralis luciferase regulated by the human androgen receptor and a red mutant of the same species as internal vitality control. The second biosensor detects two classes of compounds (androgens and estrogens) using yeast strains engineered to express green-or red-emitting mutant firefly luciferases in response to androgens or estrogens, respectively. The third biosensor detects lactose analogue isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside using two E. coli strains. One strain exploits the lac operon as recognition element for the expression of P. pyralis luciferase. The other strain serves as a vitality control expressing Gaussia princeps luciferase, which requires a different luciferin substrate. The immobilized cells were stable for up to 1 month. The analytes could be detected at nanomolar levels with good precision and accuracy when the specific signal was corrected using the internal vitality control. This portable device can be used for on-site multiplexed bioassays for different compound classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Roda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
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Michelini E, Cevenini L, Mezzanotte L, Coppa A, Mirasoli M, Roda A. Bioluminescent genetically engineered cells for biosensing applications. J Biotechnol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2010.08.505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Different techniques were used to assess gastric emptying (GE) in small animals; most of them require sophisticated equipment, animal sacrifice and are expensive. In the present investigation a simple, non-invasive method based on bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is reported to study GE, using light-emitting Escherichia coli cells as a marker of the gastric content. METHODS A new thermostable red-emitting luciferase was chosen as reporter gene to transform E. coli cells. Bioluminescent (BL) bacteria were administered to fasting mice, after a solid meal, and in response to different doses of metoclopramide (MET) and hyoscine butylbromide (HY). Bioluminescence imaging allowed to evaluate the real time 2D spatial and temporal distribution of bacteria along the gastrointestinal tract in animals and to calculate GE rate in basal conditions and following pharmacological stimulation. KEY RESULTS The administered BL bacteria were easily imaged and localized in the stomach and subsequently followed in the duodenum and upper intestine allowing to accurately calculate GE. Gastric emptying after the test meal was significantly slower (T(1/2) 16 ± 3 min) than that obtained in fasting conditions (T(1/2) 2 ± 1 min); administration of HY (1 mg kg(-1) b.w.) significantly (P < 0.05) increased T(1/2) that was delayed up to 25 ± 4 min; MET (1 mg kg(-1) b.w.) significantly (P < 0.05) accelerated T(1/2), that was achieved within 8 ± 2 min. CONCLUSION & INFERENCES The reported model is simple, inexpensive, reliable, sensitive and accurate; it can detect both acceleration and slowdown of GE. The model is useful in the investigation of new drug-induced alterations of gastric motility allowing to reduce the number of experimental animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Roda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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Michelini E, Cevenini L, Mezzanotte L, Coppa A, Roda A. Cell-based assays: fuelling drug discovery. Anal Bioanal Chem 2010; 398:227-38. [PMID: 20623273 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-010-3933-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2010] [Revised: 06/16/2010] [Accepted: 06/16/2010] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
It has been estimated that over a billion dollars in resources can be consumed to obtain clinical approval, and only a few new chemical entities are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) each year. Therefore it is of utmost importance to obtain the maximum amount of information about biological activity, toxicological profile, biochemical mechanisms, and off-target interactions of drug-candidate leads in the earliest stages of drug discovery. Cell-based assays, because of their peculiar advantages of predictability, possibility of automation, multiplexing, and miniaturization, seem the most appealing tool for the high demands of the early stages of the drug-discovery process. Nevertheless, cellular screening, relying on different strategies ranging from reporter gene technology to protein fragment complementation assays, still presents a variety of challenges. This review focuses on main advantages and limitations of different cell-based approaches, and future directions and trends in this fascinating field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Michelini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Mentana, 7, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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