Henlea earthworm bioluminescence comprises violet-blue BRET from tryptophan 2-carboxylate to deazaflavin cofactor

We recently identified the deazaflavin cofactor as a light emitter in novel bioluminescence (BL) system from Siberian earthworms Henlea sp. (Petushkov et al., 2023, Org. Biomol. Chem. 21:415-427). In the present communication we compared in vitro BL spectra in the absence and in the presence of the cofactor and found a wavelength shift from 420 to 476 nm. This violet-blue BRET to deazaflavin cofactor (acceptor of photonless transfer) masks the actual oxyluciferin as an emitter (BRET donor) in the novel BL system. The best candidate for that masked chromophore is tryptophan 2-carboxylate (T2C) found previously as a building block in some natural products isolated from Henlea sp. (Dubinnyi et al., 2020, ChemSelect 5:13155-13159). We synthesized T2C and acetyl-T2C, verified their presence in earthworms by nanoflow-HRMS, explored spectral properties of excitation and emission spectra and found a chain of excitation/emission maxima with a perfect potential for BRET: 300 nm (excitation of T2C) - 420 nm (emission of T2C) - 420 nm (excitation of deazaflavin) - 476 nm (emission of deazaflavin, BL). An array of natural products with T2C chromophore are present in BL earthworms as candidates for novel oxyluciferin. We demonstrated for the Henlea BL that the energy of the excited state of the T2C chromophore is transferred by the Förster mechanism and then emitted by deazaflavin (BRET), similarly to known examples: aequorin-GFP in Aequorea victoria and antenna proteins in bacterial BL systems (lumazine from Photobacterium and yellow fluorescent protein from Vibrio fischeri strain Y1).

Conjugated Dienoic Acid Peroxides as Substrates in Chaetopterus Bioluminescence System

Biochemistry of bioluminescence of the marine parchment tubeworm Chaetopterus has been in research focus for over a century; however, the results obtained by various groups contradict each other. Here, we report the isolation and structural elucidation of three compounds from Chaetomorpha linum algae, which demonstrate bioluminescence activity with Chaetopterus luciferase in the presence of Fe²⁺ ions. These compounds are derivatives of polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxides. We have also obtained their structural analogues and demonstrated their activity in the bioluminescence reaction, thus confirming the broad substrate specificity of the luciferase.

Deazaflavin cofactor boosts earthworms Henlea bioluminescence

The bioluminescence of Siberian earthworms Henlea sp. was found to be enhanced by two low molecular weight activators, termed ActH and ActS, found in the hot extracts. The fluorescence emission maximum of the activators matches the bioluminescence spectrum that peaks at 464 nm. We purified 4.3 and 8.8 micrograms of ActH and ActS from 200 worms and explored them using orbitrap HRMS with deep fragmentation and 1D/2D NMR equipped with cryoprobes. Their chemical structures were ascertained using chemical shift prediction services, structure elucidation software and database searches. ActH was identified as the riboflavin analoge archaeal cofactor F0, namely 7,8-didemethyl-8-hydroxy-5-deazariboflavin. ActS is a novel compound, namely ActH sulfated at the 3' ribityl hydroxyl. We designed and implemented a new four step synthesis strategy forActH that outperformed previous synthetic approaches. The synthetic ActH was identical to the natural one and activated Henlea sp. bioluminescence. The bioluminescence enhancement factor X was measured at different ActH concentrations and the Michaelis constant K_m = 0.22 ± 0.01 μM was obtained by nonlinear regression. At an excess of synthetic ActH, the factor X was saturated at X_max = 33.3 ± 0.5, thus opening an avenue to further characterisation of the Henlea sp. bioluminescence system. ActH did not produce bioluminescence without the luciferin with an as yet unknown chemical structure. We propose that ActH and the novel sulfated deazariboflavin ActS either emit the light of the Henlea sp. bioluminescence and/or accept hydride(s) donor upon luciferin oxidation.

Similarities and differences between the Chaetopterus variopedatus polychaete luciferases depending on the type of habitat

The marine polychaete Chaetopterus variopedatus (Renier) (family Chaetopteridae) is a cosmopolitan species complex, consisting of distinct populations/ subspecies. The worms release glowing (460 nm) clouds of mucus when disturbed, and their parapodia often glow brightly. Currently, it is still unclear how exactly the bioluminescence system of these polychaetes functions. It has been previously assumed that the C. variopedatus luciferase may be used for detection of ferroptosis, the recently explored pathway of programmed cell death, resulting from accumulation of the ferrous ions. This study was aimed to extract and characterize the C. variopedatus luciferases, as well as to compare luciferases obtained from C. variopedatus of different populations. When extracting the enzyme responsible for bioluminescence from the frozen samples of Brazilian C. variopedatus using the improved method, two active luciferases, L1 and L2, were obtained. We assumed that one of the listed above luciferases was responsible for luminescence of the mucus and the other luciferase was responsible for luminescence in parapodia, and used the method for the distinct samples of mucus and parapodia of the living Far Eastern C. variopedatus. However, mucus of the latter turned out to be non-glowing. It is shown that luciferase L2 is responsible for luminescence in the parapodia of the C. variopedatus polychaete, since this luciferase has been found in the total biomass of Brazilian polychaetes and parapodia of Far Eastern polychaetes. Luminescence of the Brazilian C. variopedatus mucus is attributed to the functioning of luciferase L1, which is lacking in the mucus of the Far Eastern subspecies. The range of luciferase isoforms in polychaetes C. variopedatus depends on the place of origin.

Unexpected Coelenterazine Degradation Products of Beroe abyssicola Photoprotein Photoinactivation

Ca²⁺-regulated photoproteins of ctenophores lose bioluminescence activity when exposed to visible light. Little is known about the chemical nature of chromophore photoinactivation. Using a total synthesis strategy, we have established the structures of two unusual coelenterazine products, isolated from recombinant berovin of the ctenophore Beroe abyssicola, which are Z/E isomers. We propose that during light irradiation, these derivatives are formed from 2-hydroperoxycoelenterazine via the intermediate 8a-peroxide by a mechanism reminiscent of that previously described for the auto-oxidation of green-fluorescent-protein-like chromophores.

The Recombinant Luciferase of the Fungus Neonothopanus nambi: Obtaining and Properties

A key component of the recently described bioluminescent system of higher fungi is luciferase, a new class of proteins. The properties of fungal luciferase and their relationship with its structure are interesting both for improving autoluminescent systems already created on its basis and for creating new ones. Therefore, it is extremely important to understand the spatial structure of this protein. We have performed heterologous expression and purification of Neonothopanus nambi luciferase, obtained a protein suitable for subsequent crystallization, and also determined some biochemical properties of the recombinant luciferase.

Rational Design and Mutagenesis of Fungal Luciferase from Neonothopanus nambi

The recently described bioluminescent system from fungi has great potential for developing highly efficient tools for biomedical research. Luciferase enzyme is one of the most crucial components of this system. The luciferase from Neonothopanus nambi fungus belongs to the novel still undescribed protein family. The structure data for this protein is almost absent. A detailed study of the N. nambi luciferase properties is necessary for the improvement of analytical methods based on the fungal bioluminescent system. Here we present the positions of key amino acid residues and their effect on enzyme function described using bioinformatic and experimental approaches. These results are useful for further fungal luciferase structure determination.

Luciferin-Luciferase System of Marine Polychaete Chaetopterus variopedatus

This paper presents the preliminary results of the separation of the Chaetopterus variopedatus bioluminescent system into luciferin and luciferase and a brief description of some of their properties.

Comparison of Earthworm Bioluminescent Systems

The results of a comparative study of the luciferin-luciferase systems of seven species of bioluminescing oligochaetes-Henlea petushkovi, Henlea rodionovae, Fridericia heliota (Enchytraeidae), Microscolex phosphoreus (Acanthodrilidae), Pontodrilus litoralis (Megascolecidae), Eisenia lucens, and Avelona ligra (Lumbricidae)-are presented.

Green light to an integrative view of Microscolex phosphoreus (Dugès, 1837) (Annelida: Clitellata: Acanthodrilidae)

The small synanthropic and peregrine earthworm Microscolex phosphoreus (Dugès, 1837) is reported for the first time from Siberia. Morphological and DNA barcode (COI) analyses of this and widely separate samples worldwide demonstrate that, as currently identified, M. phosphoreus is a heterogeneous taxon, with divergent lineages occurring often in the same locality and hardly providing geographically structured genetic signals. The combined morphological and genetic evidence suggests that at least four of the found clades should be reclassified as separate species, both morphologically and genetically distinct from each other. However, as the specimen number was limited and only the COI gene was studied for the genetic work, we hesitate in formally describing new species. There would also be the problem of assigning the available names to specific lineages. Our findings encourage careful external and anatomical examination and using reliable characters such as the interchaetal distances and spermathecal morphology for correct identification and for deeper evaluation of cryptic diversity in this interesting bioluminescent worm.

Low-Molecular-Weight Components of Luminescent Reaction of the Siberian Enchytraeid Henlea sp

The first results of the study of chromatographic and spectral properties of the detected lowmolecular-weight activators, putative emitters in the luminescent reaction of Siberian enchytraeid Henlea sp., are presented.

Isolation and Purification of Fungal Luciferase from Neonothopanus nimbi

This is the first study to obtain a high-purity luciferase from the fungus Neonothopanus nambi biomass that is suitable for subsequent sequencing.

Structure of fungal oxyluciferin, the product of the bioluminescence reaction

The structure of fungal oxyluciferin was determined, the enzymatic bioluminescence reaction under substrate saturation conditions with discrete monitoring of formed products was conducted, and the structures of the end products of the reaction were established. On the basis of these studies, the scheme of oxyluciferin degradation to the end products was developed. The structure of fungal oxyluciferin was confirmed by counter synthesis.

Why does the bioluminescent fungus Armillaria mellea have luminous mycelium but nonluminous fruiting body?

By determining the components involved in the bioluminescence process in luminous and nonluminous organs of the honey fungus Armillaria mellea, we have established causes of partial luminescence of this fungus. The complete set of enzymes and substrates required for bioluminescence is formed only in the mycelium and only under the conditions of free oxygen access. Since the synthesis of luciferin precursor (hispidin) and 3-hydroxyhispidin hydroxylase in the fruiting bodies is blocked, the formation of luciferin-the key component of fungal bioluminescent system-was not observed. That is why the fruiting body of Armillaria mellea is nonluminous despite the presence of luciferase, the enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin with a photon emission.

Mechanism and color modulation of fungal bioluminescence

Bioluminescent fungi are spread throughout the globe, but details on their mechanism of light emission are still scarce. Usually, the process involves three key components: an oxidizable luciferin substrate, a luciferase enzyme, and a light emitter, typically oxidized luciferin, and called oxyluciferin. We report the structure of fungal oxyluciferin, investigate the mechanism of fungal bioluminescence, and describe the use of simple synthetic α-pyrones as luciferins to produce multicolor enzymatic chemiluminescence. A high-energy endoperoxide is proposed as an intermediate of the oxidation of the native luciferin to the oxyluciferin, which is a pyruvic acid adduct of caffeic acid. Luciferase promiscuity allows the use of simple α-pyrones as chemiluminescent substrates.

Progress in the Study of Bioluminescent Earthworms

Even though bioluminescent oligochaetes rarely catch people's eyes due to their secretive lifestyle, glowing earthworms sighting reports have come from different areas on all continents except Antarctica. A major breakthrough in the research of earthworm bioluminescence occurred in the 1960s with the studies of the North American Diplocardia longa. Comparative studies conducted on 13 earthworm species belonging to six genera showed that N-isovaleryl-3-aminopropanal (Diplocardia luciferin) is the common substrate for bioluminescence in all examined species, while luciferases appeared to be responsible for the color of bioluminescence. The second momentous change in the situation has occurred with the discovery in Siberia (Russia) of two unknown luminous enchytraeids. The two bioluminescent systems belong to different types, have different spectral characteristics and localization, and different temperature and pH optima. They are unique, and this fact is confirmed by the negative results of all possible cross-reactions. The bioluminescent system of Henlea sp. comprises four essential components: luciferase, luciferin, oxygen and calcium ion. For Friderica heliota, the luminescent reaction requires five components: luciferase, luciferin, ATP, magnesium ion and oxygen. Along with luciferin, more than a dozen analogues were isolated from worm biomass. These novel peptide-like natural compounds represent an unprecedented chemistry found in terrestrial organisms.

Novel peptide chemistry in terrestrial animals: natural luciferin analogues from the bioluminescent earthworm Fridericia heliota

We report isolation and structure elucidation of AsLn5, AsLn7, AsLn11 and AsLn12: novel luciferin analogs from the bioluminescent earthworm Fridericia heliota. They were found to be highly unusual modified peptides, comprising either of the two tyrosine-derived chromophores, CompX or CompY and a set of amino acids, including threonine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, homoarginine, and unsymmetrical N,N-dimethylarginine. These natural compounds represent a unique peptide chemistry found in terrestrial animals and rise novel questions concerning their biosynthetic origin.

A novel type of luciferin from the Siberian luminous earthworm Fridericia heliota: structure elucidation by spectral studies and total synthesis

The structure elucidation and synthesis of the luciferin from the recently discovered luminous earthworm Fridericia heliota is reported. This luciferin is a key component of a novel ATP-dependent bioluminescence system. UV, fluorescence, NMR, and HRMS spectroscopy studies were performed on 0.005 mg of the isolated substance and revealed four isomeric structures that conform to spectral data. These isomers were chemically synthesized and one of them was found to produce light when reacted with a protein extract from F. heliota. The novel luciferin was found to have an unusual extensively modified peptidic nature, thus implying an unprecedented mechanism of action.

Effect of different salts and detergents on luciferin-luciferase luminescence of the enchytraeid Fridericia heliota

The study addresses the effect produced by different inorganic salts and detergents (SDS, Triton X-100, the Tween series) on the ATP-dependent bioluminescent reaction catalyzed by the luciferase of the new earthworm species Fridericia heliota (Annelida: Clitellata: Oligochaeta: Enchytraeidae). It has been shown that the effect of divalent metal salts on luminescence is determined by the action of cations. Three of them - Mg(2+), Mn(2+) and Ca(2+) - can stimulate luciferase activity at concentrations varying within a wide range, and Mn(2+) can act as a 100%-effective substitute for Mg(2+) in F. heliota luminescence reaction in vitro. The inhibitory effect of monovalent metal salts on luminescence is largely determined by the action of the anion part of the molecule. The effectiveness of the inhibitory effect of anions increases in the following order: Cl(-)<CO(3)(-2) approximately SO(3)(-2) approximately Br(-)<SO(4)(-2) approximately PO(4)(-3)<NO(3)(-)<I(-)<<Cr(2)O(7)(-2)<<Fe(CN)(6)(-3). Of the sodium salts, dodecyl sulfate, which is an anionic detergent, produces the strongest inhibitory effect on luciferase. On the contrary, nonionic detergents produce a stimulatory effect on the F. heliota luciferase. The action of the most effective of them - Triton X-100 - is determined by its ability to reduce the actual concentration of lipid inhibitors in the reaction mixture.

Purification and characterization of flavoproteins and cytochromes from the yellow bioluminescence marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri strain Y1

Several flavoproteins and cytochromes that occur as major components in extracts of the yellow bioluminescence Y1 strain of the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri have been purified and characterized with respect to their mass (SDS/PAGE and matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization MS), chromatographic properties, N-terminal sequence, and spectroscopy (absorption, fluorescence emission and anisotropy decay). The investigated proteins were as follows: yellow fluorescence protein (YFP) with bound riboflavin, FMN or 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine; a blue fluorescence protein (BFP) with bound 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine, riboflavin, or 6-methyl-7-oxo-8-ribityllumazine; thioredoxin reductase with FAD as ligand; and two c-type diheme cytochromes, c551 and c554. We present evidence that the riboflavin-bound YFP has an N-terminal sequence corresponding to that published for the dimeric YFP. We show that an equilibrium replacement of the riboflavin can be made with excess lumazine derivative and that lumazine-bound YFP has different bioluminescence properties to those of the lumazine protein from Photobacterium leiognathi. BFP is a different protein again, and in the bacterial lysate it occurs in multiple forms, ligated to either riboflavin, lumazine, or the 7-oxolumazine derivative. The N-terminal sequence for BFP shows similarities to those of the YFP proteins and to lumazine protein and riboflavin synthase from Photobacterium. BFP in any form has no bioluminescence or riboflavin-synthase activity. A 70-kDa fluorescent flavoprotein with FAD as ligand has an N-terminal sequence highly similar to those of thioredoxin reductases from Haemophilus influenzae and Escherichia coli. Cytochrome contaminations in previous preparations of YFP have been removed and are identified as the two c-type cytochromes c551 and c554. Both inhibit the NADH-induced bioluminescence in the reductase/luciferase system with the luciferases from P. leiognathi and V. fischeri. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the cytochrome (c551) corresponds to a diheme cytochrome c4. The spectral properties of c554 are similar to those of other c5 cytochromes, and both c554 and c551 have absorption spectra similar to those of the respective cytochromes from the gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas and Azotobacter.

Interaction of Photobacterium leiognathi and Vibrio fischeri Y1 luciferases with fluorescent (antenna) proteins: bioluminescence effects of the aliphatic additive

The kinetics of the bacterial bioluminescence reaction is altered in the presence of the fluorescent (antenna) proteins, lumazine protein (LumP) from Photobacterium or the yellow fluorescence proteins (YFP) having FMN or Rf bound, from Vibrio fischeri strain Y1. Depending on reaction conditions, the bioluminescence intensity and its decay rate may be either enhanced or strongly quenched in the presence of the fluorescent proteins. These effects can be simply explained on the basis of the same protein-protein complex model that accounts for the bioluminescence spectral shifts induced by these fluorescent proteins. In such a complex, where the fluorophore evidently is in proximity to the luciferase active site, it is expected that the on-off rate of certain aliphatic components of the reaction should be altered with a consequent shift in the equilibria among the luciferase intermediates, as recently elaborated in a kinetic scheme. These aliphatic components are the bioluminescence reaction substrate, tetradecanal or other long-chain aldehyde, its carboxylic acid product, or dodecanol used as a stabilizer of the luciferase peroxyflavin. No evidence can be found for the protein-protein interaction in the absence of the aliphatic component.

Direct measurement of excitation transfer in the protein complex of bacterial luciferase hydroxyflavin and the associated yellow fluorescence proteins from Vibrio fischeri Y1

Time-resolved fluorescence was used to directly measure the energy transfer rate constant in the protein-protein complex involved in the yellow bioluminescence of Vibrio fischeri, strain Y1. In this reaction the putative donor is the fluorescent transient intermediate, luciferase hydroxyflavin, which exhibits a major fluorescence lifetime of the bound flavin of 10 ns. On addition of the acceptor, the V. fischeri yellow fluorescence protein containing either FMN or riboflavin as ligand, a rapid decay time, 0.25 ns, becomes predominant. The same results are observed using rec-luciferase from Photobacterium leiognathi to produce the donor. Because of favorable spectral separation in this system, this rapid decay rate of 4 ns-1, can be directly equated to the energy transfer rate. This rate is ten times higher than the rate previously observed in the Photobacterium luciferase hydroxyflavin-lumazine protein, donor-acceptor system, derived from emission anisotropy measurements. This ten-times ratio is close to the ratio of spectral overlaps of the donor fluorescence with the acceptor absorption, between these two systems, so it is concluded that the topology of the protein complexes in both cases, must be very similar. Energy transfer is also monitored by the loss of steady-state fluorescence intensity at 460 nm of the donor, on addition of the acceptor protein. A fluorescence titration indicates that luciferase hydroxyflavin and the yellow protein complex with a 1:1 stoichiometry with a Kd of 0.7 microM (0 degree C). These parameters account for the bioluminescence spectral shifting effects observed in these reactions.

The yellow bioluminescence bacterium, Vibrio fischeri Y1, contains a bioluminescence active riboflavin protein in addition to the yellow fluorescence FMN protein

The yellow bioluminescence Y1 strain of Vibrio fischeri can produce a 22 kDa protein with either FMN or riboflavin as a bound fluorophore. Both forms are active for shifting the bioluminescence spectral maximum. The fluorescence spectral distribution of the two proteins differs slightly and the in vivo emission appears to be an equal mixture of the two. The bioluminescence activity of the riboflavin Y1 protein contrasts with the inactivity of the related Photobacterium type.

Properties of recombinant fluorescent proteins from Photobacterium leiognathi and their interaction with luciferase intermediates

Ligand binding and luciferase interaction properties of the recombinant protein corresponding to the lumazine protein gene (EMBL X56534) of Photobacterium leiognathi have been determined by fluorescence dynamics, circular dichroism, gel filtration, and SDS-PAGE. Scatchard analysis of a fluorescence titration shows that the apoprotein possess one binding site, and at 30 degrees C the KdS (microM) are as follows: 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine, 0.26; riboflavin, 0.53; and much more weakly bound FMN, 30. All holoproteins are highly fluorescent and have absorption spectra distinct from each other and from the free ligands. The longest wavelength absorption maxima are, respectively (nm, 2 degrees C), 420, 463, and 458. Ligand binding produces no change in the far-UV circular dichroism; all have mean residual ellipticity at 210 nm of -6500 deg cm2 dmol-1, the same as the native protein. However, in the bioluminescence reaction only the lumazine holoprotein shows a bioluminescence effect. Fluorescence emission anisotropy decay was used to establish that none of these holoproteins complexed with native luciferase and that the lumazine protein alone formed a 1:1 complex with the luciferase hydroxyflavin fluorescent transient and the luciferase peroxyflavin intermediates, revealed by a dominant channel of anisotropy loss, with rotational correlation time of 2.5 ns, and attributed to excitation transfer from the luciferase flavin donor to the acceptor, the lumazine ligand. The complex stability was sufficient to allow its isolation by FPLC gel filtration and verification by SDS-PAGE. These methods also confirmed the absence of interaction of the holoflavoproteins.

[A bioluminescence method of determining the activity of NAD-dependent hydrogenase]

An analytical multienzyme system composed of NAD-dependent hydrogenase of Alcaligenes eutrophus, and reductase and luciferase from luminous bacteria was studied. The rate of luminescence increase of this system was found to be proportional to hydrogenase activity. The apparent Michaelis constants for NAD and hydrogen were determined (5 and 40 microM, respectively). The pH optimum is 7.5-9.0. Over the NAD concentration range from 20 to 100 microM, the rate of luminescence increase changed by less than 10%. At higher concentrations of NAD a monotonous decreasing of the rate of luminescence increase was observed. The proposed multienzyme system can be used for measuring the hydrogenase activity and hydrogen concentration. The high sensitivity to hydrogen (0.1 nmol in sample) and to hydrogenase (0.5 mU) and specificity of the system enable its application in the development of a biosensor for rapid detection of hydrogen in a medium.

[Bioluminescent method of determining antiprotease activity]

A method for antiprotease activity measurement based on the use of luminous bacteria luciferase as protein substrate of proteases is suggested. Antiprotease is incubated with protease for 1 to 2 min at 30 degrees C and then it is added to the reaction mixture containing luciferase, NADH: FMN-oxidoreductase and their substrates--myristic aldehyde, FMN and NADH. Biofluorescence is measured in a temperature-controlled cuvette for 1 min. The total time of the measurement is 3 min. The method can be applied both in fine biochemical assays and in medical rapid diagnosis.

[Thermoinactivation of bacterial luciferase]

The kinetics of thermal inactivation of bacterial luciferase was studied. It was found that the reaction substrates produce a weak protecting effect against the enzyme inactivation. EDTA, dithiothreitol and bovine serum albumin considerably stabilize the luciferase. The hypothetical mechanism of the enzyme inactivation involves oxidation of SH-groups and dissociation of the dimer into inactive monomers.