Expression of theRenilla reniformis Luciferase Gene in Mammalian Cells

Optical imaging of Renilla luciferase reporter gene expression in living mice

“…We did not observe any direct toxicity in our mice studies, but formal toxicology studies will need to be performed. The stable expression of Rluc gene in C5 fibroblast has indirectly demonstrated the nontoxicity of the Rluc gene product in mammalian cells as reported (18). Toxicology studies have also not yet been reported for D-luciferin, even though many published studies use this substrate in living rodents.…”

“…Previous studies with Fluc and Dluciferin have also not addressed the biodistribution of Dluciferin but have found through placing cells in various sites, using various gene delivery vectors, and transgenic models the high accessibility of D-luciferin to various tissues, including the brain. It is likely that coelenterazine will also be accessible to many tissues because of its diffusable nature (18), but this will require further detailed investigation. We are currently pursuing biodistribution studies by attempting to radiolabel both coelenterazine and D-luciferin.…”

BODIPY-coelenterazine conjugates as self-illuminating substrates for NanoLuc

“…Along these lines, significant efforts have been devoted to synthesising derivatives of the luciferase-type substrate coelenterazine (CTZ). 17 Unlike conventional D-luciferin, CTZ does not require ATP for activation. To improve optical performance, modifications of CTZ [18][19][20][21] and dye conjugates 19 were reported.…”

Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Proteins: Molecular Mechanisms and Modern Applications

“…Several years later, the genes encoding luciferases from marine ostracod Vargula hilgendorfii and soft coral Renilla reniformis were also cloned [1,2]. Immediately, these bioluminescent proteins were tested as reporters via the expression of genes encoding them in eukaryotic cells [3][4][5][6]. In point of fact, these studies laid the foundation for various applications of bioluminescent proteins for the in vivo imaging of intracellular events, and now, these bioluminescent technologies are widely used in all fields of biology or experimental medicine.…”