Insect luciferases: diversity, structural and functional evolution, and engineering for biotechnological purposes

• Grant number: 06/05116-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: August 01, 2007 - January 31, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Radiology and Photobiology
• Principal Investigator: Vadim Viviani
• Grantee: Vadim Viviani
• Host Institution: Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Campus de Sorocaba. Sorocaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project aims to study insect luciferases, specially the relationship between structure and function in beetle luciferases and their origin and molecular evolution. Several beetle luciferases from the families Lampyridae, Elateriade and Phengodidae which produce different bioluminescence colors were previously cloned. Through physical-chemical characterization, site-directed mutagenesis, protein engineering, molecular modelling and X-ray chrystallography we are investigating how beetle luciferases determine different bioluminescence colors and their catalytic activity. Finally, through site-directed mutagenesis, we are constructing new luciferases with optmized properties for use in biosensors and biotechnological purposes. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TONOLLI, PAULO N.; OKAWACHI, FERNANDA M.; ABDALLA, FABIO C.; VIVIANI, VADIM R.. Bioluminescent Fat Body of Larval Aspisoma lineatum (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) Firefly: Ontogenic Precursor of Lantern's Photogenic Tissue. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, v. 104, n. 4, p. 761-767, JUL 2011. (06/05116-3)

Filed patent(s) as a result of this research project