Fungal bioluminescence: ecological role, purification and cloning of enzymes

• Grant number: 11/10507-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2011
• Effective date (End): June 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Radiology and Photobiology
• Principal Investigator: Cassius Vinicius Stevani
• Grantee: Hans Eugene Waldenmaier
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The study of bioluminescent organisms has resulted in great advancements in Biotechnology and Medicine. There are relatively few bioluminescent systems that have been studied in detail and domesticated. Fungal bioluminescence presents a novel system, where a membrane bound protein probably catalyzes the light emitting reaction. In the other known bioluminescent systems the enzymes are soluble. The fungal system could enable new advancements in research, Biotechnology, and Medicine. After decades since the initial cell-free bioluminescent experiments with fungal extracts, Oliveira and Stevani confirmed the involvement of a luciferase in the process of light emission. This process is similar to what occurs in bacteria, it involves a NAD(P)H dependent reductase, and a oxygen dependent luciferase that is associated with the insoluble protein fraction. The nature of these enzymesat the amino acid sequence level is unknown. The purpose of bioluminescence in fungi is unclear, studies have demonstrated that some insects are attracted to the fungal lights and could potentially be involved in spore dispersal. Many species only emit light from the mycelium complicating the notionthat the role of bioluminescence is to attract spore dispersers. Given the increasing role of bioluminescence in research, Biotechnology, and Medicine and the vague understanding of the functional role of bioluminescence in fungi, focus needs to be given to this topic. This project aims to characterize fungal bioluminescence at the ecological level by studyinginsect/fungi interactions, and to isolate and characterize the enzymes involved in the bioluminescence system at the amino acid level. (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)

KOTLOBAY, ALEXEY A.; SARKISYAN, KAREN S.; MOKRUSHINA, YULIANA A.; MARCET-HOUBEN, MARINA; SEREBROVSKAYA, EKATERINA O.; MARKINA, NADEZHDA M.; SOMERMEYER, LOUISA GONZALEZ; GOROKHOVATSKY, ANDREY Y.; VVEDENSKY, ANDREY; PURTOV, KONSTANTIN V.; et al. Genetically encodable bioluminescent system from fungi. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, v. 115, n. 50, p. 12728-12732, DEC 11 2018. (10/11578-5, 13/16885-1, 11/10507-0)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

WALDENMAIER, Hans Eugene. Fungal bioluminescence: ecological role, purification and cloning of enzymes. 2016. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ) São Paulo.