Investigation of substrate-luciferase interaction of fungal bioluminescence

• Grant number: 18/07103-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2018
• End date: July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Radiology and Photobiology
• Principal Investigator: Cassius Vinicius Stevani
• Grantee: Samir Vargas da Fonseca Atum
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The purpose of the present scientific initiation project is the physical-chemical characterization of the reaction of fungal luciferin (3-hydroxyphispidine) with the recombinant luciferase of the fungus Neonothopanus nambi. Fungal luciferase, as a promiscuous enzyme, also accepts other substrates, leading to the emission of light. Initially, molar absorptivity values will be determined for the luciferin and for the luciferin derivatives available in the laboratory. Then, enzymatic parameters of the luciferin-luciferase reaction (Vmax, KM, kcat) will be determined. Chemiluminescence quantum yield values (¦CL) will also be determined for natural and synthetic luciferins.