Enzymatic Conversion of Cypridina Luciferyl Sulfate to Cypridina Luciferin with Coenzyme A as a Sulfate Acceptor in Cypridina (Vargula) hilgendorfii

In the luminous ostracod Cypridina (presently Vargula) hilgendorfii, Cypridina luciferyl sulfate (3‐enol sulfate of Cypridina luciferin) is converted to Cypridina luciferin by a sulfotransferase with 3′‐phosphoadenosine‐5′‐phosphate (PAP) as a sulfate acceptor. The resultant Cypridina luciferin is used for the luciferase–luciferin reaction of Cypridina to emit blue light. The luminescence stimulation with major organic cofactors was examined using the crude extracts of Cypridina specimens, and we found that the addition of coenzyme A (CoA) to the crude extracts significantly stimulated luminescence intensity. Further, the light‐emitting source in the crude extracts stimulated with CoA was identified as Cypridina luciferyl sulfate, and we demonstrated that CoA could act as a sulfate acceptor from Cypridina luciferyl sulfate. In addition, the sulfate group of Cypridina luciferyl sulfate was also transferred to adenosine 5′‐monophosphate (5′‐AMP) and adenosine 3′‐monophosphate (3′‐AMP) by a sulfotransferase. The sulfated products corresponding to CoA, 5′‐AMP and 3′‐AMP were identified using mass spectrometry. This is the first report that CoA can act as a sulfate acceptor in a sulfotransferase reaction.     

Identification of the biosynthetic units of Cypridina luciferin in Cypridina (Vargula) hilgendorfii by LC/ESI-TOF-MS

In a luminous ostracod Cypridina (Vargula) hilgendorfii, Cypridina luciferin with an imidazopyrazinone structure (3,7-dihydroimidazopyrazin-3-one) is utilized for the luminescence reaction. To identify the biosynthetic units of Cypridina luciferin, the stable isotope labeled compounds were examined by feeding experiments with living Cypridina specimens. The incorporation of the labeled compounds into Cypridina luciferin was identified by the method of LC/ESI-TOF-MS analyses and these results suggested that l-tryptophan, l-arginine and l-isoleucine are structural units of Cypridina luciferin.     

Identification of 3-enol sulfate of Cypridina luciferin,Cypridina luciferyl sulfate,in the sea-firefly Cypridina (Vargula) hilgendorfii

Cypridina luciferin from the luminous ostracod Cypridina (Vargula) hilgendorfii has an imidazopyrazinone core structure (3,7-dihydroimidazopyrazin-3-one), which is identical to that of coelenterazine. Cypridina luciferyl sulfate (3-enol sulfate of Cypridina luciferin) was isolated for the first time and the chemical structure was identified by LC/ESI–TOF–MS analysis. Furthermore, Cypridina luciferyl sulfate was chemically synthesized, and its absorption and MS/MS spectra were in agreement with that of Cypridina luciferyl sulfate isolated. Using the crude extracts of Cypridina specimens, Cypridina luciferyl sulfate could be converted to Cypridina luciferin in the presence of adenosine 3′,5′-diphosphate (PAP), and Cypridina luciferin was converted to Cypridina luciferyl sulfate in the presence of 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS). These results suggested that a sulfotransferase catalyzes the reversible sulfation of Cypridina luciferin in Cypridina hilgendorfii. In aqueous solution, Cypridina luciferyl sulfate was more stable than Cypridina luciferin and might be a storage form of Cypridina luciferin.     

Cypridina bioluminescence—VII : The bioluminescence of Cypridina luciferin analogs

The relative rates of bioluminescence, as well as chemiluminescence, among Cypridina luciferin analogs, and the relative light yield between bioluminescence and chemiluminescence of each of the analogs have been measured with reference to Cypridina luciferin.     

Quantum yield improvement of red-light-emitting firefly luciferin analogues for in vivo bioluminescence imaging

The dimethylamino group of AkaLumine ((4S)-2-[(1E,3E)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1,3-butadien-1-yl]-4,5-dihydro-4-thiazolecarboxylic acid), a red-light-emitting firefly luciferin analogue, was replaced by cyclic amino groups (1-pyrrolidinyl, 1-piperidino, 1-azepanyl, and 4-morpholino) to give AkaLumine analogues exhibiting desirable bioluminescence with emission maxima in the red region (656–667 nm). In particular, a bioluminescence reaction of 1-pyrrolidinyl analogue with a recombinant Photinus pyralis luciferase showed a higher quantum yield than that with AkaLumine, giving an improved bioluminescence intensity. The 1-pyrrolidinyl analogue also showed the strongest luminescence in whole-body luciferase-expressing mice among the analogues, indicating that a quantum yield improvement of a luciferin analogue is effective to increase bioluminescence imaging intensity.     

Synthesis and evaluation of new caged compound with thiochromone derivative

A new caged firefly luciferin (luciferin) with a thiochromone S,S-dioxide (TSSDO) as a photolabile protecting group was synthesized. Photodeprotection of the caged compound proceeded smoothly under photoirradiation at 365 nm in aqueous solution. The bioluminescence of the regenerated luciferin after uncaging was detected using a typical luciferin–luciferase reaction. These results indicated that TSSDO could be an attractive chemical tool for regulating biological phenomena.     

Chemiluminescence of 6-aryl-2-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3(7H)-ones in DMSO/TMG and in diglyme/acetate buffer: support for the chemiexcitation process to generate the singlet-excited state of neutral oxyluciferin in a high quantum yield in the Cypridina (Vargula) bioluminescence mechanism

The chemiluminescence of 6-aryl-2-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3(7H)-ones (Cypridina luciferin analogues) in DMSO/1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine and in diglyme/acetate buffer was investigated. The results indicate that the reaction mechanism that produces a high chemiluminescence quantum yield involves a chemiexcitation process from a neutral dioxetanone intermediate possessing an electron-donating aryl group (σ_Ar <−0.6) to the singlet-excited state of neutral acetamidopyrazine. This result may be applied to the reaction mechanism for Cypridina (Vargula) bioluminescence.     

Luciferins, bioluminescent substances

The bioluminescence of the American firefly Photinus is due to the reaction of 2-(6-hydroxybenzothiazol-2-yl)-Δ²-1,3-thiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (“firefly luciferin”) with the enzyme luciferase in the presence of ATP and magnesium ion. In the crustacean Cypridina, on the other hand, the bioluminescence is due to the reaction of a luciferase with 8-(3-guanidinopropyl)-6-indol-3-yl-2-(1-methylpropyl)-3,7-dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]-pyrazin-3-one (“Cypridina luciferin”). The luciferin in Latia is 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-(4-formyloxy-3-methyl-3-butenyl)-1-cyclohexene and that in Renilla is a tryptamine derivative that has not yet been accurately identified; the luciferins of other luminescent organisms are not yet known. A review is given of the investigations which have been carried out on the above luciferins and the course of the luciferin-luciferase reaction is examined. Numerous spectral data obtained during the examination of these compounds are included in the text.     

Mechanically Assisted Bioluminescence with Natural Luciferase

Mechanochemical analogues have recently been established for several enzymatic reactions, but they require periodic interruption of the reaction for sampling, dissolution, and (bio)chemical analysis to monitor their progress. By applying a mechanochemical procedure to induce bioluminescence analogous to that used by the marine ostracod Cypridina (Vargula) hilgendorfii, here we demonstrate that the light emitted by a bioluminescent reaction can be used to directly monitor the progress of a mechanoenzymatic reaction without sampling. Mechanical treatment of Cypridina luciferase with luciferin generates bright blue light which can be readily detected and analyzed spectroscopically. This mechanically assisted bioluminescence proceeds through a mechanism identical to that of bioluminescence in solution, but has higher activation energy due to being diffusion‐controlled in the viscous matrix. The results suggest that luciferases could be used as light‐emissive reporters of mechanoenzymatic reactions.     

Improved procedures for the synthesis of (S)-2-[N-(N′-benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone (BPB) and Ni(II) complexes of Schiff's bases derived from BPB and amino acids

(S)-N-Benzylproline (BP) was obtained by the reaction of (S)-proline and benzylchloride in high chemical yield (89%). (S)-2-[N-(N′-Benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone (BPB) was synthesized in amounts greater than 100 g by the SOCl₂ promoted condensation of BP with 2-aminobenzophenone (yield 82%). Ni(II) complexes of Schiff's bases derived from BPB and amino acids were prepared by an improved procedure involving the use of KOH as a base and MeOH as solvent (yield 90–91%).     

Bioluminescence activity of Latia luciferin analogues: replacement of the 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexene ring onto the methyl-substituted phenyl groups

A series of Latia luciferin analogues having methyl-substituted phenyl groups instead of the natural 2,6,6-trimethylhexene ring was synthesized and their bioluminescence activity were measured. The Latia luciferase was found to be able to moderately recognize the appropriately methyl-substituted phenyl analogues with the same light production kinetics as that of natural luciferin.     

Pre-organization-mediated macrocylization: efficient synthesis and structural investigations of BINOL-m-phenylenediamine-derived macrocycles

This letter describes a serendipitous discovery of an efficient synthetic route to BINOL-m-phenylenediamine-derived macrocycles. These macrocycles are quickly accessible in an one-pot procedure by the direct condensation of (R) and (S) BINOL bis-acids with suitably substituted m-phenylenediamine analogs. Structural investigations by single crystal X-ray crystallography and solution-state NMR studies provided convincing evidence of their intramolecular hydrogen bonding arrangement and rigid structural architecture. The striking feature of these macrocycles is their ready accessibility in optically pure form coupled with their ease of synthesis.     

Directed Improvement of Luciferin Regenerating Enzyme Binding Properties: Implication of Some Conserved Residues in Luciferin‐Binding Domain

Luciferin regenerating enzyme (LRE) contributes to in vitro recycling of d ‐luciferin to produce persistent and longer light emission by luciferase. Luciferin binding domains I and II among LREs regarded as potential candidates for luciferin‐binding sites. In this study, for the first time, amino acids T69, G75 and K77 located at luciferin binding domain I of LRE from L. turkestanicus (T‐LRE) substituted by using site‐directed mutagenesis. Single mutant T⁶⁹R increased luciferase light output more than two‐fold over a longer time in comparison with a wild‐type and other mutants of T‐LRE. Nevertheless, double mutant (K⁷⁷E/T⁶⁹R) increased the amount of bioluminescent signal more than two‐fold over a short time. In addition, G⁷⁵E, K⁷⁷E and G⁷⁵E/T⁶⁹R mutants did not improve luciferin–luciferase in vitro bioluminescence. Based on our results, addition of K⁷⁷E/G⁷⁵E and K⁷⁷E/G⁷⁵E/T⁶⁹R mutants caused intermediate changes in bioluminescence from in vitro luciferin–luciferase reaction. These findings indicated that the amino acids in question are possible to be located within T‐LRE active site. It may also be suggested that substituted Arg69 (Arg218) plays an important role in luciferin binding and the existence of Gly75 as well as Lys77 is essential for T‐LRE which has already evolved to have different functions in nature.     

Synthesis and asymmetric catalytic activity of (1S,1′S)-4,4′-biquinazoline-based primary amines

A series of (1S,1′S)-4,4′-biquinazoline-based primary amines were prepared from natural amino acids via a six-step reaction sequence of protection and condensation followed by key synthetic steps including chlorination, nickel(0)-mediated homocoupling, and deprotection. These novel amines were screened for the asymmetric ethylation of aryl aldehydes to yield alcohols with an (S)-configuration with enantiomeric excesses (ee) varying from 2% to 95%.     

Microbial detection of toxic compounds utilizing recombinant DNA technology and bioluminescence

A microbial sensing system was developed utilizing recombinant DNA technology for the determination of environmental pollutants. The emission of light in Escherichia coli was achieved by cloning the genes encoding luciferase from firefly and by injection of the luminescence substrate luciferin. A good correlation was observed between increased luminescence and the concentration of luciferin. Measurement of environmental pollutants was based on the decrease of in vivo luminescence intensity emitted by recombinant E. coli, which was affected by cell metabolic inactivator. Environmental pollutants such as sodium azide and fluoroacetic acid, which are components of ATP-inhibiting pesticides, and antibiotics were detected at or below the μg ml^?1 level by this system by measurement of the decrease in in vivo luminescence.     

Evaluation of mono- and dipeptides as organocatalysts for enantioselective aldol reaction

Catalytic activities of (3S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (THIQA)-based mono- and dipeptides and their l-proline analogs in asymmetric aldol reaction were investigated. THIQA-based dipeptides showed better enantioselectivity than proline analogs, whereas proline-based dipeptides gave higher yield in the aldol reaction of cyclohexanone with several aldehydes in dichloromethane at −10 °C in the presence of benzoic acid.     

Larval Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Fat Body Extracts Catalyze Firefly D-Luciferin- and ATP-Dependent Chemiluminescence: A Luciferase-like Enzyme*

Ultraweak light emission was detected upon injection of firefly luciferin into live Tenebrio larvae. A chemilumi-nescent enzymatic activity dependent on molecular oxygen, D-luciferin and MgATP was then isolated from larval fat body extracts by precipitation with 70% ammonium sulfate. D-Luciferin and ATP can be replaced by luciferyl-adenylate. Pyrophosphate is a main product from the chemiluminescent reaction. The in vitro chemiluminescence intensity was not affected by peroxidase inhibitors such as N₃^?_- (0.5 mM) and CN^? (1 mM), attesting to its nonperoxidatic nature but was strongly inhibited by AMP (1 mM), luciferin 6′-ethyl ether (1 mM) and sodium pyrophosphate (2 mM), well-known firefly lucifer-ase inhibitors. Some physical-chemical properties of this enzymatic activity were similar to those of firefly lucif-erase (K_MATP = 195 μM; K_0.5 luciferin - 0.8 mM; optimum pH 8.5; δ_max= 610 nm at pH 8.5; firefly lucifer-ase: δ_max= 565 nm at pH 8.0 and 619 mm at pH 6.0), but the chemiluminescence was not affected by addition of polyclonal antibodies raised against Photinus pyralis luciferase. These data suggest that this chemiluminescence results from a ligase with luciferase activity.     

Mechanisms in the quantum yield of Cypridina bioluminescence

Abstract— –The influence of temperature, pH, salts, and reactant concentrations on the biolumin-escent oxidation of Cypridina luciferin catalyzed by Cypridina luciferase indicates a highest quantum yield φ (einsteins per mole of luciferin oxidized) of 0.31 in H₂O, or 0.33 in 99% D₂O. With the aid of data on fluorescence of the light-emitting oxyluciferin-luciferase complex, and of oxyluciferin in diglyme, partial explanations are suggested for the observed variations in φ, including the relatively low φ, of 0.03 for chemiluminescence of luciferin in organic solvents, wherein a different pathway of luciferin degradation, as indicated by chromatographic evidence, results in much less population of the excited state.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (S)-(−)-tetrahydropalmatine and (S)-(−)-canadine via a sulfinyl-directed Pictet–Spengler cyclization

(S)-(?)-Tetrahydropalmatine 2 and (S)-(?)-canadine 4 were synthesized in three steps from (S)-6, in 33% and 34% overall yield, respectively. Thus, condensation of the (S)-(E)-sulfinylimines 10 and 11 with the carbanion derived from (S)-6 gave the tetrahydroisoquinolines 12 and 13, respectively, which upon TFA induced N-desulfinylation, and subsequent microwave assisted Pictet–Spengler cyclization effected both cyclization and C-desulfinylation producing (S)-(?)-tetrahydropalmatine 2 and (S)-(?)-canadine 4 in optically pure form.     

Photochemical properties of 9-azidoacridine in neutral and protonated forms

It was found that the quantum yield of 9-azidoacridine photodissociation was equal to 0.95 (in acetonitrile) and remained unchanged upon protonation. Quantum-chemical calculations on the structures of the azide and its cation in the ground (S ₀) and the lower single excited (S ₁) state were performed using semiempirical (PM3) and ab initio (HF, B3LYP) methods. The σ _NN ^* antibonding orbital at the N-N₂ bond was occupied in both of the azides in the S ₁ state; this fact is consistent with the photochemical activity of these compounds. Because of the presence of absorption bands in the visible region of the spectrum, 9-azidoacridinium hydrochloride is sensitive to visible light, and, among all of the currently known arylazides, it is sensitive to light with the longest wavelength: the quantum yield of its photodissociation is 0.65 on irradiation with 470-nm light.