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Cloning and molecular properties of a novel luciferase from the Brazilian Bicellonycha lividipennis (Lampyridae: Photurinae) firefly: comparison with other firefly luciferases

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Abstract

Several firefly luciferases eliciting light emission in the yellow-green range of the spectrum and with distinct kinetic properties have been already cloned, sequenced, and characterized. Some of them are currently being applied as analytical reagents and reporter genes for bioimaging and biosensors, and more recently as potential color tuning indicators of intracellular pH and toxic metals. They were cloned from the subfamilies Lampyrinae (Photinini: Photinus pyralis, Macrolampis sp2; Cratomorphini: Cratomorphus distinctus), Photurinae (Photuris pennsylvanica), Luciolinae (Luciola cruciata, L. lateralis, L. mingrelica, L. italica, Hotaria parvula), and Amydetinae (Amydetes vivianii) occurring in different parts of the world. The largest number has been cloned from fireflies occurring in Brazilian biomes. Taking advantage of the large biodiversity of fireflies occurring in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest, here we report the cloning and characterization of a novel luciferase cDNA from the Photurinae subfamily, Bicellonycha lividipennis, which is a very common firefly in marshlands in Brazil. As expected, multialignements and phylogenetic analysis show that this luciferase clusters with Photuris pennsylvanica adult isozyme, and with other adult lantern firefly luciferases, in reasonable agreement with traditional phylogenetic analysis. The luciferase elicits light emission in the yellow-green region, has kinetics properties similar to other adult lantern firefly luciferases, including pH- and metal sensitivities, but displays a lower sensitivity to nickel, which is suggested to be caused by the natural substitution of H310Y.

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Funding

This research was funded by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Grant no [2010/05426-8], Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Grant no [401.867/2016-1].

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  1. Department Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (DFQM), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Rod. João Leme dos Santos–SP 264–Km 110–Itinga, Sorocaba, São Carlos, SP, Brazil

    A. C. Moreira, G. V. M. Gabriel & V. R. Viviani

  2. Programa de Pós Graduação em Biologia Comparada, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    D. T. Amaral

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  1. A. C. Moreira
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Moreira, A.C., Amaral, D.T., Gabriel, G.V.M. et al. Cloning and molecular properties of a novel luciferase from the Brazilian Bicellonycha lividipennis (Lampyridae: Photurinae) firefly: comparison with other firefly luciferases. Photochem Photobiol Sci 21, 1559–1571 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43630-022-00240-0

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