Development and application of bioluminescent Caenorhabditis elegans as multicellular eukaryotic biosensors

FEBS Letters

Glover, L.A.²  Porter, A.J.R.²  Paton, G.I.¹  Lagido, C.²  Pettitt, J.² 

[1] Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, St Machar Drive, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, UK;Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK

关键词: Firefly luciferase;    Bioluminescence;    Eukaryotic biosensor;    Toxicology;    ATP;    Caenorhabditis elegans;   

DOI  :  10.1016/S0014-5793(01)02271-2

学科分类：生物化学/生物物理

来源: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

【 摘 要 】

We describe a novel approach to assess toxicity to the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans that relies on the ability of firefly luciferase to report on endogenous ATP levels. We have constructed bioluminescent C. elegans with the luc gene under control of a constitutive promoter. Light reduction was observed in response to increasing temperature, concentrations of copper, lead and 3,5-dichlorophenol. This was due to increased mortality coupled with decreased metabolic activity in the surviving animals. The light emitted by the transgenic nematodes gave a rapid, real-time indication of metabolic status. This forms the basis of rapid and biologically relevant toxicity tests.

【 授权许可】

Unknown