A Novel Brighter Bioluminescent Fusion Protein Based on ZZ Domain and Amydetes vivianii Firefly Luciferase for Immunoassays

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

Jaqueline Rodrigues Silva²  Vadim R. Viviani²  Paulo Lee Ho³ 

[1] Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Sorocaba, Brazil;Graduate Program of Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Sorocaba, Brazil;Núcleo de Produção de Vacinas Bacterianas, Centro BioIndustrial, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil;

关键词: luciferase;    immunoassays;    Amydetes vivianii;    SARS-CoV-2;    western blot;    ZZ-domain;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fbioe.2021.755045

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Immunoassays are widely used for detection of antibodies against specific antigens in diagnosis, as well as in electrophoretic techniques such as Western Blotting. They usually rely on colorimetric, fluorescent or chemiluminescent methods for detection. Whereas the chemiluminescence methods are more sensitive and widely used, they usually suffer of fast luminescence decay. Here we constructed a novel bioluminescent fusion protein based on the N-terminal ZZ portion of protein A and the brighter green-blue emitting Amydetes vivianii firefly luciferase. In the presence of D-luciferin/ATP assay solution, the new fusion protein, displays higher bioluminescence activity, is very thermostable and produces a sustained emission (t1/2 > 30 min). In dot blots, we could successfully detect rabbit IgG against firefly luciferases, Limpet Haemocyanin, and SARS-CoV-2 Nucleoprotein (1–250 ng), as well as the antigen bound antibodies using either CCD imaging, and even photography using smartphones. Using CCD imaging, we could detect up to 100 pg of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleoprotein. Using this system, we could also successfully detect firefly luciferase and SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein in Western Blots (5–250 ng). Comparatively, the new fusion protein displays slightly higher and more sustained luminescent signal when compared to commercial HRP-labeled secondary antibodies, constituting a novel promising alternative for Western Blotting and immunoassays.

【 授权许可】

Unknown