Molecular and Cellular Biology Seminar | A Cold Light in the Sea- The Discovery and Application of Luciferase Reporter Assays, Sept. 19

The Molecular and Cellular Biology Seminar series (MCB7410) features Samantha Fedoush discussing "A Cold Light in the Sea - The Discovery and Application of Luciferase Reporter Assays" on Sept. 19 at 3:30 PM in Porter Hall Room 104.

Fedoush is a graduate student in the Department of Environmental and Plant Biology and the Molecular and Cellular Biology Program at Ohio University.

Abstract: Bioluminescence was termed a ‘cold light’ by Aristotle since the light obtained from luminescent organisms don’t emit heat. From fungi to bacteria to jellyfish, each organism has a unique way of manipulating bioluminescence to their benefit. The discovery of bioluminescent animals has captured scientific curiosity throughout history as reported in early Chinese poetry and by researchers throughout history. Starting from early observations to early experimentation, bioluminescent discoveries have allowed researchers to harness and manipulate bioluminescent reactions to enhance scientific knowledge. The use of luciferase in the early 2000’s to study protein-protein interactions (PPI) has helped researchers understand molecular pathways. Wang et al., 2023, used a split luciferase complementation assay to study the PPI interactions in Pyrus pyrifolia (pear tree). In this practical application, researchers were studying EIN3-binding F-box (PbrEBF3) and EIN-like transcription factor (PbrEIL). These proteins play an important role in response to ethylene, a plant hormone that controls fruit ripening. Cotter et al., 2023 used a split luciferase assay to study the cleavage of Botulinum Neurotoxins (BoNTs) on Synaptosomal-Associated Protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25). Since the technology has advanced, plant and animal researchers use split luciferase complementation assays to study a diverse range of PPI in cells.

Wang, Guoming, Lei Guo, Zhihua Guo, Sophia Lee Guan, Nan Zhu, Kaijie Qi, Chao Gu, and Shaoling Zhang. “The Involvement of Ein3-Binding F-Box Protein PbrEBF3 in Regulating Ethylene Signaling during Cuiguan Pear Fruit Ripening.” Plant Science 329 (April 2023): 111600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111600.

Cotter, Laurent, Feifan Yu, Sylvain Roqueviere, Juliette Duchesne De Lamotte, Johannes Krupp, Min Dong, and Camille Nicoleau. “Split Luciferase-Based Assay to Detect Botulinum Neurotoxins Using hiPSC-Derived Motor Neurons.” Communications Biology 6, no. 1 (January 30, 2023): 122. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-04495-w.