Abstract: A new thermostable luciferase of the following mutant luciferase (a) or (b): (a) a mutant of a wild-type luciferase comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein phenylalanine at position 292 and/or phenylalanine at position 294 in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 is substituted with another amino acid; or (b) a mutant of a luciferase having 93% or more homology with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein in the amino acid sequence of the mutant, the amino acid at a site corresponding to position 292 and/or position 294 in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 is substituted with another amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutant firefly luciferase consisting of a mutant amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence of a wild-type firefly luciferase by at least substitution (a), (b), or (c) below and having luminescence intensity higher than that of the wild-type firefly luciferase.

Abstract: A polynucleotide encoding a secreted form of wild type Renilla luciferase. Also provided is a polynucleotide encoding a secreted modified form of wild type Renilla luciferase. Additionally, the polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides of the present invention and uses of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention in biological assays. Also, a stable mammalian packaging cell line which produces retroviruses carrying a polynucleotide encoding a secreted Renilla luciferase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide or polynucleotides encoding Oplophorus luciferase which is composed of 19 kDa and 35 kDa proteins, or the 19 kDa photoprotein, the recombinant secretional Oplophorus luciferase or the 19 kDa photoprotein encoded by the polynucleotide(s), an expression vector containing the polynucleotide(s) and a host transformed with the vector. Further, the invention provides a method for producing the recombinant Oplophorus luciferase or the photoprotein. These proteins could be recombinantly produced by culturing the host cell or by in vitro translation system using the recombinant expression vector.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions and polypeptides encoding a red-shifted form of firefly luciferase are provided. These red-shifted luciferases are characterized by spectrum of light emission having detectable emissions at 610 nm (luc610), preferably a primary peak at 610 nm. The nucleic acid compositions find use in various systems as a reporter gene, and are of particular interest for use as a reporter with in vivo systems, because of the efficient transfer of red light through tissues. The red-shifted luciferase may be combined in such assays with luciferases emitting at other spectra, in order to monitor multiple processes simultaneously.

Abstract: Described herein is a variant of wild type Gaussia luciferase that catalyzes glow-type emission kinetics suited for high-throughput functional screening applications. Polypeptides, functional fragments, variants, and nucleic acids that encode the enhanced luciferase are further described. One such polypeptide corresponds to wild type Gaussia luciferase with a substitution mutation of I for M at position 43 of the mature peptide. Methods of use, assay systems and kits that contain the polypeptides and/or nucleic acids are further described.

Abstract: A modified beetle luciferase protein which is an environmentally sensitive reporter protein is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide or polynucleotides encoding Oplophorus luciferase which is composed of 19 kDa and 35 kDa proteins, or the 19 kDa photoprotein, the recombinant secretional Oplophorus luciferase or the 19 kDa photoprotein encoded by the polynucleotide(s), an expression vector containing the polynucleotide(s) and a host transformed with the vector. Further, the invention provides a method for producing the recombinant Oplophorus luciferase or the photoprotein. These proteins could be recombinantly produced by culturing the host cell or by in vitro translation system using the recombinant expression vector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to luciferase having resistance to a surfactant and a method for measuring intracellular ATP which is characterized in that the luciferase having resistance to a surfactant is used in this method comprising the steps of: a first step wherein ATP is extracted from cells in a sample; a second step wherein light emission is produced by adding a luminescence reagent containing luciferase to the extracted ATP solution; and a third step wherein the light emission is measured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutant beetle luciferase and the like, having mutation in which the amino acid corresponding to valine at position 288 in the amino acid sequence of wild-type Photinus pyralis luciferase is isoleucine, leucine or phenylalanine, mutation in which the amino acid corresponding to leucine at position 376 in the aforementioned sequence is proline, mutation in which the amino acid corresponding to glutamic acid at position 455 in the aforementioned sequence is valine, alanine, serine, leucine, isoleucine or phenylalanine, or mutation in which the amino acid corresponding to glutamic acid at position 488 in the aforementioned sequence is valine, alanine, serine, leucine, isoleucine or phenylalanine, in the amino acid sequence encoding a wild-type beetle luciferase, and characterized in that a luminescence intensity due to a luciferin-luciferase luminescence reaction in a 0.9% by mass NaCl solution is 50% or more of that in a NaCl-free solution.

Abstract: Described herein is a variant of wild type Gaussia luciferase that catalyzes glow-type emission kinetics suited for high-throughput functional screening applications. Polypeptides, functional fragments, variants, and nucleic acids that encode the enhanced luciferase are further described. One such polypeptide corresponds to wild type Gaussia luciferase with a substitution mutation of I for M at position 43 of the mature peptide. Methods of use, assay systems and kits that contain the polypeptides and/or nucleic acids are further described.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules which code for luciferases able to produce the green bioluminescence of Phrixotrhix vivianii and red bioluminescence of Phrixothrix hirtus are described. The nucleic acid molecules and the luciferases encoded thereby can be used in applications such as diagnostic methods and molecular biology tools.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules which code for luciferases able to produce the green bioluminescence of Phrixotrhix vivianii and red bioluminescence of Phrixothrix hirtus are described. The nucleic acid molecules and the luciferases encoded thereby can be used in applications such as diagnostic methods and molecular biology tools.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to produce a luminescent probe that has less biological effects, efficiently emits visible to near-infrared light, which is excellent for the imaging of individuals, and the use thereof. The present invention provides a sugar chain-containing-luciferase derivative, wherein an organic fluorescent dye is bonded to the luciferase through the sugar chain.

Abstract: Proteins are provided having luciferase activity with lower Km than wild-type luciferases by altering the amino acid residue at position 270 of the wild-type to an amino acid other than glutamate. Greater heat stability than wild-type luciferases while retaining the lower Km is provided by also replacing the glutamate equivalent to that at position 354 of Photinus pyralis luciferase or 356 of Luciola luciferases with an alternative amino acid, particularly lysine and/or the amino acid residue at 215 of Photinus pyralis and 217 of the Luciola species with a hydrophobic amino acid. DNA, vectors and cells that encode for and express the proteins are also provided as are test kits and reagents for carrying out luminescence assays using the proteins of the invention.

Abstract: Isolated and purified nucleic acid molecules that encode a luciferase from Renilla mulleri, Gaussia and Pleuromamma, and the proteins encoded thereby are provided. Isolated and purified nucleic acids encoding green fluorescent proteins from the genus Renilla and Ptilosarcus, and the green fluorescent proteins encoded thereby are also provided. Compositions and combinations comprising the green fluorescent proteins and/or the luciferase are further provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid and polypeptide sequence that encodes for a luciferase of Luciola italica, as well as mutants thereof. The luciferase proteins of the present invention have been found to have extended bioluminescence emission that is red- or blue-shifted, and are useful as a bioluminescent marker or as an additive to selected materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid and polypeptide sequence that encodes for a luciferase of Luciola italica, as well as mutants thereof. The luciferase proteins of the present invention have been found to have extended bioluminescence emission that is red- or blue-shifted, and are useful as a bioluminescent marker or as an additive to selected materials.

Abstract: A modified beetle luciferase protein which is an environmentally sensitive reporter protein is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid and polypeptide sequence that encodes for a luciferase of Luciola italica, as well as mutants thereof. The luciferase proteins of the present invention have been found to have extended bioluminescence emission that is red- or blue-shifted, and are useful as a bioluminescent marker or as an additive to selected materials.