Bioluminescence imaging using d-luciferin and its analogs for visualizing Bdnf expression in living mice; different patterns of bioluminescence signals using distinct luciferase substrates. (1st September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fukuchi, Mamoru; Mitazaki, Satoru; Saito-Moriya, Ryohei; Kitada, Nobuo; Maki, Shojiro A; Izumi, Hironori; Mori, Hisashi
• Is Part Of: Journal of biochemistry. Volume 172:Number 5(2022)
• Page Start: 321
• Page End: 327
• Publication Date: 2022-09-01
• Subjects: bioluminescence imaging -- brain-derived neurotrophic factor -- luciferase -- luciferin -- luciferin analog; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 572.05
• DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvac070
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-924X

Abstract

Abstract: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role in numerous brain functions, including memory consolidation. Previously, we generated a Bdnf-Luciferase transgenic ( Bdnf-Luc ) mouse strain to visualize changes in Bdnf expression using in vivo bioluminescence imaging. We successfully visualized activity-dependent Bdnf induction in living mouse brains using a d -luciferin analog, TokeOni, which distributes to the brain and produces near-infrared bioluminescence. In this study, we compared the patterns of bioluminescence signals within the whole body of the Bdnf-Luc mice produced by d -luciferin, TokeOni and seMpai, another d -luciferin analog that produces a near-infrared light. As recently reported, hepatic background signals were observed in wild-type mice when using TokeOni. Bioluminescence signals were strongly observed from the region containing the liver when using d -luciferin and TokeOni. Additionally, we detected signals from the brain when using TokeOni. Compared with d -luciferin and TokeOni, signals were widely detected in the whole body of Bdnf-Luc mice by seMpai. The signals produced by seMpai were strong in the regions containing skeletal muscles in particular. Taken together, the patterns of bioluminescence signals in Bdnf-Luc mice vary when using different luciferase substrates. Therefore, the expression of Bdnf in tissues and organs of interest could be visualized by selecting an appropriate substrate. Graphical Abstract: