Recombinant firefly luciferase in Escherichia coli -: Properties and immobilization

The authentic recombinant luciferase, the luciferase with the structure similar to that of the native protein, was obtained using random mutagenesis, and its properties were studied in comparison with several fusion proteins. Thermoinactivation curves of the recombinant luciferases within the 10-50 degrees C temperature interval showed that thermoinactivation involves reversible and irreversible steps. Immobilization of the recombinant Luciola mingrelica and Photinus pyralisfirefly luciferases on BrCN-activated sepharose was carried out. Immobilization resulted in the-preparation of enzymes with high catalytic activity. Physicochemical properties and analytical characteristics of the immobilized recombinant and native luciferases were studied. The catalytic properties of the immobilized recombinant L. mingrelica luciferase were close to those of the native luciferase but the former enzyme appeared to be significantly more stable. The immobilized recombinant luciferases can be used for ATP assay within 0.01-10000 nM range.