Super RLuc8: A novel engineered Renilla luciferase with a red-shifted spectrum and stable light emission

Renilla luciferase is a bioluminescent enzyme which is broadly used as a reporter protein in molecular biosensors. In this study, a novel luciferase with desired light emission wavelength and thermostability is reported. The results indicated that the new luciferase, namely super RLuc8, had a red-shifted spectrum and showed stable light emission. Super RLuc8 showed a 10-fold (p-value = 0.0084) increase in the thermostability at 37 degrees C after 20 min incubation, in comparison to the native enzyme. The optimum temperature of the mutant increased from 30 to 37 degrees C. Molecular dynamics simulation analysis indicated that the increased thermostability was most probably caused by a better structural compactness and more local rigidity in the regions out of the emitter site. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.