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Resveratrol inhibits firefly luciferase
Adel Bakhtiarova1, Paul Taslimi, Stephen J Elliman
1Diabetes and Metabolism Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 100 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|October 27, 2006
Summary
Resveratrol shows therapeutic promise for age-related diseases, but it may interfere with luciferase assays. This study found resveratrol inhibits firefly luciferase, potentially compromising research findings.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Resveratrol is investigated for therapeutic potential in age-related diseases like cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's.
- Its protective effects against oxidative stress, possibly via SirT1, are recognized, but precise mechanisms remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms of resveratrol's effects.
- To evaluate the impact of resveratrol on common cell-based reporter assays used in mechanistic studies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized firefly luciferase reporter assays to study resveratrol's effects.
- Quantified the inhibitory effect of resveratrol on luciferase activity.
Main Results:
- Resveratrol was found to potently inhibit firefly luciferase.
- An inhibition constant (Ki) of 2µM was determined for resveratrol's effect on luciferase.
Conclusions:
- Resveratrol's inhibition of firefly luciferase can confound results from reporter assays.
- Researchers should exercise caution when interpreting data from studies using resveratrol and luciferase reporters to avoid compromised conclusions.
