New class of bioluminogenic probe based on bioluminescent enzyme-induced electron transfer: BioLeT

Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) has advantages for investigating biological phenomena in deep tissues of living animals, but few design strategies are available for functional bioluminescent substrates. We propose a new design strategy (designated as bioluminescent enzyme-induced electron transfer: BioLeT) for luciferin-based bioluminescence probes. Luminescence measurements of a series of aminoluciferin derivatives confirmed that bioluminescence can be controlled by means of BioLeT. Based on this concept, we developed bioluminescence probes for nitric oxide that enabled quantitative and sensitive detection even in vivo. Our design strategy should be applicable to develop a wide range of practically useful bioluminogenic probes.