Chaetopterus Luciferase: A Promising Tool for Online Lipid Peroxidation Detection

Lipid peroxidation plays a crucial role in living organisms. On the one hand, it contributes to the biosynthesis of several hormones; on the other, it can damage cellular structures, induce cell death, and participate in the pathogenesis of numerous human diseases. Therefore, the development of methods for real-time monitoring of lipid peroxidation, particularly within living systems, represents a highly relevant scientific goal. We previously demonstrated that peroxides of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) or PUFA-containing lipids serve as substrates for Chaetopterus luciferase. Further studies revealed that the luminescence of this enzyme results from the decomposition products of PUFA peroxides or related lipids. Moreover, analogous luminescence-inducing products are generated during both enzymatic and chemical peroxidation of PUFAs or PUFA-containing lipids. Collectively, these findings indicate that Chaetopterus luciferase is a promising tool for online detection of lipid peroxidation.