MUTANT LUCIFERASE

摘要

A recombinant protein having luciferase activity and at least 60 % similarit y to a wild-type luciferase wherein in the sequence of the enzyme, the amino acid residue corresponding to residue 357 in Photinus pyralis luciferase is mutated as compared to the corresponding wild-type luciferase, such that the luciferase enzyme is able to emit light at a different wavelength as compare d to the corresponding wild-type luciferase and/or has enhanced thermostabilit y as compared to the corresponding wild-type luciferase. In general, the resid ue corresponding to 357 in Photinus pyralis luciferase is changed from an acidi c amino acid to a non-acidic amino acid and preferably an uncharged polar amin o acid such as tyrosine. Mutant luciferases in accordance with the invention c an produce a large (50nm) wavelength shift in emitted light and have good thermostability. The resultant colour shift can be reversed by addition of coenzyme A. These properties make the mutant particularly useful in a variet y of assays.