Fungal luminescence pathways: research and applications.

Author: Yujie WU ¹ ; Jiarui XU ¹ ; Hongyu CHEN ¹ ; Hao DU ¹
Author Information

1. Modern Seed Industry Research Institute, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: caffeic acid; fungal bioluminescence pathway; genetic engineering; metabolic pathway; plant
MeSH: Luminescence; Light; Fluorescence; Eukaryota; Green Light
From: Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2024;40(1):1-14
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: The fungal bioluminescence pathway (FBP) is a metabolic pathway responsible for the generation of bioluminescence derived from fungi. This pathway utilizes caffeic acid as the substrate, generating a high-energy intermediate, and the decomposition of which yields green fluorescence with a wavelength of approximately 520 nm. The FBP is evolutionally conserved in luminescent fungal groups. Unlike other bioluminescent systems, the FBP is particularly suitable for engineering applications in eukaryotic organisms, especially in plants. Currently, metabolically engineered luminescent plants are able to emit visible light to illuminate its surroundings, which can be visualized clearly in the dark. The fungal bioluminescent system could be explored in various applications in molecular biology, biosensors and glowing ornamental plants, and even green lighting along city streets.