The Emerging Use of In Vivo Optical Imaging in the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Table 1
Commonly used luciferase reporter systems. Information on some of the available luciferases for use in in vivo optical imaging experiments, including sources, emission wavelengths, substrates, and selective advantages for each.
Source
Emission wavelength (nm)
Substrate
Advantages
Bacteria (Vibrio and Photobacterium species)
478–545 (dependent on species)
FMNH2 + O2 + long chain fatty aldehyde
Exogenous substrate not required
Firefly (Photinus pyralis)
560
D-luciferin + ATP + O2
Most commonly used and modified for red-shifted emission
Sea pansy (Renilla reniformis)
480
Coelenterazine + O2
Different substrate allows multiplexing with firefly luciferase