NanoLucs

NanoLuc is a highly optimized luciferase reporter protein developed by Promega Corporation. It is a small, engineered protein derived from a deep-sea shrimp luciferase, specifically optimized for brightness and stability. This miniaturization and enhancement make it significantly more luminous and faster to develop luminescence compared to traditional luciferase systems like Renilla or firefly luciferase. NanoLuc emits light at a wavelength of 460 nm, in the blue spectrum.

The key advantages of NanoLuc include its exceptional brightness, allowing for the detection of very low levels of target molecules. It also exhibits a relatively long half-life, meaning the luminescent signal persists for a considerable time, providing flexibility in assay design. Furthermore, NanoLuc requires a specific substrate, furimazine, to produce light, and the combination of NanoLuc and furimazine is known as the NanoLuc® system.

This reporter system finds broad applications in various biological research areas. It is widely used in drug discovery for screening compound libraries, monitoring gene expression, and studying protein-protein interactions. Its sensitivity also makes it suitable for cell-based assays, in vivo imaging, and detecting low-abundance biomarkers. The small size of NanoLuc is also advantageous for genetic engineering and protein fusion applications.