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Abstract

Present invention is aimed at identification of new fungal luciferin biosynthesis enzymes, nucleic acids able to encode these enzymes, and proteins able to catalyze certain stages of the fungal luciferin biosynthesis. The invention also provides for application of nucleic acids for producing said enzymes in a cell or organism. Methods for in vitro or in vivo preparation of chemical compounds identical to fungal luciferins and preluciferins are also provided. Vectors comprising nucleic acid described in the present invention are also provided. In addition, the present invention provides expression cassettes comprising the nucleic acid of the present invention and regulatory elements necessary for nucleic acid expression in a selected host cell. Besides, cells, stable cell lines, transgenic organisms (e.g. plants, animals, fungi, or microorganisms) including nucleic acids, vectors, or expression cassettes of the present invention are also provided. Present invention also provides combinations of nucleic acids to obtain autonomously luminous cells, cell lines, or transgenic organisms. In preferred embodiments, cells or transgenic organisms are capable to produce fungal luciferin from precursors. In some embodiments, cells or transgenic organisms are capable to produce fungal preluciferin from precursors. In some embodiments, cells or transgenic organisms are capable of bioluminescence in the presence of a fungal luciferin precursor. In some embodiments, cells or transgenic organisms are capable of autonomous bioluminescence. Combinations of proteins for producing luciferin or its precursors from more simple chemical compounds are also provided. A kit containing nucleic acids, vectors, or expression cassettes of the present invention for producing luminous cells, cell lines, or transgenic organisms is also provided.

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First Claim