Interaction of long-chain choline derivatives with firefly luciferase and their use as reagents for the extraction of intracellular ATP from microorganisms

Various long-chain choline derivatives, differing in the length of the hydrocarbon backbone, have been synthesized. The influence of these compounds on the activity of firefly luciferase has been studied. Whereas C4–C10 derivatives do not influence enzyme activity, C12–C18 derivatives inactivate luciferase rapidly and irreversibly. It is suggested that interaction between the enzyme and these compounds has a hydrophobic nature. Phospholipids stabilize luciferase against the inactivation by these derivatives. It was shown that long-chain choline derivatives with a backbone of 10 carbon atoms and more can be used for ATP extraction and further bioluminescent microassay in the presence of phospholipid additives as the agents which stabilize luciferase.