Coelenterazine-binding protein (Renilla) (CBP)

The coelenterazine-binding protein (CBP) from the sea pansy Renilla reniformis is a specialized calcium-binding protein essential for the organism's bioluminescence system (UniProt P05204). Its primary biological role is to sequester and stabilize the luciferin molecule, coelenterazine, protecting it from spontaneous oxidation in the cellular environment (PubMed: 18485711). Upon the influx of calcium ions, CBP undergoes a conformational change that triggers the release of coelenterazine, making it available for oxidation by the enzyme Renilla luciferase to produce blue light (PubMed: 18485711). Structurally, CBP belongs to the EF-hand superfamily of proteins, characterized by its ability to sense fluctuations in intracellular calcium levels (PubMed: 21114938). While CBP is a vital component of marine bioluminescence, it is not considered a therapeutic target for human diseases and has no known role in human pathology. Instead, it is widely utilized in biotechnology and molecular biology as a tool for developing calcium sensors and bioluminescent reporter assays (PubMed: 18485711). There are currently no drugs that target CBP for clinical use, as its applications remain confined to research and diagnostic settings.

Other names

Renilla coelenterazine-binding proteinR-CBPCalcium-dependent coelenterazine-binding protein

None