text:
Systems and apparatus for generating bioluminescence, and combinations of these systems and apparatus with inanimate articles of manufacture to produce novelty items are provided. These novelty items, which are articles of manufacture, are designed for entertainment, recreation and amusement, include, toys, paints, slimy play material, textiles, particularly clothing, bubbles in bubble making toys and other toys that produce bubbles, balloons, personal items, such as bath powders, body lotions, gels, powders and creams, toothpastes and other dentifrices, soaps, body paints, and bubble bath, foods, such as gelatins, icings and frostings, beverages such as beer, wine, champagne, soft drinks, and ice cubes, fountains, including liquid "fireworks" and other such jets or sprays or aerosols of compositions that are solutions, mixtures, suspensions, powders, pastes, particles or other suitable formulation.
1. A combination, comprising:
an article of manufacture; and a bioluminescence generating system, whereby the combination is a novelty item, wherein the article of manufacture is a toy gun.
2. A combination, comprising:
a) an inanimate article of manufacture; and
b) one or more components of a bioluminescence generating system, whereby the combination is a novelty item, wherein the article of manufacture is a toy gun.
3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the combination comprises a luciferase.
4. The combination of claim 2, wherein the combination comprises a luciferin.
5. The combination of claim 2, wherein the combination comprises luciferase and a luciferase.
6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the article of manufacture is a squirt gun.
7. The combination of claim 2, wherein the article of manufacture is a squirt gun.
8. A combination of claim 2, further comprising the delivery vehicle, wherein the delivery vehicle, contains at least one component of a bioluminescence generating system.
9. The combination of claim 1, wherein the system is selected from among an insect system, a coelenterate system, a ctenophore system, a bacterial system, a mollusk system, and an earthworm system.
10. The combination of claim 2, wherein the system is selected from among an insect system, a coelenterate system, a ctenophore system, a bacterial system, a mollusk system, and an earthworm system.
11. The combination of claim 1, wherein the system is selected from among Aequorea, Vargula, Renilla, firefly, and bacterial systems.
12. The combination of claim 2, wherein the system is selected from among Aequorea, Vargula, Renilla, firefly, and bacterial systems.
13. A kit, comprising:
an inanimate article of manufacture;
a bioluminescence generating system; wherein the article of manufacture and bioluminescence generating system are packaged in the kit with instructions for combining the article of manufacture with the bioluminescence generating system to produce a novelty item, wherein the article of manufacture is a toy gun.
14. A kit comprising the combination of claim 2, and a composition comprising the remaining components of the bioluminescence generating system.
15. An article of manufacture, comprising packaging material and at least one component of a bioluminescence generating system contained within the packaging material, wherein the concentration of the component(s) is sufficient upon dilution and under appropriate conditions to produce bioluminescence in combination with an article of manufacture, and the packaging material includes a label that indicates that contents are used in combination with an article of manufacture to produce a novelty item, wherein the novelty item is a toy gun.
16. The article of manufacture of claim 15, wherein the components are a luciferin and luciferase.
17. A combination of claim 2 that is a toy gun, comprising:
a) two chambers;
b) a mixing chamber in communication with the two chambers;
c) a nozzle in communication with the mixing chamber:
d) means for moving the contents of the two chambers into the mixing chamber and out the nozzle, wherein the at least one component of the bioluminescence generating system is contained in a chamber.
18. The toy gun of claim 17, wherein the means for moving the contents from the two chambers into the mixing chamber and out the nozzle is a trigger.
19. A combination of a toy gun and a bioluminescence generating system, wherein the toy gun comprises:
a) two chambers;
b) a mixing chamber in communication with the two chambers,
c) a nozzle in communication with the mixing chamber;
d) means for moving the contents of the two chambers into the mixing chamber and out the nozzle.
20. The toy gun of claim 19, wherein one chamber contains a composition comprising up to all except one component of a bioluminescence generating system, and the other chamber contains a composition comprising the remaining component(s).
21. The toy gun of claim 20, wherein the bioluminescence generating system is selected from among an insect system, a coelenterate system, a ctenophore system, a bacterial system, a mollusk system, and an earthworm system.
22. The toy gun of claim 20, wherein the bioluminescence generating system is selected from among Aequorea, Vargula, Renilla, firefly, and bacterial systems.
23. The combination of a toy gun of and at least one component of a bioluminescence generating system, wherein in the toy gun comprises:
a) two housings;
b) two cylinders, wherein each cylinder is in communication with a single of the housings;
c) two first check-valves each situated between one of the housings and one of the cylinders;
d) two piston assemblies, each contained within a separate of the cylinders;
e) a mixing chamber in communication with the cylinders;
f) a second check-valve situated between the mixing chamber and the cylinders;
g) a nozzle in communication with the mixing chamber; and
h) a trigger in communication with the piston assemblies.
24. A The combination of claim 2, wherein the toy gun comprises:
a) two chambers, each having an inlet and an outlet;
b) a gas chamber adapted to receive a canister of pressurized gas;
c) two gas conduits each in communication with an inlet of the chambers and in communication with the gas chamber;
d) a gas cock situated between and in communication with the gas chamber and the gas conduits;
e) a trigger operatively attached to the gas cock;
f) a mixing chamber;
g) two outlet conduits each in communication with an outlet of the chambers and each in communication with the mixing chamber; and
h) a nozzle in communication with the mixing chamber.
25. The toy gun of claim 23, wherein the bioluminescence generating system is selected from among an insect system, a coelenterate system, a ctenophore system, a bacterial system, a mollusk system, and an earthworm system.
26. The toy gun of claim 23, wherein the bioluminescence generating system is selected from among Aequorea, Vargula, Renilla, firefly, and bacterial systems.
27. A toy gun, containing a composition comprising one or more components of a bioluminescence generating system.
28. The toy gun of claim 27, wherein the components include a luciferase, a luciferin, or a luciferase and a luciferin.
29. The toy gun of claim 27, wherein the composition is encapsulated in a delivery vehicle.
30. The toy gun of claim 27, wherein the composition is in the form of a powder or paste.
31. A toy water gun, comprising one or more components of a bioluminescence generating system.
32. The toy water gun of claim 31, wherein the toy water gun comprises:
a) a right housing having an inner left edge and an outer left edge, wherein the inner left edge and inner right edge define a right channel and a right cylinder;
b) a right valve situated within the right channel;
c) a right piston assembly situated within the right cylinder;
d) a left housing having an inner right edge and an outer right edge, wherein the inner right edge and outer right edge define a left channel and a left cylinder and wherein the left housing is attached to the right housing such that the left channel is adjacent the right channel and the left cylinder is adjacent the right cylinder;
e) a left valve situated within the left channel;
f) a left piston assembly situated within the left cylinder;
g) a mixing chamber defined by the attachment of the left housing to the right housing;
h) a spring valve situated within the mixing chamber;
i) a nozzle in communication with the mixing chamber; and
j) a trigger in communication with the left and the right piston assemblies, wherein the at least on component of the bioluminescence generating system is contained in a housing.
33. The toy water gun of claim 31, wherein the toy water gun comprises:
a) a gun-shaped housing having a butt, a handle and a main body;
b) two chambers located within the butt of the housing;
c) a gas chamber adapted to receive a canister of pressurized gas, wherein the gas chamber is situated within the handle of the housing;
d) a gas cock in communication with the gas chamber and situated within the main body of the housing;
e) a trigger, operatively attached to the gas cock and extending beyond the main body of the housing;
f) two gas conduits situated within the main body of the housing and each in communication with the gas cock and each in communication with a different one of the chambers;
g) a mixing chamber, situated within the main body of the housing;
h) two conduits situated within the main body of the housing and each in communication with a different one of the chambers and each in communication with the mixing chamber; and
i) a nozzle in communication with the mixing chamber and extending beyond the main body of the housing, wherein the at least on component of the bioluminescence generating system is contained in a chamber.
34. The toy gun of claim 33, further comprising two filler caps, each attached to the butt of the housing and each in communication with a different chamber.
35. The toy gun of claim 33, further comprising two pick-up tubes, each situated within a different and in communication with a different of the conduits.
36. A toy gun of claim 33, wherein the two chambers are integral to the butt of the housing and are detachable from the main body of the housing.
37. The toy gun of claim 32, further comprising a latch attached to the housing, such that the butt of the housing is releasably secured to the main body of the housing.
38. A combination, comprising:
the toy gun of claim 31; and
a cartridge for refilling the gun with a component of a bioluminescence generating system.
39. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a matrix material.
40. The combination of claim 2, further comprising a matrix material.
41. The combination of claim 39, wherein the system is selected from among Aequorea, Vargula, Renilla, firefly, and bacterial systems.
42. The combination of claim 40, wherein the system is selected from among Aequorea, Vargula, Renilla, firefly, and bacterial systems.
43. The combination of claim 1, wherein the component(s) is encapsulated in a vacuole or an endosome.
44. The combination of claim 2, wherein the component(s) is encapsulated in a vacuole or an endosome.
45. The combination of claim 43, wherein the system is selected from among Aequorea, Vargula, Renilla, firefly, and bacterial systems.
46. The combination of claim 44, wherein the system is selected from among Aequorea, Vargula, Renilla, firefly, and bacterial systems.
47. The combination of claim 2, wherein the system is selected from among Aequorea, Vargula, Renilla, firefly, and bacterial systems.
48. The combination of claim 2, comprising all components of the system except the activator that is required to initiate bioluminescence.
49. The combination of claim 1, comprising a luciferase, luciferin and activator.
50. The combination of claim 1, wherein the combination comprises a luciferase.
51. The combination of claim 1, wherein the combination comprises a luciferin.
52. The combination of claim 1, wherein the combination comprises luciferase and a luciferin.
53. The combination of claim 1, wherein the system is selected from among Aequorea, Vargula, Renilla and glow worm systems.
54. The combination of claim 2, wherein the system is selected from among Aequorea, Vargula, Renilla and glow worm systems.
55. The combination of claim 1, wherein a component of the system is selected from among bacterial, mushroom, dinoflagellate, coelenterate, ctenophore, annelid, crustacea, ostracod, euphausid copepod, insect, oleopterid, diptera, echinoderm, chordate, tunicate and fish bioluminescence generating systems.
56. The combination of claim 1, wherein a component of the system is selected from among brittle star, sea cucumber, cartilaginous, bony fish, ponyfish, flashlight fish, angler fish, midshipman fish, midwater fish marine polychaetes, syllid fireworm, jellyfish, hydroid, sea pansy, earthworm, mollusc, limpet, deep-sea fish, clam, firefly, click beetle, railroad worms and squid bioluminescence generating systems.
57. The combination of claim 1, wherein a component of the system is selected from among Cavarnularia, Ptilosarcus, Stylatula, Acanthoptilum, Parazoanthus, Chiroteuthis, Eucleoteuthis, Onychoteuthis, Watasenia; cuttlefish, Sepiolina; Oplophorus, Sergestes, Gnrathophausia, Argyropelecus, Yarella, Diaphus, and Neoscopelus bioluminescence generating systems.
58. The combination of claim 1, wherein a component of the system is selected from among bacterial, mushroom, dinoflagellate, coelenterate, ctenophore, annelid, crustacea, ostracod, euphausid copepod, insect, oleopterid, diptera, echinoderm, chordate, tunicate and fish bioluminescence generating systems.
59. The combination of claim 1, wherein a component of the system is selected from among brittle star, sea cucumber, cartilaginous, bony fish, ponyfish, flashlight fish, angler fish, midshipman fish, midwater fish marine polychaetes, syllid fireworm, jellyfish, hydroid, sea pansy, earthworm, mollusc, limpet, deep-sea fish, clam, firefly, click beetle, railroad worms and squid bioluminescence generating systems.
60. The combination of claim 1, wherein a component of the system is selected from among Cavarnularia, Ptilosarcus, Stylatula, Acanthoptilum, Parazoanthus, Chiroteuthis, Eucleoteuthis, Onychoteuthis, Watasenia; cuttlefish, Sepiolina; Oplophorus, Sergestes, Gnathophausia, Argyropelecus, Yarella, Diaphus, and Neoscopelus bioluminescence generating systems.
61. The toy gun of claim 20, wherein a component of the bioluminescence generating system is selected from among brittle star, sea cucumber, cartilaginous, bony fish, ponyfish, flashlight fish, angler fish, midshipman fish, midwater fish marine polychaetes, syllid fireworm, jellyfish, hydroid, sea pansy, earthworm, mollusc, limpet, deep-sea fish, clam, firefly, click beetle, railroad worms and squid bioluminescence generating systems.
62. The toy gun of claim 20, wherein a component of the bioluminescence generating system is selected from among Cavarnularia, Ptilosarcus, Stylarula, Acanthoptilum, Parazoanthus, Chiroteuthis, Eucleoteuthis, Onychoteuthis, Watasenia; cuttlefish, Sepiolina; Oplophorus, Sergestes, Gnathophausia, Argyropelecus, Yarella, Diaphus, and Neoscopelus bioluminescence generating systems.
63. The toy gun of claim 17, wherein a component of the bioluminescence generating system is selected from among brittle star, sea cucumber, cartilaginous, bony fish, ponyfish, flashlight fish, angler fish, midshipman fish, midwater fish marine polychaetes, syllid fireworm, jellyfish, hydroid, sea pansy, earthworm, mollusc, limpet, deep-sea fish, clam, firefly, click beetle, railroad worms and squid bioluminescence generating systems.
64. The toy gun of claim 17, wherein a component of the bioluminescence generating system is selected from among Cavarnularia, Ptilosarcus, Stylatula, Acanthoptilum, Parazoanthus, Chiroteuthis, Eucleoteuthis, Onychoteuthis, Watasenia; cuttlefish, Sepiolina; Oplophorus, Sergestes, Gnathophausia, Argyropelecus, Yarella, Diaphus, and Neoscopelus bioluminescence generating systems.
65. The toy gun of claim 27, wherein a component of the bioluminescence generating system is selected from among brittle star, sea cucumber, cartilaginous, bony fish, ponyfish, flashlight fish, angler fish, midshipman fish, midwater fish marine polychaetes, syllid fireworm, jellyfish, hydroid, sea pansy, earthworm, mollusc, limpet, deep-sea fish, clam, firefly, click beetle, railroad worms and squid bioluminescence generating systems.
66. The toy gun of claim 27, wherein a component of the bioluminescence generating system is selected from among brittle star, sea cucumber, cartilaginous, bony fish, ponyfish, flashlight fish, angler fish, midshipman fish, midwater fish marine polychaetes, syllid fireworm, jellyfish, hydroid, sea pansy, earthworm, mollusc, limpet, deep-sea fish, clam, firefly, click beetle, railroad worms and squid bioluminescence generating systems.
67. The toy gun of claim 27, wherein a component of the bioluminescence generating system is selected from among Cavarnularia, Ptilosarcus, Stylatule, Acanthoptilum, Parazoanthus, Chiroteuthis, Eucleoteuthis, Onychoteuthis, Watasenia; cuttlefish, Sepiolina; Oplophorus, Sergestes, Gnathophausia, Argyropelecus, Yarella, Diaphus, and Neoscopelus bioluminescence generating systems.
68. The kit of claim 14, further comprising instructions for producing bioluminescence using the article of manufacture and a bioluminescence generating system.
69. The toy gun of claim 23, wherein the bioluminescence generating system is selected from among an insect system, a coelenterate system, a ctenophore system, a bacterial system, a mollusk system, and an earthworm system.
70. The toy gun of claim 23, wherein the bioluminescence generating system is selected from among Aequorea, Vargula, Renilla, firefly, and bacterial systems.
The present invention relates to systems for producing bioluminescent light, and to combinations of the systems with articles of manufacture including toys, textiles, food and beverages, to produce novelty items. By virtue of the combination the novelty items glow or produce or spew a bioluminescent composition. Also, provided are compositions, encapsulated bioluminescent generating reagents, and methods for producing the bioluminescence.
Luminescence is a phenomenon in which energy is specifically channeled to a molecule to produce an excited state. Return to a lower energy state is accompanied by release of a photon (hv). Luminescence includes fluorescence, phosphorescence, chemiluminescence and bioluminescence. Bioluminescence is the process by which living organisms emit light that is visible to other organisms. Luminescence may be represented as follows:
where X* is an electronically excited molecule, hv represents light emission upon return of X* to a lower energy state in which creation of the excited state derives from an enzyme catalyzed reaction. The color of the emitted light in a bioluminescent (or chemiluminescent or other luminescent) reaction is characteristic of the excited molecule, and is independent from its source of excitation and temperature.
The essential condition for bioluminescence the use of molecular oxygen, either bound or free in the presence of a luciferase. Luciferases, are oxygenases, that act on a substrate luciferin in the presence of molecular oxygen and transform the substrate to an excited state. Upon return to a lower energy level energy is released in the form of light [for reviews see, e.g., McElroy et al. (1966) in Molecular Architecture in Cell Physiology, Hayashi et al., eds., Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J., pp. 63-80; Ward et al., Chapter 7 in Chemi-and Bioluminescence, Burr, ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc. N.Y., pp.321-358; Hastings, J. W. in (1995) Cell Physiology:Source Book, N. Sperelakis (ed.), Academic Press, pp 665-681; Luminescence, Narcosis and Life in the Deep Sea, Johnson, Vantage Press, N.Y., see, esp. pp. 50-56].
Though rare overall, bioluminescence is more common in marine organisms than in terrestrial organisms. Bioluminescence has developed from as many as thirty evolutionarily distinct origins and, thus, is manifested in a variety of ways so that the biochemical and physiological mechanisms responsible for bioluminescence in different organisms are distinct. Bioluminescent species span many genera and include microscopic organisms, such as bacteria [primarily marine bacteria including Vibrio species], fungi, algae and dinoflaggellates, to marine organisms, including arthropods, mollusks, echinoderms, and chordates, and terrestrial organism including annelid worms and insects.
Bioluminescence, as well as other types of chemiluminescence, is used for quantitative determinations of specific substances in biology and medicine. For example, luciferase genes have been cloned and exploited as reporter genes in numerous assays, for many purposes. Since the different luciferase systems have different specific requirements, they may be used to detect and quantify a variety of substances. The majority of commercial bioluminescence applications are based on firefly [Photinus pyralis] luciferase. One of the first and still widely used assays involves the use of firefly luciferase to the detect the presence of ATP. It is also used to detect and quantify other substrates or co-factors in the reaction. Any reaction that produces or utilizes NAD(H), NADP(H) or long chain aldehyde, either directly or indirectly, can be coupled to the light-emitting reaction of bacterial luciferase.
Another luciferase system that has been used commercially for analytical purposes is the Aequorin system. The purified jellyfish photoprotein, aequorin, is used to detect and quantify intracellular Ca2+ and its changes under various experimental conditions. The Aequorin photoprotein is relatively small [˜20 kDa], nontoxic, and can be injected into cells in quantities adequate to detect calcium over the a large concentration range [3×10−7 to 10−4M].
Because of their analytical utility many luciferases and substrates therefor have been studied and well-characterized and are commercially available [e.g., firefly luciferase is available from Sigma, St. Louis, Mo., and Boehringer Mannheim Biochemicals, Indianapolis, Ind.; recombinantly produced firefly luciferase and other reagents based on this gene or for use with this protein are available from Promega Corporation, Madison, Wis.; the aequorin photoprotein luciferase from jellyfish and luciferase from Renilla are commercially available from Sealite Sciences, Bogart, Ga.; coelenterazine, the naturally-occurring substrate for these luciferases, is available from Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.]. These luciferases and related reagents are used as reagents for diagnostics, quality control, environmental testing and other such analyses. These reagents have not been used in connection with entertainment and recreation for the glow, illumination and color produced upon generation of bioluminescence.
Thus, it is an object herein to exploit bioluminescence for use as a recreational product in combination with articles of manufacture to produce novelty items, including toys, personal items, foods, fountains, beverages, coating compositions, such as paints and inks, textiles, including clothing, and other such items. It is also an object herein to provide such combinations and to provide means for producing and using such combinations.
Systems and apparatus for generating bioluminescence, and combinations of these systems and apparatus with inanimate articles of manufacture to produce novelty items are provided. These novelty items, which are articles of manufacture, are designed for entertainment, recreation and amusement, include, but are not limited to: toys, particularly squirt guns; finger paints and other paints, slimy play material; textiles, particularly clothing, such as shirts, hats and sports gear suits, threads and yarns; bubbles in bubble making toys and other toys that produce bubbles; balloons; personal items, such as bath powders, body lotions, gels, powders and creams, nail polishes, make-up, toothpastes and other dentifrices, soaps, body paints, and bubble bath; items such as inks, paper; foods, such as gelatins, icings and frostings; and beverages, such as beer, wine, champagne, soft drinks, and ice cubes; fountains, including liquid "fireworks" and other such jets or sprays or aerosols of compositions that are solutions, mixtures, suspensions, powders, pastes, particles or other suitable form.
Thus, the novelty items provided herein include but are not limited to: textiles that glow, ink that glows, paints, particularly fingerpaints, that glow, paper products that glow, toys, particularly squirt guns that eject a bioluminescent fluid, dolls and dummies with internal organs or parts that glow; foods and beverages that glow, soapy compositions for blowing bubbles that produce bubbles that glow, bubble bath compositions that produce bubbles that glow, fountains that spew glowing fluid, bioluminescent "fireworks", sparklers, magic-wand toy, and numerous other such items.
Bioluminescence is advantageously used combination with the such novelty items because it can be generated using reagents that are nontoxic, noncorrosive and nonstaining. Bioluminescence is also advantageously used because it can be sustained to provide a glow that lasts, if desired, from minutes up to hours.
Any article of manufacture that can be combined with a bioluminescence-generating system as provided herein and thereby provide entertainment, recreation amusement, including use of the items for recreation or to attract attention, such as for advertising goods and/or services that are associated with a logo or trademark. Such uses may be in addition to or in conjunction with or in place of the ordinary or normal use of such items. As a result of the combination the items glow or produce, such as in the case of squirt guns and fountains, a glowing fluid or spray of liquid or particles. The novelty in the novelty item derives from its bioluminescence.
The preferred bioluminescence-generating reactions are performed by adding oxygen (or water containing oxygen) or calcium ions to luciferin and luciferase mixtures using apparatus and systems as described herein. Apparatus, systems and substrates for generating the bioluminescence are provided. The systems include matrix materials that are coated with bioluminescence generating reagents, capsular vehicles containing the reagents, single chamber and multiple chamber apparatus containing the reagents.
Methods and compositions for producing bioluminescence in combination with the novelty items are also provided. Micro- and macro-capsular vehicles containing components of bioluminescence generating reactions are provided. The capsular vehicles are capsules, such as liposomes, isolated endosomes, isolated vacuoles, gelatin capsules, and other such delivery vehicles, and the apparatus include vessels, and single chambers, dual chamber and three chamber or more apparatus. These vehicles encapsulate bioluminescent generating system components, and typically contain less than all of the components necessary to generate a bioluminescent reaction. The capsular vehicles include vehicles often used for drug delivery, such as liposomes, and time release capsules; and also capsules made glass, plastic and other such materials.
For example, the bioluminescence generating components may be coated on the inside of a glass container, such as a glass capillary tube [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,526]. Upon addition of a composition containing the necessary activating agents, such as molecular oxygen, ATP, a reductase, Ca2+, the coating will be contacted with the activator and will produce a glow. The capsular vehicles are intended for use in combination with the articles of manufacture.
Thus, the micro- or macro-capuslar vehicles, when crushed, opened, dissolved or otherwise placed under conditions that cause delivery of the contents, release material that glows upon contact with air and/or moisture or other activator(s). These vehicles vary in size [in the largest dimension] from as small as less than 0.1 μm up to 0.1 cm or more.
Matrix materials, such as glass, plastics, cotton and other textile material, that contain linked bioluminescence-generating reagents are also provided. For example, one or more components of the bioluminescence generating system is (are) linked to a matrix material. Matrix materials, such as textiles, glass, a plastic or ceramic surfaces or particles are combined with at least one component of the bioluminescent reagent, particularly the luciferin, luciferase, or, where the components are amenable, the luciferin and luciferase. The component(s) such as the luciferase are linked to the matrix, such as cotton, using methods known to those of skill in the protein synthesis art for linking peptides or proteins to solid substrates [see, e.g., Eichler et al. (1993) Biochemistry 32:11035-11041; Merrifield (1964) Biochemistry 3:1385-1390] Linkage is effected either covalently or non-covalently and can be direct or via linkers. Such methods and linkers are well known to those of skill in the chemical arts. The matrix materials with linked bioluminescent generating system components are contacted with an article of manufacture resulting in a novelty item that, when appropriately treated, such as by spraying on a composition that contains the remaining components of the reactions, glows or produces bioluminescence.
Also provided are single and multi-chamber, particularly dual chamber, apparatus for producing bioluminescence, and combinations of these apparatus with bioluminescence generating reagents are also provided. Such apparatus include at least one chamber that contains all but at least one reagent or component required to produce bioluminescence. Upon addition of the component either to the chamber or after ejection of some or all of the contents of the chamber a bioluminescent glow or glowing fluid, spray or jet is produced.
Articles of manufacture containing one or more components of a bioluminescence generating system or a composition, such as a composition containing ATP or Ca2+ or other activator, within the packaging material, and a label that indicates that the contents is used for generating bioluminescence are also provided.
Kits containing an article of manufacture and appropriate reagents for generating bioluminescence are also provided.
In the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation, with portions cut away, of a squirt gun incorporating the dual chamber structure;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2—2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3—3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view, with portions cut away, of a gas powered toy gun with dual chamber detachable fluid reservoir;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the toy gun of FIG.4, with portions cut away;
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view, partially cut away of a gas-charged fluid dispensing apparatus incorporating the dual chamber system;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7—7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the structure of FIG. 6, partially cut away;
FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a fountain type configuration of the gas-charged dual chamber fluid dispensing apparatus, with portions cut away;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10—10 of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a side elevation view, partially cut away, of a dual chamber compressible dispensing container;
FIG. 12 is a side elevation view, partially cut away of a bottle/bladder apparatus designed for use with bubble-blowing compositions;
FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12, with the components mixed and the bubble blowing wand detached for use; and
FIG. 14 is a side elevation view, partially cut away, of beverage container with a bladder apparatus actuated by opening of the beverage container.
FIG. 15 is a side elevation view, partially cut away of a single use, dual chamber fluid packaging apparatus adapted for use with bubble-blowing compositions.
FIG. 16 is a side elevation view, partially cut away of a cap apparatus operated by depression of the plunger assembly to rupture the capsule contained within the cork cap.
FIG. 17 is a side elevation view, partially cut away of a cap apparatus operated by screwing the plunger assembly into the cork cap to rupture the capsule contained therein.
FIG. 18 is a side elevation view, partially cut away of a cap apparatus operated by screwing the screw-cap onto the top of the bottle forcing the plunger assembly against the capsule contained within the neck of the bottle, thereby rupturing the capsule membranes.
FIG. 19 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 18, with the cap apparatus tightly secured against the top of the bottle and the capsule membranes ruptured.
B. Bioluminescence generating systems
1. General description
a. Luciferases
b. Luciferins
c. Activators
d. Reactions
2. Ctenophore and coelenterate systems
a. The aequorin system
(1) Aequorin photoprotein
(2) Luciferin
b. The Renilla system
3. Crustacean, particular Cyrpidina [Vargula], systems
a. Vargula luciferase
(1) Purification from Cypridina
(2) Preparation by Recombinant Methods
b. Vargula luciferin
c. Reaction
4. Insect bioluminescent systems including fireflies, click beetles, and other insect system
a. Luciferase
b. Luciferin
c. Reaction
5. Bacterial systems
a. Luciferases
b. Luciferins
c. Reactions
6. Other systems
a. Dinoflagellate bioluminescence generating systems
b. Systems from molluscs, such as Latia and Pholas
c. Earthworms and other annelids
d. Australian glow worms
C. Practice of the reactions in combination with articles of manufacture
D. Packaging of Bioluminescence Systems
1. Dispensing and Packaging Apparatus for Combination with the Bioluminescent System Components
2. Capsules, pellets liposomes, micronized particles
a. Encapsulating vehicles-in general
b. Encapsulating vehicles -liposomes
c. Encapsulating vehicles -gelatin and polymeric vehicles
d. Micronized particles
3. Apparatus and substrates
a. Matrix materials
b. Immobilization and activation
4. Apparatus containing a single chamber, housing or a vessel
5. Dual and multiple chamber fluid dispensing apparatus
a. Mechanical pump dispensing apparatus
b. Gas-charged dispensing apparatus
c. Compressible dispensing apparatus
6. Other fluid dispensing and packaging apparatus particularly designed for single use
a. Bottle-type single chamber container/bladder apparatus
b. Dual chambered bottle type container/bladder apparatus for use with foods and beverages
c. Can type container/bladder apparatus for use with foods and beverages
7. Cap Apparatus for use a single chamber vessel
E. Combinations of articles of manufacture and bioluminescence
1. Personal care products, including bath powders, bubble baths, products for use on the nails, hair, skin, lips and elsewhere
a. Bath powders
b. Glowing dust or powder
c. Lotions, gels and other topical application formulations
(1) Lotions
(2) Creams
(3) Solutions and suspensions for topical application
(4) Gels
(5) Solids
2. Glowing toys and other items
a. Single chamber toy guns and other toy weapons that shoot pellets or liquid
b. Bubble-making toys
3. Glowing textiles and paper products
4. Foods and beverages, including ice cubes
a. Beverages
b. Ice cubes
5. Jewelry, Clothing and Other Items of Manufacture Manufacture
6. Fountains
A. Definitions
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents and publications of any sort referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
As used herein, novelty items refer to inanimate articles of manufacture that are intended to provide, even for only a few moments, amusement, entertainment, decoration or recreation. The use for recreation or entertainment may be the items only use or may be in addition to other uses or benefits of the items, such as clothing, including as hats and T-shirts that are modified as described herein by combination with bioluminescence.
Novelty items are understood by those of skill in manufacture of such items as well as by the purchasing public and are intended herein to include items such as, toys, including toy guns, dolls, dummies, balloons, bubbles, "fairy dust", such as micronized lyophilized particles, puzzles, and inks and paints, particularly fingerpaints; theatrical vapors when mixed, for example with dry ice or a fog; souvenirs; textiles, particularly clothing, including T-shirts, hats, swimsuits, bathing suit, wet suits, scuba diving suits, surfing suits, and other water sport or sports attire; foods and beverages, including gelatins, ice cubes, beer, wine, champagne, soft drinks, ice creams, sorbets, ices, frostings, and candy; jewelry, medallions, decorative articles, artificial flowers, articles for displaying names, business tradenames, slogans, trademarks on promotional or other such items, such as T-shirts, hats, paints, wrapping paper, gifts intended to promote business goodwill; personal items, such as body paints, body sprays, bubble baths, make-up, body lotions, dentifrices; fountains; jets or sprays of particles or fluids, including "fireworks", sparklers, and magic-wand toys, and many other such novelty items [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,435,010, 5,460,022, 5,458,931, 5,435,787, 5,435,010, 5,432,623, 5,421,583, 5,419,558, 5,416,927, 5,413,454, 5,413,332, 5,411,427, 5,410,962, 5,407,691, 5,407,391, 5,405,958, 5,405,206, 5,400,698, 5,399,122, 5,398,972, 5,397,609, 5,396,408, 5,393,580, 5,390,086, 5,389,033, 5,383,684, 5,374,805, 5,368,518, 5,363,984, 5,360,010, 5,353,378, 5,351,931, 5,346,455, 5,341,538, 5,323,492, 5,283,911, 5,222,797, 5,177,812, 5,158,349, 4,924,358, 3,597,877 and many others, which describe types of items are considered novelty items]. Any such inanimate item that is combined with bioluminescence is intended to be encompassed herein.
Thus, for purposes herein, a novelty item refers to any inanimate article of manufacture that upon combination with bioluminescence provides amusement, entertainment, recreation or enjoyment if only for even a few moments. Addition of the bioluminescence to the article of manufacture does not add to the function of the item, but adds entertainment, amusement or recreational aspects to the item so that the resulting combination is a novelty item. Therefore, the combinations provided herein are novelty items by virtue of the combination an inanimate article of manufacture with bioluminescence.
As used herein, inanimate means that the articles of manufacture are not live nor formerly living [i.e., dead] items. Thus, the novelty items herein, do not encompass living organisms, such as genetically modified fireflies or genetically engineered plants that express luciferase or other such organisms] that produce bioluminescence.
As used herein, personal items include items that are used on the body, such as toothpastes, dentifrices, make-up, nail polishes, body lotions, body creams and body powders.
As used herein, chemiluminescence refers to chemical reaction in which energy is specifically channeled to a molecule causing it to become electronically excited and subsequently to release a photon thereby emitting visible light. Temperature does not contribute to this channeled energy. Thus, chemiluminescence involves the direct conversion of chemical energy to light energy.
As used herein, "fairy dust" refers to particles, such as light sensitive liposomes or micronized powdered particles, that glow upon contact with the air, such as "dust" that a child would use when pretending to be Tinker Bell or other such character.
As used herein, luminescence refers to the detectable EM radiation, generally, UV, IR or visible EM radiation that is produced when the excited product of an exoergic chemical process reverts to its ground state with the emission of light. Chemiluminescence is luminescence that results from a chemical reaction. Bioluminescence is chemiluminescence that results from a chemical reaction using biological molecules [or synthetic versions or analogs thereof] as substrates and/or enzymes.
As used herein, bioluminescence, which is a type of chemiluminescence, refers to the emission of light by biological molecules, particularly proteins. The essential condition for bioluminescence is molecular oxygen, either bound or free in the presence of an oxygenase, a luciferase, which acts on a substrate, a luciferin. Bioluminescence is generated by an enzyme or other protein [luciferase] that is an oxygenase that acts on a substrate luciferin [a bioluminescence substrate] in the presence of molecular oxygen and transforms the substrate to an excited state, which upon return to a lower energy level releases the energy in the form of light.
As used herein, the substrates and enzymes for producing bioluminescence are generically referred to as luciferin and luciferase, respectively. When reference is made to a particular species thereof, for clarity, each generic term is used with the name of the organism from which it derives, for example, bacterial luciferin or firefly luciferase.
As used herein, luciferase refers to oxygenases that catalyze a light emitting reaction. For instance, bacterial luciferases catalyze the oxidation of flavin mononucleotide [FMN] and aliphatic aldehydes, which reaction produces light. Another class of luciferases, found among marine arthropods, catalyzes the oxidation of Cypridina [Vargula] luciferin, and another class of luciferases catalyzes the oxidation of Coleoptera luciferin.
Thus, luciferase refers to an enzyme or photoprotein that catalyzes a bioluminescent reaction [a reaction that produces bioluminescence]. The luciferase enzymes, such as firefly and Renilla luciferases, that are enzymes which act catalytically and are unchanged during the bioluminescence generating reaction. The luciferase photoproteins, such as the aequorin photoprotein to which luciferase is non-covalently bound, are changed, such as by release of the luciferin, during bioluminescence generating reaction. The luciferase is protein that occurs naturally in an organism or a variant or mutant thereof, such as a variant produced by mutagenesis that has one or more properties, such as thermal stability, that differ from the naturally-occurring protein. Luciferases and modified mutant or variant forms thereof are well known.
Thus, reference, for example, to "Renilla luciferase" means an enzyme isolated from member of the genus Renilla or an equivalent molecule obtained from any other source, such as from another Anthozoa, or that has been prepared synthetically.
The luciferases and luciferin and activators therefore are referred to as bioluminescence generating reagents. Typically, a subset of these reagents will be provided or combined with an article of manufacture. Bioluminescence will be produced upon contacting the combination with the remaining reagents. Thus, as used herein, the component luciferases, luciferins, and other factors, such as O2, Mg2+, Ca2+ are also referred to as bioluminescence generating reagents [or agents].
As used herein, not strictly catalytically means that the photoprotein acts as a catalyst to promote the oxidation of the substrate, but it is changed in the reaction, since the bound substrate is oxidized and bound molecular oxygen is used in the reaction. Such photoproteins are regenerated by addition of the substrate and molecular oxygen under appropriate conditions known to those of skill in this art.
As used herein, bioluminescence substrate refers to the compound that is oxidized in the presence of a luciferase, and any necessary activators, generates light. These substrates are referred to as luciferins, which are substrates that undergo oxidation in a bioluminescence reaction. These bioluminescence substrates include any luciferin or analog thereof or any synthetic compound with which a luciferase interacts to generate light. Preferred substrates are those that are oxidized in the presence of a luciferase or protein in a light-generating reaction. Bioluminescence substrates, thus include those compounds that those of skill in the art recognize as luciferins. Luciferins, for example, include firefly luciferin, Cypridina [also known as Vargula] luciferin [coelentrazine], bacterial luciferin, as well as synthetic analogs of these substrates or other compounds that are oxidized in the presence of a luciferase in a reaction the produces bioluminescence.
As used herein, capable of conversion into a bioluminescence substrate means susceptible to chemical reaction, such as oxidation or reduction, that yields a bioluminescence substrate. For example, the luminescence producing reaction of bioluminescent bacteria involves the reduction of a flavin mononucleotide group (FMN) to reduced flavin mononucleotide (FMNH2) by a flavin reductase enzyme. The reduced flavin mononucleotide [substrate] then reacts with oxygen [an activator] and bacterial luciferase to form an intermediate peroxy flavin that undergoes further reaction, in the presence of a long-chain aldehyde, to generate light. With respect to this reaction, the reduced flavin and the long chain aldehyde are substrates.
As used herein, bioluminescence system refers to the set of reagents required to conduct a bioluminescent reaction. Thus, the specific luciferase, luciferin and other substrates, solvents and other reagents that may be required to complete a bioluminescent reaction form a bioluminescence system. Thus a bioluminescence system refers to any set of reagents that, under appropriate reaction conditions, yield bioluminescence. Appropriate reaction conditions refers to the conditions necessary for a bioluminescence reaction to occur, such as pH, salt concentrations and temperature. In general, bioluminescence systems include a bioluminescence substrate luciferin, a luciferase, which includes enzymes luciferases and photoproteins, and one or more activators. A specific bioluminescence system may be identified by reference to the specific organism from which the luciferase derives; for example, the Vargula [also called Cypridina] bioluminescence system (or Vargula system) includes a Vargula luciferase, such as a luciferase isolated from the ostracod, Vargula or produced using recombinant means or modifications of these luciferases. This system would also include the particular activators necessary to complete the bioluminescence reaction, such as oxygen and a substrate with which the luciferase reacts in the presence of the oxygen to produce light.
As used herein, ATP, AMP, NAD+ and NADH refer to adenosine triphosphate, adenosine monophosphate, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (oxidized form) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced form), respectively.
As used herein, production by recombinant means by using recombinant DNA methods means the use of the well known methods of molecular biology for expressing proteins encoded by cloned DNA.
As used herein, substantially identical to a product means sufficiently similar to so that the property of interest is sufficiently unchanged so that the substantially identical product can be used in place of the product.
As used herein, substantially pure means sufficiently homogeneous to appear free of readily detectable impurities as determined by standard methods of analysis, such as thin layer chromatography (TLC), gel electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), used by those of skill in the art to assess such purity, or sufficiently pure such that further purification would not detectably alter the physical and chemical properties, such as enzymatic and biological activities, of the substance. Methods for purification of the compounds to produce substantially chemically pure compounds are known to those of skill in the art. A substantially chemically pure compound may, however, be a mixture of stereoisomers. In such instances, further purification might increase the specific activity of the compound.
As used herein equivalent, when referring to two sequences of nucleic acids means that the two sequences in question encode the same sequence of amino acids or equivalent proteins. When "equivalent" is used in referring to two proteins or peptides, it means that the two proteins peptides have substantially the same amino acid sequence with only conservative amino acid substitutions [see, e.g., Table 2, below] that do not substantially alter enzymatic activity. When "equivalent" refers to a property, the property does not need to be present to the same extent [e.g., two peptides can exhibit different rates of the same type of enzymatic activity], but the activities are preferably substantially the same. "Complementary," when referring to two nucleotide sequences, means that the two sequences of nucleotides are capable of hybridizing, preferably with less than 25%, more preferably with less than 15%, even more preferably with less than 5%, most preferably with no mismatches between opposed nucleotides. Preferably the two molecules will hybridize under conditions of high stringency.
As used herein: stringency of hybridization in determining percentage mismatch is as follows:
1) high stringency: 0.1x SSPE, 0.1% SDS, 65° C.
2) medium stringency: 0.2x SSPE, 0.1% SDS, 50° C.
3) low stringency: 1.0x SSPE, 0.1% SDS, 50° C.
It is understood that equivalent stringencies may be achieved using alternative buffers, salts and temperatures.
The term "substantially" varies with the context as understood by those skilled in the relevant art and generally means at least 70%, preferably means at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95%.
As used herein, biological activity refers to the in vivo activities of a compound or physiological responses that result upon administration of a compound, composition or other mixture. Biological activities may be observed in in vitro systems designed to test or use such activities. Thus, for purposes herein the biological activity of a luciferase is its oxygenase activity whereby upon oxidation of a substrate light is produced.
As used herein, a composition refers to a any mixture. It may be a solution, a suspension, liquid, powder, a paste, aqueous, non-aqueous or any combination thereof.
As used herein, a combination refers to any association between two or among more items.
As used herein, fluid refers to any composition that can flow. Fluids thus encompass compositions that are in the form of semi-solids, pastes, solutions, aqueous mixtures, gels, lotions, creams and other such compositions.
B. Bioluminescence generating systems
A bioluminescence generating system refers to the components that are necessary and sufficient to generate bioluminescence. These include a luciferase, luciferin and any necessary co-factors or conditions. Virtually any bioluminescent system known to those of skill in the art will be amenable to use in the apparatus, systems, combinations and methods provided herein. Factors for consideration in selecting a bioluminescent-generating system, include, but are not limited to: the item used in combination with the bioluminescence; the medium in which the reaction is run; stability of the components, such as temperature or pH sensitivity; shelf life of the components; sustainablity of the light emission, whether constant or intermittent; availability of components; desired light intensity; and other such factors.
1. General description
In general, bioluminescence refers to an energy-yielding chemical reaction in which a specific chemical substrate, a luciferin, undergoes oxidation, catalyzed by an enzyme, a luciferase. Bioluminescent reactions are easily maintained, requiring only replenishment of exhausted luciferin or other substrate or cofactor or other protein, in order to continue or revive the reaction. Bioluminescence generating reactions are well-known to those of skill in this art and any such reaction may be adapted for use in combination with articles of manufacture as described herein.
There are numerous organisms and sources of the bioluminescence generating systems and some representative genera and species that exhibit bioluminescence are set forth in the following table [reproduced in part from Hastings in (1995) Cell Physiology:Source Book, N. Sperelakis (ed.), Academic Press, pp 665-681]:
It is understood that bioluminescence generating system may be isolated from natural sources, such as those in the above Table or may be produced synthetically. In addition, for uses herein, the components need only be sufficiently pure so that mixture thereof under appropriate reaction conditions produces a glow. Thus, in some embodiments, a crude extract or merely grinding up the organism may be adequate. Generally, however, substantially pure components are used. Also, components may be synthetic components that are not isolated from natural sources. DNA encoding luciferases is available [see, e.g., SEQ ID Nos. 1-13] and has been modified [see, e.g., SEQ ID Nos. 3 and 10-13] and synthetic and alternative substrates have been devised. The DNA provided listed herein is only representative of DNA encoding luciferases that is available.
Any bioluminescence generating system, whether synthetic or isolated form natural sources, such as those set forth in Table 1, elsewhere herein or known to those of skill in the art is intended for use in the combinations, systems and methods provided herein. Chemiluminescence systems per se, which do not rely on oxygenases [luciferases] are not encompassed herein.
a. Luciferases
Luciferases refer to any compound that, in the presence of any necessary activators, catalyze the oxidation of a bioluminescence substrate [luciferin] in the presence of molecular oxygen, whether free or bound, from a lower energy state to a higher energy state such that the substrate, upon return to the lower energy state, emits light. For purposes herein, luciferase is broadly used to encompass enzymes that act catalytically to generate light by oxidation of a substrate and also photoproteins, such as aequorin, that acts, though not strictly catalytically [since such protein is exhausted in the reaction], in conjunction with a substrate in the presence of oxygen to generate light.
These luciferases, including photoproteins, such as aequorin, are herein also included among the luciferases. These reagents include the naturally-occurring luciferases [including photoproteins], proteins produced by recombinant DNA, and mutated or modified variants thereof that retain the ability to generate light in the presence of an appropriate substrate, co-factors and activator or any other such protein that acts as a catalyst to oxidize a substrate, whereby light is produced.
Generically the protein that catalyzes or initiates the bioluminescent reaction is referred to as a luciferase, and the oxidizable substrate is referred to as a luciferin. The oxidized reaction product is termed oxyluciferin and certain luciferin precursors are termed etioluciferin. Thus, for purposes herein bioluminescence encompasses light produced by reactions that are catalyzed by [in the case of luciferases that act enzymatically] or initiated by [in the case of the photoproteins, such as aequorin, that are not regenerated in the reaction]a biological protein or analog, derivative or mutant thereof.
For clarity herein, these catalytic proteins are referred to as luciferases and include, such as enzymes such the luciferases that catalyze the oxidation of luciferin, emitting light and releasing oxyluciferin. Also included among luciferase are photoproteins, which catalyze the oxidation of luciferin to emit light but are changed in the reaction and must be reconstituted to be used again. The luciferases may be naturally occurring or may be modified, such as by genetic engineering to improve or alter certain properties. As long as the resulting molecule retains the ability to catalyze the bioluminescent reaction, it can be used herein.
Any protein that has luciferase activity [a protein that catalyzes oxidation of a substrate in the presence of molecular oxygen to produce light as defined herein] may be used herein. The preferred luciferases are those that are described herein or that have minor sequence variations. Such minor sequence variations include, but are not limited to, minor allelic or species variations and insertions or deletions of residues, particularly cysteine residues. Suitable conservative substitutions of amino acids are known to those of skill in this art and may be made generally without altering the biological activity of the resulting molecule. Those of skill in this art recognize that, in general, single amino acid substitutions in non-essential regions of a polypeptide do not substantially alter biological activity (see, e.g., Watson et al. Molecular Biology of the Gene, 4th Edition, 1987, The Benjamin/Cummings Pub. co., p.224). Such substitutions are preferably made in accordance with those set forth in TABLE 2 as follows:
Other substitutions are also permissible and may be determined empirically or in accord with known conservative substitutions. Any such modification of the polypeptide may be effected by any means known to those of skill in this art.
The luciferases may be obtained commercially, isolated from natural sources, expressed in host cells using DNA encoding the luciferase, or obtained in any manner known to those of skill in the art. For purposes herein, crude extracts obtained by grinding up selected source organisms may suffice. Since large quantities of the luciferase may be desired, isolation of the luciferase from host cells is preferred. DNA for such purposes is widely available as are modified forms thereof.
Examples of luciferases include, but are not limited to, those isolated from the ctenophores Mnemiopsis (mnemiopsin) and Beroe ovata (berovin), those isolated from the coelenterates Aequorea (aequorin), Obelia (obelin), Pelagia, the Renilla luciferase, the luciferases isolated from the mollusca Pholas (pholasin), and from the ostracods, such as Cypridina (also referred to as Vargula). Preferred luciferases for use herein are the Aequorin protein Renilla luciferase, and Cypridina [also called Vargula] luciferase [see, e.g., SEQ ID Nos. 1, 2, and 4-13].
b. Luciferins
The substrates for the reaction include any molecule(s) with which the luciferase reacts to produce light. Such molecules include the naturally-occurring substrates, modified forms thereof, and synthetic substrates [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,374,534 and 5,098,828]. Exemplary luciferins include those described herein, as well as derivatives thereof, analogs thereof, synthetic substrates, such as dioxetanes [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,004,565 and 5,455,357], and other compounds that are oxidized by a luciferase in a light-producing reaction [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,374,534, 5,098,828 and 4,950,588]. Such substrates also may be identified empirically by selecting compounds that are oxidized in bioluminescent reactions.
c. Activators
The bioluminescent generating systems also require additional components discussed herein and known to those of skill in the art. All bioluminescent reactions require molecular oxygen in the form of dissolved or bound oxygen. Thus, molecular oxygen, dissolved in water or in air or bound to a photoprotein, is the activator for bioluminescence reactions. Depending upon the form of the components, other activators include, but are not limited to, ATP [for firefly luciferase], flavin reductase [bacterial systems] for regenerating FMNH2 from FMN, and Ca2+ or other suitable metal ion [aequorin].
Most of the systems provided herein will generate light when the luciferase and luciferin are mixed and exposed to air or water. The systems that use photoproteins that have bound oxygen, such as aequorin, however, will require exposure to Ca2+ [or other suitable metal ion], which can be provided in the form of an aqueous composition of a calcium salt. In these instances, addition of a Ca2+ [or other suitable metal ion] to a mixture of luciferase [aequorin] and luciferase [such as coelentrazine] will result in generation of light. The Renilla system and other Anthozoa systems also require Ca2+ [or other suitable metal ion].
If crude preparations are used, such as ground up Cypridina [shrimp] or ground fireflies, it may be necessary to add only water. In instances in which fireflies [or a firefly or beetle luciferase] are used the reaction may only require addition ATP. The precise components will be apparent, in light of the disclosure herein, to those of skill in this art or may be readily determined empirically.
It is also understood that these mixtures will also contain any additional salts or buffers or ions that are necessary for each reaction to proceed. Since these reactions are well-characterized those of skill in the art will be able to determine precise proportions and requisite components. Selection of components will depend upon the apparatus, article of manufacture and luciferase. Various embodiments are described and exemplified herein; in view of such description other embodiments will be apparent.
d. Reactions
In all embodiments, up to all but one component of a bioluminescence generating system will be mixed with or packaged with or otherwise combined with a selected article of manufacture to produce the novelty item. When bioluminescence is desired, the remaining component(s) will be added and light will be produced.
In general, since the result to be achieved is the production of light visible to the naked eye for entertainment, amusement or recreation, for the purposes herein, the precise proportions and amounts of components of the bioluminescence reaction need not be stringently determined or met. They must be sufficient to produce light. Generally, an amount of luciferin and luciferase sufficient to generate a visible glow is used; this amount can be readily determined empirically and is dependent upon the selected system and selected application.
For purposes herein, such amount is preferably at least the concentrations and proportions used for analytical purposes by those of skill in the such arts. Higher concentrations may be used if the glow is not sufficiently bright. Also because the conditions in which the reactions are used are not laboratory conditions and the components are subject to storage, higher concentration may be used to overcome any loss of activity. Typically, the amounts are 1 mg of a luciferase per liter of reaction mixture or 1 mg coated on portion of a T-shirt or other textile or paper. Such coating may be produced by drying a composition containing at least about 0.01 mg/l, typically 0.1, 1 mg/l, 10 mg/l or more of each component on the item. The amount of luciferin is also between about 0.1 and 10 mg/l, preferably between 0.1 and 1 mg/l, additional luciferin can be added to many of the reactions to continue the reaction. In embodiments in which the luciferase acts catalytically and does not need to be regenerated, lower amounts of luciferase can be used. In those in which it is changed during the reaction, it also can be replenished; typically higher concentrations will be selected. Ranges of concentration per liter [or the amount of coating on substrate the results from contacting with such composition] of each component on the order of 0.1 to 20 mg, preferably 0.1 to 10 mg, more preferably between about 1 and 1 0 mg of each component will be sufficient. When preparing coated substrates, as described herein, greater amounts [or coating compositions containing higher concentrations of the luciferase or luciferin may be used.
It is understood, that concentrations and amounts to be used depend upon the selected article of manufacture and they may be readily determined empirically. Proportions, particularly those used when commencing an empirical determination, are generally those used for analytical purposes, and amounts or concentrations are at least those used for analytical purposes, but the amounts can be increased, particularly if a sustained and brighter glow is desired.
2. Ctenophore and coelenterate systems
Ctenophores, such as Mnemiopsis (mnemiopsin) and Beroe ovata (berovin), coelenterates, such as Aequorea (aequorin), Obelia (obelin), Pelagia, produce bioluminescent light using similar chemistries [see, e.g., Stephenson et al. (1981) Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 678:65-75; Hart et al. (1979) Biochemistry 18:2204-2210; International PCT Application No. WO94/18342, which is based on U.S. application Ser. No. 08/017,116 and other references and patents cited herein]. The Aequorin and Renilla systems are representative and are described in detail herein as exemplary and as among the presently preferred systems The Aequorin and Renilla systems can use the same luciferin and produce light using the same chemistry, but each luciferase is different. The Aequorin luciferase aequorin, as well as, for example, the luciferases mnemiopsin and berovin, is a photoprotein that includes bound oxygen and bound luciferin, requires Ca2+ [or other suitable metal ion] to trigger the reaction, and must be regenerated for repeated use; whereas, the Renilla luciferase acts as a true enzyme because it is unchanged during the reaction and it requires dissolved molecular oxygen.
a. The aequorin system
The aequorin system is well known [see, e.g., Tsuji et al. (1986) "Site-specific mutagenesis of the calcium-binding photoprotein aequorin," Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:8107-8111; Prasher et al. (1985) "Cloning and Expression of the cDNA Coding for Aequorin, a Bioluminescent Calcium-Binding Protein," Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 126:1259-1268; Prasher et al. (1986) Methods in Enzymology 133:288-297; Prasher, et al. (1987) "Sequence Comparisons of cDNAs Encoding for Aequorin Isotypes," Biochemistry 26:1326-1332; Charbonneau et al. (1985) "Amino Acid Sequence of the Calcium-Dependent Photoprotein Aequorin," Biochemistry 24:6762-6771; Shimomura et al. (1981) "Resistivity to denaturation of the apoprotein of aequorin and reconstitution of the luminescent photoprotein from the partially denatured apoprotein," Biochem. J. 199:825-828; Inouye et al. (1989) J. Biochem. 105:473-477; Inouye et al. (1986) "Expression of Apoaequorin Complementary DNA in Escherichia coli," Biochemistry 25:8425-8429; Inouye et al. (1985) "Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA for the luminescent protein aequorin," Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:3154-3158; Prendergast, et al. (1978) "Chemical and Physical Properties of Aequorin and the Green Fluorescent Protein Isolated from Aequorea forskalea" J. Am. Chem. Soc. 17:3448-3453; European Patent Application 0 540 064 A1; European Patent Application 0 226 979 A2, European Patent Application 0 245 093 A1 and European Patent Specification 0 245 093 B1; U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,240; U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,728; U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,937; U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,266; U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,181; U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,227; and SEQ ID Nos. 5-13, which set forth DNA encoding the apoprotein; and a form, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,227, European Patent Application 0 540 064 Al and Sealite Sciences Technical Report No. 3 (1994), is commercially available from Sealite, Sciences, Bogart, Ga. as AQUALITE®].
This system is among the preferred systems for use herein. As will be evident, since the aequorin photoprotein includes noncovalently bound luciferin and molecular oxygen, it is suitable for storage in this form as a lyophilized powder or encapsulated into a selected delivery vehicle. The system can be encapsulated into pellets, such as liposomes or other delivery vehicles, or stored in single chamber dual or other multiple chamber apparatus. When used, the vehicles are contacted with a composition, even tap water, that contains Ca2+ [or other suitable metal ion], to produce a mixture that glows. This system is preferred for use in numerous embodiments herein, such as in any embodiment that uses pellets. These embodiments include, squirt guns, fairy dust, bubble toys, bubble baths, soaps, linked to textiles, for addition to beverages and foods.
(1) Aequorin photoprotein
The photoprotein, aequorin, isolated from the jellyfish, Aequorea, emits light upon the addition of Ca2+ [or other suitable metal ion]. The aequorin photoprotein, which includes bound luciferin and bound oxygen that is released by Ca2+, does not require dissolved oxygen. Luminescence is triggered by calcium, which releases oxygen and the luciferin substrate producing apoaqueorin.
The bioluminescence photoprotein aequorin is isolated from a number of species of the jellyfish Aequorea. It is a 22 kilodalton [kD] molecular weight peptide complex [see, e.g., Shimomura et al. (1962) J. Cellular and Comp. Physiol. 59:233-238; Shimomura et al. (1969) Biochemistry 8:3991-3997; Kohama et al. (1971) Biochemistry 10:4149-4152; and Shimomura et al. (1972) Biochemistry 11:1602-1608]. The native protein contains oxygen and a heterocyclic compound coelenterazine, a luciferin, [see, below] noncovalently bound thereto. The protein contains three calcium binding sites. Upon addition of trace amounts Ca2+ [or other suitable metal ion, such as strontium] to the photoprotein, it undergoes a conformational change the catalyzes the oxidation of the bound coelentrazine using the protein-bound oxygen. Energy from this oxidation is released as a flash of blue light, centered at 469 nm. Concentrations of calcium ions as low as 10−6 M are sufficient to trigger the oxidation reaction.
Naturally-occurring apoaequorin is not a single compound but rather is mixture of microheterogeneous molecular species. Aequoria jellyfish extracts contain as many as twelve distinct variants of the protein [see, e.g., Prasher et al. (187) Biochemistry 26:1 326-1 332; Blinks et al. (1975) Fed. Proc. 34:474]. DNA encoding numerous forms has been isolated [see, e.g., SEQ ID Nos. 5-9 and 13].
The photoprotein can be reconstituted [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,181] by combining the apoprotein, such as protein recombinantly produced in E. coli with a coelentrazine, such as a synthetic coelentrazine, in the presence of oxygen and a reducing agent [see, e.g., Shimomura et al. (1975) Nature 256:236-238; Shimomura et al. (1981) Biochemistry J. 199:825-828], such as 2-mercaptoenthanol, and also EDTA or EGTA [concentrations between about 5 to about 100 mM or higher for applications herein] tie up any Ca2+ to prevent triggering the oxidation reaction until desired. DNA encoding a modified form of the apoprotein that does not require 2-mercaptoethanol for reconstitution is also available [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,240]. The reconstituted photoprotein is also commercially available [sold, e.g., under the trademark AQUALITE®, which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,227].
The light reaction is triggered by adding Ca2+ at a concentration sufficient to overcome the effects of the chelator and achieve the 10−6 M concentration. Because such low concentrations of Ca2+ can trigger the reaction, for use in the methods and apparatus herein, higher concentrations of chelator may be included in the compositions of photoprotein. Accordingly, higher concentrations of added Ca2+ in the form of a calcium salt will be required. Precise amounts may be empirically determined. For use herein, it may be sufficient to merely add water to the photoprotein, which is provided in the form of a concentrated composition or in lyophilized or powdered form. Thus, for purposes herein, addition of small quantities of Ca2+, such as those present in most tap water or in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or other suitable buffers or possible in the moisture on the skin, should trigger the bioluminescence reaction.
Numerous isoforms of the aequorin apoprotein been identified isolated. DNA encoding these proteins has been cloned, and the proteins and modified forms thereof have been produced using suitable host cells [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,162,227, 5,360,728, 5,093,240; see, also, Prasher et al. (1985) Biophys. Biochem. Res. Commun. 126:1259-1268; Inouye et al. (1986) Biochemistry 25: 8425-8429]. U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,240; U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,728; U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,937; U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,623; U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,266, U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,227 and SEQ ID Nos. 5-13, which set forth DNA encoding the apoprotein; and a form is commercially available form Sealite, Sciences, Bogart, Ga. as AQUALITE®]. DNA encoding apoaequorin or variants thereof is useful for recombinant production of high quantities of the apoprotein. The photoprotein is reconstituted upon addition of the luciferin, coelentrazine or an analog thereof, and molecular oxygen [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,181]. The apoprotein and other constituents of the photoprotein and bioluminescence generating reaction can be mixed under appropriate conditions to regenerate the photoprotein and concomitantly have the photoprotein produce light. Reconstitution requires the presence of a reducing agent, such as mercaptoethanol, except for modified forms, discussed below, that are designed so that a reducing agent is not required [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,240].
For use herein, it is preferred aequorin is produced using DNA, such as that set forth in SEQ ID Nos. 5-13 and known to those of skill in the art or modified forms thereof. The DNA encoding aequorin is expressed in a host cell, such as E. coli, isolated and reconstituted to produce the photoprotein [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,418,155, 5,292,658, 5,360,728, 5,422,266, 5,162,227].
Of interest herein, are forms of the apoprotein that have been modified so that the bioluminescent activity is greater than unmodified apoaequorin [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,728, SEQ ID Nos. 10-12]. Modified forms that exhibit greater bioluminescent activity than unmodified apoaequorin include proteins having sequences set forth in SEQ ID Nos. 10-12, in which aspartate 124 is changed to serine, glutamate 135 is changed to serine, and glycine 129 is changed to alanine, respectively. Other modified forms with increased bioluminescence are also available.
For use in certain embodiments herein, the apoprotein and other components of the aequorin bioluminescence generating system are packaged or provided as a mixture, which, when desired is subjected to conditions under which the photoprotein reconstitutes from the apoprotein, luciferin and oxygen [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,181; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,240]. Particularly preferred are forms of the apoprotein that do not require a reducing agent, such as 2-mercapto-ethanol, for reconstitution. These forms, described, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,240 [see, also Tsuji et al. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83:8107-8111], are modified by replacement of one or more, preferably all three cysteine residues with, for example serine. Replacement may be effected by modification of the DNA encoding the aequorin apoprotein, such as that set forth in SEQ ID No. 5, and replacing the cysteine codons with serine.
In general for use herein, the components of the bioluminescence are packaged or provided so that there is insufficient metal ions to trigger the reaction. When used, the trace amounts of triggering metal ion, particularly Ca2+ is contacted with the other components. For a more sustained glow, aequorin can be continuously reconstituted or can be added or is provided in high excess.
(2) Luciferin
The aequorin luciferin is coelentrazine and analogs therein, which include molecules have the structure [formula (I)]:
in which R1 is CH2C6H5 or CH3; R2 is C6H5, and R3 is p-C6H4OH or CH3 or other such analogs that have activity. Preferred coelenterazine has the structure in which R1 is p-CH2C6H4OH, R2 is C6H5, and R3 is p-C6H4OH, which can be prepared by known methods [see, e.g., Inouye et al. (1975) Jap. Chem. Soc.. Chemistry Lttrs. pp 141-144; and Halt et al. (1979) Biochemistry 18:2204-221 0]. The preferred coelentrazine has the structure (formula (II)):
The reaction of coelenterazine when bound to the aequorin photoprotein with bound oxygen and in the presence of Ca2+ can represented as follows:
The photoprotein aequorin [which contains apoaequorin bound to a coelenterate luciferin molecule] and Renilla luciferase, discussed below, can use the same coelenterate luciferin. The aequorin photoprotein catalyses the oxidation of coelenterate luciferin [coelenterazine] to oxyluciferin [coelenteramide] with the concomitant production of blue light [lambdamax=469 nm].
Thus, the bioluminescent system of Aequorea is particularly suitable for use in the methods and apparatus herein. The particular amounts and the manner in which the components are provided depends upon the selected combination of article of manufacture. This system can be provided in lyophilized form, that will glow upon addition of Ca2+, It can be encapsulated, linked to matrices, such as porous glass, or in as a compositions, such as a solution or suspension, preferably in the presence of sufficient chelating agent to prevent triggering the reaction. The concentration of the aequorin photoprotein will vary and can be determined empirically. Typically concentrations of at least 0.1 mg/l, more preferably at least 1 mg/l and higher, will be selected.
As described herein, blue light is produced using the Aequorea photoprotein in the presence of Ca2+ or the Renilla luciferase and the coelentrazine luciferin or analog thereof. This light can be converted into a green light if a green fluorescent protein is added to the reaction. Green fluorescent proteins, which have been purified [see, e.g., Prasher et al. (1992) Gene 111:229-233] and also cloned [see, e.g., International PCT Application No. WO 95/07463, which is based on U.S. application Ser. No. 08/119,678 and U.S. application Ser. No. 08/192,274, which are herein incorporated by reference], is used by cnidarians as energy-transfer acceptors. GFPs fluoresce in vivo upon receiving energy from a luciferase-oxyluciferein excited-state complex or a Ca2+-activated photoprotein. The chromophore is modified amino acid residues within the polypeptide. The best characterized GFPs are those of Aequorea and Renilla [see, e.g., Prasher et al. (1992) Gene 111:229-233; Hart, et al. (1979) Biochemistry 18:2204-2210]. For example, a green fluorescent protein [GFP] from Aequorea Victoria contains 238 amino acids, absorbs blue light and emits green light. Thus, inclusion of this protein in a composition containing the aequorin photoprotein charged with coelentrazine and oxygen, can in the presence of calcium result in the production of green light.
It is contemplated that GFPs may also be included in the bioluminescence generating reactions that employ the aequorin or Renilla luciferases or other suitable luciferase in order to enhance or alter color of the resulting bioluminescence.
b. The Renilla system
Representative of coelenterate systems is the Renilla system. Renilla, also known as sea pansies, are members of the class of coelenterates Anthozoa, which includes other bioluminescent genera, such as Cavarnularia, Ptilosarcus, Stylatula, Acanthoptilum, and Parazoanthus. Bioluminescent members of the Anthozoa genera contain luciferases and luciferins that are similar in structure [see, e.g., Cormier et al. (1973) J. Cell. Physiol. 81:291-298; see, also Ward et al. (1975) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 72:2530-2534]. The luciferases and luciferins from each of these anthozoans crossreact with one another and produce a characteristic blue luminescence.
Renilla luciferase and the other coelenterate and ctenophore luciferases, such as the aequorin photoprotein, use imidazopyrazine substrates, particularly the substrates generically called coelenterazine [see, formulae (I) and (II), above]. Other genera that have luciferases that use a coelenterazine include: squid, such as Chiroteuthis, Eucleoteuthis, Onychoteuthis, Watasenia; cuttlefish, Sepiolina; shrimp, such as Oplophorus, Sergestes, and Gnathophausia; deep-sea fish, such as Argyropelecus, Yarella, Diaphus, Neoscopelus.
Renilla luciferase does not, however, have bound oxygen, and thus requires dissolved oxygen in order to produce light in the presence of a suitable luciferin substrate. Since Renilla luciferase acts as a true enzyme [i.e., it does not have to be reconstituted for further use] the resulting luminescence can be long-lasting in the presence of saturating levels of luciferin. Also, Renilla luciferase is relatively stable to heat.
Renilla luciferase, DNA encoding Renilla luciferase, and use of the DNA to produce recombinant luciferase, as well as DNA encoding luciferase from other coelenterates, are well known and available [see, e.g., SEQ ID No. 1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,418,155 and 5,292,658; see, also, Prasher et al. (1985) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 126:1259-1268; Cormier (1981) "Renilla and Aequorea bioluminescence" in Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence, pp. 225-233; Charbonneau et al. (1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254:769-780; Ward et al. (1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254:781-788; Lorenz et al. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 88: 4438-4442; Hori et al. (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74:4285-4287; Hori et al. (1975) Biochemistry 14:2371-2376; Hori et al. (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74:4285-4287; Inouye et al. (1975) Jap. Soc. Chem. Lett. 141-144; and Matthews et al. (1979) Biochemistry 16:85-91]. The DNA encoding Renilla luciferase and host cells containing such DNA provide a convenient means for producing large quantities of the enzyme [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,418,155 and 5,292,658, which describe recombinant production of Renilla luciferase and the use of the DNA to isolate DNA encoding other luciferases, particularly those from related organisms].
When used herein, the Renilla luciferase can be packaged, such as in an toy, in lyophilized form, encapsulated in a vehicle, either by itself or in combination with the luciferin substrate. Prior to use the mixture is contacted with an aqueous composition, preferably a phosphate buffered saline pH 7-8; dissolved O2 will activate the reaction. For use herein, final concentrations of luciferase in the glowing mixture will be on the order of 0.01 to 1 mg/l or more. Concentrations of luciferin will be at least about 10−8 M, but 1 to 100 or more orders of magnitude higher to produce a long lasting bioluminescence.
Lyophilized mixtures, and compositions containing the Renilla luciferase are also provided. The luciferase or mixtures of the luciferase and luciferin may also be encapsulated into a suitable delivery vehicle, such as a liposome, glass particle, capillary tube, drug delivery vehicle, gelatin, time release coating or other such vehicle. Kits containing these mixtures, compositions, or vehicles and also a selected article of manufacture, such as a toy gun, bubble composition, balloon, item of clothing, personal item, are also provided. The luciferase may also be linked to a substrate, such as cotton, polyester, polyester-cotton blends, polypropylene, polyvinyltoluene, polyvinyl propylene, glass, ceramic, or plastics are provided in combination with or as part of an article of manufacture.
3. Crustacean, particularly Cyrpidina [Vargula], systems
The ostracods, such as Vargula [also known as Cypridina] serratta, hilgendorfil and noctiluca are small marine crustaceans, sometimes called sea fireflies. These sea fireflies are found in the waters off the coast of Japan and emit light by squirting luciferin and luciferase into the water, where the reaction, which produces a bright blue luminous cloud, occurs. The reaction involves only luciferin, luciferase and molecular oxygen, and, thus, is very suitable for application herein.
The systems, such as the Vargula [Cypridina] bioluminescent systems, are particularly preferred herein because the components are stable at room temperature if dried and powdered and will continue to react even if contaminated. Further, the bioluminescent reaction requires only the luciferin/luciferase components in concentrations as low as 1:40 parts per billion to 1:100 parts per billion, water and molecular oxygen [i.e., dissolved air or oxygen] to proceed. An exhausted system can renewed by addition of luciferin.
a. Vargula luciferase
Vargula luciferase is a 555-amino acid polypeptide that has been produced by isolation from Vargula and also using recombinant technology by expressing the DNA in suitable bacterial and mammalian host cells [see, e.g., Thompson et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86:6567-6571; Inouye et al. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89:9584-9587; Johnson et al. (1978) Methods in Enzymology LVII:331-349; Tsuji et al. (1978) Methods Enzymol. 57:364-72; Tsuji (19740 Biochemistry 13:5204-5209; Japanese Patent Application No. JP 3-30678 Osaka; and European Patent Application No. EP 0 387 355 A1].
(1) Purification from Cypridina
Methods for purification of Vargula [Cypridina] luciferase are well known. For example, crude extracts containing the active can be readily prepared by grinding up or crushing the Vargula shrimp. In other embodiments, a preparation of Cypridina hilgendorfi luciferase can be prepared by immersing stored frozen C. hilgendorfi in distilled water containing, 0.5-5.0 M salt, preferably 0.5-2.0 M sodium or potassium chloride, ammonium sulfate, at 0-30° C., preferably 0-10° C., for 1-48 hr, preferably 10-24 hr, for extraction followed by hydrophobic chromatography and then ion exchange or affinity chromatography [TORAY IND INC, Japanese patent application JP 4258288, published September 14, 1993; see, also, Tsuji et al. (1978) Methods Enzymol. 57:364-72 for other methods].
The luciferin can be isolated from ground dried Vargula by heating the extract, which destroys the luciferase but leaves the luciferin intact [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,327].
(2) Preparation by Recombinant Methods
The luciferase is preferably produced by expression of cloned DNA encoding the luciferase [European Paten Application NO. 0 387 355 A1; International PCT Application No. WO9/001542; see, also SEQ ID No. 5, which sets forth the sequence from Japanese Patent Application No. JP 3-30678 and Thompson et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86:6567-6571] DNA encoding the luciferase or variants thereof is introduced into E. coli using appropriate vectors and isolated using standard methods.
b. Vargula luciferin
The natural luciferin in a substituted imidazopyrazine nucleus, such a compound of formula (III):
Analogs thereof and other compounds that react with the luciferase in a light producing reaction also may be used.
Other bioluminescent organisms that have luciferases that can react with the Vargula luciferin include, the genera Apogon, Parapriacan thus and Porichthys.
c. Reaction
The luciferin upon reaction with oxygen forms a dioxetanone intermediate [which includes a cyclic peroxide similar to the firefly cyclic peroxide molecule intermediate]. In the final step of the bioluminescent reaction, the peroxide breaks down to form CO2 and an excited carbonyl. The excited molecule then emits a blue to blue-green light.
The optimum pH for the reaction is about 7. For purposes herein, any pH at which the reaction occurs may be used. The concentrations of reagents are those normally used for analytical reactions or higher [see, e.g., Thompson et al. (1990) Gene 96:257-262]. Typically concentrations of the luciferase between 0.1 and 10 mg/l, preferably 0.5 to 2.5 mg/l will be used. Similar concentrations or higher concentrations of the luciferin may be used.
4. Insect bioluminescent systems including fireflies, click beetles, and other insect system
The biochemistry of firefly bioluminescence was the first bioluminescent system to be characterized [see, e.g., Wienhausen et al. (1985) Photochemistry and Photobiology 42:609-611; McElroy et al. (1966) in Molecular Architecture in cell Physiology, Hayashi et al., eds. Prentice Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J., pp. 63-80] and it is commercially available [e.g.., from Promega Corporation, Madison, Wis., see, eg., Leach et al. (1986) Methods in Enzymology 133:51-70, esp. Table 1]. Luciferases from different species of fireflies are antigenically similar. These species include members of the genera Photinus, Photurins and Luciola. Further, the bioluminescent reaction produces more light at 30° C. than at 20° C., the luciferase is stabilized by small quantities of bovine albumin serum, and the reaction can be buffered by tricine.
a. Luciferase
DNA clones encoding luciferases from various insects and the use to produce the encoded luciferase is well known. For example, DNA clones that encode luciferase from Photinus pyralis, Luciola cruciata [see, e.g., de Wet et al. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82:7870-7873; de We et al. (1986) Methods in Enzymology 133:3; U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,613, see, also SEQ ID No. 3] are available. The DNA has also been expressed in Saccharomyces [see, e.g., Japanese Application No. JP 63317079, published Dec. 26, 1988, KIKKOMAN CORP] and in tobacco.
In addition to the wild-type luciferase modified insect luciferases have been prepared. For example, heat stable luciferase mutants, DNA-encoding the mutants, vectors and transformed cells for producing the luciferases are available. A protein with 60% amino acid sequence homology with luciferases from Photinus pyralis, Luciola mingrelica, L. cruciata or L. lateralis and having luciferase activity is available [see, e.g., International PCT Application No. WO95/25798]. It is more stable above 30° C. than naturally-occurring insect luciferases and may also be produced at 37° C. or above, with higher yield.
Modified luciferases that generate light at different wavelengths [compared with native luciferase], and thus, may be selected for their color-producing characteristics. For example, synthetic mutant beetle luciferase(s) and DNA encoding such luciferases that produce bioluminesce at a wavelength different from wild-type luciferase are known [Promega Corp., International PCT Application No. WO95/18853, which is based on U.S. application Ser. No. 08/177,081 Jan. 3, 1994]. The mutant beetle luciferase has an amino acid sequence differing from that of the corresponding wild-type Luciola cruciata [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,182,202, 5,219,737, 5,352,598, see, also SEQ ID No.3] by a substitution(s) at one or two positions. The mutant luciferase produces a bioluminescence with a wavelength of peak intensity that differs by at least 1 nm from that produced by wild-type luciferases.
Other mutant luciferase have also been produced. Mutant luciferases with the amino acid sequence of wild-type luciferase, but with at least one mutation in which valine is replaced by isoleucine at the amino acid number 233, valine by isoleucine at 239, serine by asparagine at 286, glycine by serine at 326, histidine by tyrosine at 433 or proline by serine at 452 are known [see, eg., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,219,737, and 5,330,906]. The luciferases are produced by expressing DNA-encoding each mutant luciferase in E. coli and isolating the protein. These luciferases produce light with colors that differ from wild-type. The mutant luciferases catalyze luciferin to produce red [λ609 nm and 612 nm], orange[λ595 and 607 nm] or green [λ558 nm] light. The other physical and chemical properties of mutant luciferase are substantially identical to native wild type-luciferase. The mutant luciferase has the amino acid sequence of Luciola cruciata luciferase with an alteration selected from Ser 286 replaced by Asn, Gly 326 replaced by Ser, His 433 replaced by Tyr or Pro 452 replaced by Ser. Thermostable luciferases are also available [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,285; see, also International PCT Application No.@) 95/25798, which provides Photinus luciferase in which the glutamate at position 354 is replaced lysine and Luciola luciferase in which the glutamate at 356 is replaced with lysine].
These mutant luciferases as well as the wild type luciferases are among those preferred herein, particularly in instances when a variety of colors are desired or when stability at higher temperatures is desired. It is also noteworthy that firefly luciferases have alkaline pH optima [7.5-9.5], and, thus, are suitable for use in combination with articles of manufacture, such as the bubble compositions that have alkaline pH.
b. Luciferin
The firefly luciferin is a benzothiazole:
Analogs of this luciferin and synthetic firefly luciferins are also known to those of skill in art [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,534 and 5,098,828]. These include compounds of formula (IV) [see, U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,828]:
in which:
R1 is hydroxy, amino, linear or branched C1-C20 alkoxy, C2-C20 alkyenyloxy, an L-amino acid radical bond via the α-amino group, an oligopeptide radical with up to ten L-amino acid units linked via the α-amino group of the terminal unit;
R2 is hydrogen, H2PO3, HSO3, unsubstituted or phenyl substituted linear or branched C1-C20 alkyl or C2-C20alkenyl, aryl containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, or R3—C(O)—; and
R3 is an unsubstituted or phenyl substituted linear or branched C1-C20 alkyl or C2-C20alkenyl, aryl containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, a nucleotide radical with 1 to 3 phosphate groups, or a glycosidically attached mono- or disaccharide, except when formula (IV) is a D-luciferin or D-luciferin methyl ester.
c. Reaction
The reaction catalyzed by firefly luciferases and related insect luciferases requires ATP, Mg2+ as well as molecular oxygen. Luciferin must be added exogenously. Firefly luciferase catalyzes the firefly luciferin activation and the subsequent steps leading to the excited product. The luciferin reacts with ATP to form a luciferyl adenylate intermediate. This intermediate then reacts with oxygen to form a cyclic luciferyl peroxy species, similar to that of the coelenterate intermediate cyclic peroxide, which breaks down to yield CO2 and an excited state of the carbonyl product. The excited molecule then emits a yellow light; the color, however, is a function of pH. As the pH is lowered the color of the bioluminescence changes from yellow-green to red.
Different species of fireflies emit different colors of bioluminescence so that the color of the reaction will be dependent upon the species from which the luciferase is obtained. Additionally, the reaction is optimized at pH 7.8.
Addition of ATP and luciferin to a reaction that is exhausted produces additional light emission. Thus, the system, once established, is relatively easily maintained. Therefore, it is highly suitable for use herein in embodiments in which a sustained glow is desired or reuse of the item is contemplated. Thus, the components of a firefly system can be packaged with the item of manufacture, such as a toy gun, and then combined with the article before use. For example, the luciferin and ATP can be added to a mild bubble solution that contains luciferase each time the bubbles are used.
5. Bacterial systems
Luminous bacteria typically emit a continuous light, usually blue-green. When strongly expressed, a single bacterium may emit 104 to 105 photons per second. Bacterial bioluminescence systems include, among others, those systems found in the bioluminescent species of the genera Photobacterium, Vibrio and Xenorhabdus. These systems are well known and well characterized [see, e.g., Baldwin et al. (1984) Biochemistry 23:3663-3667; Nicoli et al. (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249:2393-2396; Welches et al. (1981) Biochemistry 20:512-517; Engebrecht et al. (1986) Methods in Enzymology 133:83-99; Frackman et al. (1990) J. of Bacteriology 172:5767-5773; Miyamoto et al. (1986) Methods in Enzymology 133:70; U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,335].
a. Luciferases
Bacterial luciferase, as exemplified by luciferase derived from Vibrio harveyi [EC 22.214.171.124, alkanol reduced-FMN-oxygen oxidoreductase 1-hydroxylating, luminescing], is a mixed function oxidase, formed by the association of two different protein subunits α and β. The α-subunit has an apparent molecular weight of approximately 42,000 kD and the β-subunit has an apparent molecular weight of approximately 37,000 kD [see, e.g.., Cohn et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90:102-123]. These subunits associate to form a 2-chain complex luciferase enzyme, which catalyzes the light emitting reaction of bioluminescent bacteria, such as Vibrio harveyi [U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,335; Belas et al. (1982) Science 218:791-793], Vibrio fischeri [Engebrecht et al. (1983) Cell 32:773-781; Engebrecht et al. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81:4154-4158] and other marine bacteria.
Bacterial luciferase genes have been closed [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,623; U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,335; European Patent Application No. EP 386 691 A]. Plasmids for expression of bacterial luciferase, such as Vibrio harveyi, include pFIT001 (NRRL B-18080), pPALE001 (NRRL B-18082) and pMR19 (NRRL B-18081)] are known. For example the sequence of the entire lux regulon from Vibiro fisheri has been determined [Baldwin et al. (1984), Biochemistry 23:3663-3667; Baldwin et al. (1981) Biochem. 20: 512-517; Baldwin et al. (1984) Biochem. 233663-3667; see, also, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,196,318, 5,221,623, and 4,581,335]. This regulon includes luxl gene, which encodes a protein required for autoinducer synthesis [see, e.g., Engebrecht et al. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81:4154-4158], the luxC, luxD, and luxE genes, which encode enzymes that provide the luciferase with an aldehyde substrate, and the luxA and luxB genes, which encode the alpha and beta subunits of the luciferase.
Lux genes from other bacteria have also been cloned and are available [see, e.g., Cohn et al. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260:6139-6146; U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,524, which provides a fusion of the luxA and luxB genes from Vibrio harveyl]. Thus, luciferase alpha and beta subunit-encoding DNA is provided and can be used to produce the luciferase. DNA encoding the α[1065 bp] and β [984 bp] subunits, DNA encoding a luciferase gene of 2124 bp, encoding the alpha and beta subunits, a recombinant vector containing DNA encoding both subunits and a transformed E. coli and other bacterial hosts for expression and production of the encoded luciferase are available. In addition, bacterial luciferases are commercially available.
b. Luciferins
Bacterial luciferins include:
in which the tetradecanal with reduced flavin mononucleotide are considered luciferin since both are oxidized during the light emitting reaction.
c. Reactions
The bacterial systems require, in addition to reduced flavin, five polypeptides to complete the bioluminescent reaction: two subunits, α and β, of bacterial luciferin and three units of a fatty acid reductase system complex, which supplies the tetradecanal aldehyde. Examples of bacterial bioluminescent systems useful in the apparatus and methods provided herein include those derived from Vibrio fisheri and Vibrio harveyi. One advantage to this system is its ability to operate at cold temperatures. It will thus be particularly amenable to use in ice cubes. All components of a bacterial system can be frozen into ice cubes. As it the ice cubes melt into a warmer beverage, which has dissolved O2, the reaction will proceed, thereby providing a sustained glow.
Bacterial luciferase catalyzes the flavin-mediated hydroxylation of a long-chain aldehyde to yield carboxylic acid and an excited flavin; the flavin decays to ground state with the concomitant emission of blue green light [λmax=490 nm; see, e.g., Legocki et al. (1986) Proc. Natl. 5Acad. Sci. USA 81:9080; see U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,524]:
The reaction can be initiated by contacting reduced flavin mononucleotide [FMNH2] with a mixture of the bacterial luciferase, oxygen, and a long-chain aldehyde, usually n-decyl aldehyde.
DNA encoding luciferase from the fluorescent bacterium Alteromonas hanedai is known [CHISSO CORP; see, also, Japanese application JP 7222590, published Aug. 22, 1995]. The reduced flavin mononucleotide [FMNH2; luciferin] reacts with oxygen in the presence of bacterial luciferase to produce an intermediate peroxy flavin. This intermediate reacts with a long-chain aldehyde [tetradecanal] to form the acid and the luciferase-bound hydroxy flavin in its excited state. The excited luciferase-bound hydroxy flavin then emits light and dissociates from the luciferase as the oxidized flavin mononucleotide [FMN] and water. In vivo FMN is reduced again and recycled, and the aldehyde is regenerated from the acid.
Flavin reductases have been cloned [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,723; see, SEQ ID No. 14 for a representative sequence from this patent]. These as well as NAD(P)H can be included in the reaction to regenerate FMNH2 for reaction with the bacterial luciferase and long chain aldehyde. The flavin reductase catalyzes the reaction of FMN, which is the luciferase reaction, into FMNH2; thus, if luciferase and the reductase are included in the reaction system, it is possible to maintain the bioluminescent reaction. Namely, since the bacterial luciferase turns over many times, bioluminescence continues as long as a long chain aldehyde is present in the reaction system.
The color of light produced by bioluminescent bacteria also results from the participation of a protein blue-florescent protein [BFP] in the bioluminescence reaction. This protein, which is well known [see, e.g., Lee et al. (1978) Methods in Enzymology LVII:226-234], may also be added to bacterial bioluminescence reactions in order to cause a shift in the color.
6. Other systems
a. Dinoflagellate bioluminescence generating systems
In dinoflagellates, bioluminescence occurs in organelles termed scintillons. These organelles are outpocketings of the cytoplasm into the cell vacuole. The scintillons contain only dinoflagellate luciferase and luciferin [with its binding protein], other cytoplasmic components being somehow excluded. The dinoflagellate luciferin is a tetrapyrrole related to chlorophyll:
or an analog thereof.
The luciferase is a 135 kD single chain protein that is active at pH 6.5, but inactive at pH 8 [see, e.g., Hastings (1981) Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence, DeLuca et al., eds. Academic Press, N.Y., pp.343-360]. Luminescent activity can be obtained in extracts made at pH 8 by simply shifting the pH from 8 to 6. This occurs in soluble and particulate fractions. Within the intact scintillon, the luminescent flash occurs for ˜100 msec, which is the duration of the flash in vivo. In solution, the kinetics are dependent on dilution, as in any enzymatic reaction. At pH 8, the luciferin is bound to a protein [luciferin binding protein] that prevents reaction of the luciferin with the luciferase. At pH 6, however, the luciferin is released and free to react with the enzyme.
b. Systems from molluscs, such as Latia and Pholas
Molluscs Latia neritoides and species of Pholas are bioluminescent animals. The luciferin has the structure:
and has been synthesized [see, eg., Shimomura et al. (1968) Biochemistry 7:1734-1738; Shimomura et al. (1972) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 69:2086-2089]. In addition to a luciferase and luciferin the reaction has a third component, a "purple protein". The reaction, which can be initiated by an exogenous reducing agent is represented by the following scheme:
XH2 is a reducing agent.
Thus for practice herein, the reaction will require the purple protein as well as a reducing agent.
c. Earthworms and other annelids
Earthworm species, such as Diplocardia longa, Chaetopterus and Harmothoe, exhibit bioluminescence. The luciferin has the structure:
The reaction requires hydrogen peroxide in addition to luciferin and luciferase. The luciferase is a photoprotein.
d. Australian glow worms
The luciferase/luciferin system from the glow worms that are found in Australian and New Zealand caves is also intended for use herein.
C. Practice of the reactions in combination with articles of manufacture
The particular manner in which each bioluminescence system will be combined with a selected article of manufacture will be a function of the article and the desired effect. In general, however, less than all of the components of the reaction will be provided with the article and then contact with the remaining component(s) to produce a glow. There are a multitude of alternative means for achieving this result; some are described herein, and others will be apparent by virtue of the disclosure herein.
In the simplest embodiments, the organisms can be ground up and dried. For example, light will be emitted by ground up fireflies when mixed with water and ATP. Light will also be emitted merely be combining ground up Vargula shrimp and adding water, preferably cool water [room temperature or lower]. The only caveat is that the water must not be too hot; high temperatures destroy activity of the luciferases.
In other embodiments, the substantially pure reagents are combined with the article of manufacture and the article will glow or spew a glowing spray or jet. The reagents may be provided in compositions, such as suspensions, as powders, as pastes or any in other suitable form. They may be provided as sprays, aerosols, or in any suitable form. The reagents may be linked to a matrix and combined with the article of manufacture or formed into the article of manufacture. Typically all but one or more, though preferably all but one, of the components necessary for the reaction will be mixed and provided together; reaction will be triggered contacting the mixed component(s) with the remaining component(s), such as by adding Ca2+, FMN with reductase, FMNH2, ATP, air or oxygen.
In preferred embodiments the luciferase or luciferase/luciferin, such as the aequorin photoprotein, will be provided in combination with the article of manufacture or added before use. The article will then be contacted with the remaining components. As will become apparent herein, there are a multitude of ways in which each system may be combined with a selected article of manufacture.
D. Packaging of Bioluminescence Systems
Packaging for bioluminescent generating reagents provided herein must be chosen according to the article of manufacture with which the reagents are to be combined. In general, the packaging is non-reactive with the compositions contained therein and must exclude water and or air to the degree those substances are required for the luminescent reaction to proceed. It will be appreciated, however, that specific uses for the bioluminescent systems may require specific packaging. Following are some examples of the special packaging requirements of various end uses of the bioluminescent systems. These are offered as examples only and are in no way intended as limiting.
The bioluminescence generating reagents may be provided in pellets, encapsulated as micro or macro-capsules, linked to matrices and included in or on articles of manufacture, or as mixtures in chambers within an article of manufacture or in some other configuration. With respect to other articles of manufacture that include chambers or vessels, such as certain toys, primary considerations are that the bioluminescent system be amenable to activation by the user at will and that the container be non-reactive and, if desired, translucent to the bioluminescent glow. Examples of vessels include beverage holders, plates or other dishes, vases, jars, bottles and other containers. In general, vessels for use in practicing the methods herein have an enclosed, defined space, that contains most of the components of the bioluminescent system, and a separate enclosed, defined space containing the remaining necessary ingredients; such that, the two spaces are separated by a readily removable membrane which, upon removal, permits the components to mix and thereby react, resulting in illumination. Alternatively, the vessel can have a single compartment containing all but the final ingredients of the bioluminescent system and being amenable to addition of the final ingredients by the user; for example through an opening in the compartment.
Any toy, vessel or other article of manufacture that is amenable to having a generally translucent covering defining a space for containment of the bioluminescent system components and that is amenable to simple manipulation to permit addition of the final components necessary for the illumination reaction is contemplated.
Thus, whether the item that will glow or produce a glowing fluid, jet or spray, is a toy, vessel or other article of manufacture, its general design is the same. At least one of the bioluminescent system components is separated from the remaining components. The remaining components are added prior to use. They can be included in the article of manufacture and physically separated from the other components. For example, the physical separation means are those that are readily removed by the user, to permit mixing, resulting in illumination of the components. For example, an article of manufacture may contain a luciferase and substrate in one compartment and a bioluminescence activator in an adjacent compartment; or alternatively, one compartment may contain the luciferase, and the other the substrate luciferin and dissolved oxygen or other requisite activators. The compartments are separated by a dividing member, such as a membrane, that, upon compression of the article of manufacture, ruptures permitting separated components to mix and to thereby glow. For suitable embodiments, see EXAMPLES, below [see, also, e.g., containers described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,539,794 and 5,171,081].
Other embodiments contemplated herein, include those in which a fluid is ejected as a spray or jet and is rendered bioluminescent prior to ejection from the device, such as a toy or fountain. In general, the methods will involve addition of the bioluminescent system components to the water just prior to ejection thereby causing the ejected spray or jet or stream to glow. Various apparatus for accomplishing this are provided herein. In light of the disclosure herein other apparatus can be adapted for such use. Examples include chambers within a toy that inject the components into a water chamber just prior to ejection of the water, or a clip-on device housing the components, perhaps in pre-measured amounts, which is attached to the toy and manually or automatically engaged to inject the ingredients into a water chamber. Similarly, the water can be introduced into a chamber containing the components and then ejected.
In other embodiments, the components may be packaged as separate compositions, that, upon mixing, glow. For example, a composition containing luciferase may be provided separately from, and for use with, an a separate composition containing a bioluminescence substrate and bioluminescence activator. In another instance, luciferase and luciferin compositions may be separately provided and the bioluminescence activator may be added after, or simultaneously with, mixing of the other two compositions.
Similarly, the luciferase and bioluminescence substrate may be provided in a single packaging apparatus, an composition that is a mixture, suspension, solution, powder, paste or other suitable composition, that is designed to exclude the necessary bioluminescence activator. Upon addition of the bioluminescence activator to the remaining components or upon addition of the components to the bioluminesce activator, the reaction commences and the mixture glows. One example of such a system is "fairy dust". In this embodiment the luciferase and bioluminescence substrate, for example, are packaged to exclude water and/or air, the bioluminescence activator. Release of the components from the packaging into the air and/or moisture in the air activates the components thereby generating luminescence. Another example is packaging the luciferase and substrate in the cap apparatus of a vessel, such that operation of the cap apparatus releases the components into the composition contained in the vessel, causing it to glow.
1. Dispensing and Packaging Apparatus for Combination with the Bioluminescent System Components
In one aspect, the bioluminescent apparatus systems provided herein are bioluminescence [or bioluminescent] systems in combination with dispensing or packaging apparatus. The bioluminescence systems, described in detail elsewhere herein, include three components: a bioluminescence substrate [e.g., a luciferin], a luciferase [e.g., a luciferase or photoprotein], and a bioluminescence activator or activators [e.g., molecular oxygen or Ca2+]. The dispensing and packaging apparatus are configured to keep at least one of the three components separate from the other two components, until generation of bioluminescence is desired.
In general, the dispensing and packaging apparatus are non-reactive with the bioluminescent system components contained therein and can exclude moisture, air or other activators, such as O2 or Ca2+, or in some manner keep all necessary components that are required for the bioluminescent reaction to come into contact until desired.
It will be appreciated, however, that specific applications and configurations of the bioluminescence systems may require specific apparatus. Following are exemplary descriptions of various dispensers and packages contemplated for use herein. These are offered as examples only and are in no way intended as limiting. It is understood that in light of the description herein, other apparatus may be modified or devised, that would be suitable for use to produce bioluminescence in combination with novelty items.
2. Capsules, pellets, liposomes, endosomes, vacuoles, micronized particles
Certain embodiments of the novelty item combinations provided herein, such as beverage and foods and particles, such as for use as fairy dust or toy guns, fountains of particles and other such applications in require sequestering the components from the environment prior to use or that require particulate form. For example, embodiments in which the bioluminescence generating system is manufactured as part of food or beverage producing glowing beverages or foods require specific packaging considerations. To be amenable to use as an additive to beverages for human consumption, the packaging must be non-toxic, and should be easy to open to provide for contact of the bioluminescence generating system components with the beverage. Examples of suitable packaging for such use include encapsulating the bioluminescent system components in one or micro- [up to about 100 μm in size] or macroparticles [larger than 100 μM] of material that permits release of the contents, such as by diffusion or by dissolution of the encapsulating material. Liposomes and other encapsulating vehicles [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,306, which describes encapsulation of compounds in gelatin; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,021,364, 4,225,581, 4,269,821, 4,322,311, 4,324,683, 4,329,332, 4,525,306, 4,963,368 describe encapsulation of biologically active materials in various polymers] known to those of skill in the art, including those discussed herein and known to those of skill in the art [such as soluble paper, see U.S. Pat. No. 3,859,125]. Likewise, packaging of the system components for addition to food products must address the same considerations. The components may be added to the food substance directly, e.g., by sprinkling the dried and powdered ingredients onto the food, or indirectly, e.g., via addition, to the food, of a capsule containing the ingredients.
a. Encapsulating vehicles in general
All components of the bioluminescence generating system, except for the oxygen or water or Ca2+, depending upon the selected system can be incorporated into encapsulating material, such as liposomes, that protect the contents from the environment until placed into conditions that cause release of the contents into the environment. Encapsulating material contemplated for use herein includes liposomes and other such materials used for encapsulating chemicals, such as drug delivery vehicles.
b. Encapsulating vehicles -liposomes
For example, liposomes that dissolve and slowly release the components into the selected beverage, which contains dissolved oxygen or Ca2+ or even ATP for the luciferase system are contemplated herein. They can be formulated in compositions, such as solutions, suspensions, gels, lotions, creams, and ointments. Liposomes and other slow release encapsulating compositions are well known and can be adapted for use in for slow release delivery of bioluminescence generating components. Typically the luciferin and luciferase will be encapsulated in the absence of oxygen or Ca2+ or ATP or other activating component. Upon release into the environment or medium containing this component at a suitable concentration, the reaction will proceed and a glow will be produced. Generally the concentrations of encapsulated components should be relatively high, perhaps 0.1-1 mg/ml or more, to ensure high enough local concentrations upon release to be visible.
Liposomes or other sustained release delivery system that are formulated in an ointment or sustained release topical vehicle, for example, would be suitable for use in a body paint, lotion. Those formulated as a suspension would be useful as a spray. Numerous ointments and suitable liposome formulations are known [see, e.g., Liposome Technology, Targeted Drug Delivery and Biological Interaction, vol. III, G. Gregoriadis ed., CRC Press, Inc., 1984; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,470,881; 5,366,881; 5,296,231; 5,272,079; 5,225,212; 5,190,762; 5,188,837; 5,188,837; 4,921,757; 4,522,811]. For example, an appropriate ointment vehicle would contain petrolatum, mineral oil and/or anhydrous liquid lanolin. Sustained release vehicles such as liposomes, membrane or contact lens delivery systems, or gel-forming plastic polymers would also be suitable delivery vehicles. Liposomes for topical delivery are well known [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,231; Mezei et al. (1980) "Liposomes -A selective drug delivery system for the topical route of administration, l. lotion dosage form" Life Sciences 26:1473-1477; Mezei et al. (1981) "Liposomes -A selective drug delivery system for the topical route of administration: gel dosage form" Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 34:473-474; Gesztes et al. (1988) "Topical anaesthesia of the skin by liposome -encapsulated tetracaine" Anesthesia and Analgesia 67:1079-1081; Patel (1985) "Liposomes as a controlled-release system", Biochemical Soc. Trans. 13:513-516; Wohirab et al. (1987) "Penetration kinetics of liposomal hydrocortisone in human skin" Dermatologica 174:18-22].
Liposomes are microcapsules [diameters typically on the order of less than 0.1 to 20μm] that contain selected mixtures and can slowly release their contents in a sustained release fashion. Liposomes or other capsule, particularly a time release coating, that dissolve upon exposure to oxygen, air, moisture, visible or ultraviolet [UV] light or a particular pH or temperature [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,165; Kusumi et al. (1989) Chem. Lett. no.3 433-436; Koch Troels et al. (1990) Bioconiugate Chem. 4:296-304; U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,719; U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,730; U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,043; Straubinger et al. (1983) Cell 32:1069-1079; and Straubinger et al. (1985) FEBS Lttrs. 179:148-154; and Duzgunes et al. in Chapter 11 of the book CELL FUSION, edited by A. E. Sowers; Ellens et al (1984) Biochemistry 23:1532-1538; Yatvin et al. (1987) Methods in Enzymology 149:77-87] may be used for example in the squirt guns or toy machine guns or fairy dust. Liposome formulations for use in baking [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,208] are available. They release their contents when eaten or heated. Such liposomes may be suitable for incorporation into food products herein or in embodiments in which release of the components by heating is desired.
Liposomes be prepared by methods known to those of skill in the art [see, e.g., Kimm et al. (1983) Bioch. Bioph. Acta 728:339-398; Assil et al. (1987) Arch Ophthalmol. 105:400; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,811, and other citations herein and known to those of skill in the art].
Liposomes that are sensitive to low pH [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,448, 5,296,231; 5,283,122; 5,277,913, 4,789,633] are particularly suitable for addition to bath powders or to bubble compositions, just prior to use. Upon contact with the low pH detergent or soap composition or a high pH composition, the contents of the liposome will be released. Other components, particularly Ca+ or the presence of dissolved O2 in the water will cause the components to glow as they are released. Temperature sensitive liposomes are also suitable for use in bath powders for release into the warm bath water.
c. Encapsulating vehicles -gelatin and polymeric vehicles
Macro or microcapsules made of gelatin or other such polymer that dissolve or release their contents in a beverage or food or on contact with air or light or changes in temperature may also be used to encapsulate components of the bioluminescence generating systems.
Such microcapsules or macrocapsules may also be incorporated into solid soaps, such that as the soap dissolves the incorporated capsules or pellets release their contents, which glow upon contact with the water in which the soap is placed.
The aequorin system is particularly suitable for this application. It can be encapsulated in suspension or solution or as a paste, or other suitable form, of buffer with sufficient chelating agent, such as EDTA, to prevent discharge of the bioluminescence. Upon exposure of the capsule [microcapsule or macrocapsule] to moisture that contains Ca2+, such as in a food or beverage, a two chamber apparatus or single chamber apparatus, such as described herein, or even in a moist environment containing Ca2+, the slowly released components will glow.
Thus, encapsulated bioluminescence generating components can be used in combination with food, beverages, as bullets or pellets, as "fairy dust" [pellets that dissolve upon exposure to light and thereby release the luciferase/luciferin, such as the Renilla system, which will light upon exposure to air], and other such items.
Other encapsulating containers or vehicles for use with the bioluminescence systems are those that dissolve sufficiently in water to release their contents, or that are readily opened when squeezed in the hand or from which the contents diffuse when mixed with a aqueous mixture. These containers can be made to exclude water, so that the bioluminescent system components may be desiccated and placed therein. Upon exposure to water, such as in an aqueous composition solution or in the atmosphere, the vehicle dissolves or otherwise releases the contents, and the components react and glow.
These capsules may be formed from gelatin or similar water soluble material. If the packaging is to be added to food or beverage, then it should be chosen to be non-toxic, non-reactive and flavorless. To be readily opened by hand, the packaging may be constructed of thin plastic or may be configured in two halves which form an airtight seal when joined but which are readily separated when release of the components is desired.
In one aspect, these capsular embodiments of the packaging apparatus is contemplated for use as an additive to beverages, creams, sauces, gelatins or other liquids or semi-solids. In another aspect, it is contemplated that the contents of the packaging apparatus is released into the air whereby it glows upon contact with the moisture of the atmosphere.
d. Endosomes and vacuoles
Vehicles may be produced using endosomes or vacuoles from recombinant host cells in which the luciferase is expressed using method known to those of skill in the art [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,284,646, 5,342,607, 5,352,432, 5,484,589, 5,192,679, 5,206,161, and 5,360,726]. For example, aequorin that is produced by expression in a host, such as E. coli, can be isolated within vesicles, such as endosomes or vacuoles, after protein synthesis. Using routine methods the cells are lysed and the vesicles are released with their contents intact. The vesicles will serve as delivery vehicles. When used they will be charged with a luciferin, such as a coelentrazine, and dissolved oxygen, such as by diffusion, under pressure, or other appropiate means.
e. Micronized particles
The bioluminescence generating system components that are suitable for lyophilization, such as the aequorin photoprotein, the Renilla system, and the Vargula systems, can be micronized to form fine powder and stored under desiccating conditions, such as with a desiccant. When used the fine powder can be combined with the selected article of manufacture, such as a personal item, a chamber in a gun or fountain, or used as fairy dust. Contact with dissolved oxygen or Ca2+ in the air or in a mist that can be supplied or in added solution will cause the particles to dissolve and glow.
3. Apparatus and substrates
The combinations herein are produced by combining a selected novelty item and combining it with a system and apparatus for producing bioluminescence. Selection of the system depends upon factors such as the desired color and duration of the bioluminescence desired as well as the particular item. Selection of the apparatus primarily depends upon the item with which it is combined.
Among the simplest embodiments herein, are those in which the apparatus contains a single chamber [vessel] or matrix material and, if needed, ejection means. Components, generally all but at least one necessary component, typically the activator as defined herein, of the bioluminescence reaction are introduced into the housing or vessel or onto the substrate as a mixture in liquid phase or as a powder or other paste or other convenient composition. Prior to use the final component(s) is added or the other components are contacted with the final component(s).
a. Matrix materials
For preparation of combinations of articles of manufacture such as clothing , paper, items fabricated from a textile, plastic, glass ceramic or other such material, at least one component of the bioluminescence generating system is linked to the matrix substrate. When desired, a mixture or mixtures(s) containing the remaining component(s(, typically a liquid mixture is applied, as by pouring or spraying onto the matrix substrate, to produce a glow. For example, the aequorin photoprotein, including coelentrazine and oxygen, is linked to the substrate. When desired a liquid containing Ca2+, such as tap water or, preferably, a liquid mixture containing the Ca2+ in an appropriate buffer, is contacted, such as by spraying, with the matrix with linked luciferase. Upon contacting the material glows.
In other embodiments, the luciferase, such as a Vargula luciferase, is linked to the substrate material, and contacted with a liquid mixture containing the luciferin in an appropriate buffer. Contacting can be effected by spraying or pouring or other suitable manner. The matrix material is incorporated into, onto or is formed into an article of manufacture, such as clothing or a ceramic, glass, plastic figurine, toy, balloon, flocking agent, such as a Christmas tree flocking agent, or other item. The resulting novelty item can be sold as a kit with a container of the mixture containing the non-linked components, such as in a canister, spray bottle or can, or other suitable format.
The kits may also include containers containing compositions of the linked components which can be provided in a form, such as sprayed on as a liquid and air dried, that can be applied to the substrate so that the item can be made to glow again. Thus, kits containing a substrate, such as clothing or a plastic, ceramic or glass item, and a first composition containing a luciferase or a luciferin or both and luciferin, and a second composition containing the remaining components. The item as provided in the kit can be charged with the first composition, such as having the composition applied and dried, or may require charging prior to the first use. Alternatively, the item may be sprayed with both compositions when desired to produce a glow.
It is understood that the precise components and optimal means for application or storage are a function of the selected bioluminescence system. The concentrations of the components, which can be determined empirically, are not critical, but must be sufficient to produce a visible glow when combined. Typical concentrations are as low as nanomoles/l, preferably on the order of mg/l or higher. The concentration on the substrate is that produced when a composition containing such typical concentration is applied to the material. Again, such ideal concentrations can be readily determined empirically by applying the first composition, letting it dry, spraying the second composition, and observing the result.
The matrix material substrates contemplated herein are generally insoluble materials used to immobilize ligands and other molecules, and are those that used in many chemical syntheses and separations. Such substrates, also called matrices, are used, for example, in affinity chromatography, in the immobilization of biologically active materials, and during chemical syntheses of biomolecules, including proteins, amino acids and other organic molecules and polymers. The preparation of and use of matrices is well known to those of skill in this art; there are many such materials and preparations thereof known. For example, naturally-occurring matrix materials, such as agarose and cellulose, may be isolated from their respective sources, and processed according to known protocols, and synthetic materials may be prepared in accord with known protocols.
The substrate matrices are typically insoluble materials that are solid, porous, deformable, or hard, and have any required structure and geometry, including, but not limited to: beads, pellets, disks, capillaries, hollow fibers, needles, solid fibers, random shapes, thin films and membranes. Thus, the item may be fabricated from the matrix material or combined with it, such by coating all or part of the surface or impregnating particles.
Typically, when the matrix is particulate, the particles are at least about 10-2000 μM, but may be smaller or larger, depending upon the selected application. Selection of the matrices will be governed, at least in part, by their physical and chemical properties, such as solubility, functional groups, mechanical stability, surface area swelling propensity, hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties and intended use.
If necessary the support matrix material can be treated to contain an appropriate reactive moiety or in some cases the may be obtained commercially already containing the reactive moiety, and may thereby serve as the matrix support upon which molecules are linked. Materials containing reactive surface moieties such as amino silane linkages, hydroxyl linkages or carboxysilane linkages may be produced by well established surface chemistry techniques involving silanization reactions, or the like. Examples of these materials are those having surface silicon oxide moieties, covalently linked to gamma-aminopropylsilane, and other organic moieties; N-[3-(triethyoxysilyl)propyl]phthelamic acid; and bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Exemplary of readily available materials containing amino group reactive functionalities, include, but are not limited to, para-aminophenyltriethyoxysilane. Also derivatized polystyrenes and other such polymers are well known and readily available to those of skill in this art [e.g., the Tentagel® Resins are available with a multitude of functional groups, and are sold by Rapp Polymere, Tubingen, Germany; see, U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,405 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,814; see, also Butz et al. (1994) Peptide Res. 7:20-23; Kleine et al. (1994) Immunobiol. 190:53-66].
These matrix materials include any material that can act as a support matrix for attachment of the molecules of interest. Such materials are known to those of skill in this art, and include those that are used as a support matrix. These materials include, but are not limited to, inorganics, natural polymers, and synthetic polymers, including, but are not limited to: cellulose, cellulose derivatives, acrylic resins, glass, silica gels, polystyrene, gelatin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, co-polymers of vinyl and acrylamide, polystyrene cross-linked with divinylbenzene or the like [see, Merrifield (1964) Biochemistry 3:1385-1390], polyacrylamides, latex gels, polystyrene, dextran, polyacrylamides, rubber, silicon, plastics, nitrocellulose, celluloses, natural sponges. Of particular interest herein, are highly porous glasses [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,721] and others prepared by mixing a borosilicate, alcohol and water.
Synthetic matrices include, but are not limited to: acrylamides, dextran-derivatives and dextran co-polymers, agarose-polyacrylamide blends, other polymers and co-polymers with various functional groups, methacrylate derivatives and co-polymers, polystyrene and polystyrene copolymers [see, e.g., Merrifield (1964) Biochemistry 3:1385-1390; Berg et al. (1990) in Innovation Perspect. Solid Phase Synth. Collect. Pap., Int. Symp., 1st, Epton, Roger (Ed), pp. 453-459; Berg et al. (1989) in Pept., Proc. Eur. Pept. Symp., 20th, Jung, G. et al. (Eds), pp. 196-198; Berg et al. (1989) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111:8024-8026; Kent et al. (1979) lsr. J. Chem. 17:243-247; Kent et al. (1978) J. Org. Chem. 43:2845-2852; Mitchell et al. (1976) Tetrahedron Lett. 42:3795-3798; U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,230; U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,117; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,449]. Methods for preparation of such matrices are well-known to those of skill in this art.
Synthetic matrices include those made from polymers and co-polymers such as polyvinylalcohols, acrylates and acrylic acids such as poly-ethylene-co-acrylic acid, polyethylene-co-methacrylic acid, polyethylene-co-ethylacrylate, polyethylene-co-methyl acrylate, polypropylene-co-acrylic acid, polypropylene-co-methyl-acrylic acid, polypropylene-co-ethylacrylate, polypropylene-co-methyl acrylate, polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate, polypropylene-co-vinyl acetate, and those containing acid anhydride groups such as polyethylene-co-maleic anhydride, polypropylene-co-maleic anhydride and the like. Liposomes have also been used as solid supports for affinity purifications [Powell et al. (1989) Biotechnol. Bioeng. 33:173].
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,750, describes the preparation of polyurethane-based polymers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,537 describes a plant growth medium containing a hydrophilic polyurethane gel composition prepared from chain-extended polyols; random copolymerization is preferred with up to 50% propylene oxide units so that the prepolymer will be a liquid at room temperature. U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,123 describes lightly crosslinked polyurethane polymers of isocyanate terminated prepolymers containing poly(ethyleneoxy) glycols with up to 35% of a poly(propyleneoxy) glycol or a poly(butyleneoxy) glycol. In producing these polymers, an organic polyamine is used as a crosslinking agent. Other matrices and preparation thereof are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,177,038, 4,175,183, 4,439,585, 4,485,227, 4,569,981, 5,092,992, 5,334,640, 5,328,603.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,162,355 describes a polymer suitable for use in affinity chromatography, which is a polymer of an aminimide and a vinyl compound having at least one pendant halo-methyl group. An amine ligand, which affords sites for binding in affinity chromatography is coupled to the polymer by reaction with a portion of the pendant halo-methyl groups and the remainder of the pendant halo-methyl groups are reacted with an amine containing a pendant hydrophilic group. A method of coating a substrate with this polymer is also described. An exemplary aminimide is 1,1-dimethyl-1-(2-hydroxyoctyl)amine methacrylimide and vinyl compound is a chloromethyl styrene.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,171,412 describes specific matrices based on hydrophilic polymeric gels, preferably of a macroporous character, which carry covalently bonded D-amino acids or peptides that contain D-amino acid units. The basic support is prepared by copolymerization of hydroxyalkyl esters or hydroxyalkylamides of acrylic and methacrylic acid with crosslinking acrylate or methacrylate comonomers are modified by the reaction with diamines, aminoacids or dicarboxylic acids and the resulting carboxyterminal or aminoterminal groups are condensed with D-analogs of aminoacids or peptides. The peptide containing D-amino-acids also can be synthesized stepwise on the surface of the carrier.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,178,439 describes a cationic ion exchanger and a method for preparation thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,524 describes chemical syntheses on a silica support.
Immobilized Artificial Membranes [IAMs; see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,931,498 and 4,927,879] may also be used. IAMs mimic cell membrane environments and may be used to bind molecules that preferentially associate with cell membranes [see, e.g., Pidgeon et al. (1990) Enzyme Microb. Technol. 12:149].
These materials are also used for preparing articles of manufacture, such as toys, balloons, figurines, sponges, knick-knacks, key chains, clothing, translucent or transparent soaps, preferably mild soaps, and other items, and thus are amenable to linkage of molecules, either the luciferase, luciferin, mixtures of both.
For example, matrix particles may be impregnated into items that will then be contacted with an activator. For example, matrix particles with linked luciferin, preferably a luciferin/luciferase complex, such as the aequorin photoprotein is incorporated into a transparent or translucent soaps [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,081,394, 5,183,429, and 5,141,664, and United Kingdom Patent No. GB 2,235,931A], preferably a mild soap. Upon contacting the soap with water matrix particles near the surface will glow.
Kits containing the item including the matrix material with or without the coating of the bioluminescence generating components, and compositions containing the remaining components are provided.
b. Immobilization and activation
Numerous methods have been developed for the immobilization of proteins and other biomolecules onto solid or liquid supports [see, e.g., Mosbach (1976) Methods in Enzymology 44; Weetall (1975) Immobilized Enzymes, Antigens, Antibodies, and Peptides pp. 1-48 Marcel Decker, Inc., N.Y.; and Kennedy et al. (1983) Solid Phase Biochemistry, Analytical and Synthetic Aspects, Scouten, ed., pp. 253-391; see, generally, Affinity Techniques. Enzyme Purification: Part B. Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 34, ed. W. B. Jakoby, M. Wilchek, Acad. Press, N.Y. (1974); Immobilized Biochemicals and Affinity Chromatography, Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol. 42, ed. R. Dunlap, Plenum Press, N.Y. (1974)].
Among the most commonly used methods are absorption and adsorption or covalent binding to the support, either directly or via a linker, such as numerous disulfide linkages, thioether bonds, hindered disulfide bonds, and covalent bonds between free reactive groups, such as amine and thiol groups, known to those of skill in art [see, e.g, the PIERCE CATALOG, ImmunoTechnology Catalog & Handbook, 1992-1993, which describes the preparation of and use of such reagents and provides a commercial source for such reagents; and Wong (1993) Chemistry of Protein Conjugation and Cross Linking, CRC Press; see, also DeWitt et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90:6909; Zuckermann et al. (1992) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 114:10646; Kurth et al. (1994) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 116:2661; Ellman et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91:4708; Sucholeiki (1994) Tetrahedron Lttrs. 35:7307; and Su-Sun Wang (1976) J. Org. Chem. 41:3258; Padwa et al. (1971) J. Org. Chem. 41:3550 and Vedejs et al. (1 984) J. Org. Chem. 49:575, which describe photosensitive linkers].
To effect immobilization, a solution of the protein or other biomolecule is contacted with a support material such as alumina, carbon, an ion-exchange resin, cellulose, glass or a ceramic. Fluorocarbon polymers have been used as supports to which biomolecules have been attached by adsorption [see, U.S. Pat. No. 3,843,443; Published International PCT Application WO/86 03840].
A large variety of methods are known for attaching biological molecules, including proteins and nucleic acids, to solid supports [see. e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,683]. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,870 describes a method for introducing free amino or carboxyl groups onto a silica matrix. These groups may subsequently be covalently linked to other groups, such as a protein or other anti-ligand, in the presence of a carbodiimide. Alternatively, a silica matrix may be activated by treatment with a cyanogen halide under alkaline conditions. The anti-ligand is covalently attached to the surface upon addition to the activated surface. Another method involves modification of a polymer surface through the successive application of multiple layers of biotin, avidin and extenders [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,287]; other methods involve photoactivation in which a polypeptide chain is attached to a solid substrate by incorporating a light-sensitive unnatural amino acid group into the polypeptide chain and exposing the product to low-energy ultraviolet light [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,881]. Oligonucleotides have also been attached using a photochemically active reagents, such as a psoralen compound, and a coupling agent, which attaches the photoreagent to the substrate [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,102 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,157]. Photoactivation of the photoreagent binds a nucleic acid molecule to the substrate to give a surface-bound probe.
Covalent binding of the protein or other biomolecule or organic molecule or biological particle to chemically activated solid matrix supports such as glass, synthetic polymers, and cross-linked polysaccharides is a more frequently used immobilization technique. The molecule or biological particle may be directly linked to the matrix support or linked via linker, such as a metal [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,402; and Smith et al. (1992) Methods: A Companion to Methods in Enz. 4:73-78]. An example of this method is the cyanogen bromide activation of polysaccharide supports, such as agarose. The use of perfluorocarbon polymer-based supports for enzyme immobilization and affinity chromatography is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,250. In this method the biomolecule is first modified by reaction with a perfluoroalkylating agent such as perfluorooctylpropylisocyanate described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,444. Then, the modified protein is adsorbed onto the fluorocarbon support to effect immobilization.
The activation and use of matrices are well known and may be effected by any such known methods [see, e.g., Hermanson et al. (1992) Immobilized Affinity Ligand Techniques, Academic Press, Inc., San Diego]. For example, the coupling of the amino acids may be accomplished by techniques familiar to those in the art and provided, for example, in Stewart and Young, 1984, Solid Phase Synthesis, Second Edition, Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford.
Other suitable methods for linking molecules to solid supports are well known to those of skill in this art [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,193]. These include linkers that are suitable for chemically linking molecules, such as proteins, to supports and include, but are not limited to, disulfide bonds, thioether bonds, hindered disulfide bonds, and covalent bonds between free reactive groups, such as amine and thiol groups. These bonds can be produced using heterobifunctional reagents to produce reactive thiol groups on one or both of the moieties and then reacting the thiol groups on one moiety with reactive thiol groups or amine groups to which reactive maleimido groups or thiol groups can be attached on the other. Other linkers include, acid cleavable linkers, such as bismaleimideothoxy propane, acid labile-transferrin conjugates and adipic acid diihydrazide, that would be cleaved in more acidic intracellular compartments; cross linkers that are cleaved upon exposure to UV or visible light and linkers, such as the various domains, such as CH1, CH2, and CH3, from the constant region of human IgG1 (see, Batra et al. (1993) Molecular Immunol. 30:379-386). Presently preferred linkages are direct linkages effected by adsorbing the molecule to the surface of the matrix. Other linkages are photocleavable linkages that can be activated by exposure to light [see, e.g., Goldmacher et al. (1992) Bioconi. Chem. 3:104-107, which linkers are herein incorporated by reference]. The photocleavable linker is selected such that the cleaving wavelength that does not damage linked moieties. Photocleavable linkers are linkers that are cleaved upon exposure to light [see, e.g., Hazum et al. (1981) in Pept., Proc. Eur. Pept. Symp.. 16th, Brunfeldt, K (Ed), pp. 105-110, which describes the use of a nitrobenzyl group as a photocleavable protective group for cysteine; Yen et al. (1989) Makromol. Chem 190:69-82, which describes water soluble photocleavable copolymers, including hydroxypropylmethacrylamide copolymer, glycine copolymer, fluorescein copolymer and methylrhodamine copolymer; Goldmacher et al. (1992) Bioconi. Chem. 3:104-107, which describes a cross-linker and reagent that undergoes photolytic degradation upon exposure to near UV light (350 nm); and Senter et al. (1985) Photochem. Photobiol 42:231-237, which describes nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl chloride cross linking reagents that produce photocleavable linkages]. The selected linker will depend upon the particular application and, if needed, may be empirically selected.
Aequorin that is designed for conjugation and conjugates containing such aequorin have been produced [see, e.g., International PCT application No. WO 94/18342; see, also Smith et al. (1995) in American Biotechnology Laboratory]. Vargula luciferase has also been linked to other molecules [see, e.g., Japanese application No. JP 5064583, Mar. 19, 1993]. Such methods may be adapted for use herein to produce aequorin coupled to protein or other such molecules, which are linked to the selected matrix. Finally, as an alternative, a component of the bioluminescence generating system may be modified for linkage, such as by addition of amino acid residues that are particularly suitable for linkage to the selected substrate. This can be readily effected by modifying the DNA and expressing such modified DNA to produce luciferase with additional residues at the N- or C-terminus.
4. Apparatus containing a single chamber, housing or a vessel
Examples of vessels include beverage containers, plates or other dishes, vases, jars, balloons, bottles and other containers.
Single chamber housings or vessels will include single chamber water guns, inks, paints and other such items, in which one or more components of the bioluminescence system up to all of the components except for one of the components required for bioluminescence is included in the vessel as a mixture, powder or suspension of particles. The remaining component(s) is(are) introduced just prior to use. Thus, for example, for a squirt gun or a balloon or other such item, the items can be packaged with a powder in the chamber or inside the item, or a powder or other composition can be added, and then water is added. Alternatively, the luciferase, such as Renilla, Vargula, and firefly luciferase, can be linked to the surface of the item and water added. Depending upon the bioluminescence generating system selected the water can be tap water or water that contains the additional component, such as dissolved oxygen, or Ca2+ or ATP, or other suitable composition, and/or appropriate luciferin/bioluminescence substrate. Similarly, the luciferase/luciferase can be linked to the surface of the item in association with the appropriate luciferin/bioluminescence substrate, such that addition of activator alone generates luminescence.
For inks or paints the components are suspended in the ink or paint, and then the final component(s) is(are) added. Alternatively, pellets containing components of the bioluminescence generating system, such as the Renilla or Aequorin system can be added to an ink or paint or other such liquid item, and as the pellet dissolves or the contents diffuse out, the item will glow.
Kits containing the item and the bioluminescence generating systems are also provided herein.
5. Dual and multiple chamber fluid dispensing apparatus
An example of a dispensing apparatus contemplated for use herein is a dual chamber fluid dispensing apparatus. In general, this apparatus has two chambers thereby maintaining at least one of the bioluminescent system components separate from the remaining components until illumination is desired. This apparatus may include a mixing chamber to permit mixing of the components prior to dispensing from the apparatus. Further, the apparatus may be used with fluid or semi-fluid bioluminescence systems; for example, water based compositions or cream/lotion systems.
a. Mechanical pump dispensing apparatus
Another embodiment of a dual chamber fluid dispensing apparatus employs a mechanical pump mechanism in its operation. In this embodiment, the dispensing apparatus maintains at least one of the components of the bioluminescence reaction, such as the substrate, luciferase or activator, in separate chambers. A pump mechanism operates to withdraw the contents from each chamber and into a mixing chamber. Within the mixing chamber and upon ejection, the mixed composition is activated, for example by the oxygen in the air or by reaction of the components that were in one chamber, and glows. The pump mechanism may be manually operated, for example by pulling the trigger of a toy squirt gun, or it may be mechanically operated, for example by a motor which operates the pumping mechanism.
b. Gas-charged dispensing apparatus
Another example of a dual chamber fluid dispensing apparatus is one that uses CO2 or, preferably a mixture gases containing O2, or other gas, to propel the components of the bioluminescence system, such as the bioluminescence substrate and luciferase into a mixing chamber where they combine before being ejected through a dispensing nozzle. In such a dispensing apparatus, upon mixing of the contents in the mixing chamber the contents will glow.
These apparatus may be configured as, for example, a toy gun, toy cannon or other toy weapon, a decorative fountain or volcano or almost any fluid squirting or spouting device. A volcano shaped dispensing apparatus may be used, for example, as a substitute for conventional, similarly shaped fireworks displays.
Almost any bioluminescent system may be selected for use with the dual chamber fluid dispensing apparatus. If air is the bioluminescence activator, then the contents glow after mixing and upon ejection from the dispensing apparatus. Alternatively, the bioluminescent activator may be contained in one of the two chambers along with either the luciferase or bioluminescence substrate, or it may be located in a third chamber that is also connected to the mixing chamber. Thus, as with all the combinations described herein, the critical aspect of these dispensing apparatus is that at least one of the bioluminescent system components be maintained separate from the other components until reaction is desired.
c. Compressible dispensing apparatus
Another embodiment of a dual chamber fluid dispensing apparatus contemplated for use herein takes the form of a compressible bottle or tube. The bottle has two compartments within it that keep at least two of the bioluminescent system components separated. The cap of the bottle can serve as a mixing chamber or a mixing chamber may be positioned between the two chambers and the cap. The bioluminescent system components are forced by compression from the bottle into the mixing chamber. They are then dispensed from the mixing chamber. For example, the mixed contents may be removed from the bottle by attaching a plunger/syringe apparatus to the dispensing end and withdrawing the contents therethrough.
Such compressible bottle or tube is particularly useful for dispensing bioluminescent body creams, gels or lotions, finger paints, dentifrices, shampoos, hair gels, cosmetics and other viscous fluids and semi-solids. The bottle or tube is preferably constructed of plastic, plastic/metal laminate or similar collapsible composite to avoid formation of a vacuum within the container as its contents are expelled. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,663, which describes a dual chambered tube for use with dentifrices and which, as all cited patents and publications herein, is incorporated herein in its entirety. This tube may be adapted for use in combination with the bioluminescence generating systems provided herein. Other tubes and vessels that have dual chambers, such as those used to keep components of the final product separate until use, may be used herein [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,405,056, 4,676,406, 4,438,869, 5,059,417, 4,528,180, 4,849,213, 4,895,721, 5,085,853, see, esp. 5,038,963]
6. Other fluid dispensing and packaging apparatus particularly designed for single use
Additional embodiments of the dispensing and packaging apparatus contemplated for use herein include fluid packaging apparatus, designed for use with bioluminescent fluids. These apparatus maintain at least one of the bioluminescent system components separate from the remaining components until illumination is desired. Unlike the dual chamber fluid dispensing apparatus, however, these apparatus result in illumination of the entire contents of the package and therefore are typically intended for a single use applications. They can, however, be recharged by adding additional substrate, luciferase or other exhausted component.
a. Bottle-type single chamber container/bladder apparatus
One example of a fluid packaging apparatus, contemplated for use herein, is a bottle shaped device having a bladder within it that contains at least one of the bioluminescent system components. A piercing pin or other means for rupturing the bladder is also located within the bottle. When the bladder is ruptured, within the bottle, its contents mix with the contents of the bottle and the resulting mixture becomes illuminated or glows upon contact with an activator, such as air.
Because the bioluminescent system components are mixed within the entire bottle, those contents must be used shortly after mixing. Thus, this type of packaging is particularly suitable for use with bioluminescence systems that are consumed in a single use or activity such as bubble-blowing.
b. Dual chambered bottle type container/bladder apparatus for use with foods and beverages
Another example of a fluid packaging apparatus provided herein is a single use, dual chambered bottle. This apparatus is configured with a membrane between the two chambers. One chamber is designed to readily collapse against the other chamber thereby rupturing the membrane which divides the chambers. The contents of the two chambers then mix, resulting in illumination of the fluids. Alternatively, instead of a membrane separation means, a one-way valve may be situated between the two chambers. Such a single use, dual chamber apparatus is particularly suitable for use with bubble-making compositions, beverages, single use amounts of shampoos, soaps, creams or lotions, or similar substances.
c. Can type container/bladder apparatus for use with foods and beverages
Another example of a fluid packaging apparatus, which is amenable to use with bioluminescent food or beverage, is a container/bladder combination. In one embodiment, the container is configured like a pop-top can, such as a soda can. A bladder, containing at least one of the bioluminescent system components, is positioned under the top of the can. Within the can is a beverage that contains the remaining bioluminescent system components. Upon opening the can, the bladder is punctured and its contents mixed with the rest of the contents of the can; thereby illuminating the beverage. Preferably, the container is clear, so that the illumination will be almost immediately visible. Other pop top cans that can be modified for use herein are known [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,014].
Alternative configurations of the container/bladder apparatus are likewise contemplated. For example, the container may be in any shape and configured with a removable cap to which the bladder is attached. To cause the beverage to glow, the bladder is punctured or otherwise compromised and its contents added to the container; thereby causing illumination of the food or beverage. The contents of the container need not be a food or beverage, any fluid or semi-solid may be used and is herein contemplated.
7. Cap Apparatus for use a single chamber vessel
Another example of a packaging apparatus contemplated herein is a cap apparatus for use with a vessel. In this embodiment, one or more of the bioluminescent system components, up to all but one component, is [are] within the cap of the vessel and the remaining components are contained in the vessel. Upon operation of the cap apparatus, the bioluminescent system components are added to the composition in the vessel and the composition glows. Preferably the vessel is translucent to the bioluminescence; however, the glowing composition may be dispensed from the vessel.
Generally, the cap is configured with a pocket within it which opens to the bottom of the cap. For example, the bottom of the cap can be U-shaped, curving into the cap and thereby forming the pocket. The cap apparatus contains a capsule or similar package, containing one or more, up to all but one, of the bioluminescent system components, within the pocket in the cap. Means for deploying the bioluminescent system components into the vessel are attached to the cap. Such deployment means can be, for example, a plunger assembly. The cap apparatus is operated by depressing the plunger, thereby forcing the packaged components into the composition within the vessel or breaking the packaging, releasing its contents into the composition within the vessel. The package should be dissolvable in the composition or amenable to diffusion of the components contained therein or readily rupturable upon contact with the plunger assembly.
Alternatively, the packaging within the cap apparatus can comprise a membrane or series of membranes separating the bioluminescent system components from the composition within the vessel or from the composition within the vessel and from each other. In this alternative, the plunger can rupture the membrane(s) thereby permitting the bioluminescent system components contained therein to be released into the composition contained in the vessel. Again, upon mixture of the components with the composition, illumination ensues.
The bioluminescent system components contained within the cap apparatus may be in a composition, such as a solution, a powder or a suspension of particles or other form amenable to packaging within the cap apparatus that can be mixed with the composition contained within the vessel. The cap apparatus also may be adapted with a screen or filter attached to the bottom of the cap to prevent membrane fragments from entering the vessel.
The cap apparatus, as all the apparatus described herein that are in contact with a bioluminescent system component, should be non-reactive with the components and is preferably non-toxic, particularly if used with a composition intended for human consumption. The cap can be constructed of cork, for example, and situated in a wine or champagne bottle. Alternatively, the cap can be a screw-top type cap, having a plunger integral thereto, such that tightening of the screw-cap onto the top of the vessel forces the plunger against the packaged bioluminescent system components either rupturing the packaging or pushing it into the vessel.
E. Combinations of articles of manufacture and bioluminescence
Combinations of articles of manufacture and bioluminescence are provided herein. By virtue of the bioluminescence the combinations are novelty items because the bioluminescence provides entertainment, amusement or recreation. Any such combination of an article of manufacture with bioluminescence that produces a novelty item [i.e., provides entertainment, amusement, or recreation] is intended herein. The combination is formed by contacting the article of manufacture or materials in the manufacture with a bioluminescence generating system or an apparatus therefore. The components of the bioluminescence generating system is manufactured as part of the item, coated thereon, impregnated therein, or added after manufacture. Alternatively, the article of manufacture is combined with an apparatus that contains or to which components of the bioluminescence generating system are added, and that produces the bioluminescence.
The bioluminescent systems provided herein are contemplated for use with various substances to glow the substance. For example, as discussed below, the bioluminescent system components may be used to produce glowing aqueous mixtures housed in transparent portions of articles of manufacture, thereby illuminating that portion of the article of manufacture. Additionally, the bioluminescent system components may be used to produce glowing food or beverage products, textiles, creams, lotions, gels, soaps, bubbles, papers, powders or water. Following are brief examples of combinations of bioluminescence systems with articles of manufacture and the resulting novelty items contemplated herein.
1. Personal care products, including bath powders, bubble baths, products for use on the nails, hair, skin, lips and elsewhere
Personal care products can be in the form of powders, pressed powders, sprays, foams, aerosols, lotions, gels, ointments and other suitable formulations. The common element will be the combination of such items with bioluminescence generating reagents, so that before use or upon application to the body or when used the product will glow. These items include, body powders, lotions, gels, solutions, nail polishes, make-up, body paints, dentifrices. As described herein, the items are combined with one or more components of a bioluminescence generating system, and, when a glow is desired, the remaining components are added or combined with the other components.
a. Bath powders
Numerous bath powders exemplified herein, are suitable for use in combination with the bioluminescent generating systems herein. Such bath powders are preferably non-detergent with a pH close to neutral. The selected bioluminescence generating system must be selected to be active at the resulting pH. In addition, capsular delivery vehicles, such as liposomes or time release delivery vehicles, preferably microcapsules, that contain a luciferase and luciferin, such as the Renilla, Vargula, or Aequorin system, and that are pH, temperature sensitive, or that dissolve in water or that are otherwise released are preferred for use herein. In certain embodiments, there will be two types of capsules, one type containing up to all but one of the components required for the bioluminescence reaction, and the other containing the remaining components [except, if desired, for those components that will be present in the bath water, such as Ca2+]. Such capsules may be components of the bath powder or may be added to a bath to give it a glow. Upon contact with the warm water or with water of a particular pH the contents of the capsule or pellet will be released, preferably over time, and will glow.
In other embodiments, there will be one type of capsule that contains the luciferase and other components. The luciferin may be included in the bath powder or added separately. Other ways in which the components may be combined will, in light of the disclosure herein, be apparent to those of skill in the art. The bath powders and bioluminescence generating reactions will be provided as a combination or in a kit.
Suitable bath powders and bubble baths and other bubble compositions for use in these combinations are well known to those of skill in the art [see, eg., U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,478,501 4,565,647; 5,478,490; 5,412,118; 5,401,773; and many other examples]. These may be modified by adding the bioluminescence generating system components.
b. Glowing dust or powder
Another embodiment of the combination described herein is as a glowing dust or powder substance, or a vapor, such as for use in the theatrical productions. In this embodiment, lyophilized or desiccated forms, micronized powdered forms, or, a suitable composition, of up to all but one of the bioluminescence generating system components are encapsulated in readily rupturable or time release or temperature or pH or light sensitive microspheres or capsules, as described above. Preferable encapsulating agents are light or temperature sensitive so that upon exposure to the environment, the contents are released from the capsules. Moisture or oxygen in the air or a spray of water on the skin with dissolved oxygen in the vicinity of the "dust" will produce a glow. The dust can be added to another powder, such as body powder, provided it is stored in an airtight container. Once the powder contacts the moisture in the air and on the wearer's skin, it glows.
Alternatively, micronized particles of lyophilized powders are packaged such in manner so that the powder remains dry. Upon exposure to moist air or to air with water droplets [such as a fog], the micronized powders will glow.
c. Lotions, gels and other topical application formulations
For application to the skin, the macro or microparticles or the luciferase, luciferin or mixture thereof, may be added to cosmetic compositions. The compositions may be provided in the form of gels, creams, lotions, solids, and other compositions, such as solutions and suspensions, aerosols or solid base or vehicle known in the art to be non-toxic and dermatologically acceptable to which sufficient number of such particles are added under conditions in which the contents are released into the gels, creams, lotions, solids, solutions or suspensions, or aerosols, which contain either molecular oxygen and/or Ca2+ to react with the contents of particles. Upon application to the skin the gels, creams, lotions, solids, solutions or suspensions, or aerosols glow.
(1) Lotions
The lotions contain an effective concentration of less than all reagents for one or more bioluminescent systems. Preferably, the reagents are encapsulated in a vehicle that releases its contents upon exposure to light or temperature, such that as the contents of the vehicle are released they react with oxygen or Ca2+ in the lotion and/or on the skin. Prior to use the skin can be sprayed with a mist of water, buffer or other composition containing the requisite ions. The effective concentration is that sufficient to produce a visible glow when contacting the skin. Any emollients, as long as they do not inactivate the bioluminescent reaction, known to those of skill in the art as suitable for application to human skin may be used. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) Hydrocarbon oils and waxes, including mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin, ceresin, ozokerite, microcrystalline wax, polyethylene, and perhydrosqualene. p1 (b) Silicone oils, including dimethylpolysiloxanes, methylphenylpolysiloxanes, water-soluble and alcohol-soluble silicone-glycol copolymers. p1 (c) Triglyceride fats and oils, including those derived from vegetable, animal and marine sources. Examples include, but are not limited to, castor oil, safflower oil, cotton seed oil, corn oil, olive oil, cod liver oil, almond oil, avocado oil, palm oil, sesame oil, and soybean oil.
(d) Acetoglyceride esters, such as acetylated monoglycerides.
(e) Ethoxylated glycerides, such as ethoxylated glyceryl monstearate.
(f) Alkyl esters of fatty acids having 10 to 20 carbon atoms. Methyl, isopropyl and butyl esters of fatty acids are useful herein. Examples include, but are not limited to, hexyl laurate, isohexyl laurate, isohexyl palmitate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl myristate, decyl oleate, isodecyl oleate, hexadecyl stearate, decyl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, diisopropyl adipate, diisohexyl adipate, dihexyldecyl adipate, diisopropyl sebacate, lauryl lactate, myristyl lactate, and cetyl lactate.
(g) Alkenyl esters of fatty acids having 10 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples thereof include, but are not limited to, oleyl myristate, oleyl stearate, and oleyl oleate.
(h) Fatty acids having 9 to 22 carbon atoms. Suitable examples include, but are not limited to, pelargonic, lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, isostearic, hydroxystearic, oleic, linoleic, ricinoleic, arachidonic, behenic, and erucic acids. p1 (i) Fatty alcohols having 10 to 22 carbon atoms, such as, but not limited to, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, hexadecyl, stearyl, isostearyl, hydroxystearyl, oleyl, ricinoleyl, behenyl, erucyl, and 2-octyl dodecyl alcohols.
(j) Fatty alcohol ethers, including, but not limited to ethoxylated fatty alcohols of 10 to 20 carbon atoms, such as, but are not limited to, the lauryl, cetyl, stearyl, isostearyl, oleyl, and cholesterol alcohols having attached thereto from 1 to 50 ethylene oxide groups or 1 to 50 propylene oxide groups or mixtures thereof.
(k) Ether-esters, such as fatty acid esters of ethoxylated fatty alcohols.
(l) Lanolin and derivatives, including, but not limited to, lanolin, lanolin oil, lanolin wax, lanolin alcohols, lanolin fatty acids, isopropyl lanolate, ethoxylated lanolin, ethoxylated lanolin alcohols, ethoxylated cholesterol, propoxylated lanolin alcohols, acetylated lanolin, acetylated lanolin alcohols, lanolin alcohols linoleate, lanolin alcohols ricinoleate, acetate of lanolin alcohols ricinoleate, acetate of ethoxylated alcohols-esters, hydrogenolysis of lanolin, ethoxylated hydrogenated lanolin, ethoxylated sorbitol lanolin, and liquid and semisolid lanolin absorption bases.
(m) Polyhydric alcohols and polyether derivatives, including, but not limited to, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol [M.W. 2000-4000], polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycols, polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene glycols, glycerol, ethoxylated glycerol, propoxylated glycerol, sorbitol, ethoxylated sorbitol, hydroxypropyl sorbitol, polyethylene glycol [M.W. 200-6000], methoxy polyethylene glycols 350, 550, 750, 2000, 5000, poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymers [M.W. 100,000-5,000,000], polyalkylene glycols and derivatives, hexylene glycol (2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol), 1,3-butylene glycol, 1,2,6,-hexanetriol, ethohexadiol USP (2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol), C15-C18 vicinal glycol and polyoxypropylene derivatives of trimethylolpropane.
(n) Polyhydric alcohol esters, including, but not limited to, ethylene glycol mono- and di-fatty acid esters, diethylene glycol mono- and di-fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol [M.W. 200-6000], mono- and di-fatty esters, propylene glycol mono- and di-fatty acid esters, polypropylene glycol 2000 monooleate, polypropylene glycol 2000 monostearate, ethoxylated propylene glycol monostearate, glyceryl mono- and di-fatty acid esters, polyglycerol poly-fatty acid esters, ethoxylated glyceryl monostearate, 1,3-butylene glycol monostearate, 1,3-butylene glycol distearate, polyoxyethylene polyol fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid esters, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters.
(o) Wax esters, including, but not limited to, beeswax, spermaceti, myristyl myristate, and stearyl stearate and beeswax derivatives, including, but not limited to, polyoxyethylene sorbitol beeswax, which are reaction products of beeswax with ethoxylated sorbitol of varying ethylene oxide content that form a mixture of ether-esters.
(p) Vegetable waxes, including, but not limited to, carnauba and candelilla waxes.
(q) Phospholipids, such as lecithin and derivatives.
(r) Sterols, including, but not limited to, cholesterol and cholesterol fatty acid esters.
(s) Amides, such as fatty acid amides, ceramides, ethoxylated fatty acid amides, and solid fatty acid alkanolamides.
The lotions further preferably contain [by weight] from 1% to 10%, more preferably from 2% to 5%, of an emulsifier. The emulsifiers can be nonionic, anionic or cationic. Examples of satisfactory nonionic emulsifiers include, but are not limited to, fatty alcohols having 10 to 20 carbon atoms, fatty alcohols having 10 to 20 carbon atoms condensed with 2 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, alkyl phenols with 6 to 12 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain condensed with 2 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide, mono- and di-fatty acid esters of ethylene oxide, mono- and di-fatty acid esters of ethylene glycol wherein the fatty acid moiety contains from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycols of molecular weight 200 to 6000, propylene glycols of molecular weight 200 to 3000, glycerol, sorbitol, sorbitan, polyoxyethylene sorbitol, polyoxyethylene sorbitan and hydrophilic wax esters. Suitable anionic emulsifiers include, but are not limited to, the fatty acid soaps, e.g. sodium, potassium and triethanolamine soaps, wherein the fatty acid moiety contains from 10 to 20 carbon atoms. Other suitable anionic emulsifiers include, but are not limited to, the alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium alkyl sulfates, alkyl arylsulfonates, and alkyl ethoxy ether sulfonates having 10 to 30 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety. The alkyl ethoxy ether sulfonates contain from 1 to 50 ethylene oxide units. Among satisfactory cationic emulsifiers are quaternary ammonium, morpholinium and pyridinium compounds. Certain of the emollients described in preceding paragraphs also have emulsifying properties. When a lotion is formulated containing such an emollient, an additional emulsifier is not needed, though it can be included in the composition.
Other conventional components of such lotions may be included. One such additive is a thickening agent at a level from 1% to 10% by weight of the composition. Examples of suitable thickening agents include, but are not limited to: cross-linked carboxypolymethylene polymers, ethyl cellulose, polyethylene glycols, gum tragacanth, gum kharaya, xanthan gums and bentonite, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl cellulose.
The balance of the lotion is water or a C2 or C3 alcohol, or a mixture of water and the alcohol. The lotions are formulated by simply admixing all of the components together. Preferably bioluminescence generating system reagents are suspended or otherwise uniformly dispersed in the mixture.
In certain embodiments the components may be mixed just prior to use. Devices for effecting such mixture are known to those of skill in the art or are exemplified herein.
Kits containing the lotion and powders, capsular vehicles and, optionally, buffer compositions containing ATP, Ca2+ and other ingredients required for the bioluminescence reaction are also provided.
(2) Creams
The creams are similarly formulated to contain an effective concentration typically at between about 0.1%, preferably at greater than 1% up to and greater than 50%, preferably between about 3% and 50%, more preferably between about 5% and 15% [by weight] of one ore more the bioluminescent systems provided herein. The creams also contain from 5% to 50%, preferably from 10% to 25%, of an emollient and the remainder is water or other suitable non-toxic carrier, such as an isotonic buffer. The emollients, as described above for the lotions, can also be used in the cream compositions. The cream may also contain a suitable emulsifier, as described above. The emulsifier is included is in the composition at a level from 3% to 50%, preferably from 5% to 20%.
(3) Solutions and suspensions for topical application
These compositions are formulated to contain an amount sufficient to produce a visible glow, typically at a concentration of between about 0.1-10 mg/l preferably between 1 and 5 mg/l of the luciferase. The amount of luciferin is similarly between about 0.1 and 10 mg/l, although the amount can be selected based on the desired duration of the glow. The balance is water, a suitable organic solvent or other suitable solvent or buffer. Suitable organic materials useful as the solvent or a part of a solvent system are as follows: propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol [M.W. 200-600], polypropylene glycol [M.W. 425-2025], glycerine, sorbitol esters, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, ethanol, isopropanol, diethyl tartrate, butanediol, and mixtures thereof. Such solvent systems can also contain water.
Solutions or suspensions used for topical application can include any of the following components: a diluent, such as water saline solution, fixed oil, polyethylene glycol, glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvent; antimicrobial agents, such as benzyl alcohol and methyl parabens; antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid and sodium bisulfite; chelating agents, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [EDTA]; buffers, such as acetates, citrates and phosphates; and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. Liquid preparations can be enclosed in ampules, disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass, plastic or other suitable material. Suitable carriers may include physiological saline or phosphate buffered saline [PBS], and the suspensions and solutions may contain thickening and solubilizing agents, such as glucose, polyethylene glycol, and polypropylene glycol and mixtures thereof. Liposomal suspensions, may also be suitable as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. These may be prepared according to methods known to those skilled in the art.
These compositions that are formulated as solutions or suspensions may be applied to the skin, or, may be formulated as an aerosol or foam and applied to the skin as a spray-on. The aerosol compositions typically contain [by weight] from 25% to 80%, preferably from 30% to 50%, of a suitable propellant. Examples of such propellants are the chlorinated, fluorinated and chlorofluorinated lower molecular weight hydrocarbons. Nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, butane, and propane are also used as propellant gases. These propellants are used as understood in the art in a quantity and under a pressure suitable to expel the contents of the container.
Solutions, may be formulated as 0.01%-10% isotonic solutions, pH about 5-8, with appropriate salts, and preferably containing one or more of the compounds herein at a concentration of about 0.1%, preferably greater than 1%, up to 50% or more. Suitable mild solutions are known [see, eg., U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,868, which describes typical compositions of ophthalmic irrigation solutions and solutions for topical application]. Such solutions, which have a pH adjusted to about 7.4, contain, for example, 90-100 mM sodium chloride, 4-6 mM dibasic potassium phosphate, 4-6 mM dibasic sodium phosphate, 8-12 mM sodium citrate, 0.5-1.5 mM magnesium chloride, 1.5-2.5 mM calcium chloride, 15-25 mM sodium acetate, 10-20 mM D.L.-sodium β-hydroxybutyrate and 5-5.5 mM glucose.
The active materials can also be mixed with other active materials, that do not impair the desired action, or with materials that supplement the desired action.
(4) Gels
Gel compositions can be formulated by simply admixing a suitable thickening agent to the previously described [(3)] solution or suspension compositions. Examples of suitable thickening agents have been previously described with respect to the lotions.
The gelled compositions contain an effective amount of one or more an anti-hyperalgesic amount, typically at a concentration of between about 0.1 mg/l-10 mg/l or more of one or more of systems provided herein, from 0% to 75%, from 0.5% to 20%, preferably from 1% to 10% of the thickening agent; the balance being water or other aqueous carrier.
(5) Solids
Compositions of solid forms may be formulated as stick-type compositions intended for application to the lips or other parts of the body. Such compositions contain an effective amount of one or more of the compounds provided herein. The amount is typically an amount effective to glow when contacted with moist skin, such as lips, typically at a concentration of between about 0.1 mg/l-10 mg/l or more of one or more of the systems provided herein. The solids also contain from about 40% to 98%, preferably from about 50% to 90%, of the previously described emollients. This composition can further contain from 1% to 20%, preferably from 5% to 15%, of a suitable thickening agent, and, if desired or needed, emulsifiers and water or buffers. Thickening agents previously described with respect to lotions are suitably employed in the compositions in solid form.
Other ingredients, such as preservatives, including methyl-paraben or ethyl-paraben, perfumes, dyes or the like, that are known in the art to provide desirable stability, fragrance or color, or other desirable properties, such as shielding from actinic rays from the sun, to compositions for application to the skin may also be employed in a composition for such topical application.
2. Glowing toys and other items
Examples of uses of the bioluminescent systems in toys include illumination of dolls, toy vehicles, hoolahoops, yo-yos, balloons and any other toy amenable to having a generally translucent covering defining a space for containment of the bioluminescent system and addition of the final ingredients necessary for the illumination reaction. Also contemplated herein are toys that eject or spew a fluid. For example, toy or game projectiles are contemplated that contain a luciferase and bioluminescence substrate in an oxygen-free environment. The projectiles rupture upon impact with a hard surface thereby exposing the contents to moisture in the air that contains dissolved oxygen, the bioluminescence activator, and causing reaction.
Dolls and dummies containing one or two of the bioluminescent system components within a transparent or translucent portion of their bodies are contemplated herein. Addition of the remaining bioluminescent system components results in illumination of that body part or area. For example, a doll can have a visible, translucent digestive system containing a luciferase and substrate in a water-free environment. Upon "ingestion" of water by the doll, that is addition of water through its mouth, for example, the digestive system glows or is illuminated.
Other examples of uses of the bioluminescent systems in toys include illumination hoolahoops, yo-yos, slimy play materials based on sodium alginate and glycerine [U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,421], such as those sold by MATTEL® as FLOAM®, GAK®, and SMUD®. The biolumine-scence generating components can be incorporated into the slime material during manufacture, as liposomes, or linked to the material. These slime materials are fabricated from self crosslinking sodium alginate, a glycerin solution [concentration over 90%], water and preservatives. The play material contains 2.5%-4.0 by weight, 3.33 weight %, of a self-crosslinking sodium alginate; 1.0-3.5 weight % of a glycerin and water solution in excess of 90% glycerin; a preservative; 4.0 weight % NaCl; and water, and can include 0.04-0.08 weight % of a colorant. It will also include up to all but one component of a bioluminescence generating system, such as a luciferase, such as Renilla or Vargula or a firefly luciferase, or a luciferin and luciferase, such as the Aequorin photoprotein and EDTA. A second mixture of the slime material will contain the remaining components or a water solution. Prior to use the remaining components, such as Ca2+, in a mixture of the same composition as the slime will be mixed with the other mixture. The second mixture could also contain a different colorant, so that upon mixing not only will the material glow, it will change color. The concentrations of luciferase components, such as luciferase will be those sufficient to generate a visible glow. The concentrations of luciferase can be empirically determined, but generally will be between about 0.1 and 1 mg per liter of material. The amount of luciferin generally will be in excess. The luciferases and luciferin and other components can also be provided as time release vehicles in the material or provided separately for subsequent addition. This slime material can be packaged as a kit or article of manufacture containing a first slime composition containing all but at least one bioluminescence generating reagent, and a second slime composition containing the remaining components. The kit will include instructions for mixing the two compositions to produce a glowing composition. The kit can also contain additional compositions or vehicles or dried powders of bioluminescence generating reagents so that they can be added prior to use so that the material can be reused. In other embodiments, the slime is provided without bioluminescence generating reagents and the bioluminescence generating reagents are provided as separate compositions, in time release vehicles or other delivery vehicles and are mixed into the material prior to use.
Other toys, games, novelty items, clothes, accessories, foods, beverages, fountains, water dispensing apparatus, soaps, creams, cosmetics and sporting equipment amenable to bioluminescence are further embodiments of the presently disclosed combination. Thus, any article of manufacture or substance capable of modification to allow bioluminescence thereof is contemplated herein.
Articles of manufacture that are amenable to use with the bioluminescent systems provided herein are well known [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,415,151, 5,018,449, 3,539,794, 5,171,081, 4,687,663, 5,038,963, 4,765,510, 4,282,678, 5,366,108, 5,398,827, 5,397,014, 5,219,096, 5,305,919, 5,184,755, 5,029,732, 4,214,674, 4,750,641, 4,676,406], which describe devices useful as toy water guns or vessels for beverages or creams and lotions. To be amenable to use in the embodiments described herein, each may require some modification, such as, for example, addition of a mixing chamber.
In light of the disclosure herein, such modification will be apparent. Some of the patents describe other toy devices, training mock weapon devices, dolls, and beverage containers and dentifrice containers [i.e., toothpaste tubes]. In the simplest modification, powdered or capsular vehicles containing bioluminescence generating systems may be added to the water-holding chambers of the toy gun or other water spewing toy. As the powder dissolves or the vehicle releases its contents, typically luciferin and luciferase, contact with the water in the gun will cause the bioluminescence reaction to occur.
As is apparent from the above, toy guns are well known items and materials and specifications for manufacture thereof are also well known [see, the above list and see, also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,029,732, and 5,415,151]. Any single chamber squirt gun may used in combination with bioluminescent systems herein by mixing the components in the gun chamber. Of course the selected system should be one that has sustained illumination. Alternatively, pellets of encapsulated bioluminescent components, such as the aequorin photoprotein or the Renilla luciferase and luciferin, may be added to water in the gun chamber. In the case of the aequorin photoprotein and Renilla luciferase, added tap water may be sufficient. For the Renilla system the pellets may contain the luciferase and luciferin or either. The remaining component will be added to the gun chamber. If pellets are used, the pellets will slowly release their contents thereby providing for a continuous glow.
Similar apparatus and designs are also used for any fountain or water propelling device. Any such device [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,142] may be modified to include a bioluminescence system to produce a glowing stream.
In all of these devices, the water is can be tap water or a selected buffer, particularly phosphate buffered saline. The items may packaged as kits with the packaged luciferin, luciferase, and including the water.
a. Single chamber toy guns and other toy weapons that shoot pellets or liquid
Numerous toy guns and other toy weapons that shoot pellets or liquid, in addition to those exemplified herein, are suitable for use in combination with the bioluminescent generating systems herein. The toy weapons may be loaded with a solution containing microspheres of luciferin and/or luciferase, or with lyophilized luciferin/luciferin, or other mixtures as described herein. Suitable toy weapons and devices that shoot jets or sprays of water are described in the following sampling of U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,469 [toy gun that shoots bubbles]; U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,984 [toy gun that shoots balls and water and can be modified to shoot light or temperature sensitive pellets, which should be stored under appropriate conditions or appropriately packaged, that release luciferin/luciferase when exposed to light]; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,439,139; 5,427,320; 5,419,458; 5,381,928; 5,377,656; 5,373,975; 5,373,833 and 5,373,832 [which describe toy guns that rely upon a pressurizable bladder for release of air pressure to shoot a projectile, which can be modified to shoot projectiles of encapsulated luciferin/luciferase]; U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,278 [which describes liquid from a port mounted to a headband]; U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,108; 5,360,142 [which describes a supply and delivery assembly for use in combination with a pump type water gun or other water propelling device]; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,346,418; 5,343,850 [which describes a projectile launcher for use in combination with the pellets provided herein]; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,343,849; 5,339,987 [which describes water guns that have at least one pressurizable air/water storage tank, a pressurizing mechanism, a channel of release for shooting water and a release mechanism]; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,326,303; 5,322,191; 5,305,919; 5,303,847 [which describes a device worn on a user's hand with sheaths for the tips of the fingers that includes a housing for a water reservoir, a water pump and electrical motor and a battery pack to be secured to the user's body]; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,292,032; 5,284,274 [which describes an action to system including a capsule for containing water, which will herein contain components of a bioluminescence generating system, having an orifice and a plunger and a spring loaded mechanism for driving the water from the orifice. The action toy may be configured as a shotgun accepting a plurality of prefilled shell capsules into its breechblock for firing through its barrel, as a missile launcher in which the capsules are mounted to the front of the launcher and the water is ejected directly from the capsule against the target, or as a crossbow with the bow loading the spring-loaded mechanism and a water stream obtained on release of the bow]; U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,272 [which describes a bottle and cap combination for spewing liquid]; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,256,099; 5,244,153; 5,241,944; 5,238,149; 5,234,129; 5,224,625; 5,213,335; 4,854,480; 5,213,089; 5,184,755; 5,174,477; 5,150,819; 5,141,467; 5,141,462; 5,088,950; 5,071,387 [which describes a figurine-shaped water squirting toy]; U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,095 [which describes a water cannon apparatus]; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,029,732; 5,004,444; 4,892,228; 4,867,208 [which describes an apparatus for storing and dispensing fluid under pressure]; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,808,143; 4,784,293, 4,768,681; 4,733,799; 4,615,488 and many others. U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,151 describes a toy gun that launches projectiles that can be adapted for shooting the pellets, such as light sensitive pellets that are degraded upon exposure to light, provided herein.
b. Bubble-making toys
Soap bubbles are blown from water solutions comprising soap or another surfactant. A great variety of bubble solution formulations are available, including those that feature special effects in bubble making. There are solutions for making large bubbles, "long lasting" bubbles, split bubbles, self-healing bubbles, multiple bubbles, vanishing bubbles, flaking bubbles, bursting bubbles, high and/or far-flying bubbles, sinking bubbles etc. In general, many anionic, non-ionic or amphoteric aqueous solutions with low surface tension lend themselves to bubble or foam-making when air or other gases are blown into such compositions.
Such compositions, preferably those that have near neutral pH, can be combined with the components of the bioluminescence generating systems provided herein. In particular, a mixture of luciferase and luciferin, such as the Renilla system or firefly system or Cypridina system, preferably in the form of pellets or microspheres, such as liposomes or other time release capsule, can be added to the bubble mixture. When used, the air added to the mixture will cause a glow, or a glow will be produced as the contents of the pellets are released into the composition.
Kits containing such soap compositions, with preferably a moderate pH [between 5 and 8] and bioluminescence generating reagents, including luciferase and luciferin are provided herein. These kits can be used with bubble-blowing or producing toy.
Toys that produce bubbles include bubbles with wand for blowing, bicycles, flying toys, dolls, swords, toy musical instruments, bubble beards, and numerous other toys are well known [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. RE 32,973, which describes a toy bubble-blowing lawn mower;, U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,497, which describes a non-toxic non-irritating bubble composition for toys, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,579,714; 5,480,334; 5,041,042; 5,478,267; 5,462,469; 5,419,728; 5,393,256; 5,366,402; 5,348,507; 5,322,464; 5,304,085; 5,269,715; 5,224,893; 5,183,428; 5,181,875; 5,156,564; 5,135,422; 5,080,623; 5,078,636; 4,957,464; 4,955,840; 4,943,255; 4,923,426, 4,867,724; 4,861,303; 4,840,597 4,808,138; 4,804,346; 4,764,141; 4,700,965; 4,556,392 4,334,383; 4,292,754; 4,246,717; and many others].
3. Glowing textiles and paper products
The bioluminescent systems described herein are also contemplated for use with textiles and paper. One or two of the bioluminescent system components are applied to the textile or paper and the remaining components are added when illumination is desired. For example, the luciferase in association with the bioluminescence substrate may be applied to the textile or paper, through covalent or non-covalent interaction. When water, or other appropriate activator, is applied to the material, illumination ensues. Examples of uses for the textile include the fabric portion of an umbrella, clothing, towels, the fabric portion of artificial plants or flowers, toys having a fabric component or any item susceptible to manufacture from textile material.
With respect to paper, the luciferase may be applied to the paper in association with the bioluminescence substrate. The paper glows upon addition of the bioluminescence activator to the paper. Thus, if the bioluminescence activator is water, addition of water to the paper, for example as an aerosol, produce a glow on the paper. The paper may also be illuminated by "writing" upon it with one or two of the bioluminescent system components then "writing" or spraying over those components with the remaining component(s). As with the other systems disclosed herein, the critical aspect to operation is maintaining at least one of the bioluminescent system components separate from the other components until illumination is desired. The paper may be in almost any form or of almost any type, such as writing paper, wrapping paper, boxes, poster paper, books, paper jewelry, paper towels, napkins or other paper products.
4. Foods and beverages, including ice cubes
Examples of beverages and foodstuffs amenable to combination with bioluminescence systems include, but are not limited to, alcoholic beverages, as well as sodas and juices, and such foods as applesauce and mashed potatoes. Further, bioluminescent systems can be chosen and adapted for use in such foodstuffs as cakes and ice creams or almost any other edible item. Considerations in combining bioluminescence systems with food and/or beverages are primarily the stability of the system throughout processing of the food or beverage, unless the system is added subsequent to any such processing; the ability to contact the system with its finally required ingredients to produce bioluminescence; and taste of the components of the system with the foodstuffs to which they are added.
Bioluminescent food products are also contemplated herein. Such products, amenable to illumination using the bioluminescent systems described herein, include those that may be stored between about 0° C. and 35° C. Generally, once the luciferase or bioluminescence substrate is added to the food product, it cannot be heated above about 100° C. Thus, food products requiring cooking prior to consumption also can be cooked prior to addition of either the luciferase or bioluminescence substrate.
Examples of food products amenable to illumination using the bioluminescent systems described herein include, icings and other toppings or sauces, cookies, biscuits, and similar prepared foods. Bioluminescent icings, for example, may be prepared by including the luciferase and bioluminescence substrate in a dehydrated icing mixture. Addition of water, just prior to use causes the mixture to glow. Alternatively, the bioluminescence activator and either the luciferase or bioluminescence substrate may be included in the prepared icing mixture and the absent bioluminescent system component stirred into the icing just prior to use.
a. Beverages
Beverage products are likewise contemplated for use in combination with the bioluminescent systems described herein. As with other embodiments, at least one of the bioluminescent system components is excluded from the beverage until bioluminescence is desired. For example, a container/bladder apparatus, as described generally above and in detail below, maintains the luciferase and bioluminescence substrate separate from the beverage. Upon opening of the container, the luciferase and substrate are added to the beverage causing it to glow.
Alternatively, the beverage may be produced and packaged already containing one or two of the bioluminescent system components, such that addition of the remaining components causes illumination. An example of such a beverage is bioluminescent beer, wine, champagne or a soft drink. In this embodiment, the yeast used to produce the alcohol component of the beer are genetically transformed to contain, for example, a gene encoding a luciferase and the complementary genes necessary to direct the yeast to manufacture and secrete the luciferase. Assuming O2 or air is the bioluminescence activator, then when illumination is desired, the bioluminescence substrate is simply added to the beer.
Another example of a bioluminescent beverage contemplated herein is a soft drink containing two of the three bioluminescent system components. When luminescence is desired, the third bioluminescent system component is added. If the bioluminescent system is, for example, the Aequorin system or Renilla system, then the Aequorin luciferase with bound luciferin or the Renilla luciferase and the luciferin may be included in the soft drink and the bioluminescence activator, Ca2+ [for the aequorin system] or dissolved O2, added to the or in the beverage will result in cause illumination. Suitable vessels for such beverages are provided herein [see, EXAMPLES] and also are known to those of skill in the art [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,827].
b. Ice cubes
Ice cubes containing bioluminescent components, such as lyophilized components or encapsulated components are contemplated herein. Upon addition to a beverage containing any remaining components, the contents of the cubes will be released as they melt into the beverage to produce a glow in the beverage.
The components may also be combined with dry ice, which as it sublimes and releases the components contact with moisture condensing in the air will cause a glow.
5. Jewelry, Clothing and Other Items of Manufacture
The bioluminescence generating systems can be used in combination with articles of manufacture that include jewelry, clothing, figurines and other such items. In particular, these items may be manufactured from matrix materials or from mixtures of the matrix material and other materials. Alternatively, the matrix material may be coated on or impregnated in such articles. Bioluminescence generating reagents, particularly, luciferases can be linked to the matrix material. When a glow is desired the article can be contacted with composition containing the remaining components.
In addition, articles, such as clothing, particularly, T-shirts and sports gear, and paper items may be sprayed with two compositions, the first containing less than all of the necessary reagents and the second containing the remaining reagents.
In other embodiments, the article may be made of two vessels separated by a removable separating means, so that when desired components contained therein communicate and react resulting in bioluminescence.
6. Fountains
Numerous fountains and other water spraying apparatus and devices for use in such apparatus, in addition to those exemplified herein, are suitable for use in combination with the bioluminescent generating systems herein [see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,480,094; 5,472,140; 5,439,170; 5,402,836; 5,388,285; 5,381,956; 5,337,956; 5,288,018; 5,167,368; 4,852,801; 3,894,689; 3,889,880; 3,838,816; 3,820,715; 3,773,258; 3,749,311]. For use herein, the fountains will be modified or adapted [see, e.g., EXAMPLES] so that jets of liquid containing bioluminescent will spew.
Fountains can be recharged, for example, by adding additional substrate and other activators. Spent substrate should be removed, such us by passing the water through an affinity matrix specific for the oxidized substrate.
The following examples are included for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
A preferred embodiment of the dual chamber fluid dispensing apparatus is a toy water gun as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3. The following description of that preferred embodiment is made with reference to those figures. The toy water gun includes two housings [or chambers] 10, 12 that conveniently may be constructed of injection-molded plastic or other suitable material. The two housings 10, 12 are affixed to one another, such as glued, heat sealed or by other such means, along a median seam 46 to form the body of the water gun. See especially FIGS. 2 and 3.
In operation, one housing 10 contains a mixture having less than all the components necessary for generating bioluminescence and the other housing 12 contains a mixture having the remaining components or the remaining components, save the bioluminescent activator. Depression of the trigger 14 pushes the pistons 26, 36 into their respective cylinders 38, 48 compressing the trigger springs 28, 43 and pushing the contents of the cylinder through the second check-valve 34, into the mixing chamber 20 and out the nozzle orifice 22. As the trigger 14 is released, the trigger springs 28, 43 return to their relaxed state pushing the pistons 26, 36 out of the cylinders 38, 48 creating a vacuum therein which pulls the contents of the housings 10, 12 past the first check-valves 33, 32, respectively and into the cylinders 38, 48 respectively. Pumping the trigger, that is repeatedly depressing and releasing it, moves the mixtures contained in the housings through the gun and out the nozzle orifice 22.
As the mixtures leave the cylinders 38, 48, they enter the mixing chamber 20, via the conduit means 44 and second check-valve 34. Luminescence begins either upon mixing of the components or as the mixed composition contacts the air upon expulsion from the toy gun. The mixtures may be powdered, such as those produced by lyophilization, or they may be liquid. If powdered, water can be added prior to use.
The housings 10, 12 may be filled and refilled through the filling caps 17, 19, respectively, located at the top of each housing. A trigger 14 is attached to a trigger guide 13 which serves to guide the trigger 14 towards two piston assemblies 25. Depression of the trigger 14 activates the two piston assemblies 25. This causes a portion of the composition located in each housing 10, 12 to move through the water gun into a mixing chamber 20 and out a nozzle orifice 22. The preferred embodiment illustrated has a trigger guard 15 which helps prevent accidental discharge of the gun and makes the gun appear more realistic. The sighting aids 21, 23 aid in aiming the toy gun and also serve to make the gun appear realistic.
Only one of the two piston assemblies 25 is completely illustrated, and it is visible in FIG. 1. The other piston assembly is adjacent and, in this preferred embodiment, identical to the one illustrated. Both assemblies operate by identical means and are activated by depression of the single trigger 14. The piston assembly 25 includes a piston 26 which passes through a sealing o-ring 30, is connected to a trigger spring 28 and moves within a cylinder 38. The piston assembly also includes a spring retainer 40 that secures one end of the trigger spring 28 to the end wall of the cylinder. The cylinder 38 is in communication with one end of a pick-up tube 18 and lies about perpendicular to the pick-up tube 18. The cylinder 38 also communicates with the mixing chamber 20 via conduit means 44.
In the sectional views of the water gun, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, portions of the second, adjacent piston assembly are visible. Namely, the second trigger spring retainer 42 and trigger spring 43 are visible in FIG. 2, and the second piston 36 is visible in FIG. 3.
Referring to the piston assembly 25 illustrated in FIG. 1, the piston 26 passes into the water gun through the sealing o-ring 30 and into the cylinder 38. The trigger spring 28 is attached by one end to the piston and by its other end to the spring retainer 40 located at the opposite end of the cylinder from the piston. As the trigger 14 is depressed, the piston 26 moves into the cylinder 38 and through the sealing o-ring 30. This compresses the trigger spring 28 within the cylinder 38. As the trigger 14 is released, the trigger spring 28 expands, returning it and the piston 26 to a resting position.
Because the piston 26 is sealed within the cylinder 38 by the sealing o-ring 30, its repeated movement causes the air within the cylinder to be displaced thereby creating a vacuum within the pick-up tube 18 of the water gun. The composition located in the housing 12 is then drawn into the pick-up tube 18, past a first check valve 32, past the trigger spring 28, past a second check valve 34, into the mixing chamber 20 and out the nozzle orifice 22 via an outlet tube 24. The second check valve 34 is illustrated with a spring mechanism 35 which serves to maintain the check valve 34 in a closed position isolating the piston assembly cylinders 28 and conduit means 44 from the mixing chamber 20, allowing a vacuum to form within the gun during operation.
The same mechanism operates to simultaneously withdraw composition from the complementary housing 10 into the mixing chamber 20 via a pick-up tube 16. Thus, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the action of the piston 36 within its cylinder compresses the trigger spring 43 against the spring retainer 42 creating a vacuum within the pick-up tube 16 and moving some of the composition located in the housing 10 through the pick-up tube 16 into the mixing chamber 20 and out the nozzle orifice 22.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the two pick-up tubes 16 and 18 originate in the housings 10 and 12, respectively. Each pick-up tube 16, 18 includes a check valve 32 and 33, respectively. The first check valves 32, 33 serve to prevent fluid flow from the piston assembly cylinders 38, 48 back into the housings 10, 12. The single second check valve 34 prevents the mixed compositions from flowing out of the mixing chamber 20 back into the piston assembly cylinders 38, 48.
Thus, repeated depression of the trigger 14 increases the pressure within the gun, thereby filling the mixing chamber 20 with a combination of the compositions located in the two housings 10, 12, then forcing the mixed compositions through the outlet-tube 24 and out the nozzle orifice 22.
In contrast to the above-described toy water gun, the gas-charged toy water gun operates using pressurized gas, rather than the piston assembly, to move the bioluminescent mixtures through the system. A preferred embodiment of this device is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this embodiment the butt of the water gun 86 houses the two chambers 64, 74 that contain the bioluminescent system components. Further, the butt 86 is detachable and thus readily replaced.
To pressurize the gun for operation, a CO2 or air [or other suitable gas or mixtures thereof] canister 50 is inserted into a gas chamber 56 as shown. A screw cap 52, located at the base of the gas chamber, secures the canister 50 into the chamber 56. As the screw cap 52 is tightened, the CO2 or air canister is forced against a piercing pin 54, thereby releasing CO2 or air into the gas chamber 56 and charging the water gun for use.
Depression of a trigger 58 aligns a gas cock 60 with each of two gas conduits 62 and 72 and the gas chamber 56. With the gas cock 60 so-aligned, CO2 gas or air enters the gas conduits 62 and 72 and passes into the two chambers 64 and 74. The pressure of the gas forces some of each mixture out of the chambers 64, 74, via composition pick-up tubes 66, 76. The composition pick-up tubes 66, 76 are connected to outlet conduits 78 and 80 through which the mixtures pass into a mixing chamber 68, and are combined. The continued pressure of the CO2 gas or air forces the combined mixture from the mixing chamber 68 and out a nozzle orifice 70.
The gas conduits 62, 72 and outlet conduits 78, 80 are housed within the main body of the water gun and extend beyond it in the region where the butt 86 of the gun is attached to the main body. The composition pick-up tubes 66, 76 are completely within the butt of the water gun 86. In order to obtain a leak-free assembly of the butt of the gun to the main body, the gas conduits 62, 72 and outlet conduits 78, 80 each pass through a leak seal 88 located within the butt of the gun 86. The leak seals 88 may be constructed of rubber or similar soft sealing material and should be covered, either with a removable cap or with a material susceptible to piercing, to prevent spillage of the compositions contained therein.
In attaching the butt of the gun 86 to the main body, the gas conduits 62, 72 and outlet conduits 78, 80 pass through the leak seals 88 forming a tight seal between the tubes and the butt of the gun. Also, as can be seen in FIG. 4, the delivery tubes 78, 80 set within the composition pick-up tubes 66, 76 at the point where they enter the butt of the gun. This permits fluid communication between the composition pick-up tubes 66, 76 and the outlet conduits 78, 80.
Additional features of the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 include retaining hooks or latches 90, 92 and 94 positioned on the main body of the water gun and used to secure the butt of the gun to the main body. Additionally, the two chambers 64 and 74 can be configured with filler caps 82 and 84, as illustrated, thereby allowing them to be refilled as an alternative to replacement.
It will be appreciated that the gas used to operate the gas-charged fluid dispensing apparatus described herein may be other than carbon dioxide. Any gas or mixture of gases, such as air or mixtures of O2 and CO2, that operates in the same manner may be used.
FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a gas-charged fluid dispensing apparatus as provided herein. This embodiment may be adapted for particular uses; for example, it may be housed within a decorative sculpture, thereby functioning as a decorative water fountain. Alternative embodiments incorporating this embodiment are illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 [EXAMPLE 2] and FIGS. 9 and 10 [EXAMPLE 4].
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the gas-charged dual chamber dispensing apparatus has two chambers 100 and 102. In a preferred embodiment as illustrated, the two chambers 100 and 102 are refillable via filler caps 104 and 106 located on the upper end of the chambers. A gas chamber 108 is situated about equidistant from the two chambers and communicates with each of them via gas conduits 117. The gas conduits 117 end at gas inlets 118 that communicate with the two chambers 100, 102. The gas inlets 118 are positioned near the upper end of the chambers 100 and 102. While one gas inlet 118 is depicted, it is understood that each chamber 100, 102 has such an inlet.
A gas canister 112 fits into the gas chamber 108, being secured therein by a screw cap 110. Screwing the screw cap 110 tightly into place forces the top of the gas canister 112 against a piercing needle 114, thereby releasing gas into the gas chamber 108. A gas control valve 116 is used to control the flow of the gas from the gas chamber 108 into the gas conduits 118.
A mixing chamber 124 is also situated about equidistant from the two chambers 100 and 102 and communicates with them via outlet conduit means 122, such as fluid ports. The outlet conduits [fluid ports] 122 are located sufficiently near the bottom of the chambers 100 and 102 to permit the chamber contents to empty. Near the lower end of the two chambers 100, 102 are fluid outlets that connect to the fluid ports 122. Blow-out plugs 120 prevent the compositions contained herein from leaving the chambers and entering the fluid ports before activation of the device. One-way valves or similar devices can be substituted for the blow-out plugs 120. The mixing chamber 124, having bottom inlets and a top outlet, is associated with a nozzle 126, which may be attached or integral to the mixing chamber. Optionally, the nozzle 126 has a closure cap 132 distal to the mixing chamber 124.
In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, an upper support 130 is shown. This upper support 130 spans the upper ends of both chambers 100 and 102 and over the top end of the gas chamber 108. The gas conduits 118 and inlets 117 are within the upper support 130. The nozzle 126 passes through the upper support 130 and is supported thereby.
Also illustrated in this preferred embodiment, is a base support 123 that spans across the lower ends of the chambers 100 and 102 and that is integral to the mixing chamber 124. The fluid ports 122 connecting the chambers 100 and 102 with the mixing chamber 124 are contained within the base support 123 [see, FIGS. 6 and 7].
To operate the basic dual chamber gas-charged fluid dispensing apparatus, a gas canister 112 containing gas under pressure, for example pressurized CO2, is inserted into the gas chamber 108. The screw cap 110 is tightened, forcing the gas canister against the piercing needle 114. As gas escapes from the canister, it fills the gas chamber. The gas control valve 116 is opened, permitting the gas to enter the gas conduits 117 and pass into the chambers 100 and 102 through the gas inlets 118.
The pressure of the gas in the chambers pushes the mixtures therein against the blow-out plugs 120, or through the one-way valves, out the fluid outlets, into the fluid ports 122 or other fluid conduit means, and into the mixing chamber 124 via the bottom inlets. In the mixing chamber 124, the mixtures combine with one another while the continued pressure from the gas propels the combined mixtures through the nozzle 126 and out the nozzle orifice 128.
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the gas-charged fluid dispensing apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 and described above. In this embodiment, each chamber has a generally half-conical shape, or other suitable shape [depending upon the intended use], such that, when attached to one another they form, in this embodiment, a volcano-shaped apparatus. The gas chamber 160 and gas conduit 162 are defined by the inner walls 176, 178 of the chambers 150, 152, respectively. Similarly, the mixing chamber 170 and nozzle 172 are defined by the inner walls 176, 178 of the chambers 150, 152, respectively.
As in the apparatus, FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a gas canister 154 is housed in the gas chamber 160 and is activated by tightening a gas screw-cap 156 which forces the gas canister 154 against a piercing needle 158 thereby releasing the gas into the gas chamber 160. The gas enters the gas conduits 162, forces out the blow-out plugs 164 and passes into the chambers 150, 152 via the gas inlets 166. Alternatively, a control valve, or other suitable control means, is situated between the gas chamber and gas conduits or within the gas conduit means and used to control the flow of gas into the gas chambers.
Within the two chambers 150, 152, one containing, for example, up to all except one component necessary for the bioluminescence generating reaction and the other the remaining component(s), the gas forces the bioluminescence generating mixtures into the mixing chamber 170. Blow-out plugs 168, situated between the chambers 150, 152 and mixing chamber 170, prevent the bioluminescence mixtures from entering the mixing chamber 170 until the apparatus is activated. The continued pressure of the gas forces the combined mixtures from the mixing chamber 170 through the nozzle 172 and out the nozzle orifice 174.
This apparatus is particularly designed for use as "fireworks" configured in the shape of a volcano. As the combined bioluminescent mixtures are forced from the apparatus into the air, they glow in a similar manner to traditional fireworks.
Alternatives to the specific embodiment described herein are likewise contemplated. For example, blow-out plugs may be replaced by one-way or control valves. Manually operated valves may be replaced by electronically or mechanically controlled valves. The apparatus does not have to be in the shape of a volcano, but may be formed into any shape, such as animals, humans, plants or abstract forms.
FIG. 11 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a compressible dispensing apparatus particularly useful for dispensing waxy, pasty or semi-solid compositions such as body lotions or finger paints. In this embodiment, the container, preferably a tube, has two chambers 200, 202. In certain embodiments, within one chamber are all, except for one or more, components of the bioluminescence generating system, and in the other chamber are the remaining components. The composition, such as body lotion or cream is in one or, preferably both chambers. The container is preferably constructed of a pliable collapsible or compressible material, such as plastic, plastic/metal laminate or similar collapsible composite, which can be squeezed by hand. Numerous such tubes are known to those of skill in this art are used to dispense products such as finger paints, toothpaste, gels, lotions and other such items.
A membrane seal 204 at the top end [dispensing end] of the container prevents the contents of the chambers from mixing. The cap apparatus 206 of the container has a dispensing cap at the top 210 and is configured such that a space 208 exists between the membrane seal 204 and the dispensing cap 210, which space acts as a mixing chamber 208.
Thus, to operate the lotion/cream container, the membrane seal 204 is punctured, or otherwise opened, and a portion of the contents of the two chambers 200, 202 are simultaneously squeezed into the mixing chamber 208 by applying pressure to the container. The dispensing cap 210 is removed and the contents of the mixing chamber 208 are squeezed out the dispensing orifice 212. The mixed composition may be dispensed by squeezing the container or by squeezing the cap apparatus 206. Alternatively, a plunger/syringe device [not illustrated] may be attached to the dispensing orifice and the mixed cream composition thereby withdrawn from the mixing chamber 208.
The membrane seal, 204 situated between the chambers 200, 202 and the mixing chamber 208, functions to prevent the contents of the mixing chamber 208 from returning into either of the chambers 200, 202. It may be constructed, for example, of a thin layer of rubber, plastic, or other suitable porous material, having a small hole or holes through which the contents pass. As the sides of the container are compressed, portions of the contents of the chambers are forced through the holes in the membrane and into the mixing chamber, with the membrane returning to its "sealed" state once the pressure is relieved. A one-way valve or similar device may be substituted for the membrane seal 204, provided it too prevents the contents of the mixing chamber 208 from flowing back into either of the chambers 200, 202.
FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the bottle/bladder apparatus adapted for use with bioluminescent bubble compositions. This bubble composition bottle has a bladder 300 positioned within it and held in place, in the neck 302 of the bottle, by friction. A collar 304 is positioned on the neck of the bottle 302, preventing the cap 306 from being screwed completely onto the top of the bottle. The cap 306 contains a plunger 308 which operates to push the bladder 300 into the body of the bottle when the collar 304 is removed and the cap 306 is screwed down tightly. Upon entering the body of the bottle, the bladder is pierced by a piercing pin 310 located on the bottom of the bottle; thereby releasing the contents of the bladder into the bottle. FIG. 13 shows the bottle with the collar 304 removed, the cap 306 screwed on tightly, and the bladder 300 collapsed within it.
Component(s) [less than all] of the bioluminescence generating reaction are contained in the bladder. The components may be in the form of a solution, suspension, suspended particles, or particles. Prior to use the bottle may be gently agitated. The particles may be time release capsules that release their contents upon exposure to the bubble composition or from which the contents diffuse upon mixing of the contents of the bladder with the bubble composition. The remaining component(s), such as Ca2+ or ATP, are contained in the bubble composition 314, which is preferably a mild bubble forming composition. Selection of the bioluminescence generating composition depends upon the selected bubble composition and also the desired action. In other embodiments, remaining components, such as ATP, FMN, a flavin reductase or other component that may be somewhat sensitive to the bubble composition, of the bioluminescence generating system may be added to the bubble composition just prior to use.
The collar 304 of the bottle is adapted with a bubble blowing ring 312, with arm, integral thereto. Thus, the collar 304 is removed, the bladder 300 pierced within the bottle as described and the bubble blowing ring 312 dipped into the mixed composition, withdrawn and bioluminescent bubbles blown. A standard bubble blowing wand [arm with ring] may be used and/or provided in place of that depicted in FIG. 12.
The bladder 300 should be constructed of a material that can be pierced by a piercing means, such as a needle or pin, made for example of thin plastic or other polymeric film. Preferably the distance from the base of the neck of the bottle to the tip of the piercing needle is less than the length of the bladder, so that the bladder will be pierced by the needle before its top edge clears the base of the neck of the bottle.
The bottle 316 may be fabricated of any material ordinarily used for dispensing bubbles. It may be transparent or translucent to the bioluminescent light so that any glow in the bottle can be seen.
A preferred embodiment of the container/bladder apparatus, illustrated in FIG. 14, is a beverage can or bottle. It is configured similarly to a pop-top aluminum drink can but has a bladder 400 under the top which is pierced by the pop-top 402 when the can is opened. The bladder may be centered under the top of the can, as illustrated, may be off-center or may be attached to the top and side of the can. Positioning of the bladder is chosen such that it may be readily pierced and its contents mixed with the contents of the container 404. Thus, the bladder should be sufficiently thin that the pop-top 402 is able to pierce it allowing its contents to mix with the contents of the beverage can.
The can is preferably fabricated of translucent or transparent material such that the glowing beverage can be observed.
An alternative embodiment includes a beverage container with two pop-tops, in which one is designed, such as including by having a point at the end, to puncture the bladder and the other can be a typical pop-top that is used for emptying the contents of the can, such as by pouring into a glass or into a person's mouth. Since the novelty of these items resides in the resulting glow in the beverage, the beverage should be poured into a glass, or the container should be transparent or translucent to the bioluminescent light.
Another alternative contemplated herein includes a mesh filter surrounding the bladder and functioning to prevent small pieces of the ruptured bladder from mixing with the contents of the can. The contents of the bladder are in aqueous composition; thus, the density of the mesh of the filter that is permeable to the luciferase and other bioluminescence generating components.
Similarly, embodiments employing other opening types are contemplated herein. For example, the bladder and corresponding container opening may be pierced with a point-ended straw, or other sharp device. Likewise, the dispensing opening [which may be the same as the bladder-associated opening] may be covered with a thin aluminum pull tab. Critical to the operation of the can/bladder combination is that the bladder preclude mixing of the contents of the bladder and the can until the consumer takes action to rupture the bladder.
The bladder may be constructed of any material which is amenable to being pierced as described and is preferably constructed of a material which will rarely if ever break into small pieces when pierced. For example, aluminum foil with a thin plastic coating, when pierced with a point-ended straw in particular, will rarely break into small pieces. The body of the can may be constructed of aluminum, plastic or similar material and is preferably constructed of a translucent material such as plastic.
The bladder includes up to all except for one component of the bioluminescent generating system, and the beverage includes the remaining component. For example, the bladder includes the aequorin photoprotein [typically 0.1 to 1 mg or more] in a composition containing a chelator to prevent activation of the photoprotein, and the beverage contains Ca2+.
FIG. 15 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the single use, dual chamber fluid packaging apparatus or bottle described generally above, and the following description is with reference to that FIGURE. The bottle has a first chamber 500 which contains a composition including one or more, up to all but one, of the bioluminescent system components. Below the first chamber and operatively attached thereto, is a second chamber 502, containing the remaining bioluminescent system components in composition. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the first chamber is seated in the first chamber along a side seam 506 and a separation membrane 504.
The second chamber 502 is constructed of pliable material, such as plastic, that is convoluted 508 such that it can be readily collapsed against the bottom of the first chamber in the direction of the illustrated arrow. When collapsed in this way, the force of the composition contained within the second chamber ruptures the separation membrane 504A, permitting the compositions to mix. Once mixed, the compositions begin to illuminate.
This apparatus, as illustrated, is adapted for use with bubble-blowing compositions in that the cap of the bottle 510 has a bubble-blowing wand 512 attached to it. Alternatively, the apparatus may be used with a beverage and, if so used, would not have the illustrated bubble-blowing wand 512.
Another embodiment of this apparatus, not illustrated, but contemplated herein, is the bottle wherein the second chamber may be secured to the first chamber or to itself in a collapsed position. For example, the second chamber can be adapted with a hooking mechanism on its exterior such that it can be hooked to itself when collapsed.
FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 & 19 illustrate three preferred embodiments of the cap apparatus for use with composition vessels.
A. Cork Cap Apparatus
Referring to FIG. 16, a cork 600, situated within the neck 602 of a bottle and having a rupturable capsule 604 housed within it, is illustrated. In this embodiment, the bottom edge of the cork 600 is about U-shaped such that a pocket is formed. Contained within the pocket is the capsule which is in communication with the screen 608 which is permanently attached to the bottom of the cork. The capsule contains one or more, up to all but one, of the bioluminescent system components. A plunger assembly 606 is positioned, partially within the cork, such that depression of the plunger assembly 606 results in rupture of the capsule and release of its contents into the composition within the bottle. The screen 608 or other filtering device prevents fragments of the ruptured capsule from entering the vessel.
The plunger assembly 606, illustrated in FIG. 16, has a top portion 610 integral to the stem portion 612. Pressing on the top portion 610 forces the stem 612 to move within the cork 600 and against the capsule 604, thereby rupturing the capsule and releasing its contents into the vessel.
FIG. 17 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the cork cap apparatus. In this embodiment, the cork 700 is illustrated as being about flush with the top of the neck 702 of the bottle. The plunger apparatus 704 is adapted with a finger ring 706 for ease in handling. The stem 708, which may be pointed or blunt or any combination thereof, is threaded 710. In operation, the plunger assembly 704 is screwed into the cork 700 where it contacts a capsule 712, rupturing it and releasing its contents against the screen 714 or filter. The capsule will preferably contain powdered bioluminescence generating components.
It will be appreciated that the cork cap alone, with encapsulated compositions encased within and screen or filter attached thereto, is an alternative embodiment of the two illustrated cork cap apparatus. In this embodiment a corkscrew may be employed to rupture the capsule and to remove the cork cap.
B. Screw-top Cap Apparatus
FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate another preferred embodiment of the cap apparatus for use with composition vessels. FIG. 18 shows the cap apparatus before activation or engagement. This is particularly adapted for use with a wine or champagne bottle, and includes encapsulated bioluminescence generating system components.
This preferred embodiment generally comprises a bottle-shaped vessel with a collar 802 situated about the neck 804 of the bottle and a cap 800 attached to the top of the bottle just above the collar 802. The neck of the bottle 804 is threaded to receive the screw-on cap 800. The collar 802 is situated such that a lower portion of the threads on the neck of the bottle 804 are covered thereby preventing the screw-on cap 800 from being completely attached to the bottle. Enough threads remain exposed on the top of the bottle such that the screw-on cap 800 is securely, though not completely, attached to the top of the bottle.
The screw-on cap 800 has a plunger 806 integral thereto which extends into the bottle neck 804. A screen or filter assembly 812 is attached to the interior of the bottle within the bottle neck 804. A membrane system 808, 810 or capsule or similar composition packaging is situated between the plunger 806 of the screw-on cap 800 and the screen/filter assembly 812. In operation, the collar 802 is removed, for example by removing the screw-cap 800 and lifting off or screwing off the collar 802 or by tearing off the collar 802, and the screw-on cap 800 is tightened against the top of the bottle. This forces the plunger 806 through the membranes 808, 810, rupturing them and releasing the composition(s) contained therein. The composition(s) pass through the screen assembly 812 and are mixed with the contents of the bottle. FIG. 19 illustrates the cap apparatus fully engaged with the membrane system ruptured.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the screen assembly 812 is attached along the interior of the neck of the bottle 804 as well as across the interior of the neck, thereby forming a basket within which the membrane system 808, 810 sits. Alternatively, the screen assembly can be attached around the circumference of the bottle neck only and not along its sides to the top of the bottle, as illustrated.
The precise height of the collar 802 will be determined by the length of the plunger 806 and location of the membrane system 808, 810. The height will be sufficient to prevent the plunger 806 from being engaged through the membrane system 808, 810 prior to activation by the user, while permitting the screw-on cap 800 to be secured to the top of the bottle.
The membrane system 808, 812 contains one or more, up to all but one, of the bioluminescent system components. Typically the those components will consist of the luciferase and luciferin in lyophilized form.
The illustrated preferred embodiment is shown and described as attached to a bottle. It will be appreciated, however, that the vessel to which the cap apparatus is attached may be a can, tube or any other container. Additionally, the preferred embodiment is described and illustrated with reference to the neck of the bottle. It is not necessary that the vessel have a "neck" for the cap apparatus to function. For example, if the vessel does not have a neck, other means may be employed to hold the collar in place below the screw-on cap, such as, a lip formed on the container, below the threads, to stop the collar at an approriate point.
With respect to all three preferred embodiments of the cap apparatus adapted for use with composition vessels, the stem of the plunger assembly is short enough not to pierce the screen or filter device, yet long enough to effectively rupture the capsule, membrane or other packaging once engaged. The bioluminescent system component(s) contained within the cap apparatus may be powdered or in composition or in any form amenable to addition to the composition contained within the vessel. Additionally, the components may be contained in more than one capsule, membrane or other packaging. In this case, the component packages are positioned adjacent one another, such that each is ruptured by engagement of the plunger. Preferably, the remaining components required for completion of the bioluminescent reaction are contained within in the vessel with in any compostion. These preferred embodiments are particularly adapted to use with wine or champagne or other beverage.
Since modifications will be apparent to those of skill in this art, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
Summary of Sequences of Representative luciferases and the reductase set forth in the Sequence Listing
1. SEQ ID NO. 1 Renilla reinformis Luciferase [U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,155]
2. SEQ ID NO. 2 Cypridina hilgendorfii luciferase [EP 0 387 355]
3. SEQ ID NO. 3 Modified Luciola Cruciata Luciferase [firefly; U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,613]
4. SEQ ID NO. 4 Vargula (Cypridina) luciferase [Thompson et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86:6567-6571 and from JP 3-30678 Osaka
5. SEQ ID NO. 5 Apoaequorin-encoding gene [U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,240, pAQ440]
6. SEQ ID NO. 6 Recombinant Aequorin AEQ1 [Prasher et al. (1987) "Sequence Comparisons of cDNAs Encoding for Aequorin Isotypes," Biochemistry 26:1326-1332]
7. SEQ ID NO. 7 Recombinant Aequorin AEQ2 [Prasher et al. (1987)]
8. SEQ ID NO. 8 Recombinant Aequorin AEQ3 [Prasher et al. (1987)]
9. SEQ ID NO. 9 Aequorin photoprotein [Charbonneau et al. (1985) "Amino Acid Sequence of the Calcium-Dependent Photoprotein Aequorin," Biochemistry 24:6762-6771]
10. SEQ ID NO. 10 Aequorin mutant with increased bioluminescence activity [U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,728; Asp 124 changed to Ser]
11. SEQ ID NO. 11 Aequorin mutant with increased bioluminescence activity [U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,728; Glu 135 changed to Ser]
12. SEQ ID NO. 12 Aequorin mutant with increased bioluminescence activity [U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,728 Gly 129 changed to Ala]
13. SEQ ID NO. 13 Recombinant apoaequorin [sold by Sealite, Sciences, Bogart, Ga. as AQUALITE®, when reconstituted to form aequorin]
14. SEQ ID NO. 14 Vibrio Fisheri Flavin reductase [U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,723]
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