Firefly Luciferase saRNA (Cap-1)

Firefly luciferase (FLuc) self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) (Cap-1) encodes firefly luciferase, a protein originally isolated from the firefly P. pyralis, that catalyzes the ATP-dependent oxidation of the molecule luciferin (D-luciferin; Item Nos. 25836 | 14682 | 14681) resulting in chemiluminescence at a wavelength of approximately 560 nm.^1,2 It is capped with the Cap-1 structure to increase translation efficiency. FLuc saRNA (Cap-1) is based on the self-replicating Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), which results in stable expression of FLuc. It can be used as a control for the delivery and translation efficiency of RNA. Encapsulation of FLuc saRNA in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) has been used for saRNA delivery and expression of FLuc in animal models.³

WARNING This product is not for human or veterinary use.

1. Baldwin, T.O. Firefly luciferase: The structure is known, but the mystery remains. Structure 4(3), 223-228 (1996).

2. Zhang, G., Gurtu, V., and Kain, S.R. An enhanced green fluorescent protein allows sensitive detection of gene transfer in mammalian cells. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 227(3), 707-711 (1996).

3. Sun, Z., Liu, Y., Zhang, H., et al. A novel alphavirus-based saRNA platform for enhanced vaccination efficacy and organ-specific targeting. Vaccine 72, 128055 (2026).