Another example is the enzyme luciferase, this is found in fireflies and naturally produces light from its substrate luciferin.
22.
The exact combinations of luciferase and luciferin types found among photocytes are specific to the species to which they belong.
23.
But researchers have found that they can use luciferin and luciferase together to look for ATP as an indication of life.
24.
Aequorin is a holoprotein composed of two distinct units, the kDa, and the prosthetic group coelenterazine, the luciferin.
25.
Because of the connection between bioluminescence and fluorescence, this property was ultimately important in the discovery of the luciferin coelenterazine.
26.
In firefly, oxidation of luciferins, which is catalyzed by luciferases, yields a peroxy compound 1, 2-dioxetane.
27.
Consequently, luciferin is only released to react with an active luciferase when the scintillon is acidified to pH 6.3.
28.
Luciferins typically undergo an enzyme-catalysed oxidation and the resulting excited state intermediate emits light upon decaying to its ground state.
29.
When they breathe, the air combines with a substance called luciferin, and special cells are produced called photocytes and they glow.
30.
The above reaction occurs between a 1, 2-aminothiol and a 2-cyanobenzothiazole to make luciferin, which is fluorescent.
