Work

Structure of native Renilla reinformis luciferin

Year: 1977

Type: article

Abstract: The structure of native luciferin from the bioluminescent coelenterate Renilla reniformis is shown to be 3,7-dihydro-2-(p-hydroxybenzyl)-6-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-8-benzylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-one by mass spectral analysis of synthetic luciferin and the luciferin derived from a protein directly involved in the bioluminescent system. A previous report of the molecular weight of luciferin is shown to be incorrect by reexamination of the spectral data and by synthesis of two derivatives. Detailed analysis of kinetic, emission, and quantum yield data for the isolated and synthetic luciferins confirms this structure. Confirmation of this structure in a number of species from different phyla suggests a common substrate for a variety of bioluminescent marine organisms.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.74.10.4285

Authors: Kazuo Hori, Harry Charbonneau, Russell C. Hart, Milton J. Cormier

Institution: University of Georgia

Language: English

Topic: bioluminescence and chemiluminescence research

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, University of Georgia

OpenAlex ID: W2083751352

FWCI: 1.85

Cites: 13

Cited by: 52

Related to: 10