Open AccessStructure of native Renilla reinformis luciferin
Author(s) -
Kei Hori,
Harry Charbonneau,
Russell C. Hart,
Milton J. Cormier
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.74.10.4285
Subject(s) - luciferin , bioluminescence , photoprotein , chemistry , biochemistry , stereochemistry , biophysics , biology , luciferase , transfection , gene
The structure of native luciferin from the bioluminescent coelenterateRenilla 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.