Firefly Bioluminescence (Luciferin Oxidation)

概述

Firefly luciferase catalyzes the ATP-dependent oxidation of luciferin, producing oxyluciferin in an electronically excited state that emits yellow-green light (560 nm). This is the most efficient bioluminescent system known, converting about 88% of chemical energy to light with almost no heat waste.

参与者

日常示例

Fireflies flashing on summer evenings use this reaction to communicate with potential mates, each species having a unique flash pattern.

工业重要性

萤光素酶-萤光素体系是生物医学研究中应用最广泛的报告基因之一，用于基因表达检测、药物筛选、肿瘤活体成像和食品安全快速检测（ATP生物发光法）。