Biochemistry of Luminescence

本项目的目标是了解生物发光的生化机制和生物学功能，即描绘化学能转化为光能的机制，阐明发光在生物生理中的作用。为了实现这一目标，必须确定在不同类型的生物体中发生的生物发光反应所涉及的关键物质的化学结构。计划在未来三年的具体目标是：(1)利用Panellus stipticus研究真菌的发光，包括真菌荧光素的结构测定；(2)完成目前正在进行的研究，包括荧光物质F的结构工作；光足千足虫和蛇尾海星的光蛋白的发色团，以及水足海星的绿色荧光蛋白。

The goal of this project is to undertand this biochemical mechanism and biological function of bioluminescence, that is, to delineate the mechanism involved in the conversion of chemical energy into light energy and to elucidate the roles of luminescence in the physiology of the organisms. To achieve this goal it is essential to determine the chemical structures of the key substances involved in the bioluminescent reactions that occur in diverse types of organisms. The specific aims of the project in the next three years are: (1) to investigate fungal luminescence, including the determination of the structure of fungal luciferin, using Panellus stipticus, (2) to complete current studies in progress, including structural work on the fluorescent substance F of euphasolids, the chromophores of the photoproteins of the millipede Luminodesmus and the brittle star Ophiopsilla, and the green fluorescent protein of Aequorea.