Biochemistry of Luminescence

生物发光是一种高度多样化的现象，涉及很大的能量变化。该项目的最终目标是对生物发光及其在生物有机体中的作用有完整的生物化学理解。为了实现这一目标，必须确定各种生物发光系统中涉及的关键物质的化学结构。今后五年的主要奋斗目标是：(1)真菌生物发光：初步研究表明，在表面活性物质存在的情况下，真菌荧光素与02-(超氧阴离子)和02-反应时发光。将确定荧光素的结构，并从多个角度研究发光反应的机理。荧光素可能是一种有用的02指标。(2)真甲藻和甲藻的生物发光：四氢吡咯在这两种生物发光系统中起着关键作用，但作用方式不同。在Euphausiid系统中，荧光物质F(四吡咯)催化光蛋白的有氧氧化。在甲藻系统中，荧光素(四吡咯)在荧光素酶的存在下被氧化成氧代荧光素。尽管存在明显的差异，但这两个体系可能涉及相同的基础化学。所涉及的反应将被研究，以澄清光发射的机制。将确定Euphausiid光蛋白的可氧化基团。

Bioluminescence is a highly diversified phenomenon involving a large energy change. The ultimate goal of this project is the complete biochemical understanding of bioluminescence and its roles in living organisms. To achieve this goal, it is essential to determine the chemical structures of key substances involved in various bioluminescence systems. Main aims in the next five years are as follows. (1) Fungal bioluminescence: Preliminary studies suggested that light is emitted when fugal luciferin reacts with 02- (superoxide anion) and 02 in the presence of a surfactant-like substance. The structure of the luciferin will be determined, and the mechanism of light-emitting reaction will be investigated from various angles. The luciferin might be useful as a 02 indicator. (2) Bioluminescence of euphausiids and dinoflagellates: Tetrapyrroles play key roles in both bioluminescence systems, but in different manners. In the euphausiid system, the fluorescent substance F (a tetrapyrrole) catalyzes the aerobic oxidation of a photoprotein. In the dinoflagellate system, luciferin (a tetrapyrrole) is oxidized into oxyluciferin in the presence of a luciferase. Despite the apparent difference, both systems may involve the same basic chemistry The reactions involved will be investigated to clarify the mechanisms of light emission. The oxidizable group of the euphausiid photoprotein will be determined.