luciferin

lu·cif·er·in   (lōō-sĭf'ər-ĭn)    n.  A chemical substance present in the cells of bioluminescent organisms, such as fireflies, that produces an almost heatless, bluish-green light when oxidized under the catalytic effects of luciferase and ATP. [Latin lūcifer, light-bringing; see Lucifer + -in.]

Main Entry: lu·cif·er·in
Pronunciation: -(&-)r&n
Function: noun
: any of various organic substances in luminescent organismsthat furnish practically heatless light in undergoing oxidation promoted by luciferase

luciferin

in biochemistry, any of several organic compounds whose oxidation in the presence of the enzyme luciferase produces light. Luciferins vary in chemical structure; the luciferin of luminescent bacteria, for example, is completely different from that of fireflies. For each type luciferin, there is a specific luciferase. See also bioluminescence.

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