Firefly lanterns, bioluminescence

Later, fireflv oxyluciferin was successfully synthesi2ed (403. 408) and has been isolated and identified in firefly lanterns (luciola cruaciata) after the lanterns were treated with pyridine and acetic anhydride to prevent decomposition (409). In 1972, Suzuki and Goto firmly established that oxyluciferin is involved in the bioluminescence of firefly lanterns and in the chemiluminescence of firefly luciferin (403. 410).. A. mechanism involving a four-membered ring cyclic peroxide has been proposed for the reaction (406. 411). However, it was not confirmed by 0 -labelinE experiments (412). 

Suzuki, N., and Goto, T. (1971). Firefly bioluminescence. II. Identification of 2-(6 -hydroxy benzothiazol-2 -yl)4-hydroxythiazol as a product in the bioluminescence of firefly lanterns and as a product in the chemiluminescence of firefly luciferin in DMSO. Tetrahedron Lett. 22 2021-2024. 

His research with Grace Picciolo led to his invention of a method for the detection of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The technique takes advantage of the naturally occurring luciferase enzyme and the chemical lu-ciferin. Both are obtained from the lantern of a firefly hence, this technique is sometimes referred to as a firefly bioluminescent assay. In combination with ATP and magnesium ions, luciferm and luciferase fluoresce, generating a light intensity that is proportional to the amoimt of ATP present. 

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