Firefly squid

The enol-sulfate form (I), which is the precursor of the luciferin in the bioluminescence system of the sea pansy Renilla (Hori et al., 1972), can be readily converted into coelenterazine by acid hydrolysis. The enol-sulfate (I), dehydrocoeienterazine (D) and the coelenterazine bound by the coelenterazine-binding proteins are important storage forms for preserving unstable coelenterazine in the bodies of luminous organisms. The disulfate form of coelenterazine (not shown in Fig. 5.5) is the luciferin in the firefly squid Watasenia (Section 6.3.1). An enol-ether form of coelenterazine bound with glucopyra-nosiduronic acid has been found in the liver of the myctophid fish Diapbus elucens (Inoue et al., 1987). 

Tsuji, F. I. (1985). ATP-dependent bioluminescence in the firefly squid, Watasenia scintillans. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82 4629-4632. 

Tsuji, F. I. (2002). Bioluminescence reaction catalyzed by membrane-bound luciferase in the firefly squid Watasenia scintillans. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1564 189-197. 

BIOLUMINESCENCE REACTION IN THE FIREFLY SQUID, WATASENIA SCINTILLANS... 

Watas6 S. The luminous organ of the firefly squid. Dobutsugaku Zasshi 1905 17 119-23. 

Tsuji F I. Role of molecular oxygen in the bioluminescence of the firefly squid, Watasenia scintillans. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005 338 250-53. 

Bioluminescence functions in mating (fireflies, the Bahama fireworm), in the search for prey (angler fish, Photmus fireflies), camouflage (hatchet fish, squid), schooling (euphausiid shrimp), and to aid deep water fish (flashlight fish, Photoblepharon to see in the dark ocean depths. 

Bioluminescence is the production of light by living systems. The best-known example of this phenomenon is the characteristic glow of the firefly, but other luminous species include bacteria, fungi and other animals such as jellyfish, scale-worms, deep-sea squid, prawn and fish. In animals bioluminescence is used as a diversionary tactic when disturbed, to attract prey and of course as a mating signal during courtship. 

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