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AAT Bioquest

What controls the rate at which luciferin breaks down?

Posted May 12, 2021


Answer

Luciferin is a molecule, broken down in cells. It produces heat and light when oxidized. The oxidation process requires the presence of an enzyme called luciferase. Luciferase helps with speeding the process of oxidation and the reduction of energy required to start the process. Therefore, the rate at which luciferin breaks down is controlled by the enzyme luciferase.

Additional resources

Firefly luciferin

D-Luciferin, potassium salt *CAS#: 115144-35-9*

Luciferases