luciferin

luciferin

(lo͞o-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.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

luciferin

A class of light-emitting biological pigments that serve as substrate for luciferase (EC 1.13.12.7) in bioluminescence studies.

Sources of luciferin
Firefly, snail, bacteria, coelenterazine, dinoflagellates and deep sea fish (vargulin).

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

luciferin

a compound which, when acted upon by the enzyme LUCIF ERASE, gives rise to BIOLUMINESCENCE in, for example, fire-flies, glow-worms, some coelenterates and some deep-sea fish.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005