title: Oplophorus oxyluciferin and a model luciferin compound biologically active with Oplophorus luciferase.
abstract: The luciferin of the bioluminescent decapod shrimp, Oplophorus gracilorostris, was purified and studied with respect to u.v. spectrum, fluorescence spectrum, mass spectrum and luminescent cross-reaction with the enzyme luciferase of the bioluminescent ostracod, Cypridina hilgendorfii. On the basis of these results, an empirical formula C10H13N3O3 and an imidazo [1,2-a]pyrazin-3-one structure are proposed for luciferin. Of three model luciferin compounds, 3-hydroxy-2-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine is biologically active with both Oplophorus and Cypridina luciferase, indicating that a pyrazine structure is not essential for biological activity with Cypridina luciferase.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001128:Argon; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D003445:Crustacea / Q000201:enzymology; D033364:Decapoda / Q000032:analysis*; D049454:Firefly Luciferin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007093:Imidazoles; D008156:Luciferases / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D049454:Firefly Luciferin; D001128:Argon; D008156:Luciferases