title: The action spectrum and phototransformations of pterobilin (biliverdin IX gamma).
abstract: Pterobilin 1 (biliverdin IX gamma), a butterfly bile pigment, is photocyclized into phorcabilin 2 and sarpedobilin 3 by irradiation in visible light. Selective irradiations have now been performed at the absorption maxima of pterobilin 1. The 650-nm radiations are responsible for the observed photocyclizations while the 375-nm radiations lead to decomposition products. These results are discussed in connection with a hypothesis concerning the biological role of pterobilin in butterfly larvae.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001654:Bile Pigments / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D001664:Biliverdine / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002080:Butterflies; D008027:Light
chemical_list: D001654:Bile Pigments; C037455:pterobilin; D001664:Biliverdine; D001663:Bilirubin