title: Luminol and lucigenin as detectors for O2.-.
abstract: Univalent oxidation of luminol and univalent reduction of lucigenin must precede reaction with O2.- if that reaction is to lead to luminescence. The assumption that luminol or lucigenin, per se, reacts with O2.- in a way leading to luminescence is incorrect, and leads to misinterpretation of results. The chemical reactions leading to the O2(.-)-dependent luminescences of luminol and of lucigenin are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fridovich
mesh_terms: D000166:Acridines / Q000378:metabolism*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008165:Luminol / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013481:Superoxides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000166:Acridines; D013481:Superoxides; C033472:10,10'-dimethyl-9,9'-biacridinium; D008165:Luminol