title: Firefly chemiluminescence and bioluminescence: efficient generation of excited states.
abstract: Firefly luciferase catalyzes a light-emitting reaction in which an excited-state product is formed. Both experimental and theoretical methodologies are used to study this system, and the reactions catalyzed by luciferase are relatively well characterized. However, the mechanism by which an excited-state product is formed is still unknown. This Minireview deals with the current understanding of firefly bioluminescence and chemiluminescence. Thermal decomposition of simple 1,2-dioxetanes is also discussed, due to their role in formation of the excited-state bioluminophore.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigação em Química, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Luís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pinto da Silva
authors.forename: Joaquim C G
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Esteves da Silva
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002384:Catalysis; D048888:Fireflies / Q000201:enzymology; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; D049409:Luciferases, Firefly / Q000737:chemistry*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; C079142:1,2-dioxetane; D049409:Luciferases, Firefly