The interaction of luciferase, flavin mono-nucleotide and long-chain aldehydes in the light reaction catalyzed by preparations of luminous bacteria

Abstract

The light reaction catalyzed by a luciferase preparation of a dark strain of Photobacterium splendidum, probably containing a slightly altered luciferase molecule, was compared with the light reaction catalyzed by a similar preparation of a brightly luminescent strain of Photobacterium phosphoreum. Experiments concerning the influence of the aldehyde concentration and the inhibition of the light reaction by short-chain aldehydes and palmitate indicated that the normal luciferase molecule contains certain groups, necessary for “binding” the long-chain aldehyde that is required in the light reaction. These groups are supposed to be partly missing in the enzyme of the dark strain of Ph. splendidum. A tentative scheme of the luciferase molecules in the dark and luminescent strains used is presented; the shape of the curves light intensity versus time is explained using these schemes.