Evidence for similar biochemical requirements for bioluminescence among the coelenterates

Abstract

Abstract We present evidence that the chemical requirements among all the bioluminescent coelenterates that have been examined are very similar or identical to those already described for Renilla by Cormier and associates. Components required for luminescence in Renilla were also found in a number of bioluminescent coelenterates examined such as Aequorea, Obelia, Cavernularia, Ptilosarcus, Stylatula, Acanthoptilum, Parazoanthus and Mnemiopsis. Depending on the organism these include one or more of the following: luciferyl sulfate, luciferase, and luciferin sulfokinase. These isolated components were found to be indistinguishable from those found in Renilla as evidenced by their reactivity in the Renilla bioluminescent system, by the spectral characteristics of the isolated luciferyl sulfates, by the molecular weights of the luciferases, and by the colors of the bioluminescence produced in vitro.