[nimbus8]

Recyclable bioluminescence by luciferase electrolysis.


The following reaction displays the reduction of luciferase to oxidize luciferin.
http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/sigma-aldrich/life-science/biochemicals/migrationbiochemicals1/Luciferase_Reaction_Scheme.gif
Many studies have showed that oxidation of luciferin in the absence of luciferase did not lead to bioluminescence. This leads me to believe that is is the reduction of luciferase that truly causes light to be released. And in that case couldn't electrolysis of some luciferase solution cause continual luminescence.

What are your views on this?

[nimbus8]

Oh wow, im an idiot. Its not the luciferase thats being reduced. But still the conclusion remains that its the luciferase causing the luminescence. So i guess a better question is how is it doing so?

[kriggy]

The oxidation is IMO not leading to luminiscence because it is enzymatic reaction:

Light is emitted because the reaction forms oxyluciferin in an electronically excited state. The reaction releases a photon of light as oxyluciferin returns to the ground state.

So by reaction without luciferase you get the oxyluciferin in ground state so it cant emmit any photons.

[nimbus8]

Wow alright thank you for that insight. Just wondering, how does the enzyme make the oxyluciferin in the higher energy state where normal oxidation makes it in a lower one?

And following the logic of my second post couldn't you just perform electrolysis on a solution containing oxyluciferin and luciferase and continue the reaction indefinitely?

[Wastrel]

Asking the same question at the same time on more than one forum is NOT cool.

[nimbus8]

In what way, its interesting to get the perspectives of several different people to take into consideration.