| 释义 |
luciferase Biol.|l(j)uːˈsɪfəreɪz, -s|
[ad. F. luciférase (R. Dubois 1887, in Compt. Rend. CV. 691): see luciferin and -ase.]
Any enzyme which catalyses a reaction by which a specific luciferin produces light.
It was formerly believed that a single enzyme, luciferase, was common to all organisms which produce light.
1888Jrnl. R. Microsc. Soc. 26 From the luminous parts of the animal the author [sc. R. Dubois] has succeeded in extracting two substances, the contact of which in the water, determines the appearance of the light. One of them was obtained in the crystalline state... It is soluble in water, and hardly soluble in alcohol; it may be called luciferine. The other body is an active albuminoid of the class of soluble ferments, and may be called luciferase. 1920Nature 26 Aug. 843/1 The production of light by animals is due to the burning or oxidation of a substance called luciferin in the presence of an enzyme or catalyst called luciferase. 1952[see luciferin]. 1971Country Life 9 Sept. 605/1 The luciferin, or light-producing material, in a glow-worm's body is oxidised and broken down, with the aid of an enzyme called luciferase, to release light energy with practically no wastage. |