Spectral components of bioluminescence of aequorin and obelin

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology Vol. 92; no. 2; pp. 117 - 122
• Main Authors: Belogurova, Nadezhda V., Kudryasheva, Nadezhda S., Alieva, Rosa R., Sizykh, Arnold G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Elsevier B.V 21.08.2008
• Subjects: Aequorea victoria; Aequorin - chemistry; Aequorin - metabolism; Animals; Bioluminescence; Calcium - chemistry; Calcium - metabolism; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hydrozoa - metabolism; Luminescence; Luminescent Proteins - chemistry; Luminescent Proteins - metabolism; Marine; Obelia longissima; Photoprotein; Proton transfer; Spectral components; Bioluminescence; Spectral components; Photoprotein; Proton transfer
• ISSN: 1011-1344; 1873-2682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2008.05.006

Complex bioluminescence spectra of photoproteins from marine coelenterates – jellyfish Aequorea victoria and hydroid Obelia longissima, and photoluminescence spectra of the bioluminescent reaction products (Ca 2+-discharged photoproteins) were deconvolved into components. The bioluminescence spectra of aequorin were found to include three, the bioluminescence spectra of obelin – four, and the photoluminescence spectra of the Ca 2+-discharged photoproteins – only two components. The spectral components were assigned to one unionized and three ionized forms of coelenteramide. The changes in acidity of the excited coelenteramide molecule are discussed. The differences in bioluminescence and photoluminescence spectra are considered, with protonic environment of coelenteramide taken into account.