Bioluminescence activity of Latia luciferin analogs

Latia luciferin analogs were synthesized and their bioluminescence activities were measured. The Latia luciferase was found to recognize strictly the 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexene ring moiety in the luciferin structure. While the enol ether analogs exhibited no bioluminescence activity, the corresponding enol acetate analog possessed 60% activity compared to natural luciferin having an enol formate structure, implying that the initial step of the light producing reaction is an enzymatic hydrolysis to yield the corresponding enolate anion. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.