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. 1985 Jul;82(14):4629-32.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.82.14.4629.

ATP-dependent bioluminescence in the firefly squid, Watasenia scintillans

F I Tsuji  1
Affiliations

ATP-dependent bioluminescence in the firefly squid, Watasenia scintillans

F I Tsuji. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1985 Jul.

Abstract

The Japanese firefly squid, Watasenia scintillans, emits intense flashes of light from three tiny luminous organs that are located at the tip of each of a pair of ventral arms. Light is also produced from hundreds of other minute organs that are scattered over the body. The luminescence is due to an ATP-dependent reaction, with an optimal pH of 8.80. The decay of light intensity follows first-order kinetics and the decay constant is independent of initial ATP concentration. The light emission also requires MgCl(2), a soluble component, and an insoluble component that is membrane bound. Squids represent a major group of organisms unrelated to fireflies in which ATP is required for bioluminescence.

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