luciferase
[ loo-sif-uh-reys ]
nounBiochemistry.
an enzyme in bioluminescent organisms that catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin, a light-emitting pigment.
Origin of luciferase
1First recorded in 1885–90; lucifer(in) + -ase
Words Nearby luciferase
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use luciferase in a sentence
luciferase: a substance in the nature of an enzyme, existing in the luminous organs of light-giving beetles.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology | John. B. Smithluciferase is destroyed only by pepsin (probably), trypsin, erepsin, and something in spleen and liver extract.
The Nature of Animal Light | E. Newton Harvey
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