luciferase

American  

[loo-sif-uh-reys] / luˈsɪf ə reɪs /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an enzyme in bioluminescent organisms that catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin, a light-emitting pigment.

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Etymology

Origin of luciferase

First recorded in 1885–90; lucifer(in) ( def. ) + -ase ( def. )

Example Sentences

Like all bioluminescent organisms, marine ostracods and terrestrial fireflies both rely on a specialized enzyme called luciferase to produce their signature glow.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 28, 2023

There has been limited research on bioluminescence and luciferase, which is sometimes extracted for medical science.

From Salon • Sep. 21, 2023

Free-living V. fischeri do not produce luciferase, the enzyme responsible for luminescence, but V. fischeri living in a symbiotic relationship with the squid do.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Like many bioluminescent animals their light is created by a reaction between the light-emitting molecule luciferin and the enzyme luciferase.

From National Geographic • Jun. 30, 2018

Luciferine: a substance in the blood of luminous beetles which, when brought into contact with luciferase, produces light.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.