This book is an authoritative monograph on the recent progresses in the chemistry of bioluminescence. It provides a comprehensive overview of the past and the latest developments in understanding the biochemical mechanisms of some 35 different types of luminous organisms, together with information helpful to students and researchers in an Appendix. It is the first and only book that provides chemical information on all currently known bioluminescence systems. Dr Shimomura is the leading practitioner in the field for the past half century, and is best known for his discovery of the jellyfish photoprotein aequorin and the green fluorescent protein. This book is the bible of bioluminescence, and is “a must read,” not only for the students who study bioluminescence but also for those who work in various aspects relating to bioluminescence. This book will be an important source of chemical knowledge on bioluminescence for a long period of time in future.Fully revised since its publication in 2006, it now incorporates the most recent advances in the subject area. A new section on “Green Fluorescent Protein” has been added at the end of Chapter 4. It contains an extensive reference section.Contents:The Fireflies and Luminous Insects:The FirefliesPhengodidae and ElateroidaeDipteraLuminous Bacteria:Factors Required for BioluminescenceBacterial LuciferaseLong-chain AldehydeMechanism of Luminescence ReactionAssay of Luciferase ActivityQuantum Yield of Long-chain AldehydesIn vivo Luminescence of Luminous BacteriaThe Ostracod Cypridina (Vargula) and Other Luminous Crustaceans:The Ostracod CypridinaEuphausiids Euphausia pacifica and Meganyctiphanes NorvegicaThe Decapod Shrimp Oplophorus gracilirostrisCopepodaThe Jellyfish Aequorea and Other Luminous Coelenterates:The Hydrozoan Medusa Aequorea aequoreaThe Hydroid Obelia (Hydrozoan)The Hydrozoan Medusa Phialidium gregariumOther Bioluminescent HydrozoansThe Scyphozoans Pelagia and PeriphyllaThe Anthozoan Renilla (Sea Pansy)The CtenophoresThe Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)The Coelenterazines:Discovery of CoelenterazineOccurrence of CoelenterazineProperties of Coelenterazine and Its DerivativesChemi- and Bioluminescence Reactions of CoelenterazineVarious Chemical Reactions of CoelenterazineSynthesis of CoelenterazinesCoelenterazine LuciferasesLuminous Mollusca:The Limpet LatiaThe Clam Pholas dactylusLuminous Squids (Cephalopoda)Annelida:The Tubeworm Chaetopterus variopedatusThe Bermuda Fireworm OdontosyllisLuminous Earthworms (Oligochaeta)Polynoid Scaleworm Harmothoë lunulataThe Polychaete TomopterisDinoflagellates and Other Protozoa:RadiolariansDinoflagellatesLuminous Fungi:An Overview on Fungal BioluminescenceEarly Studies on the Biochemistry of Luminous FungiRole of Superoxide in Fungal LuminescenceStudies on Panellus stipticusStudies on Mycena citricolorSummary on the Chemistry of FungalOther Luminous Organisms:Ophiuroidea: Brittle StarsMillipede Luminodesmus sequoiae (Diplopoda)Centipede Orphaneus brevilabiatus (Chilopoda)HemicordataTunicates (Phylum Chordata)The Luminous FishesReadership: Biologists, chemists, analytical chemists, biomedical chemists; students in biochemistry.
