Coelenterazine

8-benzyl -2-( 4-hydroxybenzyl) -6 - ( 4-hydroxyphenyl ) imidazo [1,2- a] - pyrazine -3 ( 7H )-one

Dark orange solid

Fixed

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Coelenterazine is a natural substance from the group of luciferins and serves as a substrate of the enzyme luciferase, aequorin and obelin in various organisms the production of light ( bioluminescence ). The name is derived from Coelenterata ( coelenterates ), from whose representatives Aequorea victoria coelenterazine was isolated for the first time. In addition, coelenterazine or analogous substances, such as coelenterazine h, detected in radiolarians, cnidarians, copepods, arrow worms and squids. In the presence of oxygen ( oxidation) coelenterazine react with these enzymes and thus enables them to eliminate carbon dioxide and coelenteramide in an autocatalytic reaction, releasing energy in the form of a photon.

Coelenterazine, is used together with the luciferase enzyme of the sea pansy Renilla reniformis, whose gene functions as a reporter in the biosciences. It is mainly used in the functional genetic research used.