Biosynthesis of Firefly Luciferin in Adult Lantern: Decarboxylation of ʟ-Cysteine is a Key Step for Benzothiazole Ring Formation in Firefly Luciferin Synthesis
Figure 3
Incorporation of 1,4-hydroquinone and 13C-labeled ʟ-cysteines into firefly luciferin in an adult lantern of L. lateralis.
A. Predicted firefly luciferins incorporated from 1,4-hydroquinone and ʟ-Cys[U-13C3]. B. Predicted firefly luciferins incorporated from 1,4-hydroquinone and ʟ-Cys[1-13C3]. C. Predicted firefly luciferins incorporated from 1,4-hydroquinone and ʟ-Cys[3-13C3]. The number in parenthesis on the right indicates the number of 13C-atom incorporated into firefly luciferin. Asterisk indicates the position of a 13C-atom.