Biosynthesis of Firefly Luciferin in Adult Lantern: Decarboxylation of ʟ-Cysteine is a Key Step for Benzothiazole Ring Formation in Firefly Luciferin Synthesis
Figure 5
Incorporation of p-[D4]-benzoquinone or 1,4-[D6]-hydroquinone with ʟ-cysteines into firefly luciferin in an adult lantern of L. lateralis.
A. Predicted firefly luciferins incorporated from p-[D4]-benzoquinone and ʟ-cysteine. B. Predicted firefly luciferins incorporated from 1,4-[D6]-hydroquinone and ʟ-cysteine. C. Predicted firefly luciferins incorporated from 1,4-[D6]-hydroquinone and ʟ-Cys[3-13C3]. The number in parenthesis on the right indicates the number of the stable isotope atoms incorporated into firefly luciferin. Asterisk indicates the position of a 13C-atom.