ENZYMES ASSOCIATED WITH BIOLUMINESCENCE IN PANUS STYPTICUS LUMINESCENS AND PANUS STYPTICUS NON-LUMINESCENS.

Airth, R. L. (The University of Texas, Austin), and G. Elizabeth Foerster. Enzymes associated with bioluminescence in Panus stypticus luminescens and Panus stypticus non-luminescens. J. Bacteriol. 88:1372-1379. 1964.-Fungal bioluminescence depends upon at least four factors: (i) reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) (or reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate); (ii) a molecule to accept electrons, either directly or indirectly from NADH; (iii) an enzyme(s) to catalyze electron transfer; and (iv) luciferase to catalyze the actual light-emitting reaction. Cell-free light emission from Panus stypticus luminescens was obtained, and the enzymes of this species are interchangeable, in all combinations, which those of another luminous fungus, Collybia velutipes. A study of the nonluminous form of Panus stypticus indicates that both enzymes are absent in this strain, and no definite conclusion could be made regarding the presence or absence of the electron acceptor. The genetic implications of these findings are discussed.