THE ORIGIN OF BIOLUMINESCENCE*

Abstract— Primitive luciferases evolved in order to utilize oxygen directly as an electron acceptor at the low oxygen concentrations of the primitive atmosphere. This provided a major selective advantage in the ability to metabolize aromatic molecules and n-alkanes. These strongly exergonic reactions produce product molecules in electronically excited states, from which light emission is possible. The low-level luminescence observed from microsomal extracts, from the action of leukocytes on phagocytized bacteria and from rapidly growing tissues is ascribed to these same exergonic hydroxylase reactions, or to the release during these reactions of superoxide radicals which can initiate chemiluminescent reactions. Bioluminescence is a later secondary adaptation of this oxygenase reaction to signaling for sex, food or escape. The similarity of the reaction pathways is shown in the three bioluminescent systems from which the substrates and products have been identified.