The Role of 1 N 6 -Ethenoadenosine Triphosphate and 1 N 6 -Ethenoadenosine Monophosphate in Firefly Luminescence

Abstract
1,N(6)-Ethenoadenosine triphosphate (epsilon-ATP) has been found to be inactive as a substrate for firefly luciferase. However, chemically synthesized luciferyl-epsilonAMP is oxidized by luciferase and light is emitted. The color of the light is red in contrast to the normal yellow-green observed with luciferyladenylate. Although epsilonATP will not serve as a substrate in the activation reaction, the reversal of the activation, pyrophosphorolysis of dehydroluciferyladenylate, will occur with the ethenoadenosine analog.