| luciferase | <enzyme> An enzyme from firefly tails that catalyses the production of light in the reaction between luciferin and ATP. Used by the male firefly for producing light to attract females and used in the laboratory in a chemiluminescence bioassay for ATP. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| luciferases | Enzymes present in certain luminous organisms that act to bring about the oxidation of luciferins; energy produced in the process is liberated as bioluminescence; such enzymes can be used to detect very low concentrations of metabolites. Origin: L. Lux, light + fero, to bear (05 Mar 2000) |
| luciferin | <protein> Substrate for the enzyme luciferase that catalyses an oxidative reaction leading to photon emission (bioluminescence). (18 Nov 1997) |
| luciferins | A generic term referring to a substrate which, upon oxidation by the enzyme luciferase, produces bioluminescence. Luciferins isolated from different species may vary greatly in structure, although in many cases identical structures have been found in widely diverse animals. The american firefly, photinus pyralis, and its substrate have been studied extensively and is used in the assay of adenosine triphosphate. (12 Dec 1998) |
| luciferyl adenylate | An intermediate compound in the pathway of bioluminescence. Its precursor is the pigment luciferin. It is the substrate of the enzyme luciferase, which combines it with oxygen to make visible light. (09 Oct 1997) |
| lucifugal | Avoiding light. Origin: L. Lux, light, + fugio, to flee from (05 Mar 2000) |
| lucigenin | <protein> Compound used as a bystander substrate in assaying the metabolic activation of leucocytes by chemiluminescence. When oxidized by superoxide it emits light. (18 Nov 1997) |
| Lucilia | A genus of scavenging blowflies (family Calliphoridae), commonly called bluebottle or greenbottle flies, whose larvae feed on carrion or excrement; they occasionally cause wound infestation or myiasis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Lucilia caesar | A species whose larvae formerly were used in the treatment of septic wounds. See: Phormia regina. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Lucilia cuprina | The most important cause of blowfly strike of sheep in Australia and South Africa. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Lucilia illustris | A metallic blue-green blowfly widely distributed in North America; the eggs are deposited chiefly on animal carcasses. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Lucilia sericata | A common species of yellowish or metallic green blowfly (family Calliphoridae, order Diptera); an abundant scavenger feeding on carrion or excrement, and implicated in sheep strike and other forms of myiasis. Synonym: Lucilia sericata. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lucimycin | <chemical> Antifungal antibiotic isolated from cultures of streptomyces lucensis. Pharmacological action: antibiotics, antifungal, antibiotics, macrolide. Chemical name: Lucensomycin (12 Dec 1998) |
| Lucio's leprosy | An acute form occurring in pure diffuse lepromatous leprosy presenting irregularly shaped, intensely erythematous, tender plaques, especially of the legs, with tendency to ulceration and scarring. Synonym: lazarine leprosy, Lucio's leprosy phenomenon. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Lucio's leprosy phenomenon | An acute form occurring in pure diffuse lepromatous leprosy presenting irregularly shaped, intensely erythematous, tender plaques, especially of the legs, with tendency to ulceration and scarring. Synonym: lazarine leprosy, Lucio's leprosy phenomenon. (05 Mar 2000) |