Pholasin luminescence is enhanced by addition of dehydrocoelenterazine

Pholasin is a bioluminescent photoprotein of Pholas dactylus. Pholasin is a commercially available photoprotein used to measure intracellular reactive oxygen species. Although extensive efforts have been carried out to determine the chemical structure of the prosthetic (chromophore) group, it still remains unclear to date. Herein, we report the enhancement of pholasin luminescence by the addition of dehydrocoelenterazine, which is organic substance of luminous squids’ photoprotein.