Abstract: A method for producing firefly D-luciferin or a luminescent derivative thereof characterized by reacting a starting material for firefly L-luciferin in the presence of esterase, which contains at least one selected from the group consisting of (1) esters of firefly L-luciferin or derivatives thereof and (2) thioesters of firefly L-luciferin or derivatives thereof. The invention enables inexpensive determination of activity of firefly luciferase, long-time stable control of luminescence, and quantitative determination of L-cysteine, cystine and ATP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene construct incorporating any of dinoflagellate luciferase genes into mammalian cells to ensure stable expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides a detection method and a method of manufacturing a detection kit, both characterized by use of an organic sulfur reagent, and which are effective at low concentration of the reagent, are inexpensive, and have reduced unpleasent odor. Provided is a reagent kit for detecting a Coleoptera luciferase, comprising an organic sulfur reagent having the atomic sequence of sulfur-carbon-sulfur in its chemical structure, a luciferin, adenosine triphosphate and a magnesium ion. Also provide is a method for detecting a Coleoptera luciferase, comprising step 1 of mixing an aqueous solution, containing an organic sulfur reagent having the atomic sequence of sulfur-carbon-sulfur in its chemical structure, a luciferin, adenosine triphosphate and a magnesium ion, with a sample containing a Coleoptera luciferase, to give a mixed solution; and step 2 of measuring the light emitted in the mixed solution.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a detection method and a method of manufacturing a detection kit which are characterized by use of an organic sulfur reagent, are effective at low concentration of the reagent, are inexpensive and have reduced unpleasant odor. Disclosed is a reagent kit for detecting a Coleoptera luciferase, comprising an organic sulfur reagent having the atomic sequence of sulfur-carbon-sulfur in its chemical structure, a luciferin, adenosine triphosphate and a magnesium ion. A method for detecting a Coleoptera luciferase, comprising step 1 of mixing an aqueous solution containing an organic sulfur reagent having the atomic sequence of sulfur-carbon-sulfur in its chemical structure, a luciferin, adenosine triphosphate and a magnesium ion with a sample containing a Coleoptera luciferase to give a mixed solution and step 2 of measuring the light emitted in the mixed solution is also disclosed.

Abstract: A luminescence method for a luciferin/luciferase system which comprises reacting a luciferin solution containing an increased amount of dissolved carbon dioxide with luciferase; and a luciferase assay reagent comprising a luciferin solution containing an increased amount of dissolved carbon dioxide. Thus, a method of luminescent assay excellent in continuity and stability is provided as a substitute for the conventional luminescent luciferase assay featured by rapidity and high sensitivity.