Abstract: An object of the present invention to provide a firefly luciferin and firefly luciferin analog that are modified to maintain luminescent activity by luciferase in a firefly bioluminescent system. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new luminescent substrate for which the emission wavelength in a firefly bioluminescent system is shifted to a longer wavelength than that of a conventional luminescent substrate. The present invention provides a luciferin in which the benzothiazole ring moiety has been modified at the 7-position, a luciferin analog in which the benzene ring moiety has been modified at the 6-position, and a luciferin analog in which the 6-(dialkylamino)-2-naphthalenyl moiety has been modified at the 5-position.

Abstract: An object of the present invention to provide a firefly luciferin and firefly luciferin analog that are modified to maintain luminescent activity by luciferase in a firefly bioluminescent system. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new luminescent substrate for which the emission wavelength in a firefly bioluminescent system is shifted to a longer wavelength than that of a conventional luminescent substrate. The present invention provides a luciferin in which the benzothiazole ring moiety has been modified at the 7-position, a luciferin analog in which the benzene ring moiety has been modified at the 6-position, and a luciferin analog in which the 6-(dialkylamino)-2-naphthalenyl moiety has been modified at the 5-position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound having a structure analogous to firefly luciferin. In particular, the invention relates to a heterocycle compound which produces a luminescence at a light wavelength different from that of firefly luciferin in nature. The present invention provides a heterocycle compound of following general formula I. In the above general formula, R1, R2 and R3 can be each independently H or C1-4-alkyl. In the above general formula, X and Y can be each independently C, N, S or O. In the above general formula, the olefin chain part expressed as “n” can be changed to desired length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound having a structure analogous to firefly luciferin. In particular, the invention relates to a heterocycle compound which produces a luminescence at a light wavelength different from that of firefly luciferin in nature. The present invention provides a heterocycle compound of following general formula I. In the above general formula, R1, R2 and R3 can be each independently H or C1-4-alky. In the above general formula, X and Y can be each independently C, N, S or O. In the above general formula, the olefin chain part expressed as “n” can be changed to desired length.

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: A process for preparing an .alpha.-substituted phenylalkanecarboxylic acid, having useful pharmaceutical properties such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic properties, from the corresponding ethylidenecyanoacetate by oxidation, hydrolysis, decarboxylation and oxidation.