Daily Rhythm of Luciferin Activity in Gonyaulax polyedra

Abstract

Extracts prepared from Gonyaulax cells harvested late in the 12-hour dark period of an artificial 24-hour day contain as much as four times more luciferin activity than similar extracts prepared during the light period. If cultures are not treated with heat or light to reduce the flashing associated with handling, the time of maximum activity is obscured.