noun
- enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of luciferin, producing light in bioluminescent organisms
Usage: biochemistry; plural form
Examples
- Fireflies produce light through the action of luciferases on luciferin molecules.
- Scientists use luciferases as reporter genes in molecular biology research.
- The bioluminescence of deep-sea creatures depends on luciferases.
- Researchers isolated luciferases from various marine organisms.
- Different species have evolved distinct types of luciferases.
- The efficiency of luciferases varies among bioluminescent organisms.