luciferase

noun

lu·​cif·​er·​ase lü-ˈsi-fə-ˌrās 

-ˌrāz

: an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin

Examples of luciferase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This glow is the result of a chemical reaction involving luciferin and luciferase, the very same compounds that make fireflies shine. — Scott Travers, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

This particular form of bioluminescence is caused by a chemical reaction of the substrate luciferin and enzyme luciferase, which combine to emit light. — Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025

The luciferase catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin, producing blue light, which GFP then absorbs and re-emits as green fluorescence. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026

An underground glow In fungi, the key step towards bioluminescence occurs when the enzyme luciferase converts light-emitting compound called luciferin into an unstable product. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French luciférase, from Latin lūcifer "light-bearing" + French -ase -ase — more at lucifer

Note: See note at luciferin.

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for luciferase

• bioassays
• carboxylase
• cholinesterase
• coagulase
• collagenase
• communiques
• glucosidase
• hexokinase
• hydrogenase
• hydroxylase
• isomerase
• microarrays

Medical Definition

luciferase

noun

lu·​cif·​er·​ase lü-ˈsif-ə-ˌrās, -ˌrāz 

: an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin