Compared to the broad palette of fluorescent molecules, there are relatively few structures that are competent to support bioluminescence. Here, we focus on recent advances in the development of luminogenic substrates for firefly luciferase. The scope of this light-emitting chemistry has been found to extend well beyond the natural substrate and to include enzymes incapable of luciferase activity with d-luciferin. The broadening range of luciferin analogues and evolving insight into the bioluminescent reaction offer new opportunities for the construction of powerful optical reporters of use in live cells and animals.

中文翻译：

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发光萤光素和潜在萤光素酶的经验教训

与宽泛的荧光分子调色板相比，能够支持生物发光的结构相对较少。在这里，我们专注于萤火虫荧光素酶的发光底物开发的最新进展。已经发现这种发光化学的范围远远超出了天然底物，并且包括了不能与d-萤光素一起进行萤光素酶活性的酶。萤光素类似物的广泛范围以及对生物发光反应的不断发展的见识为构建用于活细胞和动物的功能强大的光学报告基因提供了新的机会。