THE LOCALIZATION OF LUCIFERASE IN Pteroptyx tener (COLEOPTERA: LAMPYRIDAE) LIGHT ORGAN

Abstract

Firefly is famously known for the light emission from its
abdominal light organ. Light produce by firefly is known as
bioluminescence. Luciferase is the enzyme that catalyze the light
emitting reaction that produce bioluminescence. Haematoxylin
and Eosin staining were used to describe the histological
structure of the light organ. Localization of luciferase was
discovered by immunohistochemical staining with polyclonal
anti-luciferase and DAB chromogen as secondary antibody.
Microphotography of light organ tissues was taken by Carl Zeiss
Axio Scope A1 photomicroscope. This study revealed that the
luciferase enzyme located at the photocyte cytoplasm of
photogenic layer. This finding is an initial step to fully
understand the regulation of synchronous light production in P.
tener.