The emission of light by living organisms, bioluminescence, has been studied since the nineteenth century. However, some bioluminescent systems, such as fungi, remain poorly understood. The emitter, the two enzymes involved, and the reaction mechanism have not yet been unraveled. Moreover, the ecological role and evolutionary significance for fungal luminescence is also unknown. It is hoped that comprehensive research on fungal bioluminescent systems will generate knowledge and tools for academic and applied sciences. This review discusses the distribution of bioluminescent fungi on Earth, attempts to elucidate the mechanism involved in light emission, and presents preliminary results on the evolution and ecological role of fungal bioluminescence.
bioluminescent fungi; luciferin; luciferase
