Coelenterazine f is a derivative of native coelenterazine and serves as a substrate for aequorin (jellyfish luminescent protein). The structural difference between coelenterazine f and native coelenterazine lies in the substitution of the hydroxyl group on the phenol ring at the R-1 position with a fluorine (F) atom.
When coelenterazine f and aequorin are oxidized, they are activated to form a metastable complex of coelenterazine. The formation of this complex occurs very rapidly, whereas the formation of the native coelenterazineaequorin complex is much slower (only 40% of native coelenterazine reacts within 60 minutes). Compared to the total photon energy produced by the native coelenterazineaequorin complex, this complex generates only 80% of the photon energy.
Upon contact with Ca2+, coelenterazine f can rapidly and efficiently emit light, with an energy output that is 20 times stronger than that of native coelenterazine. Additionally, coelenterazine f exhibits the best cell permeability. When extremely high Ca2+detection sensitivity is required for experiments involving aequorin regeneration, this substrate is highly recommended.