[Prolonged luminescence of HeLa cells in deep hypoxia]

The technique of registering the afterglow of cells is described. Data are presented on spectral-luminescent characteristics of HeLa cells at room temperature under conditions of deep hypoxia, the residual pressure of oxygen in the medium being under 1 mmHg. The afterglow in the visible part of spectrum is shown to be due to protein tryptophanils with phosphorescence peaks at 415, 445, and 470 nm; metalloporphyrins with delayed fluorescence peaks at 595 and 640 nm, as well as by other cellular components with peaks at about 500 and 540 nm. The latter components are supposed to be NAD, NADH and flavins. The passage of air through the suspension of cells eliminating hypoxia results in practically a complete extinction of the afterglow of cells.