Bioluminescence and cell growth of Photobacterium phosphoreum

The bioluminescence activity of Photobacterium phosphoreum was compared at different times after cell division by the methods of density gradient centrifugation and synchronous culture. The bioluminescence intensity per cell mass increased linearly at a rate of 1.5 times per doubling time. The luciferase system in the cell is continuously activated during growth, independent of cell division.