Quantum yield enhancement of firefly bioluminescence with biomolecular condensates

The enzymatic luminescence reactions of fireflies are accelerated in the presence of biomolecular condensates comprising a positively charged peptide and ATP. We revealed that this acceleration is caused by the enrichment of reaction elements, local pH changes, and promotion of inhibitory intermediate dissociation, improving the bioluminescence quantum yield by approximately 10%. Encapsulation of the firefly bioluminescence system into biomolecular condensates enhanced the bioluminescence quantum yield, an index of brightness.