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Li J, Liu W, Liu G, Dong Z, He J, Zhao R, Wang W, Li X. Cloning and characterization of luciferase from an Asian firefly Pygoluciola qingyu and its comparison with other beetle luciferases. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2024; 23:719-729. [PMID: 38441849 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-024-00547-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The bioluminescence system of luminescent beetles has extensive applications in biological imaging, protein labeling and drug screening. To explore wild luciferases with excellent catalytic activity and thermal stability, we cloned the luciferase of Pygoluciola qingyu, one species living in areas of high temperature and with strong bioluminescence, by combining transcriptomic sequencing and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The total length of luciferase gene is 1638 bp and the luciferase consists 544 amino acids. The recombinant P. qingyu luciferase was produced in vitro and its characteristics were compared with those of eight luciferases from China firefly species and two commercial luciferases. Compared with these luciferases, the P. qingyu luciferase shows the highest luminescence activity at room temperature (about 25-28 ℃) with similar KM value for D-luciferin and ATP to the Photinus pyralis luciferase. The P. qingyu luciferase activity was highest at 35 ℃ and can keep high activity at 30-40 ℃, which suggests the potential of P. qingyu luciferase for in vivo and cell application. Our results provide new insights into P. qingyu luciferase and give a new resource for the application of luciferases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650204, Yunnan, China
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Guichun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhiwei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Jinwu He
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Ruoping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Wen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China.
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650204, Yunnan, China.
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xueyan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China.
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650204, Yunnan, China.
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Information, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China.
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He J, Li J, Zhang R, Dong Z, Liu G, Chang Z, Bi W, Ruan Y, Yang Y, Liu H, Qiu L, Zhao R, Wan W, Li Z, Chen L, Li Y, Li X. Multiple Origins of Bioluminescence in Beetles and Evolution of Luciferase Function. Mol Biol Evol 2024; 41:msad287. [PMID: 38174583 PMCID: PMC10798137 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence in beetles has long fascinated biologists, with diverse applications in biotechnology. To date, however, our understanding of its evolutionary origin and functional variation mechanisms remains poor. To address these questions, we obtained high-quality reference genomes of luminous and nonluminous beetles in 6 Elateroidea families. We then reconstructed a robust phylogenetic relationship for all luminous families and related nonluminous families. Comparative genomic analyses and biochemical functional experiments suggested that gene evolution within Elateroidea played a crucial role in the origin of bioluminescence, with multiple parallel origins observed in the luminous beetle families. While most luciferase-like proteins exhibited a conserved nonluminous amino acid pattern (TLA346 to 348) in the luciferin-binding sites, luciferases in the different luminous beetle families showed divergent luminous patterns at these sites (TSA/CCA/CSA/LVA). Comparisons of the structural and enzymatic properties of ancestral, extant, and site-directed mutant luciferases further reinforced the important role of these sites in the trade-off between acyl-CoA synthetase and luciferase activities. Furthermore, the evolution of bioluminescent color demonstrated a tendency toward hypsochromic shifts and variations among the luminous families. Taken together, our results revealed multiple parallel origins of bioluminescence and functional divergence within the beetle bioluminescent system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwu He
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, China
| | - Ru Zhang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Zhiwei Dong
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Guichun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Zhou Chang
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Wenxuan Bi
- Room 401, No. 2, Lane 155, Lianhua South Road, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Yongying Ruan
- Plant Protection Research Center, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuxia Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, School of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Haoyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, School of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Lu Qiu
- Engineering Research Center for Forest and Grassland Disaster Prevention and Reduction, Mianyang Normal University, 621000 Mianyang, China
| | - Ruoping Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Wenting Wan
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Zihe Li
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Lei Chen
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Yuanning Li
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Xueyan Li
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
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Cloning and molecular properties of a novel luciferase from the Brazilian Bicellonycha lividipennis (Lampyridae: Photurinae) firefly: comparison with other firefly luciferases. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2022; 21:1559-1571. [PMID: 35590087 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-022-00240-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Several firefly luciferases eliciting light emission in the yellow-green range of the spectrum and with distinct kinetic properties have been already cloned, sequenced, and characterized. Some of them are currently being applied as analytical reagents and reporter genes for bioimaging and biosensors, and more recently as potential color tuning indicators of intracellular pH and toxic metals. They were cloned from the subfamilies Lampyrinae (Photinini: Photinus pyralis, Macrolampis sp2; Cratomorphini: Cratomorphus distinctus), Photurinae (Photuris pennsylvanica), Luciolinae (Luciola cruciata, L. lateralis, L. mingrelica, L. italica, Hotaria parvula), and Amydetinae (Amydetes vivianii) occurring in different parts of the world. The largest number has been cloned from fireflies occurring in Brazilian biomes. Taking advantage of the large biodiversity of fireflies occurring in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest, here we report the cloning and characterization of a novel luciferase cDNA from the Photurinae subfamily, Bicellonycha lividipennis, which is a very common firefly in marshlands in Brazil. As expected, multialignements and phylogenetic analysis show that this luciferase clusters with Photuris pennsylvanica adult isozyme, and with other adult lantern firefly luciferases, in reasonable agreement with traditional phylogenetic analysis. The luciferase elicits light emission in the yellow-green region, has kinetics properties similar to other adult lantern firefly luciferases, including pH- and metal sensitivities, but displays a lower sensitivity to nickel, which is suggested to be caused by the natural substitution of H310Y.
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He JW, Liu GC, Dong PX, Dong ZW, Zhao RP, Wang W, Li XY. Molecular cloning, characterization, and evolution analysis of the luciferase genes from three sympatric sibling fireflies (Lampyridae: Lampyrinae, Diaphanes). Photochem Photobiol Sci 2021; 20:1053-1067. [PMID: 34347281 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-021-00080-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Firefly adult bioluminescence functions as signal communication between sexes. How sympatric sibling species with similar glow pattern recognize their conspecific mates remains largely unknown. To better understand the role of the luciferases of sympatric fireflies in recognizing mates, we cloned the luciferase genes of three sympatric forest dwelling fireflies (Diaphanes nubilus, Diaphanes pectinealis, and Diaphanes sp2) and evaluated their enzyme characteristics. Our data show that the amino acid (AA) sequences of all three luciferases are highly conserved, including the identities (D. nubilus vs D. pectinealis: 99%; D. nubilus vs Diaphanes sp2: 98.5%; D. pectinealis vs Diaphanes sp2: 99.4%) and the protein structures. Three recombinant luciferases produced in vitro all possess significant luminescence activity at pH 7.8, and similar maximum emission spectrum (D. nubilus: 562 nm; D. pectinealis and Diaphanes sp2: 564 nm). They show the highest activity at 10 °C (D. pectinealis, Diaphanes sp2) and 15 °C (D. nubilus), and completely inactivation at 45 °C. Their KM for D-luciferin and ATP were 2.7 μM and 92 μM (D. nubilus), 3.7 μM and 49 μM (D. pectinealis), 3.5 μM and 46 μM (Diaphanes sp2). Phylogenetic analyses support that D. nubilus is sister to D. pectinealis with Diaphanes sp2 at their base, which further cluster with Pyrocoelia. All combined data indicate that sympatric Diaphanes species have similar luciferase characteristics, suggesting that other strategies (e.g., pheromone, active time, etc.) may be adopted to recognize mates. Our data provide new insights into Diaphanes luciferases and their evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Wu He
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Gui-Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Ping-Xuan Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China.,Dezhou University, Dezhou, 253023, Shandong, China
| | - Zhi-Wei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Ruo-Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Wen Wang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China.
| | - Xue-Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China.
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Oba Y, Konishi K, Yano D, Shibata H, Kato D, Shirai T. Resurrecting the ancient glow of the fireflies. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:6/49/eabc5705. [PMID: 33268373 PMCID: PMC7710365 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc5705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The color of firefly bioluminescence is determined by the structure of luciferase. Firefly luciferase genes have been isolated from more than 30 species, producing light ranging in color from green to orange-yellow. Here, we reconstructed seven ancestral firefly luciferase genes, characterized the enzymatic properties of the recombinant proteins, and determined the crystal structures of the gene from ancestral Lampyridae. Results showed that the synthetic luciferase for the last common firefly ancestor exhibited green light caused by a spatial constraint on the luciferin molecule in enzyme, while fatty acyl-CoA synthetic activity, an original function of firefly luciferase, was diminished in exchange. All known firefly species are bioluminescent in the larvae, with a common ancestor arising approximately 100 million years ago. Combined, our findings propose that, within the mid-Cretaceous forest, the common ancestor of fireflies evolved green light luciferase via trade-off of the original function, which was likely aposematic warning display against nocturnal predation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Oba
- Department of Environmental Biology, Chubu University, Kasugai 487-8501, Japan.
| | - K Konishi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Chubu University, Kasugai 487-8501, Japan
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - D Yano
- Department of Environmental Biology, Chubu University, Kasugai 487-8501, Japan
| | - H Shibata
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - D Kato
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - T Shirai
- Department of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama 526-0829, Japan.
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Carvalho MC, Tomazini A, Amaral DT, Murakami MT, Viviani VR. Luciferase isozymes from the Brazilian Aspisoma lineatum (Lampyridae) firefly: origin of efficient pH-sensitive lantern luciferases from fat body pH-insensitive ancestors. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2020; 19:1750-1764. [PMID: 33241249 DOI: 10.1039/d0pp00272k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Firefly luciferases usually emit green-yellow bioluminescence at physiological pH values. However, under acidic conditions, in the presence of heavy metals and, at high temperatures they emit red bioluminescence. To understand the structural origin of bioluminescence colors and pH-sensitivity, about 20 firefly luciferases have been cloned, sequenced and investigated. The proton and metal-binding site responsible for pH- and metal sensitivity in firefly luciferases was shown to involve the residues H310, E311 and E354 in firefly luciferases. However, it is still unclear how and why pH-sensitivity arose and evolved in firefly luciferases. Here, we cloned and characterized two novel luciferase cDNAs from the fat body and lanterns of the Brazilian firefly Aspisoma lineatum. The larval fat body isozyme (AL2) has 545 residues, and displays very slow luminescence kinetics and a pH-insensitive spectrum. The adult lantern isozyme (AL1) has 548 residues, displays flash-like kinetics and pH and metal sensitive bioluminescence spectra, and is at least 10 times catalytically more efficient than AL2. Thermostability and CD studies showed that AL2 is much more stable and rigid than the AL1 isozyme. Multialignment and modelling studies show that the E310Q substitution (E310 in AL2 and Q310 in AL1) may have been critical for the origin of pH-sensitivity in firefly luciferases. The results indicate that the lantern efficient flash-emitting pH-sensitive luciferases arose from less efficient glow-type pH-insensitive luciferases found in the fat body of ancestral larval fireflies by enzyme structure flexibilization and substitution at position 310.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Carvalho
- Graduate Program of Evolutive Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil.
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Liu G, Dong Z, Hou Q, He J, Zhao R, Wang W, Li X. Second Rhagophthalmid Luciferase Cloned from Chinese Glow‐worm
Menghuoius giganteus
(Rhagophthalmidae: Elateroidea). Photochem Photobiol 2019; 96:46-54. [DOI: 10.1111/php.13172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gui‐Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience & Biotechnology Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi’an China
| | - Zhi‐Wei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Qing‐Bai Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Jin‐Wu He
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience & Biotechnology Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi’an China
| | - Ruo‐Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Wen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience & Biotechnology Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi’an China
| | - Xue‐Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
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8
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Liu G, Zhang R, Hou Q, He J, Dong Z, Zhao R, Wang W, Li X. Cloning and Characterization of Luciferase from the Chinese Firefly
Lamprigera yunnana. Photochem Photobiol 2019; 95:1186-1194. [DOI: 10.1111/php.13109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gui‐Chun Liu
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience & Biotechnology Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Ru Zhang
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience & Biotechnology Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an China
| | - Qing‐Bai Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Jin‐Wu He
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience & Biotechnology Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an China
| | - Zhi‐Wei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Ruo‐Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Wen Wang
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience & Biotechnology Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Xue‐Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
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Fallon TR, Lower SE, Chang CH, Bessho-Uehara M, Martin GJ, Bewick AJ, Behringer M, Debat HJ, Wong I, Day JC, Suvorov A, Silva CJ, Stanger-Hall KF, Hall DW, Schmitz RJ, Nelson DR, Lewis SM, Shigenobu S, Bybee SM, Larracuente AM, Oba Y, Weng JK. Firefly genomes illuminate parallel origins of bioluminescence in beetles. eLife 2018; 7:e36495. [PMID: 30324905 PMCID: PMC6191289 DOI: 10.7554/elife.36495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Fireflies and their luminous courtships have inspired centuries of scientific study. Today firefly luciferase is widely used in biotechnology, but the evolutionary origin of bioluminescence within beetles remains unclear. To shed light on this long-standing question, we sequenced the genomes of two firefly species that diverged over 100 million-years-ago: the North American Photinus pyralis and Japanese Aquatica lateralis. To compare bioluminescent origins, we also sequenced the genome of a related click beetle, the Caribbean Ignelater luminosus, with bioluminescent biochemistry near-identical to fireflies, but anatomically unique light organs, suggesting the intriguing hypothesis of parallel gains of bioluminescence. Our analyses support independent gains of bioluminescence in fireflies and click beetles, and provide new insights into the genes, chemical defenses, and symbionts that evolved alongside their luminous lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R Fallon
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
- Department of BiologyMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Sarah E Lower
- Department of Molecular Biology and GeneticsCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of BiologyBucknell UniversityLewisburgUnited States
| | - Ching-Ho Chang
- Department of BiologyUniversity of RochesterRochesterUnited States
| | - Manabu Bessho-Uehara
- Department of Environmental BiologyChubu UniversityKasugaiJapan
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural SciencesNagoya UniversityNagoyaJapan
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research InstituteMoss LandingUnited States
| | - Gavin J Martin
- Department of BiologyBrigham Young UniversityProvoUnited States
| | - Adam J Bewick
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
| | - Megan Behringer
- Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of EvolutionArizona State UniversityTempeUnited States
| | - Humberto J Debat
- Center of Agronomic Research, National Institute of Agricultural TechnologyCórdobaArgentina
| | - Isaac Wong
- Department of BiologyUniversity of RochesterRochesterUnited States
| | - John C Day
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH)WallingfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Anton Suvorov
- Department of BiologyBrigham Young UniversityProvoUnited States
| | - Christian J Silva
- Department of BiologyUniversity of RochesterRochesterUnited States
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of California DavisDavisUnited States
| | | | - David W Hall
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
| | | | - David R Nelson
- Department of Microbiology Immunology and BiochemistryUniversity of Tennessee HSCMemphisUnited States
| | - Sara M Lewis
- Department of BiologyTufts UniversityMedfordUnited States
| | - Shuji Shigenobu
- NIBB Core Research FacilitiesNational Institute for Basic BiologyOkazakiJapan
| | - Seth M Bybee
- Department of BiologyBrigham Young UniversityProvoUnited States
| | | | - Yuichi Oba
- Department of Environmental BiologyChubu UniversityKasugaiJapan
| | - Jing-Ke Weng
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
- Department of BiologyMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
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