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Lau ES, Goodheart JA, Anderson NT, Liu VL, Mukherjee A, Oakley TH. Similar enzymatic functions in distinct bioluminescence systems: Evolutionary recruitment of sulfotransferases in ostracod light organs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.04.12.536614. [PMID: 37090632 PMCID: PMC10120648 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.12.536614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Genes from ancient families are sometimes involved in the convergent evolutionary origins of similar traits, even across vast phylogenetic distances. Sulfotransferases are an ancient family of enzymes that transfer sulfate from a donor to a wide variety of substrates, including probable roles in some bioluminescence systems. Here we demonstrate multiple sulfotransferases, highly expressed in light organs of the bioluminescent ostracod Vargula tsujii , transfer sulfate in vivo to the luciferin substrate, vargulin. We find luciferin sulfotransferases of ostracods are not orthologous to known luciferin sulfotransferases of fireflies or sea pansies; animals with distinct and convergently evolved bioluminescence systems compared to ostracods. Therefore, distantly related sulfotransferases were independently recruited at least three times, leading to parallel evolution of luciferin metabolism in three highly diverged organisms. Re-use of homologous genes is surprising in these bioluminescence systems because the other components, including luciferins and luciferases, are completely distinct. Whether convergently evolved traits incorporate ancient genes with similar functions or instead use distinct, often newer, genes may be constrained by how many genetic solutions exist for a particular function. When fewer solutions exist, as in genetic sulfation of small molecules, evolution may be more constrained to use the same genes time and again.
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2
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Lau ES, Oakley TH. Multi-level convergence of complex traits and the evolution of bioluminescence. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 96:673-691. [PMID: 33306257 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Evolutionary convergence provides natural opportunities to investigate how, when, and why novel traits evolve. Many convergent traits are complex, highlighting the importance of explicitly considering convergence at different levels of biological organization, or 'multi-level convergent evolution'. To investigate multi-level convergent evolution, we propose a holistic and hierarchical framework that emphasizes breaking down traits into several functional modules. We begin by identifying long-standing questions on the origins of complexity and the diverse evolutionary processes underlying phenotypic convergence to discuss how they can be addressed by examining convergent systems. We argue that bioluminescence, a complex trait that evolved dozens of times through either novel mechanisms or conserved toolkits, is particularly well suited for these studies. We present an updated estimate of at least 94 independent origins of bioluminescence across the tree of life, which we calculated by reviewing and summarizing all estimates of independent origins. Then, we use our framework to review the biology, chemistry, and evolution of bioluminescence, and for each biological level identify questions that arise from our systematic review. We focus on luminous organisms that use the shared luciferin substrates coelenterazine or vargulin to produce light because these organisms convergently evolved bioluminescent proteins that use the same luciferins to produce bioluminescence. Evolutionary convergence does not necessarily extend across biological levels, as exemplified by cases of conservation and disparity in biological functions, organs, cells, and molecules associated with bioluminescence systems. Investigating differences across bioluminescent organisms will address fundamental questions on predictability and contingency in convergent evolution. Lastly, we highlight unexplored areas of bioluminescence research and advances in sequencing and chemical techniques useful for developing bioluminescence as a model system for studying multi-level convergent evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S Lau
- Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, U.S.A
| | - Todd H Oakley
- Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, U.S.A
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3
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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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Bessho-Uehara M, Konishi K, Oba Y. Biochemical characteristics and gene expression profiles of two paralogous luciferases from the Japanese firefly Pyrocoelia atripennis (Coleoptera, Lampyridae, Lampyrinae): insight into the evolution of firefly luciferase genes. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2017; 16:1301-1310. [DOI: 10.1039/c7pp00110j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The same green luminescence is generated by two luciferase isoforms: PatLuc1 is used in lanterns of various stages, and PatLuc2 is used in the body of immobile/less-mobile stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Bessho-Uehara
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences
- Nagoya University
- Nagoya 464-8601
- Japan
| | - Kaori Konishi
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences
- Nagoya University
- Nagoya 464-8601
- Japan
| | - Yuichi Oba
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences
- Nagoya University
- Nagoya 464-8601
- Japan
- Department of Environmental Biology
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5
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Mitani Y, Futahashi R, Liu Z, Liang X, Ohmiya Y. Tibetan Firefly Luciferase with Low Temperature Adaptation. Photochem Photobiol 2016; 93:466-472. [PMID: 27716939 DOI: 10.1111/php.12643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Fireflies are widespread all over the world and a numerous numbers of luciferases have been isolated and characterized. In this study, we identified and characterized the luciferase and luciferase-like genes from a Tibetan firefly collected in Shangri-La, China. The altitude of this area is more than 3300 m. We saw this Tibetan firefly flying with strong luminescence after sunset at ~10°C. We analyzed the transcriptome of Tibetan firefly using head, thorax, abdomen (without light organ), and light organ tissue by RNA sequencing. We identified one luciferase gene, which was almost identical to luciferase from fireflies Pyrocoelia species, and expressed specifically in the light organ. Interestingly, the optimal temperature of the Tibetan firefly recombinant luciferase was 10°C. The Km for D-luciferin and ATP of the recombinant luciferase was 23 and 154 μm, respectively. The optimal pH was around 7.0-7.5. The emission peak was 556 nm at pH 8.0, while it shifted to 606 nm at pH 6.0. We also found a luciferase-like gene with 43% identical amino acids to the Tibetan firefly luciferase, which was scarcely expressed in any portion of the adult body. No luciferase activity was detected for this luciferase-like protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuo Mitani
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ryo Futahashi
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Zichao Liu
- Kunming Key Laboratory of Hydroecology Restoration of Dianchi Lake, Key Laboratory of Special Biological Resource Development and Utilization of Universities in Yunnan Province, Department of Biological Science and Technology, Kunming University, Kunming, China
| | - Xingcai Liang
- Honorary Curator of Zoological Museum, 86th High School, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yoshihiro Ohmiya
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan.,DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
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Vongsangnak W, Chumnanpuen P, Sriboonlert A. Transcriptome analysis reveals candidate genes involved in luciferin metabolism in Luciola aquatilis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). PeerJ 2016; 4:e2534. [PMID: 27761329 PMCID: PMC5068357 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence, which living organisms such as fireflies emit light, has been studied extensively for over half a century. This intriguing reaction, having its origins in nature where glowing insects can signal things such as attraction or defense, is now widely used in biotechnology with applications of bioluminescence and chemiluminescence. Luciferase, a key enzyme in this reaction, has been well characterized; however, the enzymes involved in the biosynthetic pathway of its substrate, luciferin, remains unsolved at present. To elucidate the luciferin metabolism, we performed a de novo transcriptome analysis using larvae of the firefly species, Luciola aquatilis. Here, a comparative analysis is performed with the model coleopteran insect Tribolium casteneum to elucidate the metabolic pathways in L. aquatilis. Based on a template luciferin biosynthetic pathway, combined with a range of protein and pathway databases, and various prediction tools for functional annotation, the candidate genes, enzymes, and biochemical reactions involved in luciferin metabolism are proposed for L. aquatilis. The candidate gene expression is validated in the adult L. aquatilis using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). This study provides useful information on the bio-production of luciferin in the firefly and will benefit to future applications of the valuable firefly bioluminescence system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanwipa Vongsangnak
- Department of Zoology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand; Computational Biomodelling Laboratory for Agricultural Science and Technology (CBLAST), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pramote Chumnanpuen
- Department of Zoology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand; Computational Biomodelling Laboratory for Agricultural Science and Technology (CBLAST), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ajaraporn Sriboonlert
- Department of Genetics, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
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7
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Mass spectrometry analysis and transcriptome sequencing reveal glowing squid crystal proteins are in the same superfamily as firefly luciferase. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27638. [PMID: 27279452 PMCID: PMC4899746 DOI: 10.1038/srep27638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The Japanese firefly squid Hotaru-ika (Watasenia scintillans) produces intense blue light from photophores at the tips of two arms. These photophores are densely packed with protein microcrystals that catalyse the bioluminescent reaction using ATP and the substrate coelenterazine disulfate. The squid is the only organism known to produce light using protein crystals. We extracted microcrystals from arm tip photophores and identified the constituent proteins using mass spectrometry and transcriptome libraries prepared from arm tip tissue. The crystals contain three proteins, wsluc1–3, all members of the ANL superfamily of adenylating enzymes. They share 19 to 21% sequence identity with firefly luciferases, which produce light using ATP and the unrelated firefly luciferin substrate. We propose that wsluc1–3 form a complex that crystallises inside the squid photophores, and that in the crystal one or more of the proteins catalyses the production of light using coelenterazine disulfate and ATP. These results suggest that ANL superfamily enzymes have independently evolved in distant species to produce light using unrelated substrates.
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Sharpe ML, Dearden PK, Gimenez G, Krause KL. Comparative RNA seq analysis of the New Zealand glowworm Arachnocampa luminosa reveals bioluminescence-related genes. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:825. [PMID: 26486607 PMCID: PMC4617951 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2006-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The New Zealand glowworm is the larva of a carnivorous fungus gnat that produces bioluminescence to attract prey. The bioluminescent system of the glowworm is evolutionarily distinct from other well-characterised systems, especially that of the fireflies, and the molecules involved have not yet been identified. We have used high throughput sequencing technology to produce a transcriptome for the glowworm and identify transcripts encoding proteins that are likely to be involved in glowworm bioluminescence. Results Here we report the sequencing and annotation of the first transcriptome of the glowworm, and a differential analysis of expression from the glowworm light organ compared with non-light organ tissue. The analysis identified six transcripts encoding proteins that are potentially involved in glowworm bioluminescence. Three of these proteins are members of the ANL superfamily of adenylating enzymes, with similar amino acid sequences to that of the luciferase enzyme found in fireflies (31 to 37 % identical), and are candidate luciferases for the glowworm bioluminescent system. The remaining three transcripts encode putative aminoacylase, phosphatidylethanolamine-binding and glutathione S-transferase proteins. Conclusions This research provides a basis for further biochemical studies into how the glowworm produces light, and a source of genetic information to aid future ecological and evolutionary studies of the glowworm. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2006-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam L Sharpe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - Peter K Dearden
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - Gregory Gimenez
- Otago Genomics & Bioinformatics Facility, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - Kurt L Krause
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Ohtsuki H, Yokoyama J, Ohba N, Ohmiya Y, Kawata M. Expression of the nos gene and firefly flashing: a test of the nitric-oxide-mediated flash control model. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2014; 14:56. [PMID: 25373203 PMCID: PMC4207525 DOI: 10.1093/jis/14.1.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 01/03/2013] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) emit various types of light that differ among species and populations of the same species. Their lights are assumed to be biological properties that play important ecological and evolutionary roles. Some species in the Lampyridae emit periodic luminescence, the patterns of which are characterized by species-specific intervals. In previous work, it was predicted that the nitric oxide (NO) regulates the oxygen supply required for the bioluminescence reaction of fireflies. Here, the expression of the NO synthase (NOS) mRNA in some fireflies was examined to verify the predictive model of nitric-oxide-mediated flash control in these insects. The expression of the nos gene in the lantern organ was observed not only in nocturnal flashing species but also in diurnal non-flashing species. It was shown that the expression levels of nos were higher in the lantern of Luciola cruciata (Motschulsky) larvae, which that emits continuous light, than in other body parts, although expression in the lantern of the adults, who flash periodically, was not high. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in expression levels among adults of Luciola cruciata characterized by different flashing intervals. The data do not support the model of an NO-mediated flash control mechanism, during which oxygen becomes available for the luciferin-luciferase reaction through NO-mediated inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. It is also indicated that flash patterns do not co-vary with NOS production. However, high nos expression in the larval lantern suggests that NO may play a role in producing continuous light by functioning as a neurotransmitter signal for bioluminescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajime Ohtsuki
- Division of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Jun Yokoyama
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Ohba
- Ohba Firefly Research Laboratory, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ohmiya
- Research Institute for Cell Engineering, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masakado Kawata
- Division of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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Oba Y, Furuhashi M, Bessho M, Sagawa S, Ikeya H, Inouye S. Bioluminescence of a firefly pupa: involvement of a luciferase isotype in the dim glow of pupae and eggs in the Japanese firefly, Luciola lateralis. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2013; 12:854-63. [DOI: 10.1039/c3pp25363e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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11
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Oba Y, Yoshida M, Shintani T, Furuhashi M, Inouye S. Firefly luciferase genes from the subfamilies Psilocladinae and Ototretinae (Lampyridae, Coleoptera). Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2011; 161:110-6. [PMID: 22008901 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2011.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2011] [Revised: 10/03/2011] [Accepted: 10/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Firefly luciferase genes have been isolated from approximately 20 species of Lampyrinae, Luciolinae, and Photurinae. These are mostly nocturnal luminescent species that use light signals for sexual communication. In this study, we isolated three cDNAs for firefly luciferase from Psilocladinae (Cyphonocerus ruficollis) and Ototretinae (Drilaster axillaris and Stenocladius azumai), which are diurnal non-luminescent or weakly luminescent species that may use pheromones for communication. The amino acid sequences deduced from the three cDNAs showed 81-89% identities to each other and 60-81% identities with known firefly luciferases. The three purified recombinant proteins showed luminescence and fatty acyl-CoA synthetic activities, as observed in other firefly luciferases. The emission maxima by the three firefly luciferases (λmax, 545-546nm) were shorter than those by known luciferases from the nocturnal fireflies (λmax, 550-568nm). These results suggest that the primary structures and enzymatic properties of luciferases are conserved in Lampyridae, but the luminescence colors were red-shifted in nocturnal species compared to diurnal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Oba
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
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12
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Branchini BR, Rosenberg JC, Fontaine DM, Southworth TL, Behney CE, Uzasci L. Bioluminescence Is Produced from a Trapped Firefly Luciferase Conformation Predicted by the Domain Alternation Mechanism. J Am Chem Soc 2011; 133:11088-91. [DOI: 10.1021/ja2041496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce R. Branchini
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 06320, United States
| | - Justin C. Rosenberg
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 06320, United States
| | - Danielle M. Fontaine
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 06320, United States
| | - Tara L. Southworth
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 06320, United States
| | - Curran E. Behney
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 06320, United States
| | - Lerna Uzasci
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 06320, United States
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13
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Oba Y, Mori N, Yoshida M, Inouye S. Identification and characterization of a luciferase isotype in the Japanese firefly, Luciola cruciata, involving in the dim glow of firefly eggs. Biochemistry 2010; 49:10788-95. [PMID: 21090686 DOI: 10.1021/bi1016342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We isolated the cDNA of a luciferase isotype (LcLuc2) from the Japanese firefly, Luciola cruciata (Lampyridae, Coleoptera). The gene product of LcLuc2 (LcLuc2) showed 59% amino acid identity with firefly luciferase LcLuc1, which was previously identified in L. cruciata. The recombinant LcLuc2 showed both luminescence activity and fatty acyl-CoA synthetic activity comparable to those of LcLuc1. The spectral maxima of the luminescence by LcLuc1 and LcLuc2 were 554 and 543 nm, respectively. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed that the transcripts of LcLuc1 were abundant in the lanterns of larva, adult male, and adult female, whereas both LcLuc1 and LcLuc2 were expressed in eggs. The luminescence spectra of the lantern extracts from larva, adult male, and adult female were in good agreement with that of recombinant LcLuc1. On the other hand, the emission maximum of the extract from eggs was between those of LcLuc1 and LcLuc2. These results suggest that L. cruciata possesses two luciferases: LcLuc1 is responsible for the major luminescence in larva and adult, whereas LcLuc1 and LcLuc2 are responsible for the dim glow in firefly eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Oba
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
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14
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Oba Y, Furuhashi M, Inouye S. Identification of a functional luciferase gene in the non-luminous diurnal firefly, Lucidina biplagiata. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2010; 19:737-743. [PMID: 20609019 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2010.01027.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
We isolated a luciferase gene (LbLuc) from the non-luminous diurnal firefly, Lucidina biplagiata, with high similarity to that from the nocturnal firefly, Photinus pyralis. The recombinant LbLuc showed luminescence activity comparable to that of the luciferases from P. pyralis and Luciola cruciata. To understand the non-luminosity of L. biplagiata, we determined the amount of luciferase in the adult specimen using the luciferin-luciferase reaction and found that the content of luciferase in L. biplagiata was estimated to be only 0.1% of that in L. cruciata. As previously reported, the content of luciferin in L. biplagiata was less than 0.1% of that in L. cruciata. Thus, the non-luminosity of L. biplagiata might be explained by low levels of both luciferase and luciferin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Oba
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, Japan.
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15
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Inouye S. Firefly luciferase: an adenylate-forming enzyme for multicatalytic functions. Cell Mol Life Sci 2010; 67:387-404. [PMID: 19859663 PMCID: PMC11115821 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-009-0170-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2009] [Revised: 09/24/2009] [Accepted: 10/02/2009] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Firefly luciferase is a member of the acyl-adenylate/thioester-forming superfamily of enzymes and catalyzes the oxidation of firefly luciferin with molecular oxygen to emit light. Knowledge of the luminescence mechanism catalyzed by firefly luciferase has been gathered, leading to the discovery of a novel catalytic function of luciferase. Recently, we demonstrated that firefly luciferase has a catalytic function of fatty acyl-CoA synthesis from fatty acids in the presence of ATP, Mg(2+) and coenzyme A. Based on identification of fatty acyl-CoA genes in firefly, Drosophila, and non-luminous click beetles, we then proposed that the evolutionary origin of firefly luciferase is a fatty acyl-CoA synthetase in insects. Further, we succeeded in converting the fatty acyl-CoA synthetase of non-luminous insects into functional luciferase showing luminescence activity by site-directed mutagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Inouye
- Yokohama Research Center, Chisso Corporation, 5-1 Okawa, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-8605, Japan.
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16
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Imani M, Hosseinkhani S, Ahmadian S, Nazari M. Design and introduction of a disulfide bridge in firefly luciferase: increase of thermostability and decrease of pH sensitivity. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2010; 9:1167-77. [DOI: 10.1039/c0pp00105h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Oba Y, Kumazaki M, Inouye S. Characterization of luciferases and its paralogue in the Panamanian luminous click beetle Pyrophorus angustus: a click beetle luciferase lacks the fatty acyl-CoA synthetic activity. Gene 2009; 452:1-6. [PMID: 20004235 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2009.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2009] [Revised: 11/29/2009] [Accepted: 12/01/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Two luciferase genes (dPaLuc and vPaLuc) and one paralogue of luciferase (PaLL) were isolated from the Panamanian luminous click beetle, Pyrophorus angustus (Elateridae, Pyrophorinae). The transcripts of dPaLuc and vPaLuc were predominantly detected in the body parts with dorsal photophore and ventral photophore, respectively, and the transcript of PaLL was detected in both parts. The gene products of dPaLuc and vPaLuc possessed luminescence activity with firefly luciferin (lambda(max)=536 and 566 nm, respectively) but did not show significant activity of fatty acyl-CoA synthesis. On the other hand, the gene product of PaLL had fatty acyl-CoA synthetic activity with very weak luminescence activity. The catalytic properties of click beetle luciferase are different from our previous results that firefly luciferase has both luminescence activity and fatty acyl-CoA synthetic activity. These results suggested that the ancestral fatty acyl-CoA synthetase in the Pyrophorinae lineage has undergone gene duplication event, followed by specialization of one copy in luciferase. Subsequently, the luciferase was duplicated again and the two copies diverged in their luminescent color and expression pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Oba
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
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Oba Y, Iida K, Inouye S. Functional conversion of fatty acyl-CoA synthetase to firefly luciferase by site-directed mutagenesis: a key substitution responsible for luminescence activity. FEBS Lett 2009; 583:2004-8. [PMID: 19450587 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2009] [Revised: 04/23/2009] [Accepted: 05/08/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrated that firefly luciferase has a catalytic function of fatty acyl-CoA synthesis [Oba, Y., Ojika, M. and Inouye, S. (2003) Firefly luciferase is a bifunctional enzyme: ATP-dependent monooxygenase and a long chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase. FEBS Lett. 540, 251-254] and proposed that the evolutionary origin of beetle luciferase is a fatty acyl-CoA synthetase (FACS) in insect. In this study, we performed the functional conversion of FACS to luciferase by replacing a single amino acid to serine. This serine residue is conserved in luciferases and possibly interacts with luciferin. The mutants of FACSs in non-luminous click beetle Agrypnus binodulus (AbLL) and Drosophila melanogaster (CG6178) gave luminescence enhancement, suggesting that the serine residue is a key substitution responsible for luminescence activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Oba
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
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Day JC, Goodall TI, Bailey MJ. The evolution of the adenylate-forming protein family in beetles: Multiple luciferase gene paralogues in fireflies and glow-worms. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2009; 50:93-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2008.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2008] [Revised: 08/19/2008] [Accepted: 09/23/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Oba Y, Iida K, Ojika M, Inouye S. Orthologous gene of beetle luciferase in non-luminous click beetle, Agrypnus binodulus (Elateridae), encodes a fatty acyl-CoA synthetase. Gene 2008; 407:169-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2007.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2007] [Revised: 10/02/2007] [Accepted: 10/04/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Oba Y, Sato M, Inouye S. Cloning and characterization of the homologous genes of firefly luciferase in the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2006; 15:293-9. [PMID: 16756548 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2006.00646.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Three homologous genes of firefly luciferase were cloned from the non-luminous beetle Tenebrio molitor. Three gene products for homologues, TmLL-1, TmLL-2 and TmLL-3, showed fatty acyl-coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) synthetic activity, but not luciferase activity with firefly luciferin. The transcripts were detected through the developmental stages in T. molitor. These results suggested that firefly luciferase was evolved from a fatty acyl-coenzyme A synthetase by gene duplications in the insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Oba
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.
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