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Fajardo C, De Donato M, Rodulfo H, Martinez-Rodriguez G, Costas B, Mancera JM, Fernandez-Acero FJ. New Perspectives Related to the Bioluminescent System in Dinoflagellates: Pyrocystis lunula, a Case Study. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1784. [PMID: 32150894 PMCID: PMC7084563 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrocystis lunula is considered a model organism due to its bioluminescence capacity linked to circadian rhythms. The mechanisms underlying the bioluminescent phenomenon have been well characterized in dinoflagellates; however, there are still some aspects that remain an enigma. Such is the case of the presence and diversity of the luciferin-binding protein (LBP), as well as the synthesis process of luciferin. Here we carry out a review of the literature in relation to the molecular players responsible for bioluminescence in dinoflagellates, with particular interest in P. lunula. We also carried out a phylogenetic analysis of the conservation of protein sequence, structure and evolutionary pattern of these key players. The basic structure of the luciferase (LCF) is quite conserved among the sequences reported to date for dinoflagellate species, but not in the case of the LBP, which has proven to be more variable in terms of sequence and structure. In the case of luciferin, its synthesis has been shown to be complex process with more than one metabolic pathway involved. The glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the P630 or blue compound, seem to be involved in this process. In the same way, various hypotheses regarding the role of bioluminescence in dinoflagellates are exposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Fajardo
- Microbiology Laboratory, Institute of Viticulture and Agri-food Research (IVAGRO), Environmental and Marine Sciences Faculty. University of Cadiz (UCA), 11510 Puerto Real, Spain;
| | - Marcos De Donato
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, 76130 Queretaro, Mexico; (M.D.D.); (H.R.)
| | - Hectorina Rodulfo
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, 76130 Queretaro, Mexico; (M.D.D.); (H.R.)
| | - Gonzalo Martinez-Rodriguez
- Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (ICMAN), Department of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 11519 Puerto Real, Spain;
| | - Benjamin Costas
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research of the University of Porto (CIIMAR), 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal;
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS-UP), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Juan Miguel Mancera
- Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Biology Department, University of Cadiz (UCA), 11510 Puerto Real, Spain;
| | - Francisco Javier Fernandez-Acero
- Microbiology Laboratory, Institute of Viticulture and Agri-food Research (IVAGRO), Environmental and Marine Sciences Faculty. University of Cadiz (UCA), 11510 Puerto Real, Spain;
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Rapid Analysis of Eukaryotic Bioluminescence to Assess Potential Groundwater Contamination Events. J CHEM-NY 2015. [DOI: 10.1155/2015/957608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we present data using a bioluminescent dinoflagellate,Pyrocystis lunula, in a toxicological bioassay to rapidly assess potential instances of groundwater contamination associated with natural gas extraction.P. lunulabioluminescence can be quantified using spectrophotometry as a measurement of organismal viability, with normal bioluminescent output declining with increasing concentration(s) of aqueous toxicants. Glutaraldehyde and hydrochloric acid (HCl), components used in hydraulic fracturing and shale acidization, triggered significant toxicological responses in as little as 4 h. Conversely,P. lunulawas not affected by the presence of arsenic, selenium, barium, and strontium, naturally occurring heavy metal ions potentially associated with unconventional drilling activities. If exogenous compounds, such as glutaraldehyde and HCl, are thought to have been introduced into groundwater, quantification ofP. lunulabioluminescence after exposure to water samples can serve as a cost-effective detection and risk assessment tool to rapidly assess the impact of putative contamination events attributed to unconventional drilling activity.
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Circadian Rhythms in Dinoflagellates: What Is the Purpose of Synthesis and Destruction of Proteins? Microorganisms 2013; 1:26-32. [PMID: 27694762 PMCID: PMC5029499 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms1010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2013] [Revised: 08/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a prominent circadian rhythm of bioluminescence in many species of light-emitting dinoflagellates. In Lingulodinium polyedrum a daily synthesis and destruction of proteins is used to regulate activity. Experiments indicate that the amino acids from the degradation are conserved and incorporated into the resynthesized protein in the subsequent cycle. A different species, Pyrocystis lunula, also exhibits a rhythm of bioluminescence, but the luciferase is not destroyed and resynthesized each cycle. This paper posits that synthesis and destruction constitutes a cellular mechanism to conserve nitrogen in an environment where the resource is limiting.
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Valiadi M, Debora Iglesias-Rodriguez M, Amorim A. DISTRIBUTION AND GENETIC DIVERSITY OF THE LUCIFERASE GENE WITHIN MARINE DINOFLAGELLATES(1). JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2012; 48:826-836. [PMID: 27011098 DOI: 10.1111/j.1529-8817.2012.01144.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Dinoflagellates are the most abundant protists that produce bioluminescence. Currently, there is an incomplete knowledge of the identity of bioluminescent species arising from inter- and intraspecific variability in bioluminescence properties. In this study, PCR primers were designed to amplify the dinoflagellate luciferase gene (lcf) from genetically distant bioluminescent species. One of the primer pairs was "universal," whereas others amplified longer gene sequences from subsets of taxa. The primers were used to study the distribution of lcf and assess bioluminescence potential in dinoflagellate strains representing a wide variety of taxa as well as multiple strains of selected species. Strains of normally bioluminescent species always contained lcf even when they were found not to produce light, thus demonstrating the utility of this methodology as a powerful tool for identifying bioluminescent species. Bioluminescence and lcf were confined to the Gonyaulacales, Noctilucales, and Peridiniales. Considerable variation was observed among genera, or even species within some genera, that contained this gene. Partial sequences of lcf were obtained for the genera Ceratocorys, Ceratium, Fragilidium, and Protoperidinium as well as from previously untested species or gene regions of Alexandrium and Gonyaulax. The sequences revealed high variation among gene copies that obscured the boundaries between species or even genera, some of which could be explained by the presence of two genetic variants within the same species of Alexandrium. Highly divergent sequences within Alexandrium and Ceratium show a more diverse composition of lcf than previously known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Valiadi
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre-Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre-Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UKUniversidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Oceanografia, 1747-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - M Debora Iglesias-Rodriguez
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre-Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre-Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UKUniversidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Oceanografia, 1747-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Amorim
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre-Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre-Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UKUniversidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Oceanografia, 1747-016 Lisbon, Portugal
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Abstract
The time structure of a biological system is at least as intricate as its spatial structure. Whereas we have detailed information about the latter, our understanding of the former is still rudimentary. As techniques for monitoring intracellular processes continuously in single cells become more refined, it becomes increasingly evident that periodic behaviour abounds in all time domains. Circadian timekeeping dominates in natural environments. Here the free-running period is about 24 h. Circadian rhythms in eukaryotes and prokaryotes allow predictive matching of intracellular states with environmental changes during the daily cycles. Unicellular organisms provide excellent systems for the study of these phenomena, which pervade all higher life forms. Intracellular timekeeping is essential. The presence of a temperature-compensated oscillator provides such a timer. The coupled outputs (epigenetic oscillations) of this ultradian clock constitute a special class of ultradian rhythm. These are undamped and endogenously driven by a device which shows biochemical properties characteristic of transcriptional and translational elements. Energy-yielding processes, protein turnover, motility and the timing of the cell-division cycle processes are all controlled by the ultradian clock. Different periods characterize different species, and this indicates a genetic determinant. Periods range from 30 min to 4 h. Mechanisms of clock control are being elucidated; it is becoming evident that many different control circuits can provide these functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Lloyd
- Microbiology Group (PABIO), University of Wales Cardiff, UK
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