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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. Biol Lett 2024; 20:20230585. [PMID: 38746983 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0585] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
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 vitro to the luciferin substrate, vargulin. We find luciferin sulfotransferases (LSTs) of ostracods are not orthologous to known LSTs 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. Reuse 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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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S Lau
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Jessica A Goodheart
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10025, USA
| | - Nolan T Anderson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Vannie L Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Arnab Mukherjee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Todd H Oakley
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
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Liu YJ. Understanding the complete bioluminescence cycle from a multiscale computational perspective: A review. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY C: PHOTOCHEMISTRY REVIEWS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochemrev.2022.100537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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