scholarly journals Firefly genomes illuminate parallel origins of bioluminescence in beetles

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy R. Fallon ◽  
Sarah E. Lower ◽  
Ching-Ho Chang ◽  
Manabu Bessho-Uehara ◽  
Gavin J. Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Firefly Luciferase ◽  
Chemical Defenses ◽  
Photinus Pyralis ◽  
Click Beetles ◽  
Origin And Evolution ◽  
The North ◽  
Click Beetle ◽  
Light Organs ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Shed Light

AbstractFireflies and their fascinating luminous courtships have inspired centuries of scientific study. Today firefly luciferase is widely used in biotechnology, but the evolutionary origin of their bioluminescence 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 AmericanPhotinus pyralisand JapaneseAquatica lateralis.We also sequenced the genome of a related click-beetle, the CaribbeanIgnelater luminosus,with bioluminescent biochemistry near-identical to fireflies, but anatomically unique light organs, suggesting the intriguing but contentious hypothesis of parallel gains of bioluminescence. Our analyses support two independent gains of bioluminescence between fireflies and click-beetles, and provide new insights into the genes, chemical defenses, and symbionts that evolved alongside their luminous lifestyle.One Sentence Summary:Comparative analyses of the first linkage-group-resolution genomes of fireflies and related bioluminescent beetles address long-standing questions of the origin and evolution of bioluminescence and its associated traits.

scholarly journals Firefly genomes illuminate parallel origins of bioluminescence in beetles

eLife ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy R Fallon ◽  
Sarah E Lower ◽  
Ching-Ho Chang ◽  
Manabu Bessho-Uehara ◽  
Gavin J Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Firefly Luciferase ◽  
Chemical Defenses ◽  
Photinus Pyralis ◽  
Click Beetles ◽  
The North ◽  
Click Beetle ◽  
Light Organs ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Shed Light ◽  
Standing Question

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.

scholarly journals Improved thermostability of the North American firefly luciferase: saturation mutagenesis at position 354

1996 ◽  
Vol 319 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. WHITE ◽  
David J. SQUIRRELL ◽  
Phillipe ARNAUD ◽  
Christopher R LOWE ◽  
James A. H. MURRAY
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Polypeptide Chain ◽  
Firefly Luciferase ◽  
Saturation Mutagenesis ◽  
Chemical Mutagenesis ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Photinus Pyralis ◽  
The North ◽  
Transition Mutation

We have used random chemical mutagenesis and a simple genetic screen to generate and isolate a thermostable mutant of luciferase from the North American firefly (Photinus pyralis). A single G-to-A transition mutation, resulting in the substitution of a glutamate for a lysine residue at position 354 in the protein sequence, was shown to be responsible for this enhanced thermostability. Replacement of Glu-354 with all possible amino acid residues was achieved using directed mutagenesis, and produced mutant enzymes with a range of thermostabilities. The mutations E354K and E354R conferred the largest increases in thermostability, suggesting that side-chain size and hydrophobicity, as well as charge, may also be important contributors to the overall thermostability of the polypeptide chain at this position. Unusually for such mutations, biochemical studies suggest that this position is on the surface of the protein and exposed to solvent.

scholarly journals Sequence and biochemical similarities between the luciferases of the glow-worm Lampyris noctiluca and the firefly Photinus pyralis

1996 ◽  
Vol 313 (3) ◽  
pp. 761-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graciela B. SALA-NEWBY ◽  
Catherine M. THOMSON ◽  
Anthony K. CAMPBELL
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Cdna Expression Library ◽  
Photinus Pyralis ◽  
Expression Library ◽  
Ph Optimum ◽  
Click Beetle ◽  
Light Organs

A full-length clone encoding Lampyris noctiluca (British glow-worm) luciferase was isolated from a complementary DNA (cDNA) expression library constructed with mRNA extracted from light organs. The luciferase was a 547-residue protein, as deduced from the nucleotide sequence. The protein was closely related to those of other lampyrid beetles, the similarity to Photinus pyralis luciferase being 84% and to Luciola 67%. In contrast, Lampyris luciferase had less sequence similarity to the luciferases of the click beetle Pyrophorus, at 48%. Engineering Lampyris luciferase in vitro showed that the C-terminal peptide containing 12 amino acids in Photinus and 9 amino acids in Lampyris was essential for bioluminescence. The pH optimum and the Km values for ATP and luciferin were similar for both Photinus and Lampyris luciferases, although the light emitted by the latter shifted towards the blue and was less stable at 37 °C. It was concluded that the molecular and biochemical properties were not sufficient to explain the glowing or flashing of the two beetles Lampyris and Photinus.

scholarly journals Ecophysiological Aspects and sxt Genes Expression Underlying Induced Chemical Defense in STX-Producing Raphidiopsis raciborskii (Cyanobacteria) against the Zooplankter Daphnia gessneri

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 406
Author(s):  
Mauro C. P. Vilar ◽  
Thiago F. C. P. Rodrigues ◽  
Luan O. Silva ◽  
Ana Beatriz F. Pacheco ◽  
Aloysio S. Ferrão-Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Induced Defense ◽  
Toxin Production ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Chemical Defenses ◽  
Widespread Occurrence ◽  
Genes Expression ◽  
Freshwater Bodies ◽  
Predator Response ◽  
Aquatic Food ◽  
Shed Light

Cyanobacteria stand out among phytoplankton when they form massive blooms and produce toxins. Because cyanotoxin genes date to the origin of metazoans, the hypothesis that cyanotoxins function as a defense against herbivory is still debated. Although their primary cellular function might vary, these metabolites could have evolved as an anti-predator response. Here we evaluated the physiological and molecular responses of a saxitoxin-producing Raphidiopsis raciborskii to infochemicals released by the grazer Daphnia gessneri. Induced chemical defenses were evidenced in R. raciborskii as a significant increase in the transcription level of sxt genes, followed by an increase in saxitoxin content when exposed to predator cues. Moreover, cyanobacterial growth decreased, and no significant effects on photosynthesis or morphology were observed. Overall, the induced defense response was accompanied by a trade-off between toxin production and growth. These results shed light on the mechanisms underlying zooplankton–cyanobacteria interactions in aquatic food webs. The widespread occurrence of the cyanobacterium R. raciborskii in freshwater bodies has been attributed to its phenotypic plasticity. Assessing the potential of this species to thrive over interaction filters such as zooplankton grazing pressure can enhance our understanding of its adaptive success.

scholarly journals Nonlinear analysis of the occurrence of hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berenice Rojo-Garibaldi ◽  
David Alberto Salas-de-León ◽  
María Adela Monreal-Gómez ◽  
Norma Leticia Sánchez-Santillán ◽  
David Salas-Monreal
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Nonlinear Analysis ◽  
Chaotic Behavior ◽  
Caribbean Sea ◽  
Historical Record ◽  
Nonlinear Analyses ◽  
The North ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
The Individual

Abstract. Hurricanes are complex systems that carry large amounts of energy. Their impact often produces natural disasters involving the loss of human lives and materials, such as infrastructure, valued at billions of US dollars. However, not everything about hurricanes is negative, as hurricanes are the main source of rainwater for the regions where they develop. This study shows a nonlinear analysis of the time series of the occurrence of hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea obtained from 1749 to 2012. The construction of the hurricane time series was carried out based on the hurricane database of the North Atlantic basin hurricane database (HURDAT) and the published historical information. The hurricane time series provides a unique historical record on information about ocean–atmosphere interactions. The Lyapunov exponent indicated that the system presented chaotic dynamics, and the spectral analysis and nonlinear analyses of the time series of the hurricanes showed chaotic edge behavior. One possible explanation for this chaotic edge is the individual chaotic behavior of hurricanes, either by category or individually regardless of their category and their behavior on a regular basis.

A study in the tornoceratidae: the succession of tornoceras and related genera in the North American devonian

1965 ◽  
Vol 250 (763) ◽  
pp. 79-130 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New Species ◽  
New York State ◽  
Lateral Lobe ◽  
Evolutionary Trends ◽  
York State ◽  
The North ◽  
New Subgenus ◽  
Lower Frasnian ◽  
Shed Light

The species of Tornoceras , Parodiceras , Epitornoceras and Aulatornoceras in North America are described. The study provides an independent stratigraphical goniatite zonation, particularly for the New York State Devonian, and it also provides an analysis of allomorphis in Tornoceras . A discussion on the protoconch apparatus and the significance of the metamorphosis at the nepionic constriction in Tornoceras is given. For the Tornoceras stock descriptions are provided where possible of the ontogeny from protoconch to adult of species at eleven successive stratigraphical levels, and faunas at other levels are also described. Thus the successional ontogenies shed light on the phylogeny of the stock. Faunas at each level may be morphologically defined, but few consistently maintained evolutionary trends have been observed. Shell form seems particularly subject to independent, and probably phenotypic variation. Through the equivalents of the Middle Devonian to the lower Frasnian, protoconch width appears to increase progressively. Similarly the suture becomes more undulating, particularly with regard to the steepness of the ventrad face of the lateral lobe. Later species show reversion to early characters in these respects. The origin of Tornoceras from Parodiceras is argued, and it is considered that Tornoceras gave rise to all later members of the Tornoceratidae. A new subgenus, Linguatornoceras , is erected for Frasnian and lower Famennian tornoceratids with small lingulate lateral lobes. Seven new species and subspecies are described.

Temporal distribution and population structure of two congeneric species ofCucullanus(Nematoda: Cucullanidae) inOrthopristis ruberin Venezuela

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.K. Bashirullah ◽  
M.T. Diaz
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Caribbean Sea ◽  
Congeneric Species ◽  
Mean Intensity ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
The North ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Over Exploitation ◽  
Fish Hosts

AbstractThe qualitative and quantitative parameters of temporal distribution ofCucullanus tripapillatusandCucullanus chrysophrydesin the intestine ofOrthopristis ruberin the Caribbean Sea on the north of Margarita Island, Venezuela were analysed. A total of 540 fish were collected at random from the catch of commercial trawlers during 1982–83 and 1992–93. Both species ofCucullanuswere found throughout the year; prevalence and mean intensity ofC. tripapillatuswere higher than that ofC. chrysophrydes. A significant difference was found in infection between the two years of sampling. Female worms were more abundant than male in both years. Both species exhibited pronounced prevalence and maturity in September and March of each year, indicating seasonality. The patterns of occurrence of the two species ofCucullanusinO. ruberdid not change in the 10-year interval but the host size and number of parasites declined, which may be due to over-exploitation of definitive fish hosts.

Die Bedeutung der ethne in der Politik und den Politeiai des Aristoteles

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gertrud Dietze-Mager
Keyword(s):  
Federal State ◽  
The Political ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Political Reality ◽  
Shed Light

The Politeiai are one of Aristotle’s historical works. Several hundreds of fragments have come down to us. While Aristotle’s Nomima barbarika recorded the customs of the barbaric ethne, the Politeiai are generally considered to be a collection of polisconstitutions. A closer look reveals, however, that alongside a majority of Greek poleis Aristotle also included several ethne in his Politeiai, namely those in the North(west) of the Greek mainland and on the Peleponnesus. This article tries to shed light on Aristotle’s reasons for selecting these ethne. On the basis of key passages in the Politics, the author argues that their presence in the Politeiai indicates that Aristotle considered them as Hellenic, and, although inferior in status to the polis, capable of having a politeia. In Aristotle’s time, nearly all of the ethne known to have been included in the Politeiai had formed koina. While Aristotle did not explicitly discuss the federal state, he acknowledged its existence both in the Politics and the Politeiai, obviously inspired by the political reality of his time in which the koina played an increasingly prominent role, illustrated by their presence as members in Hellenic treaties alongside the poleis.

scholarly journals Preliminary results of drift-bottle releases and recoveries in the Western Tropical Atlantic

1967 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen F. Luedemann
Keyword(s):  
Surface Current ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
The North ◽  
Strong Current ◽  
North Brazil ◽  
Equatorial Current ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Area North

In February-March 1963, during the Equalant Operation for the ICITA program, 476 drift-bottles were released at the equatorial waters off the northern Brazilian coast (01ºS to 09ºN and 043ºW to 053ºW). Thirty-five, bottles were recovered (7,4%). Those were classed in five groups according to their different velocity ranges and areas of recovery (Trinidad Island; Lesser Antilles; Caribbean and Florida area; north Brazil; northeastern Brazil). The recoveries of bottles released within 300 nm off the northern and northeastern coast of Brazil confirmed a strong current along the north and northeast coast in northwestern direction (South Equatorial Current and branches). In late February-early March the bottles showed maximum velocities of this current (3,6 knots). The region off the northern coast of Brazil, between 05ºN and 09ºN up to 050ºW seems to have been under the influence of an eastward component of the surface current in this same period, while at late March this influence appears to have been weaker. In the region from Trinidad Island to Yucatan Peninsula the current seems to be stronger on the northeastern side of the Caribbean Sea.

Power and Organizational Transformation through Technology: Hybrids of Electronic Government

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 461-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian P. Bloomfield ◽  
Niall Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Transformation ◽  
Electronic Government ◽  
The North ◽  
Organizational Configurations ◽  
Front Office ◽  
Service Departments ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Back Office ◽  
Radical Transformation ◽  
Shed Light

This paper considers the UK Government's major modernization programme for local government and its aim to use technology to bring about a radical transformation in the delivery of public services by joining up hitherto separate service departments and focusing the organization of services around the citizen. Drawing upon empirical fieldwork in the North of England, the paper seeks to shed light on the realization and operation of modernization and considers the issues of power and hybridity involved in the emplacement of new organizational configurations (`front office' contact centres and `back office' service departments) to handle citizen inquiries.

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