An ancestral luciferase in the Malpighi tubules of a non-bioluminescent beetle!
Photochem Photobiol Sci
; 8(1): 57-61, 2009 Jan.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19247530
ABSTRACT
The evolutionary origin of beetle bioluminescence is enigmatic. Previously, weak luciferase activity was found in the non-bioluminescent larvae of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera Tenebrionidae), but the detailed tissular origin and identity of the luciferase-like enzyme remained unknown. Using a closely related giant mealworm, Zophobas morio, here we show that the luciferase-like enzyme is located in the Malpighi tubules. cDNA cloning of this luciferase like enzyme, showed that it is a short AMP-ligase with weak luciferase activity which diverged long ago from beetle luciferases. The results indicate that the potential for bioluminescence in AMP-ligases is very ancient and provide a first reasonable protoluciferase model to investigate the origin and evolution of beetle luciferases.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Besouros
/
Luciferases
/
Túbulos de Malpighi
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Photochem Photobiol Sci
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA
/
QUIMICA
Ano de publicação:
2009
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Brasil