Luciola cruciata luciferase: Difference between revisions
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==Biology== | ==Biology== | ||
The [ | The [[bioluminescent]] systems in the living organisms are very diverse (for example the luciferase has a different structure and catalyses a reaction in one step in the bacteria), so it is thought that they appeared separately in the course of evolution. | ||
In general [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly fireflies] use bioluminescence to locate other individuals for mating, or to lure other species which are their preys. In the larvae, it is a warning signal for the predators, implying the presence of toxins. | In general [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly fireflies] use bioluminescence to locate other individuals for mating, or to lure other species which are their preys. In the larvae, it is a warning signal for the predators, implying the presence of toxins. | ||
Bioluminescence is thus utilized by several nocturnal japanese firely species during mate selection, with males and females illuminating equally. Several common signals appear to be used to communicate everything from "male awaiting a mate" to "female here". <ref name="main">PMID:8813052</ref> While the reaction is quite similiar to that of other bioluminescent luciferases, firefly luciferase has a unique structure in both the protein and luciferin required to produce the bioluminescence. In research, the firefly luciferase from ''Luciola cruciata'' is one of many commonly utilized for such purposes as such as sensing cellular ATP levels or visualizing the effects of a promoter sequence, among several others. | Bioluminescence is thus utilized by several nocturnal japanese firely species during mate selection, with males and females illuminating equally. Several common signals appear to be used to communicate everything from "male awaiting a mate" to "female here". <ref name="main">PMID:8813052</ref> While the reaction is quite similiar to that of other bioluminescent luciferases, firefly luciferase has a unique structure in both the protein and luciferin required to produce the bioluminescence. In research, the firefly luciferase from ''Luciola cruciata'' is one of many commonly utilized for such purposes as such as sensing cellular ATP levels or visualizing the effects of a promoter sequence, among several others. | ||
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=== Luciferase Control === | === Luciferase Control === | ||
As the structure of luciferases differ between species, so does the method of control over the bioluminescent reaction. In L. polyedrum, a marine dinoflagellate responsible for some red tides, a pH-dependant mechanism at the protein level appears to be responsible for control of bioluminescence. With fireflies however, the reaction is under at least some form of nervous control, with the insect controlling flashes through the use of nitric oxide <ref name="lights">PMID:11431567 </ref>. | As the structure of luciferases differ between species, so does the method of control over the bioluminescent reaction. In L. polyedrum, a marine dinoflagellate responsible for some red tides, a pH-dependant mechanism at the protein level appears to be responsible for control of bioluminescence. With fireflies however, the reaction is under at least some form of nervous control, with the insect controlling flashes through the use of nitric oxide <ref name="lights">PMID:11431567 </ref>. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
