&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Study of the luminescence in the black brittle-star Ophiocomina nigra: toward a new pattern of light emission in ophiuroids*&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Jones, Alice R.; Mallefet, Jérôme

doi:10.11646/zoosymposia.7.1.13

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 25 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In ophiuroids, out of the 2200 described species [22,23], about 220 were tested for light emission and more than 75 were proved to be luminous [21]. The emission of light in brittle stars seems to be mainly or exclusively linked to an anti-predation function [20,[24][25][26][27][28]. Despite the relatively common occurrence of luminous echinoderms, only two ophiuroid species, Amphiura filiformis and Ophiopsila californica, have been investigated biochemically.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A puzzling homology: a brittle star using a putative cnidarian-type luciferase for bioluminescence

et al. 2017

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bioluminescence relies on the oxidation of a luciferin substrate catalysed by a luciferase enzyme. Luciferins and luciferases are generic terms used to describe a large variety of substrates and enzymes. Whereas luciferins can be shared by phylogenetically distant organisms which feed on organisms producing them, luciferases have been thought to be lineage-specific enzymes. Numerous light emission systems would then have co-emerged independently along the tree of life resulting in a plethora of non-homologous luciferases. Here, we identify for the first time a candidate luciferase of a luminous echinoderm, the ophiuroid Amphiura filiformis. Phylogenomic analyses identified the brittle star predicted luciferase as homologous to the luciferase of the sea pansy Renilla (Cnidaria), contradicting with the traditional viewpoint according to which luciferases would generally be of convergent origins. The similarity between the Renilla and Amphiura luciferases allowed us to detect the latter using anti-Renilla luciferase antibodies. Luciferase expression was specifically localized in the spines which were demonstrated to be the bioluminescent organs in vivo. However, enzymes homologous to the Renilla luciferase but unable to trigger light emission were also identified in non-luminous echinoderms and metazoans. Our findings strongly indicate that those enzymes, belonging to the haloalkane dehalogenase family, might then have been convergently co-opted into luciferases in cnidarians and echinoderms. In these two benthic suspension-feeding species, similar ecological pressures would constitute strong selective forces for the functional shift of these enzymes and the emergence of bioluminescence.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A puzzling homology: a brittle star using a putative cnidarian-type luciferase for bioluminescence

et al. 2017

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Bioluminescence is more commonly exhibited by echinoderms inhabiting deep seas. Many new bioluminescent taxa are still being discovered, and 70 ophiuroid species have been recognized to exhibit bioluminescence till date [81,82].…”

Section: Bioluminescence In Echinodermsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Ecology of Bioluminescence

Srivastava¹,

Katiyar²

2021

Bioluminescence - Technology and Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bioluminescence, or the ability to emit light biologically, has evolved multiple times across various taxa. As fascinating as the phenomenon is, various studies have been undertaken to harness this phenomenon for human use. However, the origins, distribution and ecology of bioluminescence still remain obscure. The capability to produce biological light is found in various species, ranging from tiny bacteria to huge fishes like lantern sharks. Many organisms that do not possess this ability partake in symbiotic relationships, resulting in a variety of anatomical and behavioral modifications. The ecological interactions resulting from bioluminescence are even more interesting and diverse, but many of them are still shrouded in mystery because of a lack of in-situ study. As agreed by many, bioluminescence conferred certain evolutionary advantages which still remain unclear. In spite of the lack of understanding, many spectacular ecological interactions like offence, defense, courtship or intra-specific synchrony have been observed, studied and documented, and their significance understood. As far as humans are concerned, efforts are being made to channel this capability to the best of our use, though some of these are still in their infancy. This chapter explores the origins, ecology and future prospects of bioluminescence in detail.

show abstract

“…Brittle stars are animals belonging to the class Ophiuroidea of the phylum Echinodermata. Currently, about 2000 ophiuroid species have been recorded worldwide , of which about 70 species are recognized as luminous .…”

Section: Echinodermatamentioning

confidence: 99%

Selected Least Studied but not Forgotten Bioluminescent Systems

Oba

Stevani

Oliveira

et al. 2017

Photochem & Photobiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bioluminescence is a form of chemiluminescence generated by luminous organisms. Luminous taxa have currently been reported from about 800 genera and probably over 10 000 species in the world. On the other hand, their bioluminescent systems, including chemical structures of luciferins/chromophores and the genes encoding luciferases/photoproteins, have been elucidated from only a few taxonomic groups, for example beetles, bacteria, dinoflagellates, ostracods and some cnidarians. Research efforts to understand unknown bioluminescence systems are being conducted around the world, and recently, for example, novel luciferin structures of luminous enchytraeid potworms and fungi were identified by the authors. In this study, we review the current status and perspectives, in the context of postgenomic era, of most likely novel but less-revealed bioluminescence systems of ten selected organisms: earthworm, parchment tubeworm, fireworm, scaleworm, limpet, millipede, brittle star, acorn worms, tunicate and shark, which indeed are the next focus of our international collaboration.

show abstract

<p><strong>Study of the luminescence in the black brittle-star Ophiocomina nigra: toward a new pattern of light emission in ophiuroids*</strong></p>

Cited by 10 publications

References 25 publications

A puzzling homology: a brittle star using a putative cnidarian-type luciferase for bioluminescence

A puzzling homology: a brittle star using a putative cnidarian-type luciferase for bioluminescence

The Ecology of Bioluminescence

Selected Least Studied but not Forgotten Bioluminescent Systems

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About