Thoughts on the diversity of convergent evolution of bioluminescence on earth

dc.contributor.authorOliveira, Anderson G.
dc.contributor.authorWaldenmaier, Hans E.
dc.contributor.authorStevani, Cassius V.
dc.contributor.orcid0000-0003-1752-0726en_US
dc.date.accessioned2023-12-08T17:27:23Z
dc.date.available2023-12-08T17:27:23Z
dc.date.issued2012-05-02
dc.descriptionScholarly article / OAen_US
dc.description.abstractThe widespread independent evolution of analogous bioluminescent systems is one of the most impressive and diverse examples of convergent evolution on earth. There are roughly 30 extant bioluminescent systems that have evolved independently on Earth, with each system likely having unique enzymes responsible for catalysing the bioluminescent reaction. Bioluminescence is a chemical reaction involving a luciferin molecule and a luciferase or photoprotein that results in the emission of light. Some independent systems utilize the same luciferin, such as the use of tetrapyrrolic compounds by krill and dinoflagellates, and the wide use of coelenterazine by marine organisms, while the enzymes involved are unique. One common thread among all the different bioluminescent systems is the requirement of molecular oxygen. Bioluminescence is found in most forms of life, especially marine organisms. Bioluminescence in known to benefit the organism by: attraction, repulsion, communication, camouflage, and illumination. The marine ecosystem is significantly affected by bioluminescence, the only light found in the pelagic zone and below is from bioluminescent organisms. Transgenic bioluminescent organisms have revolutionized molecular research, medicine and the biotechnology industry. The use of bioluminescence in studying molecular pathways and disease allows for non-invasive and real-time analysis. Bioluminescence-based assays have been developed for several analytes by coupling luminescence to many enzyme-catalysed reactions.en_US
dc.identifier.citationWaldenmaier, H., Oliveira, A., & Stevani, C. (2012). Thoughts on the diversity of convergent evolution of bioluminescence on earth. International Journal of Astrobiology, 11(4), 335-343. doi:10.1017/S1473550412000146en_US
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1017/S1473550412000146en_US
dc.identifier.issn1473-5504, 1475-3006.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12202/9615
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.publisherCambridge UPen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseriesInternational Journal of Astrobiology;11(4)
dc.rightsAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States*
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/*
dc.subjectbioluminescenceen_US
dc.subjectdioxetanoneen_US
dc.subjectLuciferaseen_US
dc.subjectluciferinen_US
dc.subjectphotoproteinsen_US
dc.titleThoughts on the diversity of convergent evolution of bioluminescence on earthen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
local.yu.facultypagehttps://www.yu.edu/faculty/pages/oliveira-andersonen_US

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