Sandbox Reserved 993: Difference between revisions
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== Function == | == Function == | ||
There are three main functions of bioluminescence in nature: offense, defense and communication. Offense suggests baiting or enticing prey, defense suggests camouflage or protection and communication relates to courtship and mating. The literature suggests that the firefly species mainly use bioluminescence for communication purposes.<ref name=Greer2002> Greer, L.F., and Szalay, A.A. (2002). “Imaging of Light Emission from the Expression of Luciferases in Living Cells and Organisms: A Reivew.” Luminescence 17(1):43-74. doi: 10.1002/bio.676.</ref> | There are three main functions of bioluminescence in nature: offense, defense and communication. Offense suggests baiting or enticing prey, defense suggests camouflage or protection and communication relates to courtship and mating. The literature suggests that the firefly species mainly use bioluminescence for communication purposes.<ref name=Greer2002> Greer, L.F., and Szalay, A.A. (2002). “Imaging of Light Emission from the Expression of Luciferases in Living Cells and Organisms: A Reivew.” Luminescence 17(1):43-74. doi: 10.1002/bio.676.</ref> Firefly communication was discussed in more detail in a video produced by Science Friday featuring James Llyod and Marc Branham of the University of Florida, Gainsville.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpywSqvXDqc] | ||
Firefly communication was discussed in more detail in a video produced by Science Friday featuring James Llyod and Marc Branham of the University of Florida, Gainsville. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpywSqvXDqc] | |||
Some regions of the luciferase sequence conservation are found in acyl-CoA ligases and a family of peptide synthases, suggesting they may have a similar secondary function. Acyl-CoA ligases are found to activate many different substrates, ultimately transferring them to a thiol group of CoA. In eukaryotes, this mechanism can be found in the activation step of fatty acids either for the synthesis of cellular lipids or for fatty acid degradation via beta-oxidation. The family of peptide ligases that contain sequence similarities have been found to participate in antibiotic synthesis in microorganisms. <ref name=Conti1996 /> | Some regions of the luciferase sequence conservation are found in acyl-CoA ligases and a family of peptide synthases, suggesting they may have a similar secondary function. Acyl-CoA ligases are found to activate many different substrates, ultimately transferring them to a thiol group of CoA. In eukaryotes, this mechanism can be found in the activation step of fatty acids either for the synthesis of cellular lipids or for fatty acid degradation via beta-oxidation. The family of peptide ligases that contain sequence similarities have been found to participate in antibiotic synthesis in microorganisms. <ref name=Conti1996 /> | ||
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== Lab Use == | == Lab Use == | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||