Chinese researchers uncover secrets behind adult fireflies' light organs
BEIJING, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have recently revealed key mechanisms related to the development of adult light organs in fireflies, providing new insights to the study of bioluminescence and the flash signal control in insects.
Adult fireflies exhibit unique flashing courtship signals, emitted by specialized light organs, which develop mostly independently from larval light organs during the pupal stage. The mechanisms of adult light organ development have not been thoroughly studied.
In this regard, researchers at the Huazhong Agricultural University used comparative genomics, comparative transcriptomics and gene interference techniques to study the light organs in the early, middle and late development of the firefly Aquatica leii.
They discovered that the key homeobox transcription factors AlAbd-B and AlUnc-4 regulate the development of adult light organs and bioluminescence in the fireflies. Interference with the expression of AlAbd-B and AlUnc-4 genes would result in undeveloped or non-luminescent adult light organs. AlAbd-B regulates AlUnc-4, and they interact with each other.
The shape and flash frequency of adult light organs are the basis of the firefly biodiversity, said Fu Xinhua, a professor at the university, adding that figuring out the development mechanisms is conducive to the protection of the firefly biodiversity.
The discovery was published in the journal Nature Communication.
Related articles
Red Lobster seeks bankruptcy protection after closing some restaurants
Red Lobster, the casual dining chain that brought seafood to the masses with inventions like popcorn2024-05-21Alabama court authorizes second nitrogen execution
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama has authorized the execution of a second inmate by nitrogen gas, mon2024-05-21China is sending a probe to get samples from the less
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China is preparing to launch a lunar probe Friday that would land on the far s2024-05-21- Vanessa Bryant posted a heartbreaking message for her late daughter, Gigi, on what would have been h2024-05-21
Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age
Kristin Cavallari is enjoying a romantic rendezvous with her much younger cowboy lover Mark Estes in2024-05-21Kourtney Kardashian shows off her incredible postpartum figure in low
Kourtney Kardashian showed off her incredible postpartum figure in low-waisted denim jeans just six2024-05-21
atest comment