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Key homeobox transcription factors regulate the development of the firefly’s adult light organ and bioluminescence

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  • Xinhua Fu

    (Huazhong Agricultural University)

  • Xinlei Zhu

    (Firefly Conservation Research Centre)

Abstract

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 until now. Here we show that key homeobox transcription factors AlABD-B and AlUNC-4 regulate the development of adult light organs and bioluminescence in the firefly Aquatica leii. Interference with the expression of AlAbd-B and AlUnc-4 genes results in undeveloped or non-luminescent adult light organs. AlABD-B regulates AlUnc-4, and they interact with each other. AlABD-B and AlUNC-4 activate the expression of the luciferase gene AlLuc1 and some peroxins. Four peroxins are involved in the import of AlLUC1 into peroxisomes. Our study provides key insights into the development of adult light organs and flash signal control in fireflies.

Suggested Citation

  • Xinhua Fu & Xinlei Zhu, 2024. "Key homeobox transcription factors regulate the development of the firefly’s adult light organ and bioluminescence," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-45559-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45559-7
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    1. Sheng Li & Shiming Zhu & Qiangqiang Jia & Dongwei Yuan & Chonghua Ren & Kang Li & Suning Liu & Yingying Cui & Haigang Zhao & Yanghui Cao & Gangqi Fang & Daqi Li & Xiaoming Zhao & Jianzhen Zhang & Qiao, 2018. "The genomic and functional landscapes of developmental plasticity in the American cockroach," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Raphae¨l De Cock & Erik Matthysen, 2003. "Glow-worm larvae bioluminescence (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) operates as an aposematic signal upon toads (Bufo bufo)," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 14(1), pages 103-108, January.
    3. Francesco Cicconardi & Edoardo Milanetti & Erika C. Pinheiro de Castro & Anyi Mazo-Vargas & Steven M. Van Belleghem & Angelo Alberto Ruggieri & Pasi Rastas & Joseph Hanly & Elizabeth Evans & Chris D. , 2023. "Evolutionary dynamics of genome size and content during the adaptive radiation of Heliconiini butterflies," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-24, December.
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