The genetic switches that allow fireflies to shine in the darkness have been discovered: they are transcription factors that regulate the expression of genes crucial for the correct development of the luminous organ (the so-called 'lantern') and its ability to emit light.
This is demonstrated by a Chinese study led by the Huazhong Agricultural University of Wuhan and published in the journal Nature Communications.
In fireflies, bioluminescence performs several very important functions for survival: during the juvenile phase, the light emitted by the lantern helps to repel predators, while in adults the mode and rhythm of flashing play a key role in courtship.
In fact, each species of firefly has a unique flashing pattern, which acts as a signal to identify a suitable partner.
To understand how the luminescent organ of fireflies develops and how its functioning is regulated, Chinese researchers tried to decode the genome of a particular species of aquatic firefly, called Aquatica leii.
The study led to the identification of two transcription factors, called AlABD-B and AlUNC-4, which belong to the family of homeobox genes crucial for insect development.
These genetic switches serve first to develop the lantern in a specific region of the abdomen and then to turn on the expression of genes crucial for light production, such as those that encode the enzyme luciferase and peroxin proteins.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA