Circadian Rhythms in Dinoflagellates: What Is the Purpose of Synthesis and Destruction of Proteins?

Microorganisms

关键词: dinoflagellates;    bioluminescence;    circadian rhythms;   

DOI  :  10.3390/microorganisms1010026

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

There is a prominent circadian rhythm of bioluminescence in many species of light-emitting dinoflagellates. In Lingulodinium polyedrum a daily synthesis and destruction of proteins is used to regulate activity. Experiments indicate that the amino acids from the degradation are conserved and incorporated into the resynthesized protein in the subsequent cycle. A different species, Pyrocystis lunula, also exhibits a rhythm of bioluminescence, but the luciferase is not destroyed and resynthesized each cycle. This paper posits that synthesis and destruction constitutes a cellular mechanism to conserve nitrogen in an environment where the resource is limiting.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.