Your current location:HOME >travel >Chinese researchers uncover secrets behind adult fireflies' light organs 正文
TIME:2024-05-22 03:30:34 Source: Internet compilationEdit:travel
(Xinhua) 16:42, March 11, 2024BEIJING, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have recently reveal
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.
Pope trip to Luxembourg, Belgium confirmed for September, 2 weeks after challenging Asia visit2024-05-22 03:25
Queen Mary admits she's 'overwhelmed' in her new role2024-05-22 02:20
Oksana Masters overcame traumatic childhood2024-05-22 02:16
Chinese cars gain popularity in Botswana2024-05-22 01:58
Minnesota Uber and Lyft driver pay package beats deadline to win approval in Legislature2024-05-22 01:40
Mystery as California firefighters find two dead bodies inside 'human2024-05-22 01:37
Christina Hendricks recreates her wedding for her Alzheimer's2024-05-22 01:17
Lara Worthington flaunts her sensational physique while enjoying a dip in skimpy bikini2024-05-22 01:13
Kid Rock 'uses N2024-05-22 01:07
Tom Brady teases Bill Belichick for infamous Ring doorbell footage of former Patriots coach2024-05-22 00:55
Mark Wahlberg's new action2024-05-22 03:25
The FAA investigates after Boeing says workers in South Carolina falsified 787 inspection records2024-05-22 03:24
Tom Brady teases Bill Belichick for infamous Ring doorbell footage of former Patriots coach2024-05-22 03:17
Lured by Rolling Stones performance, half2024-05-22 03:13
Jude Bellingham's new model girlfriend Laura Celia Valk looks sensational in a figure2024-05-22 02:59
Michael Massey, Maikel Garcia key a 7th2024-05-22 02:25
Chinese company breaks ground on Serbia's National Stadium2024-05-22 02:07
I tried Hollywood's hottest fitness class loved by Jennifer Aniston and Michelle Obama2024-05-22 00:58
Independent UN experts urge Yemen’s Houthis to free detained Baha'i followers2024-05-22 00:49
China's smartphone shipments reach 69.3 mln units in Q12024-05-22 00:46