Diversity and Evolution of Coral Fluorescent Proteins

摘要: GFP-like fluorescent proteins (FPs) are the key color determinants in reef-building corals (class Anthozoa, order Scleractinia) and of considerable interest as potential genetically encoded labels. Here we report 40 additional members GFP family from corals. There three major paralogous lineages coral FPs. One them is retained all sampled families responsible for non-fluorescent purple-blue color, while each other two evolved a full complement typical colors (cyan, green, red) underwent sorting between groups. Among newly cloned “chromo-red” type Echinopora forskaliana (family Faviidae) pink chromoprotein Stylophora pistillata (Pocilloporidae), both evolving independently rest chromoproteins. several cyan FPs that possess novel kind excitation spectrum indicating neutral chromophore ground state, which residue E167 (numeration according to A. victoria). The Acropora millepora an unusual blue instead purple, due mutations: S64C S183T. We applied probabilistic sampling approach recreate common ancestor well more derived main Faviina suborder. Both were green such found elsewhere outside class Anthozoa. Interestingly, substantial fraction all-coral ancestral protein had chromohore apparently locked may reflect transitional stage enabled rapid diversification early history Our results highlight extent convergent or parallel evolution diversity corals, provide foundation experimental studies evolutionary processes led diversification, enable comparative analysis structural different colors.