Self-powered bioluminescence in a marine tube worm

Abstract

An increasing number of luminous organisms are being found in the ocean, presenting opportunities to discover new biochemical reactions associated with light production, and thus new bioreporter systems for biotechnology and biomedicine. The marine parchment tube worm Chaetopterus sp. is of particular interest because it secretes a luminous mucus that glows for a long time (hours, possibly days), although in seawater and isolated from any continuous metabolic support. This contrasts with the short flashes, or the bacterial, metabolically driven glow that are more typical for naturally observed bioluminescence. We have recently found that the light production in this mucus is activated by Fe²⁺ and that the long-lasting glow may therefore be supported by the proven presence of the iron storage protein ferritin.

We have also observed a temporary increase in the bioluminescence after exposure of the mucus to blue light specifically, which is capable of triggering Fe²⁺ release from ferritin through a photo-reduction process. Since the mucus bioluminesces in the blue region of visible light, we are investigating whether it could be powering its own light production.

Support or Funding Information

This research is supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (grant # FA955017 0189 to D. D. Deheyn).