Evolution of a Novel Carotenoid-Binding Protein Responsible for Crustacean Shell Color

Abstract

Carotenoids are commonly used by disparate metazoans to produce external coloration, often in direct association with specific proteins. In one such example, crustacyanin (CRCN) and the carotenoid astaxanthin combine to form a multimeric protein complex that is critical for the array of external shell colors in clawed lobsters. Through a combined biochemical, molecular genetic, and bioinformatic survey of the distribution of CRCN across the animal kingdom, we have found that CRCNs are restricted to, but widespread among, malacostracan crustaceans. These crustacean-specific genes separate into two distinct clades within the lipocalin protein superfamily. We show that CRCN differentially localizes to colored shell territories and the underlying epithelium in panulirid lobsters. Given the paramount importance of CRCN in crustacean shell colors and patterns and the critical role these play in survival, reproduction, and communication, we submit that the origin of the CRCN gene family early in the evolution of malacostracan crustaceans significantly contributed to the success of this group of arthropods.

A link between host plant adaptation and pesticide resistance in the polyphagous spider miteTetranychus urticae

“…S2C). Most T. urticae lipocalins cluster together with a previously described clade (57,58) comprising vertebrate apolipoprotein D (ApoD) and crustacyanins with a high bootstrap support (83%) (Fig. S2B and Tables S2 and S3).…”

Effects of Season, Size and Parasitism by the Acanthocephalan, Profilicollis altmani, on the Carotenoid Concentration and Composition of the Pacific Mole Crab, Emerita analoga

“…Chemically, these compounds consist of a structured, stoichiometric relationship with a carotenoid molecule and an apoprotein (Wade et al 2009). Specifically in E. analoga, they were found to be complexed with a mixture of xanthophylls and astaxanthin, and in eggs the complex also contained a lipid component.…”

“…Shell color in crustaceans is usually determined by the amount of astaxanthin that can be incorporated or complexed with crustacyanan proteins. This is ultimately responsible for cryptic coloration as the emission spectrum of astaxanthin will shift from red to purple or blue once built into this complex (Wade et al 2009). Therefore, the amount of carotenoids that can be deposited into carapace tissue may determine ability to evade predators, and this may differ amongst crabs in different size categories or as reproductive status changes.…”

“…The opposite may be true for beta-carotene in ovarian tissue and egg, and likewise for astaxanthin in carapace. In these tissues, select carotenoids predominate and seem to serve a specific function, for instance cryptic coloration by use of astaxanthin bound to crustacyanin and reproductive needs by protecting developing embryos with antioxidants in the form of beta-carotene (Wade et al 2009, Cheesman et al 1967, Miki et al 1994.The purpose of high concentrations of astaxanthin and canthaxathin in esophageal tissue is less clear. Canthaxanthin is thought to be a metabolic intermediate of astaxanthin in some crustaceans, so it is less surprising to find the two existing together in the same tissue.…”

Ponceau 4R: A Novel Staining Agent for Resolve Food Proteins on PAGE and Its Impact on Digestibility

“…Inclusion complexes of some azo dyes with β-cyclodextrins are reported to be formed as illustrated by X-ray diffraction and UV spectrophotometery (Pardo et al, 2009). Natural flavonoids and carotenoids are reported to bind with proteins both in vivo and in vitro (Wade, Tollenaere, Hall, & Degnan, 2009 (Zhong, Xu, & Chen, 2005).…”