Transcriptional comparison of the photogenic and non-photogenic tissues and distinct life stages of Aspisoma lineatum firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

The origin of bioluminescence remains a mystery. In fireflies, the bioluminescent system involve a benzothiazolic luciferin, ATP, a luciferase and very well developed lanterns consisting of different tissues including a photogenic one. Whereas the biochemical reaction and the structure of lanterns are quite well known, the origin of photogenic tissue remains enigmatic. One approach to better understand the molecular origin of the photogenic tissue is to investigate the molecular differentiation among photogenic and non-photogenic tissues. Thus, here we compared - for the first time - the photogenic tissue of lanterns (specialized tissue) with the fat body (non-specialized tissue) of larvae, and in the eggs and adult stages of the common Brazilian firefly Aspisoma lineatum.