摘要：SummaryCoelenterazine is a key substrate involved in marine bioluminescence which is used for light-production by at least nine phyla. Some luminous animals, such as the hydromedusaAequorea, lack the ability to produce coelenterazine endogenously and instead depend on dietary sources. Little is known about the source organisms or the metabolic process of coelenterazine biosynthesis. Here, we present evidence that ctenophores are both producers and suppliers of coelenterazine in marine ecosystems. Using biochemical assays and mass spectrometry analyses, we detected coelenterazine from cultured ctenophores fed with a non-luminous coelenterazine-free diet. We propose that ctenophores are an emerging model organism to study coelenterazine biosynthesis and the origins of bioluminescence.Graphical AbstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•The pathway for biosynthesis of the luciferin shared by over nine phyla is unknown•We found that luminous comb jellies can produce the luciferin coelenterazine•After 15 generations on a luciferin-free diet, ctenophores were still luminous•Culturable ctenophores enable us to study the biosynthesis of coelenterazineBiosynthesis; Biomolecules; Evolutionary Developmental Biology; Evolutionary History
