Collaborative Research: Red carotenoids as signals of respiratory chain function

类胡萝卜素色素是自然界中最常见的着色剂之一。 它们为许多动物提供颜色，类胡萝卜素颜色长期以来被证明是个体健康和活力的可靠信号。 颜色显示和个人素质（或健身）之间的这种联系的基础仍然是推测性的。 这个由NSF赞助的项目将测试红色素的产生与细胞发电站--红细胞中的核心能量产生有关的假设。 在这项研究中，研究人员将研究野生捕获的桡足类，Tigriopus californicus，这是一种红色的小虾，它们通过将黄色的饮食类胡萝卜素改变为红色色素而获得。 有证据表明，这种转变发生在东印度群岛。 作者将使用遗传和化学处理来破坏细胞呼吸，并测量对红色的影响。 建立类胡萝卜素着色作为线粒体功能的信号具有重要的实际意义。 如果类胡萝卜素着色是线粒体功能的信号，那么它可以用于环境监测。 类胡萝卜素也广泛分布作为保健品，可能有利于对抗癌症，黄斑变性，甚至衰老。 了解类胡萝卜素在非人类动物中的使用和分布机制将有助于了解它们作为人类健康补充剂的用途。 桡足类也提出了一个理想的系统，在其中从事小学生在科学和通过推广计划，我们将使用实验表明桡足类的饮食依赖性，从事年轻人在科学的过程中。类胡萝卜素是生活系统的常见成分，在自由基清除和黄色，橙子，红色的生产中发挥关键作用。 尽管广泛的研究表明，类胡萝卜素的颜色取决于动物的条件，是敏感的环境扰动，类胡萝卜素的颜色与条件和健康的机制仍然知之甚少。 这个项目将测试的假设，即生产类胡萝卜素为基础的红色在动物中是密切相关的电子传递系统（ETS）的功能。 加州虎足虫（Tigriopus californicus）（TC桡足类）具有红色，它们通过与显示红色的脊椎动物相同的途径氧化黄色膳食类胡萝卜素而获得。 使用TC桡足类的严格控制实验将测试混合诱导的ETS功能障碍对红色着色生产的影响。针对ETS特定组分的化学处理将用于剖析线粒体功能和类胡萝卜素代谢之间联系的特定机制。如果装饰性的颜色依赖于线粒体膜电位，并与ATP的产生密切相关，那么类胡萝卜素的颜色标志着动物的一些基本特征。此外，如果红色类胡萝卜素着色的产生取决于动物的基本健康和功能，那么人类可以通过量化红色着色来测定个体动物和动物群体的健康和状况。桡足类也提供了一个理想的系统，让小学生参与科学。 通过推广计划，实验将被用来显示桡足类的饮食依赖性，并吸引年轻人参与科学的过程。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得的支持，通过评估使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准。

Carotenoid pigments are among the most common colorants in nature. They provide coloration to many animals, and carotenoid coloration has long been documented to be a reliable signal of individual health and vitality. The basis for this connection between color display and individual quality (or fitness) remains speculative. This NSF-sponsored project will test the hypothesis that production of red pigments is tied to core energy production in the powerhouse of the cell- the mitochondrion. For this study, researchers will study wild-caught copepods, Tigriopus californicus, which are a type of tiny shrimp with red coloration that they derive by altering yellow dietary carotenoids to red pigments. Evidence suggests that this conversion takes place in the mitochondrion. The authors will use genetic and chemical treatments to disrupt cellular respiration and measure the effect on red coloration. Establishing carotenoid coloration as a signal of mitochondrial function has important practical implications. If carotenoid coloration is a signal of mitochondrial function, then it could be used for environmental monitoring. Carotenoids are also widely distributed as health supplements with possible benefits in fighting cancer, macular degeneration, and even aging. Understanding the mechanisms of carotenoid use and distribution in non-human animals will help inform their use as health supplements in people. Copepods also present an ideal system in which to engage grade-school students in science and through outreach programs we will use experiments showing the diet dependency of copepods to engage young people in the process of science.Carotenoids are common components of living systems, playing key roles in free radical scavenging and production of yellow, orange, and red coloration. Despite extensive research showing that carotenoid coloration is dependent on an animal's condition and is sensitive to environmental perturbations, the mechanisms that link carotenoid coloration to condition and health remain poorly understood. This project will test the hypothesis that production of carotenoid-based red coloration in animals is intimately tied to electron transport system (ETS) function. Tigriopus californicus (TC copepods) have red coloration that they derive by oxidizing yellow dietary carotenoids through the same pathways used by vertebrates that display red coloration. Tightly controlled experiments using TC copepods will test the effects of hybrid-induced ETS dysfunction on the production of red coloration. Chemical treatments that target specific components of the ETS will be used to dissect the specific mechanisms underlying the linkage between mitochondrial function and carotenoid metabolism. If ornamental coloration is dependent on the mitochondrial membrane potential and closely linked to ATP production, then carotenoid coloration signals something fundamental about an animal. Moreover, if production of red carotenoid coloration depends on the fundamental health and functionality of an animal, then humans can assay the health and condition of individual animals and populations of animals by quantifying red coloration. Copepods also present an ideal system in which to engage grade-school students in science. Through outreach programs, experiments will be used to show the diet dependency of copepods and to engage young people in the process of science.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.