Collaborative Research: Red carotenoids as signals of respiratory chain function

类胡萝卜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，而类胡萝卜素的颜色长期以来一直被证明是个体健康和活力的可靠信号。颜色显示与个体素质（或适应性）之间的这种联系的基础仍然是推测性的。这个由美国国家科学基金会赞助的项目将测试一个假设，即红色色素的产生与细胞的核心能量产生有关——线粒体。在这项研究中，研究人员将研究野生捕获的桡足类动物加利福尼亚虎爪虾，这是一种带有红色的小虾，它们通过将黄色的类胡萝卜素转化为红色色素而获得。有证据表明，这种转化发生在线粒体中。作者将使用基因和化学处理来破坏细胞呼吸，并测量对红色的影响。将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。如果类胡萝卜素的着色是线粒体功能的信号，那么它可以用于环境监测。类胡萝卜素也作为保健品广泛分布，可能对抗癌、抗黄斑变性、甚至抗衰老有好处。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在人类中作为保健品的用途。桡足类动物也提供了一个理想的系统，让小学生参与科学，通过推广项目，我们将利用桡足类动物的饮食依赖性实验来吸引年轻人参与科学的过程。类胡萝卜素是生命系统的常见成分，在清除自由基和产生黄色、橙色和红色方面起着关键作用。尽管广泛的研究表明，类胡萝卜素的着色依赖于动物的状况，对环境的扰动很敏感，但将类胡萝卜素着色与状况和健康联系起来的机制仍然知之甚少。这个项目将测试一个假设，即动物体内以类胡萝卜素为基础的红色的产生与电子传递系统（ETS）的功能密切相关。加利福尼亚虎足类（TC桡足类）的红色是通过氧化黄色的类胡萝卜素而获得的，其途径与显示红色的脊椎动物相同。采用TC桡足类的严格控制实验将测试杂交诱导的ETS功能障碍对红色产生的影响。针对ETS特定成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。如果观赏性着色依赖于线粒体膜电位，并与ATP的产生密切相关，那么类胡萝卜素的着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，那么人类可以通过定量红色来测定单个动物和动物种群的健康和状况。桡足类动物也提供了一个理想的系统，让小学生参与科学研究。通过外展计划，实验将用于展示桡足类动物的饮食依赖性，并吸引年轻人参与科学过程。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

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.