Rhizostomins: A Novel Pigment Family From Rhizostome Jellyfish (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa)

Many pigments, such as melanins, are widely distributed throughout the animal kingdom. Others have arisen novelties in particular lineages, for example, Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) found cnidarians. While GFPs, used fluorescent tags biomedical research, most famous cnidarian other novel proteins also been identified within this phylum. A blue protein that contains a Kringle (KR) domain inserted Frizzled cysteine-rich (Fz-CRD) was previously described from jellyfish Rhizostoma pulmo (named rpulFKz1), however little is known about pigment’s evolution or distribution among We performed systematic search homologs of published genomes and transcriptomes 93 Phylogenetic analyses revealed eight predicted possess both domains same arrangement fall clade rpulFKz1. The sequence one these motifs match sequenced peptides Cassio Blue, pigment Cassiopea xamachana . Another belongs to Stomolophus meleagris , chemical studies on pigments may occur genus shown similarities rpulFKz1 Blue. Therefore, we hypothesize precursors. All precursors were exclusive order Rhizostomeae, so herein name new family “rhizostomins.” Not all rhizostomes analyzed blue, however, rhizostomin be responsible colors, perform biochemical biophysical roles. Previous hypothesized photoprotective, study serves basis future investigations not only function rhizostomins, but potential biotechnological applications proteins.