Endogenous green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) have recently been found in amphioxus, where different
characteristics of light production in different development stages and between different individuals have manifested. We
identified the GFP genes in an amphioxus species
Branchiostoma belcheri
and monitored real time fluorescence signals
of GFPs during different developmental stages to provide an insight on the GFP function in amphioxus. We found there
are at least 12 endogenous GFP genes in amphioxus genome, and fluorescent expression changes in body position during
different developmental stages. Additionally, GFP expression after metamorphosis development differed significantly
among different amphioxus individuals, suggesting that there are multiple GFP homologous genes responsible for
fluorescent expression. Expression levels of these genes varied significantly during different developmental stages,
indicating that different GFP genes may have their unique functions in the development of amphioxus during specific
phases of growth.
