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Indole: An evolutionarily conserved influencer of behavior across kingdoms
Jeffery K Tomberlin1, Tawni L Crippen2, Guoyao Wu3
1Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
Summary
Indole, derived from essential tryptophan, is a universal environmental signal. Its widespread use across diverse organisms highlights its role in coordinating actions and influencing behaviors, even between kingdoms.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Indole is a crucial environmental cue utilized by a wide range of organisms.
- Its ubiquity stems from its origin in tryptophan metabolism, an essential yet scarce resource.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explain the universal significance of indole as an environmental cue.
- To elucidate the diverse roles of indole in inter- and intra-kingdom communication.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical analysis of indole's origin.
- Review of existing literature on indole's signaling functions.
- Application of evolutionary communication frameworks.
Main Results:
- Indole's derivation from tryptophan makes it a reliable indicator of essential resources.
- Indole functions as a cue, a manipulative signal, and an honest signal in communication.
- Indole can modulate behavior within and between species, across different kingdoms.
Conclusions:
- The unique properties of indole facilitate its widespread use as a signaling molecule.
- Understanding indole's diverse roles reveals conserved patterns in biological communication.
- Indole's synergistic interactions with other molecules amplify its signaling capacity.
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