Final answer:
The red fluorescent protein DsRed and its corresponding gene were isolated from the sea anemone. It is used in research similarly to GFP, to study gene expression and cell biology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The red fluorescent protein distantly related to GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein), known as DsRed, and the gene coding for it were isolated from the sea anemone.
The DsRed protein exhibits bioluminescence characteristics similar to those found in GFP, but they are distinct proteins with DsRed evolving separately, an example of convergent evolution in bioluminescence. Sea anemone-derived fluorescent proteins have been used extensively in biological research to study gene expression and cellular processes.
Adding to the understanding of bioluminescence, different organisms, such as dinoflagellates and fireflies, have evolved this trait independently, employing various enzymes and substrate molecules. The phenomenon of fluorescent proteins like GFP and DsRed has greatly expanded the toolkit available for molecular and cellular biology research, enabling visualization of complex biological processes in real time.