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Hu J, Zhao C, Tan J, Lai S, Zhou Y, Dai L. Transcriptome analysis of Euwallacea interjectus reveals differentially expressed unigenes related to developmental stages and egg laying. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2023; 47:101100. [PMID: 37329642 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2023.101100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Euwallacea interjectus (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is an ambrosia beetle species in its early stages of research. Therefore, studying the related molecular mechanism associated with the development and egg laid is essential. Transcriptome sequencing was used in this study to compare the gene expression of the beetles at different developmental stages and female adults before and after oviposition. A total of 40,047 annotated unigenes were obtained. There were 4225 differentially expressed unigenes (DEUs) from larva to prepupa stage, 3651 DEUs between prepupa and pupa, 1675 DEUs generated from pupa to adult, and 4762 DEUs between females before and after oviposition. The most significant pathway differences between different development stages and before and after oviposition were selected through functional annotation of DEUs between different stages. Among them, there were many pathways related to protein metabolism including: neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, endoplasmic reticulum and RNA transport. This study provides valuable information on the molecular regulation mechanism of development and the egg laid of E. interjectus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafeng Hu
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210036, China; College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210036, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210036, China; College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210036, China
| | - Jiajin Tan
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210036, China; College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210036, China
| | - Shengchang Lai
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210036, China; College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210036, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210036, China; College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210036, China
| | - Lulu Dai
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210036, China; College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210036, China.
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Barkdull M, Moreau CS. Worker Reproduction and Caste Polymorphism Impact Genome Evolution and Social Genes Across the Ants. Genome Biol Evol 2023; 15:evad095. [PMID: 37243539 PMCID: PMC10287540 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evad095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Eusocial insects are characterized by several traits, including reproductive division of labor and caste polymorphisms, which likely modulate genome evolution. Concomitantly, evolution may act on specific genes and pathways underlying these novel, sociality-associated phenotypes. Reproductive division of labor should increase the magnitude of genetic drift and reduce the efficacy of selection by reducing effective population size. Caste polymorphism has been associated with relaxed selection and may facilitate directional selection on caste-specific genes. Here, we use comparative analyses of 22 ant genomes to test how reproductive division of labor and worker polymorphism influence positive selection and selection intensity across the genome. Our results demonstrate that worker reproductive capacity is associated with a reduction in the degree of relaxed selection but is not associated with any significant change to positive selection. We find decreases in positive selection in species with polymorphic workers, but no increase in the degree of relaxed selection. Finally, we explore evolutionary patterns in specific candidate genes associated with our focal traits in eusocial insects. Two oocyte patterning genes previously implicated in worker sterility evolve under intensified selection in species with reproductive workers. Behavioral caste genes generally experience relaxed selection associated with worker polymorphism, whereas vestigial and spalt, both associated with soldier development in Pheidole ants, experience intensified selection in worker polymorphic species. These findings expand our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying elaborations of sociality. The impacts of reproductive division of labor and caste polymorphisms on specific genes illuminate those genes' roles in generating complex eusocial phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Barkdull
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University
| | - Corrie S Moreau
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University
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Orr SE, Goodisman MA. Social insect transcriptomics and the molecular basis of caste diversity. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 57:101040. [PMID: 37105497 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Studies of gene expression provide fundamentally important information on the molecular mechanisms underlying variation in phenotype. Recent technological advances have allowed for the robust study of gene expression through analysis of whole transcriptomes. Here, we review current advances in social insect transcriptomics and discuss their implications in understanding phenotypic diversity. Recent transcriptomic studies provide detailed inventories of the genes involved in producing distinct phenotypes in social species. These investigations have identified key genes and networks involved in producing distinct social insect castes. Nevertheless, questions concerning the evolution of gene expression patterns remain. We suggest a path forward for studying gene expression in future studies of biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Orr
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 310 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Michael Ad Goodisman
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 310 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
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Lian Y, Peng S, Jia J, Li J, Wang A, Yang S, Zheng R, Yang X, Zhou S. Function of Vitellogenin receptor gene in reproductive regulation of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) after short-term high-temperature treatment. Front Physiol 2022; 13:995004. [PMID: 36267580 PMCID: PMC9577288 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.995004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change has increased the frequency of extreme heat events. Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) is an important tropical pest that typically changes its reproductive strategies in response to extremely high temperatures. Newly emerged adults of three consecutive generations (F1, F2, and F3) of Z. cucurbitae (Coquillett) were exposed to 25°C, 33°C, 37°C, 41°C, and 45°C treatments for 1 h to clarify the effects of short-term high temperatures on its reproduction. The influence of these temperatures on reproduction was evaluated using indicators, such as egg number. Newly emerged adults were exposed to 25°C and 45°C treatments for 1 h, and the expression of Vitellogenin receptor (VgR) gene in females was interfered with siRNA, and silencing efficiency of RNAi was evaluated. Results showed that short-term high temperatures, except for F1 treated at 45°C for 1 h to stimulate oviposition, exert a general adverse effect on the reproduction of Z. cucurbitae (Coquillett). All F3 died after the 45°C treatment for 1 h. Silencing of the VgR gene resulted in the significant downregulation of VgR gene expression at both 24 and 72 h. The egg number, oviposition days, and hatchability of eggs were significantly lower than those of other treatment groups after interference, and the inhibition effect of egg number was the most evident, with a decrease of 88.4% and 95.2% at 25°C and 45°C, respectively, compared with that of the Control Check (CK). Ovarian development speed and diameter were also significantly lower than those of other treatment groups after the interference. The results of this study can provide a theoretical reference for the integrated control of Z. cucurbitae (Coquillett) during high-temperature seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyang Lian
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Biology of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Sihua Peng
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Biology of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Jingjing Jia
- Key Laboratory of Plant Disease and Pest Control of Hainan Province, Haikou, China
| | - Jinlei Li
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Biology of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Aqiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Biology of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Shuyan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Biology of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Rongjiao Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Biology of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Sanya, China
| | - Shihao Zhou
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Biology of Tropical Special Ornamental Plants of Hainan Province, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- *Correspondence: Shihao Zhou,
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Awde DN, Skandalis A, Richards MH. Foraging gene expression patterns in queens, workers, and males in a eusocial insect. CAN J ZOOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2021-0124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive division of labour is based on biased expression of complementary parental behaviours, brood production (egg-laying) by queens and brood care (in particular, brood-provisioning) by workers. In many social insect species, queens provision brood when establishing colonies at the beginning of a breeding season and reproductive division of labour begins with the emergence of workers. In many social insect species, the expression of foraging (for) mRNA is associated with the intensity of foraging behaviour and therefore brood-provisioning. However, only two studies have compared queen and worker for expression levels and neither accounted for transcript splice variation. In this study, we compare the expression level of the for-α transcript variant across four life stages of the queen caste, two behavioural groups of workers, and males of a eusocial sweat bee Lasioglossum laevissimum (Smith, 1853). Foundresses collected prior to the onset of the foraging season and males had the highest for-α expression levels. All active (post-hibernatory) queens and workers had similar for-α expression levels independent of behaviour. These results suggest that the for gene in L. laevissimum acts as a primer before foraging activity and that caste-specific expression patterns correlate with the timing of foraging activity in queens and workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- David N. Awde
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091, USA
| | - Adonis Skandalis
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Miriam H. Richards
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
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Kang I, Kim W, Lim JY, Lee Y, Shin C. Organ-specific transcriptome analysis reveals differential gene expression in different castes under natural conditions in Apis cerana. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11267. [PMID: 34050219 PMCID: PMC8163739 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90635-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Honeybees are one of the most environmentally important insects, as their pollination of various plant species contributes to the balance among different ecosystems. It has been studied extensively for their unique attribute of forming a caste society. Unlike other insects, honeybees communicate socially by secreting pheromones or by exhibiting specific patterns of motion. In the honeybee industry, the Asian honeybees (Apis cerana) and the Western honeybees (Apis mellifera) are dominant species. However, molecular research on the transcriptomes of A. cerana has not been studied as extensively as those of A. mellifera. Therefore, in this study, caste-specific transcriptional differences were analyzed, which provides a comprehensive analysis of A. cerana. In our dataset, we analyzed gene expression profiles using organs from worker, drone, and queen bees. This gene-expression profile helped us obtain more detailed information related to organ-specific genes, immune response, detoxification mechanisms, venom-specific genes, and ovary development. From our result, we found 4096 transcripts representing different gene-expression pattern in each organ. Our results suggest that caste-specific transcripts of each organ were expressed differently even under natural conditions. These transcriptome-wide analyses provide new insights into A. cerana and that promote honeybee research and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igojo Kang
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Woojin Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Yun Lim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Chanseok Shin
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
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