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Wu Y, Fujita T, Namba Y, Kobayashi K, Takata M, Vargo EL, Matsuura K. Inter-clonal competition over queen succession imposes a cost of parthenogenesis on termite colonies. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232711. [PMID: 38772420 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2711] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
In social insect colonies, selfish behaviour due to intracolonial conflict among members can result in colony-level costs despite close relatedness. In certain termite species, queens use asexual reproduction for within-colony queen succession but rely on sexual reproduction for worker and alate production, resulting in multiple half-clones of a single primary queen competing for personal reproduction. Our study demonstrates that competition over asexual queen succession among different clone types leads to the overproduction of parthenogenetic offspring, resulting in the production of dysfunctional parthenogenetic alates. By genotyping the queens of 23 field colonies of Reticulitermes speratus, we found that clone variation in the queen population reduces as colonies develop. Field sampling of alates and primary reproductives of incipient colonies showed that overproduced parthenogenetic offspring develop into alates that have significantly smaller body sizes and much lower survivorship than sexually produced alates. Our results indicate that while the production of earlier and more parthenogenetic eggs is advantageous for winning the competition for personal reproduction, it comes at a great cost to the colony. Thus, this study highlights the evolutionary interplay between individual-level and colony-level selection on parthenogenesis by queens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wu
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho , Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Tadahide Fujita
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho , Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Yusuke Namba
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho , Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho , Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
- Hokkaido Forest Research Station, Field Science Education and Research Center, Kyoto University , Hokkaido 088-2339, Japan
| | - Mamoru Takata
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho , Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Edward L Vargo
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University (TAMU) , College Station, TX 77843-2143, USA
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho , Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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2
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Hellemans S, Hanus R. Termite primary queen - ancestral, but highly specialized eusocial phenotype. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 61:101157. [PMID: 38142979 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Termite eusociality is accompanied by flagrant caste polyphenism manifested by the presence of several sterile (workers and soldiers) and reproductive (imaginal and neotenic kings and queens) caste phenotypes. Imaginal kings and queens are developmentally equivalent to adults of other hemimetabolous insects but display multiple adaptations inherent to their role of eusocial colony founders, such as long lifespan and high fecundity. Herein, we summarize the recent advances in understanding the biology of imaginal (primary) queens as emblematic examples of termite polyphenism acquired during social evolution. We focus on the control of queen development, on dynamics in physiology and fecundity during the queen's life, on new findings about queen fertility signaling, and on proximate mechanisms underlying queen longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Hellemans
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan; Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Université libre de Bruxelles, 50 avenue F.D. Roosevelt, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robert Hanus
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, 160 00 Prague, Czech Republic.
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3
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Tasaki E, Yamamoto Y, Iuchi Y. Higher levels of the lipophilic antioxidants coenzyme Q 10 and vitamin E in long-lived termite queens than in short-lived workers. INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 31:201-210. [PMID: 37279723 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Termite queens and kings live longer than nonreproductive workers. Several molecular mechanisms contributing to their long lifespan have been investigated; however, the underlying biochemical explanation remains unclear. Coenzyme Q (CoQ), a component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, plays an essential role in the lipophilic antioxidant defense system. Its beneficial effects on health and longevity have been well studied in several organisms. Herein, we demonstrated that long-lived termite queens have significantly higher levels of the lipophilic antioxidant CoQ10 than workers. Liquid chromatography analysis revealed that the levels of the reduced form of CoQ10 were 4 fold higher in the queen's body than in the worker's body. In addition, queens showed 7 fold higher levels of vitamin E, which plays a role in antilipid peroxidation along with CoQ, than workers. Furthermore, the oral administration of CoQ10 to termites increased the CoQ10 redox state in the body and their survival rate under oxidative stress. These findings suggest that CoQ10 acts as an efficient lipophilic antioxidant along with vitamin E in long-lived termite queens. This study provides essential biochemical and evolutionary insights into the relationship between CoQ10 concentrations and termite lifespan extension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eisuke Tasaki
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Yorihiro Yamamoto
- School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo University of Technology, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Iuchi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
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4
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Wu Y, Chen J, Takata M, Matsuura K. Maternal determination of soldier proportion and paternal determination of soldier sex ratio in hybrid Reticulitermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) termite colonies. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293096. [PMID: 37917766 PMCID: PMC10621947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Altruistic caste, including worker and soldier (derived from worker), plays a critical role in the ecological success of social insects. The proportion of soldiers, soldier sex ratios, and the number of workers vary significantly between species, and also within species, depending on colony developmental stage and environmental factors. However, it is unknown whether there are sex-linked effects from parents on controlling the caste fate or not. Here, we compared soldier sex ratios, soldier proportions, and population size among a four mating types of Reticulitermes amamianus (Ra) and R. speratus (Rs) (male × female, mRa × fRa, mRa × fRs, mRs × fRa, mRs × fRs) and demonstrate that the soldier sex ratio and worker population size of hybrid colonies skew to colonies of king's species, while the soldier proportion skew to queen's species. The survival rate of offspring resulting from interspecies hybridization was significantly higher for mRa × fRs than for mRs × fRa. The results of this study demonstrate the asymmetric influence of kings and queens on caste determination and colony growth, which can contribute to our better understanding of parental influence on the colony dynamics of social insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wu
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Jiaming Chen
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mamoru Takata
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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5
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Nozaki T, Tasaki E, Matsuura K. Cell type specific polyploidization in the royal fat body of termite queens. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2023; 9:20. [PMID: 37821917 PMCID: PMC10566149 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-023-00217-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Tissue-specific endopolyploidy is widespread among plants and animals and its role in organ development and function has long been investigated. In insects, the fat body cells of sexually mature females produce substantial amounts of egg yolk precursor proteins (vitellogenins) and exhibit high polyploid levels, which is considered crucial for boosting egg production. Termites are social insects with a reproductive division of labor, and the fat bodies of mature termite queens exhibit higher ploidy levels than those of other females. The fat bodies of mature termite queens are known to be histologically and cytologically specialized in protein synthesis. However, the relationship between such modifications and polyploidization remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the relationship among cell type, queen maturation, and ploidy levels in the fat body of the termite Reticulitermes speratus. We first confirmed that the termite fat body consists of two types of cells, that is, adipocytes, metabolically active cells, and urocytes, urate-storing cells. Our ploidy analysis using flow cytometry has shown that the fat bodies of actively reproducing queens had more polyploid cells than those of newly emerged and pre-reproductive queens, regardless of the queen phenotype (adult or neotenic type). Using image-based analysis, we found that not urocytes, but adipocytes became polyploid during queen differentiation and subsequent sexual maturation. These results suggest that polyploidization in the termite queen fat body is associated with sexual maturation and is regulated in a cell type-specific manner. Our study findings have provided novel insights into the development of insect fat bodies and provide a basis for future studies to understand the functional importance of polyploidy in the fat bodies of termite queens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonari Nozaki
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genomics, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, 444-8585, Japan.
| | - Eisuke Tasaki
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi 2-No-Cho, Nishi-Ku, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
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Ishibashi T, Waliullah ASM, Aramaki S, Kamiya M, Kahyo T, Nakamura K, Tasaki E, Takata M, Setou M, Matsuura K. Plastic brain structure changes associated with the division of labor and aging in termites. Dev Growth Differ 2023; 65:374-383. [PMID: 37357446 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Division of labor is a prominent feature of social insect societies, where different castes engage in different specialized tasks. As brain differences are associated with behavioral differences, brain anatomy may be linked to caste polymorphism. Here, we show that termite brain morphology changes markedly with caste differentiation and age in the termite, Reticulitermes speratus. Brain morphology was shown to be associated with reproductive division of labor, with reproductive individuals (alates and neotenic reproductives) having larger brains than nonreproductives (workers and soldiers). Micro-computed tomography (CT) imaging and dissection observations showed that the king's brain morphology changed markedly with shrinkage of the optic lobes during their long life in the dark. Behavioral experiments showed that mature primary kings lose visual function as a result of optic lobe shrinkage. These results suggested that termites restructure their nervous systems to perform necessary tasks as they undergo caste differentiation, and that they also show flexible changes in brain morphology even after the final molt. This study showed that brain morphology in social insects is linked to caste and aging, and that the evolution of the division of labor is underpinned by the development of diverse neural systems for specialized tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoki Ishibashi
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Laboratory for Physical Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
| | - A S M Waliullah
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Anatomy, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Shuhei Aramaki
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Anatomy, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
- International Mass Imaging Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
- Department of Radiology, Hamamatsu University Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Masaki Kamiya
- Department of Radiology, Hamamatsu University Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Kahyo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Anatomy, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
- International Mass Imaging Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | | | - Eisuke Tasaki
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mamoru Takata
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mitsutoshi Setou
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Anatomy, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
- International Mass Imaging Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
- Department of Systems Molecular Anatomy, Institute for Medical Photonics Research, Preeminent Medical Photonics Education and Research Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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7
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Takata M, Yabe K, Noro T, Mizote S, Konishi T, Tasaki E, Matsuura K. A method for estimating colony size using queen fecundity in termites under field conditions. THE SCIENCE OF NATURE - NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN 2023; 110:35. [PMID: 37458826 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-023-01865-6] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Colony size in social insects is one of the most important factors in shaping their self-organized system. It affects a wide variety of traits such as foraging and defense strategies, social immune responses, the degree of polymorphism, and reproductive output. However, colony size estimation of subterranean termites in the field has been challenging, due to their extremely cryptic biology and multiple site-nesting behavior. Since natural selection favors workers that maximize the number of their siblings, the amount of egg production may reflect the number of workers in the colony. Here, we report a method for inferring colony size in the field using total egg production in each colony from a subterranean termite, Reticulitermes speratus. Our investigation of field colonies revealed that the body weight of queens reaches a peak and had the largest variance in June and July and accurately predicts the number of eggs laid by the queen per 24 h. Using laboratory-reared colonies, we found that the total egg production in each colony is proportional to the number of workers. We also estimated the colony size of 198 field colonies and found that the median and maximum colony size was 24,500 and 451,800 workers per colony. The method for inferring colony size presented here may also be applicable to termite species with a clear seasonality in egg production. The colony size estimate will contribute to understanding the life history strategies and social systems of termites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamoru Takata
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
| | - Kiyotaka Yabe
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Takuya Noro
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shun Mizote
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Takao Konishi
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Eisuke Tasaki
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
- Present address: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi 2-no-cho, Nishi-ku, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
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8
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Takata M, Konishi T, Nagai S, Wu Y, Nozaki T, Tasaki E, Matsuura K. Discovery of an underground chamber to protect kings and queens during winter in temperate termites. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8809. [PMID: 37258652 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36035-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Overwintering is a critical part of the annual cycle for species that live in temperate, polar, and alpine regions. Consequently, low-temperature biology is a key determinant of temperate species distribution. Termites are distributed predominantly in tropical regions, and a limited number of species are found in the temperate zone. Here, in the termite Reticulitermes speratus, we report the discovery of an underground chamber that protects kings and queens to survive the winter, which is separate from the one they used during the warmer breeding season. In the spring, the royals inhabited decayed logs on the ground, then moved to their underground chamber located in the roots of stumps in the fall. The winter minimum temperature measured in the royal chamber was higher than that in the logs on the ground. In overwintering termites, the kings and queens had higher cold tolerance than workers and soldiers. Air temperatures dropped below the critical temperature multiple times, as evidenced from the past 140 years of weather records in Kyoto. These results demonstrated the survival strategies of reproductives to overcome the environment at the latitudinal limits. This study helps further the understanding of the termite's seasonal phenology, long-term survivorship, and life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamoru Takata
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
| | - Takao Konishi
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shuya Nagai
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Yao Wu
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Tomonari Nozaki
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Eisuke Tasaki
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi 2-no-cho, Nishi-ku, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
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Ramzan M, Javed M, Iqbal S, Alhujaily A, Mahmood Q, Aroosh K, Bahadur A, Qayyum MA, Awwad NS, Ibrahium HA, Al-Anazy MM, Elkaeed EB. Designing Highly Active S-g-C3N4/Te@NiS Ternary Nanocomposites for Antimicrobial Performance, Degradation of Organic Pollutants, and Their Kinetic Study. INORGANICS 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/inorganics11040156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The current research is about the synthesis of pure nickel sulfide, a series of Te (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 wt.%)-doped NiS (Te@NiS) nanoparticles (NPs), and a series of S-g-C3N4 (10, 30, 50, 70, and 80 wt.%)/Te@NiS nanocomposites (NCs), fabricated through a hydrothermal route. XRD and FTIR spectroscopic techniques demonstrated the successful synthesis of NPs and NCs. SEM-EDX images confirmed the flakelike structure and elemental constituents of the fabricated materials. Tauc plots were drawn, to calculate the band gaps of the synthesized samples. Te doping resulted in a significant reduction in the band gap of the NiS NPs. The photocatalytic efficiency of the NPs and NCs was investigated against MB, under sunlight. The results obtained for the photocatalytic activity, showed that 1%Te@NiS nanoparticles have an excellent dye degradation capacity in sunlight. This was made even better by making a series of SGCN/1% Te@NiS nanocomposites with different amounts of S-g-C3N4. When compared to NiS, Te@NiS, SGCN, and 70%SGCN/1%Te@NiS, the 70%SGCN/1%Te@NiS NCs have excellent antifungal ability. The higher impact of SGCN/Te@NiS, may be due to its enhanced ability to disperse and interact with the membranes and intracellular proteins of fungi. The 70%SGCN/1%Te@NiS NCs showed excellent antibacterial and photocatalytic efficiency. Thus, the 70%SGCN/1%Te@NiS NCs might prove fruitful in antibacterial and photocatalytic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ramzan
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore 54770, Pakistan
| | - Mohsin Javed
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore 54770, Pakistan
| | - Shahid Iqbal
- Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences (SNS), National University of Science and Technology (NUST), H-12, Islamabad 46000, Pakistan
| | - Ahmad Alhujaily
- Biology Department, College of Science, Taibah University, P.O. Box 344, Al Madinah Al Munawarah 41477, Saudi Arabia
| | - Qaiser Mahmood
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Shantou 515031, China
| | - Komal Aroosh
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore 54770, Pakistan
| | - Ali Bahadur
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, Wenzhou 325060, China
| | - Muhammad Abdul Qayyum
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science & Technology, University of Education, Lahore 54770, Pakistan
| | - Nasser S. Awwad
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hala A. Ibrahium
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Murefah Mana Al-Anazy
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eslam B. Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, P.O. Box 71666, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia
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10
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Marshall H, Nicholas MT, van Zweden JS, Wäckers F, Ross L, Wenseleers T, Mallon EB. DNA methylation is associated with codon degeneracy in a species of bumblebee. Heredity (Edinb) 2023; 130:188-195. [PMID: 36658299 PMCID: PMC10076500 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-023-00591-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Social insects display extreme phenotypic differences between sexes and castes even though the underlying genome can be almost identical. Epigenetic processes have been proposed as a possible mechanism for mediating these phenotypic differences. Using whole genome bisulfite sequencing of queens, males, and reproductive female workers we have characterised the sex- and caste-specific methylome of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris. We have identified a potential role for DNA methylation in histone modification processes which may influence sex and caste phenotypic differences. We also find differentially methylated genes generally show low levels of DNA methylation which may suggest a separate function for lowly methylated genes in mediating transcriptional plasticity, unlike highly methylated genes which are usually involved in housekeeping functions. We also examined the relationship between the underlying genome and the methylome using whole genome re-sequencing of the same queens and males. We find DNA methylation is enriched at zero-fold degenerate sites. We suggest DNA methylation may be acting as a targeted mutagen at these sites, providing substrate for selection via non-synonymous changes in the underlying genome. However, we did not see any relationship between DNA methylation and rates of positive selection in our samples. In order to fully assess a possible role for DNA methylation in adaptive processes a specifically designed study using natural population data is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Marshall
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, The University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
| | - M T Nicholas
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, The University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - J S van Zweden
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social Evolution, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - F Wäckers
- Biobest Belgium N.V., Westerlo, Belgium
- The Lancaster Environmental Centre, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, UK
| | - L Ross
- The Institute for Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - T Wenseleers
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social Evolution, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - E B Mallon
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, The University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
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11
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Takata M, Nagai S, Inagaki T, Ohkubo Y, Tasaki E, Matsuura K. Heritable effects on caste determination and colony-level sex allocation in termites under field conditions. iScience 2023; 26:106207. [PMID: 36876124 PMCID: PMC9982680 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The ecological success of social insects is attributed to the division of labor, where newly hatched offspring differentiate into either fertile progeny or functionally sterile worker castes. There is growing evidence for the heritable (genetic or epigenetic) effects on caste determination based on laboratory experiments. Here, we indirectly demonstrate that heritable factors have the principal role in caste determination and strongly affect colony-level production of both sexes of fertile dispersers (i.e., alates) in field colonies of the termite Reticulitermes speratus. An egg-fostering experiment suggests that the colony-dependent sex-specific caste fates were almost entirely determined before oviposition. Our investigation of field colonies revealed that such colony-dependent sex-specific caste fates result in the intercolonial variation in the numerical sex ratio of differentiated fertile offspring and, eventually, that of alates. This study contributes to better understanding the mechanisms underlying the division of labor and life-history traits in social insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamoru Takata
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto Universit, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shuya Nagai
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto Universit, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Inagaki
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto Universit, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.,School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technolog, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Yusaku Ohkubo
- Center for Data Assimilation Research and Applications, Joint Support Center for Data Science Research, Research Organization of Information and Systems, 10-3, Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan.,The Institute of Statistical Mathematics, Research Organization of Information and Systems, 10-3, Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eisuke Tasaki
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto Universit, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi 2-no-cho, Nishi-ku, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto Universit, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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12
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Dolejšová K, Křivánek J, Štáfková J, Horáček N, Havlíčková J, Roy V, Kalinová B, Roy A, Kyjaková P, Hanus R. Identification of a queen primer pheromone in higher termites. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1165. [PMID: 36323794 PMCID: PMC9630296 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04163-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
It is long established that queens of social insects, including termites, maintain their reproductive dominance with queen primer pheromones (QPPs). Yet, the QPP chemistry has only been elucidated in a single species of lower termites. By contrast, the most diversified termite family Termitidae (higher termites), comprising over 70% of termite species, has so far resisted all attempts at QPP identification. Here, we show that the queen- and egg-specific sesquiterpene (3R,6E)-nerolidol acts as the QPP in the higher termite Embiratermes neotenicus. This species has a polygynous breeding system, in which the primary queen is replaced by multiple neotenic queens of parthenogenetic origin. We demonstrate that (3R,6E)-nerolidol suppresses the development of these parthenogenetic queens and thus mimics the presence of mature queen(s). It acts as an airborne signal and may be used to optimize the number of queens, thus being the key regulatory element in the special breeding system of E. neotenicus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klára Dolejšová
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Křivánek
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Štáfková
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Natan Horáček
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Havlíčková
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Virginie Roy
- Université Paris Est Créteil, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, iEES Paris, Créteil, France
| | | | - Amit Roy
- Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlína Kyjaková
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Hanus
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
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13
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Tamaki C, Takata M, Matsuura K. The lose-to-win strategy of the weak: intraspecific parasitism via egg abduction in a termite. Biol Lett 2021; 17:20210540. [PMID: 34932926 PMCID: PMC8692029 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2021.0540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Predation by larger conspecifics poses a major threat to small juveniles in many animal species. However, in social insects, raids perpetrated by large colonies may provide smaller colonies with opportunities for parasitization. Herein, in the termite Reticulitermes speratus, we demonstrate that small incipient colonies parasitize large mature colonies through egg abduction when attacked by raiding conspecifics. We observed that the eggs of incipient colonies were brought into raiding colonies while their parents were killed during the attack. In this species, unmated females found new colonies with female-female (FF) cooperation, in addition to the typical monogamous colony foundation. Interestingly, the abducted eggs of FF pairs developed into nymphs (reproductive caste) in the raiding colonies, whereas the eggs of male-female (MF) pairs developed into workers (non-reproductive caste). Parthenogenetic eggs are known to be developmentally predisposed to becoming female reproductives owing to genomic imprinting in termites. This study demonstrates that the plundering of small colonies by larger conspecific colonies not only results in the extinction of the weaker colonies, but also serves as a strategy that incipient colonies use to obtain the reproductive position in large colonies by stealth. The results elucidate the diversity and complexity of inter-colonial interactions in social insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Tamaki
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Mamoru Takata
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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14
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Sieber KR, Dorman T, Newell N, Yan H. (Epi)Genetic Mechanisms Underlying the Evolutionary Success of Eusocial Insects. INSECTS 2021; 12:498. [PMID: 34071806 PMCID: PMC8229086 DOI: 10.3390/insects12060498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Eusocial insects, such as bees, ants, and wasps of the Hymenoptera and termites of the Blattodea, are able to generate remarkable diversity in morphology and behavior despite being genetically uniform within a colony. Most eusocial insect species display caste structures in which reproductive ability is possessed by a single or a few queens while all other colony members act as workers. However, in some species, caste structure is somewhat plastic, and individuals may switch from one caste or behavioral phenotype to another in response to certain environmental cues. As different castes normally share a common genetic background, it is believed that much of this observed within-colony diversity results from transcriptional differences between individuals. This suggests that epigenetic mechanisms, featured by modified gene expression without changing genes themselves, may play an important role in eusocial insects. Indeed, epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs, have been shown to influence eusocial insects in multiple aspects, along with typical genetic regulation. This review summarizes the most recent findings regarding such mechanisms and their diverse roles in eusocial insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayli R. Sieber
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (K.R.S.); (T.D.); (N.N.)
| | - Taylor Dorman
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (K.R.S.); (T.D.); (N.N.)
| | - Nicholas Newell
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (K.R.S.); (T.D.); (N.N.)
| | - Hua Yan
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (K.R.S.); (T.D.); (N.N.)
- Center for Smell and Taste, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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15
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Nozaki T, Matsuura K. Oocyte resorption in termite queens: Seasonal dynamics and controlling factors. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 131:104242. [PMID: 33845091 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2021.104242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Female insects can resorb their oocytes that could not be oviposited. Oocyte resorption is proposed to be an adaptive mechanism to optimize fitness in hostile environments, recouping resources that might otherwise be lost. Social insects have developed reproductive division of labor, wherein a small number of queens are devoted to egg production. Matured queens are highly specialized in reproduction and are largely dependent on nestmate workers for their nourishment. Therefore, oocyte resorption in the queens should be influenced by social factors such as the amount of available workforce, as well as external and abiotic factors. In this study, we investigated the seasonal dynamics and regulation factors of oocyte resorption in actively reproducing termite queens. We continuously collected the field-nests of the subterranean termite Reticulitermes speratus and demonstrated that queens frequently resorbed their oocytes in late summer, even though it is one of the most productive seasons in this species. On the other hand, our laboratory experiment showed that oocyte resorption itself was strongly induced regardless of the season. We also found that the rate of oocyte resorption was influenced by colony size (the number of attending workers). These results suggest that termite queens seasonally resorb their oocytes, yet oocyte resorption itself is regulated by social factors rather than by seasonal factors. Our study provides a unique insight into the regulation of reproduction in social insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonari Nozaki
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Laboratory of Evolutionary Genomics, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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16
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Oguchi K, Maekawa K, Miura T. Regulatory Mechanisms Underlying the Differentiation of Neotenic Reproductives in Termites: Partial Release From Arrested Development. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.635552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Eusocial insects exhibit reproductive division of labor, in which only a part of colony members differentiates into reproductives. In termite colonies, the division of labors is performed among multiple types of individuals (i.e., castes), such as reproductives, workers, and soldiers to organize their society. Caste differentiation occurs according to extrinsic factors, such as social interactions, leading to developmental modifications during postembryonic development, and consequently, the caste ratio in a colony is appropriately coordinated. In particular, when the current reproductives die or become senescent, some immature individuals molt into supplementary reproductives, also known as “neotenics,” that take over the reproductive task in their natal colony. Neotenics exhibit variety of larval features, such as winglessness, and thus, immature individuals are suggested to differentiate by a partial release from arrested development, particularly in the reproductive organs. These neotenic features, which have long been assumed to develop via heterochronic regulation, provide us opportunities to understand the developmental mechanisms and evolutionary origin of the novel caste. This article overviews the accumulated data on the physiological and developmental mechanisms that regulate the neotenic differentiation in termites. Furthermore, the evolutionary trajectories leading to neotenic differentiation are discussed, namely the acquisition of a regulatory mechanism that enable the partial release from a developmentally arrested state.
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17
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Marshall H, van Zweden JS, Van Geystelen A, Benaets K, Wäckers F, Mallon EB, Wenseleers T. Parent of origin gene expression in the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, supports Haig's kinship theory for the evolution of genomic imprinting. Evol Lett 2020; 4:479-490. [PMID: 33312684 PMCID: PMC7719552 DOI: 10.1002/evl3.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is the differential expression alleles in diploid individuals, with the expression being dependent on the sex of the parent from which it was inherited. Haig's kinship theory hypothesizes that genomic imprinting is due to an evolutionary conflict of interest between alleles from the mother and father. In social insects, it has been suggested that genomic imprinting should be widespread. One recent study identified parent-of-origin expression in honey bees and found evidence supporting the kinship theory. However, little is known about genomic imprinting in insects and multiple theoretical predictions must be tested to avoid single-study confirmation bias. We, therefore, tested for parent-of-origin expression in a primitively eusocial bee. We found equal numbers of maternally and paternally biased expressed genes. The most highly biased genes were maternally expressed, offering support for the kinship theory. We also found low conservation of potentially imprinted genes with the honey bee, suggesting rapid evolution of genomic imprinting in Hymenoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hollie Marshall
- Department of Genetics and Genome BiologyThe University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RHUnited Kingdom
| | - Jelle S. van Zweden
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social EvolutionDepartment of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000LeuvenBelgium
| | - Anneleen Van Geystelen
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social EvolutionDepartment of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000LeuvenBelgium
| | - Kristof Benaets
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social EvolutionDepartment of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000LeuvenBelgium
| | - Felix Wäckers
- Biobest Belgium N.V., 2260 WesterloBelgium
- The Lancaster Environmental CentreUniversity of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4YWUnited Kingdom
| | - Eamonn B. Mallon
- Department of Genetics and Genome BiologyThe University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RHUnited Kingdom
| | - Tom Wenseleers
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social EvolutionDepartment of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000LeuvenBelgium
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18
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Villagra C, Frías-Lasserre D. Epigenetic Molecular Mechanisms in Insects. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 49:615-642. [PMID: 32514997 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-020-00777-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Insects are the largest animal group on Earth both in biomass and diversity. Their outstanding success has inspired genetics and developmental research, allowing the discovery of dynamic process explaining extreme phenotypic plasticity and canalization. Epigenetic molecular mechanisms (EMMs) are vital for several housekeeping functions in multicellular organisms, regulating developmental, ontogenetic trajectories and environmental adaptations. In Insecta, EMMs are involved in the development of extreme phenotypic divergences such as polyphenisms and eusocial castes. Here, we review the history of this research field and how the main EMMs found in insects help to understand their biological processes and diversity. EMMs in insects confer them rapid response capacity allowing insect either to change with plastic divergence or to keep constant when facing different stressors or stimuli. EMMs function both at intra as well as transgenerational scales, playing important roles in insect ecology and evolution. We discuss on how EMMs pervasive influences in Insecta require not only the control of gene expression but also the dynamic interplay of EMMs with further regulatory levels, including genetic, physiological, behavioral, and environmental among others, as was earlier proposed by the Probabilistic Epigenesis model and Developmental System Theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Villagra
- Instituto de Entomología, Univ Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Santiago, Chile.
| | - D Frías-Lasserre
- Instituto de Entomología, Univ Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Santiago, Chile
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19
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Mitaka Y, Tasaki E, Nozaki T, Fuchikawa T, Kobayashi K, Matsuura K. Transcriptomic analysis of epigenetic modification genes in the termite Reticulitermes speratus. INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 27:202-211. [PMID: 30203565 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Eusocial insects display a caste system in which different castes are morphologically and physiologically specialized for different tasks. Recent studies have revealed that epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and histone modification, mediate caste determination and differentiation, longevity, and polyethism in eusocial insects. Although there has been a growing interest in the relationship between epigenetic mechanisms and phenotypic plasticity in termites, there is little information about differential expression levels among castes and expression sites for these genes in termites. Here we show royal-tissue-specific expression of epigenetic modification genes in the termite Reticulitermes speratus. Using RNA-seq, we identified 74 genes, including three DNA methyltransferases, seven sirtuins, 48 Trithorax group proteins, and 16 Polycomb group proteins. Among these genes, 15 showed king-specific expression, and 52 showed age-dependent differential expression in kings and queens. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that DNA methyltransferase 3 is expressed specifically in the king's testis and fat body, whereas some histone modification genes are remarkably expressed in the king's testis and queen's ovary. These findings imply that epigenetic modification plays important roles in the gamete production process in termite kings and queens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Mitaka
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
- Applied Entomology Laboratory, Center for Bioresource Field Science, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Eisuke Tasaki
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomonari Nozaki
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Taro Fuchikawa
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kobayashi
- Hokkaido Forest Research Station, Field Science Education and Research Center, Kyoto University, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of AgricultureKyoto University Kyoto Japan
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21
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Marshall H, Lonsdale ZN, Mallon EB. Methylation and gene expression differences between reproductive and sterile bumblebee workers. Evol Lett 2019; 3:485-499. [PMID: 31636941 PMCID: PMC6791180 DOI: 10.1002/evl3.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity is the production of multiple phenotypes from a single genome and is notably observed in social insects. Multiple epigenetic mechanisms have been associated with social insect plasticity, with DNA methylation being explored to the greatest extent. DNA methylation is thought to play a role in caste determination in Apis mellifera, and other social insects, but there is limited knowledge on its role in other bee species. In this study, we analyzed whole genome bisulfite sequencing and RNA-seq data sets from head tissue of reproductive and sterile castes of the eusocial bumblebee Bombus terrestris. We found that genome-wide methylation in B. terrestris is similar to other holometabolous insects and does not differ between reproductive castes. We did, however, find differentially methylated genes between castes, which are enriched for multiple biological processes including reproduction. However, we found no relationship between differential methylation and differential gene expression or differential exon usage between castes. Our results also indicate high intercolony variation in methylation. These findings suggest that methylation is associated with caste differences but may serve an alternate function, other than direct caste determination in this species. This study provides the first insights into the nature of a bumblebee caste-specific methylome as well as its interaction with gene expression and caste-specific alternative splicing, providing greater understanding of the role of methylation in phenotypic plasticity within social bee species. Future experimental work is needed to determine the function of methylation and other epigenetic mechanisms in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hollie Marshall
- Department of Genetics and Genome BiologyThe University of LeicesterLeicesterUnited Kingdom
| | - Zoë N. Lonsdale
- Department of Genetics and Genome BiologyThe University of LeicesterLeicesterUnited Kingdom
| | - Eamonn B. Mallon
- Department of Genetics and Genome BiologyThe University of LeicesterLeicesterUnited Kingdom
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22
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Nozaki T, Matsuura K. Evolutionary relationship of fat body endoreduplication and queen fecundity in termites. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:11684-11694. [PMID: 31695878 PMCID: PMC6822035 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Endoreduplication or nuclear genome replication without cell division is widely observed in the metabolically active tissues of plants and animals. The fat body cells of adult female insects produce abundant yolk proteins and become polyploid, which is assumed to accelerate egg production. Recently, it was reported that in termites, endopolyploidy in the fat body occurs only in queens but not in the other females; however, the relationship between the fecundity and ploidy level in the fat body remains unclear. Termite queens exhibit a huge variation in their egg-producing capacity among different species; queens in the species with a foraging lifestyle, in which workers leave the nest to forage outside, are much more fecund than those in the species living in a single piece of wood. In this study, we conducted ploidy analyses on three foragings and three wood-dwelling termites via flow cytometry. In all the species, the fat body of queens contained significantly more polyploid cells than that of other nonreproductive females, considering their body size effect. However, the male fat body, which is not involved in yolk production, did not show consistency in polyploid cell numbers among the species studied. Moreover, highly fecund queens in foraging termites exhibit higher levels of endopolyploidy in their fat body than those with less fecundity in wood-dwelling termites. These results suggest that endopolyploidy in the fat body of termite queens can boost their egg production, and the level of endopolyploidy in their fat body is linked to their fecundity. Our study provides a novel insight into the evolutionary relationship between endoreduplication and caste specialization in social insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonari Nozaki
- Laboratory of Insect EcologyGraduate School of AgricultureKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Center for the Development of New Model OrganismsNational Institute for Basic BiologyOkazakiJapan
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect EcologyGraduate School of AgricultureKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
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23
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Ye C, Rasheed H, Ran Y, Yang X, Xing L, Su X. Transcriptome changes reveal the genetic mechanisms of the reproductive plasticity of workers in lower termites. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:702. [PMID: 31500567 PMCID: PMC6734246 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6037-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The reproductive plasticity of termite workers provides colonies with tremendous flexibility to respond to environmental changes, which is the basis for evolutionary and ecological success. Although it is known that all colony members share the same genetic background and that differences in castes are caused by differences in gene expression, the pattern of the specific expression of genes involved in the differentiation of workers into reproductives remains unclear. In this study, the isolated workers of Reticulitermes labralis developed into reproductives, and then comparative transcriptomes were used for the first time to reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying the reproductive plasticity of workers. Results We identified 38,070 differentially expressed genes and found a pattern of gene expression involved in the differentiation of the workers into reproductives. 12, 543 genes were specifically upregulated in the isolated workers. Twenty-five signal transduction pathways classified into environmental information processing were related to the differentiation of workers into reproductives. Ras functions as a signalling switch regulates the reproductive plasticity of workers. The catalase gene which is related to longevity was up-regulated in reproductives. Conclusion We demonstrate that workers leaving the natal colony can induce the expression of stage-specific genes in the workers, which leads to the differentiation of workers into reproductives and suggests that the signal transduction along the Ras-MAPK pathway crucially controls the reproductive plasticity of the workers. This study also provides an important model for revealing the molecular mechanism of longevity changes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-6037-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxu Ye
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi'an, China.,College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Humaira Rasheed
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuehua Ran
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaojuan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lianxi Xing
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi'an, China.,College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaohong Su
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi'an, China. .,College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China.
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24
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoh Iwasa
- Department of Bioscience, School of Science and TechnologyKwansei Gakuin University Sanda‐shi Hyogo Japan
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25
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Hellemans S, Dolejšová K, Křivánek J, Fournier D, Hanus R, Roisin Y. Widespread occurrence of asexual reproduction in higher termites of the Termes group (Termitidae: Termitinae). BMC Evol Biol 2019; 19:131. [PMID: 31226928 PMCID: PMC6588926 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-019-1459-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A decade ago, the mixed reproductive strategy Asexual Queen Succession (AQS) was first described in termites. In AQS species, the workers, soldiers and dispersing reproductives are produced through sexual reproduction, while non-dispersing (neotenic) queens arise through automictic thelytokous parthenogenesis, replace the founding queen and mate with the founding king. As yet, AQS has been documented in six species from three lineages of lower (Rhinotermitidae) and higher (Termitinae: Termes group and Syntermitinae) termites. Independent evolution of the capacity of thelytoky as a preadaptation to AQS is supported by different mechanisms of automixis in each of the three clades. These pioneering discoveries prompt the question on the extent of thelytoky and AQS in the diversified family of higher termites. RESULTS Here, we investigated the capacity of thelytoky and occurrence of AQS in three species from the phylogenetic proximity of the neotropical AQS species Cavitermes tuberosus (Termitinae: Termes group): Palmitermes impostor, Spinitermes trispinosus, and Inquilinitermes inquilinus. We show that queens of all three species are able to lay unfertilized eggs, which undergo thelytokous parthenogenesis (via gamete duplication as in C. tuberosus) and develop through the transitional stage of aspirants into replacement neotenic queens. CONCLUSIONS The breeding system in P. impostor is very reminiscent of that described in C. tuberosus and can be characterized as AQS. In the remaining two species, our limited data do not allow classifying the breeding system as AQS; yet, also in these species the thelytokous production of neotenic females appears to be a systematic element of reproductive strategies. It appears likely that the capacity of thelytokous parthenogenesis evolved once in the Termes group, and may ultimately be found more widely, well beyond these Neotropical species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Hellemans
- Evolutionary Biology & Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50, CP 160/12, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Klára Dolejšová
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, CZ-166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Křivánek
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, CZ-166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Denis Fournier
- Evolutionary Biology & Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50, CP 160/12, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robert Hanus
- Chemistry of Social Insects, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, CZ-166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Yves Roisin
- Evolutionary Biology & Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50, CP 160/12, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium
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Vargo EL. Diversity of Termite Breeding Systems. INSECTS 2019; 10:E52. [PMID: 30759735 PMCID: PMC6409762 DOI: 10.3390/insects10020052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Termites are social insects that live in colonies headed by reproductive castes. The breeding system is defined by the number of reproductive individuals in a colony and the castes to which they belong. There is tremendous variation in the breeding system of termites both within and among species. The current state of our understanding of termite breeding systems is reviewed. Most termite colonies are founded by a primary (alate-derived) king and queen who mate and produce the other colony members. In some species, colonies continue throughout their life span as simple families headed by the original king and queen. In others, the primary king and queen are replaced by numerous neotenic (nymph- or worker-derived) reproductives, or less commonly primary reproductives, that are descendants of the original founding pair leading to inbreeding in the colony. In still others, colonies can have multiple unrelated reproductives due to either founding the colonies as groups or through colony fusion. More recently, parthenogenetic reproduction has shown to be important in some termite species and may be widespread. A major challenge in termite biology is to understand the ecological and evolutionary factors driving the variation in termite breeding systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward L Vargo
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Bantz A, Camon J, Froger JA, Goven D, Raymond V. Exposure to sublethal doses of insecticide and their effects on insects at cellular and physiological levels. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2018; 30:73-78. [PMID: 30553488 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Insecticides were used as pest management tools for a long time. The appearance of resistant insects has led the scientific community to rethink their use and to study the mechanisms underlying the resistance in order to circumvent it. However, we know now that sublethal doses of insecticide induce many effects which should be taken into account for pest control. In this review, we summarized current knowledge on mechanisms used by insects to deal with exposure to sublethal dose of insecticides. Physiological and cellular changes could contribute to the adaptation of the insect to its environment making the challenge of managing pests difficult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Bantz
- Laboratoire « Signalisation Fonctionnelle des Canaux Ioniques et Récepteurs » (SiFCIR), UPRES-EA2647 USC INRA 1330, SFR 4207 QUASAV, UFR Sciences, Université d'Angers, 2 Bld Lavoisier, 49045 Angers Cedex 01, France
| | - Jérémy Camon
- Laboratoire « Signalisation Fonctionnelle des Canaux Ioniques et Récepteurs » (SiFCIR), UPRES-EA2647 USC INRA 1330, SFR 4207 QUASAV, UFR Sciences, Université d'Angers, 2 Bld Lavoisier, 49045 Angers Cedex 01, France
| | - Josy-Anne Froger
- Laboratoire « Signalisation Fonctionnelle des Canaux Ioniques et Récepteurs » (SiFCIR), UPRES-EA2647 USC INRA 1330, SFR 4207 QUASAV, UFR Sciences, Université d'Angers, 2 Bld Lavoisier, 49045 Angers Cedex 01, France
| | - Delphine Goven
- Laboratoire « Signalisation Fonctionnelle des Canaux Ioniques et Récepteurs » (SiFCIR), UPRES-EA2647 USC INRA 1330, SFR 4207 QUASAV, UFR Sciences, Université d'Angers, 2 Bld Lavoisier, 49045 Angers Cedex 01, France
| | - Valérie Raymond
- Laboratoire « Signalisation Fonctionnelle des Canaux Ioniques et Récepteurs » (SiFCIR), UPRES-EA2647 USC INRA 1330, SFR 4207 QUASAV, UFR Sciences, Université d'Angers, 2 Bld Lavoisier, 49045 Angers Cedex 01, France.
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Tasaki E, Mitaka Y, Nozaki T, Kobayashi K, Matsuura K, Iuchi Y. High expression of the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 in long-lived termite kings. Aging (Albany NY) 2018; 10:2668-2683. [PMID: 30312170 PMCID: PMC6224230 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Aging is associated with the accumulation of DNA damage. High expression of DNA repair genes has been suggested to contribute to prolonged lifespan in several organisms. However, the crucial DNA repair genes contributing to longevity remain unknown. Termite kings have an extraordinary long lifespan compared with that of non-reproductive individuals such as workers despite being derived from the same genome, thus providing a singular model for identifying longevity-related genes. In this study, we demonstrated that termite kings express higher levels of the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 than other castes. Using RNA sequencing, we identified 21 king-specific genes among 127 newly annotated DNA repair genes in the termite Reticulitermes speratus. Using quantitative PCR, we revealed that some of the highly expressed king-specific genes were significantly upregulated in reproductive tissue (testis) compared to their expression in somatic tissue (fat body). Notably, BRCA1 gene expression in the fat body was more than 4-fold higher in kings than in workers. These results suggest that BRCA1 partly contributes to DNA repair in somatic and reproductive tissues in termite kings. These findings provide important insights into the linkage between BRCA1 gene expression and the extraordinary lifespan of termite kings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eisuke Tasaki
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
- Department of Applied Bioresources Chemistry, The United Graduate School of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
- Equal contribution
| | - Yuki Mitaka
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
- Equal contribution
| | - Tomonari Nozaki
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kobayashi
- Hokkaido Forest Research Station, Field Science Education and Research Center, Kyoto University, Hokkaido 088-2339, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Iuchi
- Department of Applied Bioresources Chemistry, The United Graduate School of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
- Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
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