A long non-coding RNA is a key factor in the evolution of insect eusociality

Abstract

SUMMARYInsect sociality is a major evolutionary transition based on the suppression of worker reproduction in favor of the reproductive monopoly of the queen. In the honey bee (Apis mellifera) model organism, the development of the two female caste phenotypes, queen and worker, is triggered by differences in their larval diets. However, the mechanistic details underlying their respective developmental trajectories, as well as the maintenance of sterility in the adult workers, are still not fully understood. Here we show that the long non-coding RNA lncov1 interacts with the Tudor staphylococcus nuclease (Tudor-SN) protein to form a regulatory module that promotes apoptosis in the ovaries of worker larvae. In adult workers, the lncov1/Tudor-SN module responds positively to environmental cues that suppress reproductive capacity. As lncov1 is considerably conserved in the Apidae, we propose that, by promoting worker sterility, the lncov1/Tudor-SN module has likely played critical roles in the social evolution of bees.

Unique spatially and temporary-regulated/sex-specific expression of a long ncRNA, Nb-1, suggesting its pleiotropic functions associated with honey bee lifecycle

“…Previous studies have identified several lncRNAs in honey bees 32 – 36 , including Nurse bee brain-selective gene-1 ( Nb-1) 35 . Recent genome-wide transcriptome analyses have comprehensively identified many lncRNAs in honey bees 37 – 41 .…”

Regulatory roles of long non-coding RNAs in short-term heat stress in adult worker bees

“…Currently, research on the function and mechanism of lncRNA is mainly focused on a few model organisms such as humans [11][12][13]. Although the transcriptomic analysis of honeybees provides insights into potential gene regulatory networks [17][18][19], only a few specific genes exhibit functional characteristics [23]. The functional aspects and mechanisms of lncRNA in bees remain largely unknown.…”