A molecular concept of caste in insect societies

Sumner, Seirian; Bell, Emily; Taylor, Daisy

doi:10.1016/j.cois.2017.11.010

Cited by 28 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…PhaseCore genes can predict phase status of new transcriptome profiles from various spatiotemporal scales with higher accuracy. This finding implied that these genes can be used as molecular markers to identify alternative phase phenotypes (Sumner et al, 2018). PhaseCore genes displayed specific gene attributes, which have been reported in several other species, such as caste-biased genes in social insects (higher CpG o/e (Elango et al, 2009), lower DNA methylation level (Patalano et al, 2015), faster evolution rate (Hunt et al, 2011), lower percentage of genes with annotated function (Ferreira et al, 2013), lower co-expression network connectivity (Morandin et al, 2016), sex-biased genes in fruit flies and mice (higher tissue-specific expression level (Meisel, 2011)), and morph-biased genes in pea aphids (faster evolution rate (Purandare et al, 2014)).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Core transcriptional signatures of phase change in the migratory locust

Yang

Wang

et al. 2019

Protein &Amp; Cell

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Phenotypic plasticity plays fundamental roles in successful adaptation of animals in response to environmental variations. Here, to reveal the transcriptome reprogramming in locust phase change, a typical phenotypic plasticity, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of multiple phase-related transcriptomic datasets of the migratory locust. We defined PhaseCore genes according to their contribution to phase differentiation by the adjustment for confounding principal components analysis algorithm (AC-PCA). Compared with other genes, PhaseCore genes predicted phase status with over 87.5% accuracy and displayed more unique gene attributes including the faster evolution rate, higher CpG content and higher specific expression level. Then, we identified 20 transcription factors (TFs) named PhaseCoreTF genes that are associated with the regulation of PhaseCore genes. Finally, we experimentally verified the regulatory roles of three representative TFs (Hr4, Hr46, and grh) in phase change by RNAi. Our findings revealed that core transcriptional signatures are involved in the global regulation of locust phase changes, suggesting a potential common mechanism underlying phenotypic plasticity in insects. The expression and network data are accessible in an online resource called LocustMine (http://www.locustmine. org:8080/locustmine).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Core transcriptional signatures of phase change in the migratory locust

Yang

Wang

et al. 2019

Protein &Amp; Cell

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“…Eusociality is a major evolutionary innovation that requires regulatory changes in a wide range of molecular pathways [1]. We tested the hypothesis that miRNAs play a role in the evolution of eusociality via their regulatory effects on gene networks by comparing miRNA expression in three eusocial and three solitary bee species from three families.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In its most basic form, this lifestyle involves reproductive queens living with their worker daughters who forego direct reproduction to cooperatively defend the nest, care for their siblings, and forage for the colony. Due to the complex nature of this lifestyle, the evolution of eusociality likely requires modification of molecular pathways related to development, behavior, neurobiology, physiology, and morphology [1]. The evolution of eusociality is thus expected to involve both genetic changes as well as changes in the way the genome responds to the environment [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brain microRNAs among social and solitary bees

Kapheim

Jones

Søvik

et al. 2019

Preprint

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37Evolutionary transitions to a social lifestyle in insects are associated with lineage-specific 38 changes in gene expression, but the key nodes that drive these regulatory changes are largely 39 unknown. We tested the hypothesis that changes in gene regulation associated with social 40 evolution are facilitated by lineage-specific function of microRNAs (miRNAs). Genome scans 41 across 12 bee species showed that miRNA copy-number is mostly conserved and not associated 42 with sociality. However, deep sequencing of small RNAs in six bee species revealed a 43 substantial proportion (20-35%) of detected miRNAs had lineage-specific expression in the 44 brain, 24-72% of which did not have homologs in other species. Lineage-specific miRNAs 45 disproportionately target lineage-specific genes, and have lower expression levels than shared 46 miRNAs. The predicted targets of lineage-specific miRNAs are enriched for genes related to 47 social behavior in social species, but they are not enriched for genes under positive selection. 48Together, these results suggest that novel miRNAs may contribute to lineage-specific patterns of 49 social evolution. Our analyses also support the hypothesis that many new miRNAs are purged by 50 selection due to deleterious effects on mRNA targets, and suggest genome structure is not as 51 influential in regulating bee miRNA evolution as has been shown for mammalian miRNAs. 52 53 specific 55 56 57Eusociality has evolved several times in the hymenopteran insects. In its most basic form, 58 this lifestyle involves reproductive queens living with their worker daughters who forego direct 59 reproduction to cooperatively defend the nest, care for their siblings, and forage for the colony. 60 Due to the complex nature of this lifestyle, the evolution of eusociality likely requires 61 modification of molecular pathways related to development, behavior, neurobiology, physiology, 62 and morphology [1]. The evolution of eusociality is thus expected to involve both genetic 63 changes as well as changes in the way the genome responds to the environment [2]. It is 64therefore unsurprising that recent studies aimed at identifying the genomic signatures of eusocial 65 evolution in insects have found that social species share an increased capacity for gene regulation 66 [3,4]. Evidence for this comes from signatures of rapid evolution of genes involved in 67 transcription and translation, gene family expansions of transcription factors, and increasing 68 potential for DNA methylation and transcription factor binding activity in conserved genes. 69Interestingly, while these types of regulatory changes are common to independent origins and 70 elaborations of eusociality, the specific genes and regulatory elements involved are unique to 71 each lineage [3][4][5]. This suggests that lineage-specific processes are influential in generating new 72 patterns of gene regulation that contribute to social behavior. 73 74 Small, non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) may be an important source of 75 regulatory novel...

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“…Species, representing each level of sociality, differ in their major life-history traits, means of communication and the degree of reproductive isolation. Because of such striking differences and due to recent advances in molecular genetics, it has been even suggested for the primitive social insects to substitute the term “cast” into “cooperative breeders” because the females are equipotential (Sumner et al 2018 ). The key traits of sociality itself, such as effective population size, level of genetic variation, and invasion success, confer several specific features on their conservation biology (Chapman and Bourke 2008 ).…”

Section: Social Insects: the Ecosystem Services Providers And Model Omentioning

confidence: 99%

Benefits of insect colours: a review from social insect studies

et al. 2020

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Insect colours assist in body protection, signalling, and physiological adaptations. Colours also convey multiple channels of information. These channels are valuable for species identification, distinguishing individual quality, and revealing ecological or evolutionary aspects of animals’ life. During recent years, the emerging interest in colour research has been raised in social hymenopterans such as ants, wasps, and bees. These insects provide important ecosystem services and many of those are model research organisms. Here we review benefits that various colour types give to social insects, summarize practical applications, and highlight further directions. Ants might use colours principally for camouflage, however the evolutionary function of colour in ants needs more attention; in case of melanin colouration there is evidence for its interrelation with thermoregulation and pathogen resistance. Colours in wasps and bees have confirmed linkages to thermoregulation, which is increasingly important in face of global climate change. Besides wasps use colours for various types of signalling. Colour variations of well chemically defended social insects are the mimetic model for unprotected organisms. Despite recent progress in molecular identification of species, colour variations are still widely in use for species identification. Therefore, further studies on variability is encouraged. Being closely interconnected with physiological and biochemical processes, insect colouration is a great source for finding new ecological indicators and biomarkers. Due to novel digital imaging techniques, software, and artificial intelligence there are emerging possibilities for new advances in this topic. Further colour research in social insects should consider specific features of sociality.

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A molecular concept of caste in insect societies

Cited by 28 publications

References 62 publications

Core transcriptional signatures of phase change in the migratory locust

Core transcriptional signatures of phase change in the migratory locust

Brain microRNAs among social and solitary bees

Benefits of insect colours: a review from social insect studies

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