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Screening of genes expressed in developing mandibles during soldier differentiation in the termite Hodotermopsis sjostedti
Author(s) -
Koshikawa Shigeyuki,
Cornette Richard,
Hojo Masaru,
Maekawa Kiyoto,
Matsumoto Tadao,
Miura Toru
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2005.01.031
Subject(s) - biology , gene , ribosomal protein , cuticle (hair) , differential display , polymerase chain reaction , morphogenesis , ribosomal rna , botany , gene expression , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , rna , ribosome
We investigated the morphological changes accompanying soldier differentiation in the damp‐wood termite Hodotermopsis sjostedti . Genes expressed in the developing mandibles, which undergo the most remarkable morphological changes during soldier differentiation, were screened using fluorescent differential display. Database searches for sequence similarities were conducted and the relative expression levels were then quantified by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Among the identified candidate genes, 12 genes were upregulated during soldier differentiation. These included genes for cuticle proteins, nucleic acid binding proteins, ribosomal proteins and actin‐binding protein, which were inferred to be involved in caste‐specific morphogenesis in termites.