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Transcriptomic analysis of epigenetic modification genes in the termite Reticulitermes speratus
Author(s) -
Mitaka Yuki,
Tasaki Eisuke,
Nozaki Tomonari,
Fuchikawa Taro,
Kobayashi Kazuya,
Matsuura Kenji
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
insect science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.991
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1744-7917
pISSN - 1672-9609
DOI - 10.1111/1744-7917.12640
Subject(s) - biology , epigenetics , eusociality , gene , dna methylation , transcriptome , histone , genetics , methyltransferase , histone methyltransferase , gene expression , epigenomics , methylation , zoology , hymenoptera
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.