Transcriptomic and Functional Analyses of Phenotypic Plasticity in a Higher Termite, Macrotermes barneyi Light

Sun, Pengdong and Li, Ganghua and Jian, Jianbo and Liu, Long and Chen, Junhui and Yu, Shuxin and Xu, Huan and Lei, Chaoliang and Zhou, Xuguo and Huang, Qiuying (2019) Transcriptomic and Functional Analyses of Phenotypic Plasticity in a Higher Termite, Macrotermes barneyi Light. Frontiers in Genetics, 10. ISSN 1664-8021

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Abstract

Eusocial termites have a complex caste system, which leads to the division of labor. Previous studies offered some insight into the caste differentiation in lower termites; however, few studies were focusing on the molecular mechanisms of higher termites with sophisticated societies. Comparative transcriptomic analyses of five immature castes of a higher termite, Macrotermes barneyi Light, suggest that phenotypic plasticity is modulated by an array of transcriptional changes, including differentially expressed genes (e.g., caste-biased genes Vtg and TnC), co-expression networks (e.g., genes associated with nymph reproduction), and alternative splicing (e.g., events related to muscle development in presoldiers). Transcriptional (RT-PCR and RT-qPCR) and functional (in vivo RNAi) validation studies reveal multiple molecular mechanisms contributing to the phenotypic plasticity in eusocial termites. Molecular mechanisms governing the phenotypic plasticity in M. barneyi could be a rule rather than an exception in the evolution of sociality.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: STM Digital Press > Medical Science
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email support@stmdigipress.com
Date Deposited: 09 Feb 2023 08:18
Last Modified: 21 May 2024 13:31
URI: http://publications.articalerewriter.com/id/eprint/216

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