Changes in gene DNA methylation and expression networks accompany caste specialization and age-related physiological changes in a social insect

Molecular Ecology
Claire MorandinAlexander S Mikheyev

Abstract

Social insects provide systems for studying epigenetic regulation of phenotypes, particularly with respect to differentiation of reproductive and worker castes, which typically arise from a common genetic background. The role of gene expression in caste specialization has been extensively studied, but the role of DNA methylation remains controversial. Here, we perform well replicated, integrated analyses of DNA methylation and gene expression in brains of an ant (Formica exsecta) with distinct female castes using traditional approaches (tests of differential methylation) combined with a novel approach (analysis of co-expression and co-methylation networks). We found differences in expression and methylation profiles between workers and queens at different life stages, as well as some overlap between DNA methylation and expression at the functional level. Large portions of the transcriptome and methylome are organized into "modules" of genes, some significantly associated with phenotypic traits of castes and developmental stages. Several gene co-expression modules are preserved in co-methylation networks, consistent with possible regulation of caste-specific gene expression by DNA methylation. Surprisingly, brain co-expression m...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 10, 2020·Neotropical Entomology·C Villagra, D Frías-Lasserre
Mar 9, 2021·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Megha MajoeVolker Nehring
Apr 20, 2020·Hormones and Behavior·D A FriedmanT A Linksvayer
Apr 20, 2021·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Benjamin P Oldroyd, Boris Yagound
May 12, 2021·Scientific Reports·Luiza Diniz Ferreira BorgesAna Maria Bonetti
Jul 9, 2021·International Journal of Biological Macromolecules·Saima KausarHongjuan Cui
Dec 4, 2021·Molecular Ecology Resources·Claire Morandin, Volker P Brendel

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