scholarly journals Histone acetylation regulates the expression of genes involved in worker reproduction in the ant Temnothorax rugatulus

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Choppin ◽  
Barbara Feldmeyer ◽  
Susanne Foitzik
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Histone Acetylation ◽  
Social Insects ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Worker Reproduction ◽  
Ovary Development ◽  
Chemical Inhibitors

Abstract Background In insect societies, queens monopolize reproduction while workers perform tasks such as brood care or foraging. Queen loss leads to ovary development and lifespan extension in workers of many ant species. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this phenotypic plasticity remain unclear. Recent studies highlight the importance of epigenetics in regulating plastic traits in social insects. Thus, we investigated the role of histone acetylation in regulating worker reproduction in the ant Temnothorax rugatulus. We removed queens from their colonies to induce worker fecundity, and either fed workers with chemical inhibitors of histone acetylation (C646), deacetylation (TSA), or the solvent (DMSO) as control. We monitored worker number for six weeks after which we assessed ovary development and sequenced fat body mRNA. Results Workers survived better in queenless colonies. They also developed their ovaries after queen removal in control colonies as expected, but not in colonies treated with the chemical inhibitors. Both inhibitors affected gene expression, although the inhibition of histone acetylation using C646 altered the expression of more genes with immunity, fecundity, and longevity functionalities. Interestingly, these C646-treated workers shared many upregulated genes with infertile workers from queenright colonies. We also identified one gene with antioxidant properties commonly downregulated in infertile workers from queenright colonies and both C646 and TSA-treated workers from queenless colonies. Conclusion Our results suggest that histone acetylation is involved in the molecular regulation of worker reproduction, and thus point to an important role of histone modifications in modulating phenotypic plasticity of life history traits in social insects.

scholarly journals Histone acetylation regulates the expression of genes involved in worker reproduction and lifespan in the ant Temnothorax rugatulus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Choppin ◽  
Barbara Feldmeyer ◽  
Susanne Foitzik
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Histone Acetylation ◽  
Social Insects ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Trichostatin A ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Worker Reproduction ◽  
Ovary Development ◽  
Chemical Inhibitors

In insect societies, the queen monopolizes reproduction while workers perform tasks such as brood care or foraging. Queen loss leads to ovary development and lifespan extension in workers from many ants. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this phenotypic plasticity remain unclear. Recent studies highlight the importance of epigenetics in regulating plastic traits in social insects. We investigated the role of histone acetylation in the regulation of worker reproduction in the ant Temnothorax rugatulus. We removed queens from their colonies to induce worker fecundity, and either fed workers with chemical inhibitors of histone acetylation (C646), deacetylation (Trichostatin A), or the solvent (DMSO) as control. We monitored worker number for six weeks after which we assessed ovary development and sequenced fat body mRNA. Workers survived better in queenless colonies and developed their ovaries after queen removal in control colonies as expected, but not in colonies treated with chemical inhibitors. Both inhibitors affected gene expression, although the inhibition of histone acetylation using C646 influenced the expression of more genes with immunity, fecundity, and longevity functionalities. Interestingly, these C646-treated workers shared many upregulated genes with infertile workers from queenright colonies. We also identified one gene with antioxidant properties commonly downregulated in infertile workers from queenright colonies and both C646 and TSA-treated workers from queenless colonies. Our results indicate that histone acetylation is involved in the molecular regulation of worker reproduction and lifespan, and thus point to an important role of histone modifications in modulating phenotypic plasticity of life history traits in social insects.

scholarly journals Histone acetylation regulates the expression of genes involved in worker reproduction and lifespan in the ant Temnothorax rugatulus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Choppin ◽  
Barbara Feldmeyer ◽  
Susanne Foitzik
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Histone Acetylation ◽  
Social Insects ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Trichostatin A ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Worker Reproduction ◽  
Ovary Development ◽  
Chemical Inhibitors

In insect societies, the queen monopolizes reproduction while workers perform tasks such as brood care or foraging. Queen loss leads to ovary development and lifespan extension in workers from many ants. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this phenotypic plasticity remain unclear. Recent studies highlight the importance of epigenetics in regulating plastic traits in social insects. We investigated the role of histone acetylation in the regulation of worker reproduction in the ant Temnothorax rugatulus. We removed queens from their colonies to induce worker fecundity, and either fed workers with chemical inhibitors of histone acetylation (C646), deacetylation (Trichostatin A), or the solvent (DMSO) as control. We monitored worker number for six weeks after which we assessed ovary development and sequenced fat body mRNA. Workers survived better in queenless colonies and developed their ovaries after queen removal in control colonies as expected, but not in colonies treated with chemical inhibitors. Both inhibitors affected gene expression, although the inhibition of histone acetylation using C646 influenced the expression of more genes with immunity, fecundity, and longevity functionalities. Interestingly, these C646-treated workers shared many upregulated genes with infertile workers from queenright colonies. We also identified one gene with antioxidant properties commonly downregulated in infertile workers from queenright colonies and both C646 and TSA-treated workers from queenless colonies. Our results indicate that histone acetylation is involved in the molecular regulation of worker reproduction and lifespan, and thus point to an important role of histone modifications in modulating phenotypic plasticity of life history traits in social insects.

scholarly journals MicroRNA-277 targetsinsulin-like peptides 7and8to control lipid metabolism and reproduction inAedes aegyptimosquitoes

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (38) ◽  
pp. E8017-E8024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Ling ◽  
Vladimir A. Kokoza ◽  
Changyu Zhang ◽  
Emre Aksoy ◽  
Alexander S. Raikhel
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Target Prediction ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Ovary Development ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Energy Store

Hematophagous female mosquitoes transmit numerous devastating human diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, and others. Because of their obligatory requirement of a vertebrate blood meal for reproduction, these mosquitoes need a lot of energy; therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms linking metabolism and reproduction is of particular importance. Lipids are the major energy store providing the fuel required for host seeking and reproduction. They are essential components of the fat body, a metabolic tissue that is the insect analog of vertebrate liver and adipose tissue. In this study, we found that microRNA-277 (miR-277) plays an important role in regulating mosquito lipid metabolism. The genetic disruption of miR-277 using the CRISPR-Cas9 system led to failures in both lipid storage and ovary development. miR-277 mimic injection partially rescued these phenotypic manifestations. Examination of subcellular localization of FOXO protein via CRISPR-assisted, single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide-mediated homology-directed repair revealed that insulin signaling is up-regulated in response to miR-277 depletion. In silico target prediction identified that insulin-like peptides 7 and 8 (ilp7andilp8) are putative targets of miR-277; RNA immunoprecipitation and a luciferase reporter assay confirmed thatilp7andilp8are direct targets of this miRNA. CRISPR-Cas9 depletion ofilp7andilp8led to metabolic and reproductive defects. These depletions identified differential actions of ILP7 and ILP8 in lipid homeostasis and ovarian development. Thus, miR-277 plays a critical role in mosquito lipid metabolism and reproduction by targetingilp7andilp8, and serves as a monitor to control ILP7 and ILP8 mRNA levels.

Molecular mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity in social insects

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 55-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Corona ◽  
Romain Libbrecht ◽  
Diana E Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Social Insects ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms

scholarly journals Dietary Melatonin Supplementation Could Be a Promising Preventing/Therapeutic Approach for a Variety of Liver Diseases

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Bonomini ◽  
Elisa Borsani ◽  
Gaia Favero ◽  
Luigi Rodella ◽  
Rita Rezzani
Keyword(s):  
Liver Diseases ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

In the therapeutic strategies, the role of diet is a well-established factor that can also have an important role in liver diseases. Melatonin, identified in animals, has many antioxidant properties and it was after discovered also in plants, named phytomelatonin. These substances have a positive effect during aging and in pathological conditions too. In particular, it is important to underline that the amount of melatonin produced by pineal gland in human decreases during lifetime and its reduction in blood could be related to pathological conditions in which mitochondria and oxidative stress play a pivotal role. Moreover, it has been indicated that melatonin/phytomelatonin containing foods may provide dietary melatonin, so their ingestion through balanced diets could be sufficient to confer health benefits. In this review, the classification of liver diseases and an overview of the most important aspects of melatonin/phytomelatonin, concerning the differences among their synthesis, their presence in foods and their role in health and diseases, are summarized. The findings suggest that melatonin/phytomelatonin supplementation with diet should be considered important in preventing different disease settings, in particular in liver. Currently, more studies are needed to strengthen the potential beneficial effects of melatonin/phytomelatonin in liver diseases and to better clarify the molecular mechanisms of action.

scholarly journals Epigenetic Influences on Plant Responses to the Environment [University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh]

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela L Vickman ◽  
Travis Smith ◽  
Hayley Vandenboom ◽  
Lisa A. Dorn
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Appropriate Behavior ◽  
Stressful Environment ◽  
University Of Wisconsin

Plants and animals may respond to changes in the environment at the molecular level by changing the amount of a gene product (a protein) to generate the appropriate behavior or physical structure (a phenotype) for that environment. For example, an extremely stressful environment can cause plants to reproduce immediately rather than waiting for conditions to improve. The molecular mechanisms for changing phenotype with environment (phenotypic plasticity) are not clear, however previous studies have shown plasticity may be the result of failing to change expression to maintain a phenotype or a deliberate change in expression altering the phenotype. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic plasticity, I am using a minION sequencing apparatus to re-sequence three inbred lines of Arabidopsis thaliana with extreme phenotypic plasticity differences and gene expression differences with the environment. I will specifically explore the role of methylated cytosines and adenines in gene expression.

scholarly journals Cell Heterogeneity and Phenotypic Plasticity in Metastasis Formation: The Case of Colon Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Teeuwssen ◽  
Riccardo Fodde
Keyword(s):  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Primary Site ◽  
Metastasis Formation ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Intermediate Phenotypes

The adenoma-to-carcinoma progression in colon cancer is driven by a sequential accumulation of genetic alterations at specific tumor suppressors and oncogenes. In contrast, the multistage route from the primary site to metastasis formation is underlined by phenotypic plasticity, i.e., the capacity of disseminated tumor cells to undergo transiently and reversible transformations in order to adapt to the ever-changing environmental contexts. Notwithstanding the considerable body of evidence in support of the role played by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)/mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) in metastasis, its rate-limiting function, the detailed underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, and the extension of the necessary morphologic and epigenetic changes are still a matter of debate. Rather than leading to a complete epithelial or mesenchymal state, the EMT/MET-program generates migrating cancer cells displaying intermediate phenotypes featuring both epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics. In this review, we will address the role of colon cancer heterogeneity and phenotypic plasticity in metastasis formation and the contribution of EMT to these processes. The alleged role of hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) in collective and/or single-cell migration during local dissemination at the primary site and more systemic spreading will also be highlighted.

scholarly journals Phenotypic Plasticity: From Theory and Genetics to Current and Future Challenges

Genetics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 215 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf J. Sommer
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Major Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Mechanistic Insight ◽  
Step Model ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Domains Of Life

Phenotypic plasticity is defined as the property of organisms to produce distinct phenotypes in response to environmental variation. While for more than a century, biologists have proposed this organismal feature to play an important role in evolution and the origin of novelty, the idea has remained contentious. Plasticity is found in all domains of life, but only recently has there been an increase in empirical studies. This contribution is intended as a fresh view and will discuss current and future challenges of plasticity research, and the need to identify associated molecular mechanisms. After a brief summary of conceptual, theoretical, and historical aspects, some of which were responsible for confusion and contention, I will formulate three major research directions and predictions for the role of plasticity as a facilitator of novelty. These predictions result in a four-step model that, when properly filled with molecular mechanisms, will reveal plasticity as a major factor of evolution. Such mechanistic insight must be complemented with comparative investigations to show that plasticity has indeed created novelty and innovation. Together, such studies will help develop a true developmental evolutionary biology.

scholarly journals The role of epigenetic regulation in adaptive phenotypic plasticity of plants

2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 347-359
Author(s):  
E.L. Kordyum ◽  
◽  
D.V. Dubyna ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Epigenetic Regulation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Model Species ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Adaptive Phenotypic Plasticity

In recent decades, knowledge about the role of epigenetic regulation of gene expression in plant responses to external stimuli and in adaptation of plants to adverse environmental fluctuations have extended significantly. DNA methylation is considered as the main molecular mechanism that provides genomic information and contributes to the understanding of the molecular basis of phenotypic variations based on epigenetic modifications. Unfortunately, the vast majority of research in this area has been performed on the model species Arabidopsis thaliana. The development of the methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) method has made it possible to implement the large-scale detection of DNA methylation alterations in wild non-model and agricultural plants with large and highly repetitive genomes in natural and manipulated habitats. The article presents current information on DNA methylation in species of natural communities and crops and its importance in plant development and adaptive phenotypic plasticity, along with brief reviews of current ideas about adaptive phenotypic plasticity and epigenetic regulation of gene expression. The great potential of further studies of the epigenetic role in phenotypic plasticity of a wide range of non-model species in natural populations and agrocenoses for understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant existence in the changing environment in onto- and phylogeny, directly related to the key tasks of forecasting the effects of global warming and crop selection, is emphasized. Specific taxa of the Ukrainian flora, which, in authors’ opinion, are promising and interesting for this type of research, are recommended.

scholarly journals The Role of Nutri(epi)genomics in Achieving the Body’s Full Potential in Physical Activity

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Petracci ◽  
Rosita Gabbianelli ◽  
Laura Bordoni
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Molecular Pathways ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Muscle Adaptation ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
The Right

Physical activity represents a powerful tool to achieve optimal health. The overall activation of several molecular pathways is associated with many beneficial effects, mainly converging towards a reduced systemic inflammation. Not surprisingly, regular activity can contribute to lowering the “epigenetic age”, acting as a modulator of risk toward several diseases and enhancing longevity. Behind this, there are complex molecular mechanisms induced by exercise, which modulate gene expression, also through epigenetic modifications. The exercise-induced epigenetic imprint can be transient or permanent and contributes to the muscle memory, which allows the skeletal muscle adaptation to environmental stimuli previously encountered. Nutrition, through key macro- and micronutrients with antioxidant properties, can play an important role in supporting skeletal muscle trophism and those molecular pathways triggering the beneficial effects of physical activity. Nutrients and antioxidant food components, reversibly altering the epigenetic imprint, have a big impact on the phenotype. This assigns a role of primary importance to nutri(epi)genomics, not only in optimizing physical performance, but also in promoting long term health. The crosstalk between physical activity and nutrition represents a major environmental pressure able to shape human genotypes and phenotypes, thus, choosing the right combination of lifestyle factors ensures health and longevity.

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