Complex regulatory role of DNA methylation in caste- and age-specific expression of a termite.
Mark C Harrison, Elias Dohmen, Simon George, David Sillam-Dussès, Sarah Séité, Mireille Vasseur-Cognet
Author Information
Mark C Harrison: Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany. ORCID
Elias Dohmen: Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany. ORCID
Simon George: Biocampus, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France.
David Sillam-Dussès: University Sorbonne Paris Nord, Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Ethology (LEEC), UR4443, Villetaneuse, France. ORCID
Sarah Séité: UMR IRD 242, UPEC, CNRS 7618, UPMC 113, INRAE 1392, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, Paris 7 113, Bondy, France.
Mireille Vasseur-Cognet: UMR IRD 242, UPEC, CNRS 7618, UPMC 113, INRAE 1392, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, Paris 7 113, Bondy, France. ORCID
The reproductive castes of eusocial insects are often characterized by extreme lifespans and reproductive output, indicating an absence of the fecundity/longevity trade-off. The role of DNA methylation in the regulation of caste- and age-specific gene expression in eusocial insects is controversial. While some studies find a clear link to caste formation in honeybees and ants, others find no correlation when replication is increased across independent colonies. Although recent studies have identified transcription patterns involved in the maintenance of high reproduction throughout the long lives of queens, the role of DNA methylation in the regulation of these genes is unknown. We carried out a comparative analysis of DNA methylation in the regulation of caste-specific transcription and its importance for the regulation of fertility and longevity in queens of the higher termite . We found evidence for significant, well-regulated changes in DNA methylation in mature compared to young queens, especially in several genes related to ageing and fecundity in mature queens. We also found a strong link between methylation and caste-specific alternative splicing. This study reveals a complex regulatory role of fat body DNA methylation both in the division of labour in termites, and during the reproductive maturation of queens.
