Queen pheromone modulates the expression of epigenetic modifier genes in the brain of honeybee workers
Carlos Antônio Mendes Cardoso-Júnior, Isobel Ronai, Klaus Hartfelder, Benjamin P. Oldroyd
Abstract
), queen mandibular pheromone (QMP) is involved in the regulation of the reproductive and other behaviour of workers. The molecular mechanisms by which QMP acts are largely unknown. Here, we investigate how genes responsible for epigenetic modifications to DNA, RNA and histones respond to the presence of QMP in the environment. We show that several of these genes are upregulated in the honeybee brain when workers are exposed to artificial QMP. We propose that pheromonal communication systems, such as those used by social insects, evolved to respond to environmental signals by making use of existing epigenomic machineries.
Topics & Concepts
EusocialityBiologyPheromoneSex pheromoneEpigeneticsEpigenomicsGeneEvolutionary biologyHistoneGeneticsDNA methylationGene expressionEcologyHymenopteraInsect and Arachnid Ecology and BehaviorPlant and animal studiesInsect and Pesticide Research