Epigenetic Underpinnings of Freeze Tolerance in the Goldenrod Gall Fly Eurosta Solidaginis and the Goldenrod Gall Moth Epiblema Scudderiana

Williamson, Sam M.

doi:10.22215/etd/2017-11819

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 149 publications

(347 reference statements)

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“…Not surprisingly, acetyl-histone levels were depressed for most investigated marks (H3K9ac, H3K14ac, H3K27ac, H4K8ac) following prolonged larval freezing (Figure 3). This is strongly indicative of heterochromatic structures and a suppressed transcriptional state, and aligns with Eurosta epigenetic research during shorter freezing timepoints [50]. MRD-mediated reductions in histone acetyl marks (particularly H3K9ac and H3K23ac) have been observed recently, primarily in animal responses to anoxia [7,51] and during ground squirrel hibernation, both being hypometabolic states [8,52].…”

Section: Freeze Exposure Triggers Reductions In Many Transcriptionall...supporting

confidence: 82%

Histone H3 and H4 Modifications Point to Transcriptional Suppression as a Component of Winter Freeze Tolerance in the Gall Fly Eurosta solidaginis

Bloskie

Storey

2023

IJMS

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The goldenrod gall fly (Eurosta solidaginis) is a well-studied model of insect freeze tolerance. In situations of prolonged winter subzero temperatures, larvae of E. solidaginis accept ice penetration throughout extracellular spaces while protecting the intracellular environment by producing extreme amounts of glycerol and sorbitol as cryoprotectants. Hypometabolism (diapause) is implemented, and energy use is reprioritized to essential pathways. Gene transcription is one energy-expensive process likely suppressed over the winter, in part, due to epigenetic controls. The present study profiled the prevalence of 24 histone H3/H4 modifications of E. solidaginis larvae after 3-week acclimations to decreasing environmental temperatures (5 °C, −5 °C and −15 °C). Using immunoblotting, the data show freeze-mediated reductions (p < 0.05) in seven permissive histone modifications (H3K27me1, H4K20me1, H3K9ac, H3K14ac, H3K27ac, H4K8ac, H3R26me2a). Along with the maintenance of various repressive marks, the data are indicative of a suppressed transcriptional state at subzero temperatures. Elevated nuclear levels of histone H4, but not histone H3, were also observed in response to both cold and freeze acclimation. Together, the present study provides evidence for epigenetic-mediated transcriptional suppression in support of the winter diapause state and freeze tolerance of E. solidaginis.

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Section: Freeze Exposure Triggers Reductions In Many Transcriptionall...supporting

confidence: 82%

Histone H3 and H4 Modifications Point to Transcriptional Suppression as a Component of Winter Freeze Tolerance in the Gall Fly Eurosta solidaginis

Bloskie

Storey

2023

IJMS

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“…Organisms respond to changes in environmental temperature by activating stress response mechanisms. Studies suggest that epigenetic enzymes play a vital role in arthropod cold hardiness (70). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the response of DNA methyltransferases of D. silvarum and H. longicornis ticks to cold stress.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…The protein expression level was down-regulated after 3 days of cold treatment but was up-regulated with the extension of treatment time for both the Dnmts of D. silvarum and H. longicornis. Similarly, a study observed that cold and subzero temperature exposure in Eurosta solidaginis (goldenrod gall fly) resulted in the upregulation of several DNA methyltransferases (70). The down-regulation and up-regulation due to temperature variations is a confirmation of the thermal plasticity of Dnmt expression which is reflected in the corresponding protein expression.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

DNA Methyltransferases Contribute to Cold Tolerance in Ticks Dermacentor silvarum and Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae)

et al. 2021

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DNA methylation, mediated by DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts), is a typical epigenetic process that plays an important role in affecting organism acclimatization and adaptation to environmental changes. However, information about Dnmts and their associations with the cold tolerance of ticks remains meager. Hence, in the present study, the Dnmts in important vector ticks Dermacentor silvarum and Haemaphysalis longicornis were cloned and identified, and their functions in cold response were further explored. Results showed that the length of DsDnmt and DsDnmt1 in D. silvarum, and HlDnmt1 and HlDnmt in H. longicornis were 1,284, 549, 1,500, and 1,613 bp, respectively. Bioinformatics in protein analysis revealed that they were all unstable hydrophilic proteins and were mainly characterized with Dcm (DNA cytosine methyltransferase domain), Dnmt1-RFD (DNA methyltransferase replication foci domain), zf-CXXC (zinc finger-CXXC domain), and BAH (Bromo adjacent homology domain). The relative expression of these Dnmts was reduced after cold treatment for 3 days (P < 0.05), and increased with the extension of treatment. Western blot revealed that Dnmt1 decreased first and then increased significantly (P < 0.05) in both tick species, whereas other Dnmts fluctuated at varying degrees. RNA interference significantly silenced the genes Dnmts (P < 0.01), and mortality increased significantly (P < 0.05), when exposed to sub-lethal temperature, underscoring the important roles of Dnmts during the cold response of D. silvarum and H. longicornis. The above results lay the foundation for further understanding of the epigenetic regulation of DNA methylation in cold acclimatization and adaptation of ticks.

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“…The role of epigenetic responses to cold stress in animal study systems has been less described, although epigenetic modifications have a strong role in initiating and maintaining animal cold acclimation or coping style strategies. For example, differential expression of dnmt, histone acetyltransferase and demethylation enzymes following freeze treatment in the freeze-tolerant goldenrod gall fly (Eurosta solidaginis) and the goldenrod gall moth (Epiblema scudderiana) suggests epigenetic regulation is an essential mechanism involved in freeze survival strategies (Williamson 2017). Investigating the epigenetic marks associated with key genes involved in these strategies would further prove the role of epigenetics in freeze tolerance in these species.…”

Section: Cold Stress Responsementioning

confidence: 99%

Epigenetic Responses to Temperature and Climate

McCaw

Stevenson

Lancaster

2020

Integrative and Comparative Biology

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Epigenetics represents a widely accepted set of mechanisms for how organisms respond to the environment by regulating phenotypic plasticity and life history transitions. Understanding the effects of environmental control on phenotypes and fitness, via epigenetic mechanisms, is essential for understanding the ability of organisms to rapidly adapt to environmental change. This review highlights the significance of environmental temperature on epigenetic control of phenotypic variation, with the aim of furthering our understanding of how epigenetics might help or hinder species’ adaptation to climate change. It outlines how epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and histone/chromatin modification, i) respond to temperature and regulate thermal stress responses in different kingdoms of life, ii) regulate temperature-dependent expression of key developmental processes and seasonal phenotypes, iii) facilitate transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of thermal adaptation, iv) adapt populations to local and global climate gradients and finally v) facilitate in biological invasions. Although the evidence points towards a conserved role of epigenetics in responding to temperature change, there appears to be an element of temperature- and species-specificity in the specific effects of temperature change on epigenetic modifications and resulting phenotypic responses. The review identifies areas of future research in epigenetic responses to environmental temperature change.

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Epigenetic Underpinnings of Freeze Tolerance in the Goldenrod Gall Fly Eurosta Solidaginis and the Goldenrod Gall Moth Epiblema Scudderiana

Abstract: Epigenetic underpinnings of freeze tolerance in the goldenrod gall fly Eurosta solidaginis and the goldenrod gall moth Epiblema scudderiana

Cited by 7 publications

References 149 publications

Histone H3 and H4 Modifications Point to Transcriptional Suppression as a Component of Winter Freeze Tolerance in the Gall Fly Eurosta solidaginis

Histone H3 and H4 Modifications Point to Transcriptional Suppression as a Component of Winter Freeze Tolerance in the Gall Fly Eurosta solidaginis

DNA Methyltransferases Contribute to Cold Tolerance in Ticks Dermacentor silvarum and Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae)

Epigenetic Responses to Temperature and Climate

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