Social context influences the expression of DNA methyltransferase genes in the honeybee

Cardoso-Júnior, Carlos Antônio Mendes; Eyer, Michael; Dainat, Benjamin; Hartfelder, Klaus; Dietemann, Vincent

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-29377-8

Cited by 12 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(58 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The expression of DNMTs changes with chronological age and is sensitive to diverse social stimuli that affect ageing in the honey bee (Holman et al . 2016; Cardoso-Junior et al . 2018) and ants (Holman et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Epigenetic mechanisms are a likely mediator between the social environment and global gene expression responses (Cardoso-Junior et al . 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2016), is affected by different social contexts in honey bees (Herb et al . 2012; Cardoso-Junior et al . 2018), suggesting that epigenetic alterations of DNA and RNA nucleotides are affected by environmental stimuli.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Queen pheromone modulates the expression of epigenetic modifier genes in the brain of honeybee workers

Junior

Ronai²,

Hartfelder³

et al. 2020

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Pheromones are used by many insects to mediate social interactions. In the highly eusocial honeybee (Apis mellifera) queen mandibular pheromone (QMP) is involved in the regulation of reproduction and 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. We show that several of these genes are upregulated in the honeybee brain when workers are exposed to QMP. This provides a plausible mechanism by which pheromone signalling may influence gene expression in the brain of honeybee workers. 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.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Epigenetic mechanisms are a likely mediator between the social environment and global gene expression responses (Cardoso-Junior et al . 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Queen pheromone modulates the expression of epigenetic modifier genes in the brain of honeybee workers

Junior

Ronai²,

Hartfelder³

et al. 2020

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Agonistic social encounters, in particular, are a source of physiological stress (Masis‐Calvo et al, ). In this regard, it has been shown that agonistic interactions affect DNA methylation patterns (i.e., Cardoso‐Júnior, Eyer, Dainat, Hartfelder, & Dietemann, ; Turecki & Meaney, ). Epigenetic changes lead phenotypic plasticity to adjust physiological responses to novel conditions (Duncan, Gluckman, & Dearden, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…DNA methylation patterns (i.e., Cardoso-Júnior, Eyer, Dainat, Hartfelder, & Dietemann, 2018;Turecki & Meaney, 2016).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to a competitive social environment activates an epigenetic mechanism that limits pheomelanin synthesis in zebra finches

Rodríguez‐Martínez

Galván

2019

Molecular Ecology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Competitive environments promote high testosterone levels, produce oxidative stress and, consequently, impair cellular homeostasis. The regulation of genes involved in the synthesis of the pigment pheomelanin in melanocytes seems to help to maintain homeostasis against environmental oxidative stress. Here, we experimentally increased social interactions in some zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) males by keeping them in groups of six birds during feather growth, while others were kept alone, to test if melanocytes show epigenetic lability under a competitive social environment. As these changes may depend on the oxidative status, we administrated buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) to decrease the antioxidant capacity of some birds. The competitive environment downregulated a gene involved in pheomelanin synthesis (Slc7a11) by changing the level of DNA methylation in feather melanocytes. In other genes involved in pheomelanin synthesis (Slc45a2, MC1R and AGRP), DNA methylation was also affected, but no changes in expression were detected. Exposure to the competitive environment did not affect systemic oxidative stress and damage, indicating that a protective epigenetic mechanism that changes the expression of Slc7a11 may have been activated. However, no changes to the pigmentation phenotype of birds were found, probably due to the short duration or low intensity of the competitive environment. BSO treatment did not affect the epigenetic mechanism, suggesting that the antioxidant capacity of birds was high enough to deal with the competitive environment. An epigenetic mechanism limiting pheomelanin synthesis therefore becomes activated under exposure to a competitive environment in male zebra finches, which may help to avoid damage caused by competitive interactions.

show abstract

Epigenetic Molecular Mechanisms in Insects

Villagra

Frías-Lasserre

2020

Neotrop Entomol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Social context influences the expression of DNA methyltransferase genes in the honeybee

Cited by 12 publications

References 37 publications

Queen pheromone modulates the expression of epigenetic modifier genes in the brain of honeybee workers

Queen pheromone modulates the expression of epigenetic modifier genes in the brain of honeybee workers

Exposure to a competitive social environment activates an epigenetic mechanism that limits pheomelanin synthesis in zebra finches

Epigenetic Molecular Mechanisms in Insects

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About