Unknown

Dataset Information

0

A Pathway Analysis of Melanin Patterning in a Hemimetabolous Insect.


ABSTRACT: Diversity in insect pigmentation, encompassing a wide range of colors and spatial patterns, is among the most noticeable features distinguishing species, individuals, and body regions within individuals. In holometabolous species, a significant portion of such diversity can be attributed to the melanin synthesis genes, but this has not been formally assessed in more basal insect lineages. Here we provide a comprehensive analysis of how a set of melanin genes (ebony, black, aaNAT, yellow, and tan) contributes to the pigmentation pattern in a hemipteran, Oncopeltus fasciatus For all five genes, RNA interference depletion caused alteration of black patterning in a region-specific fashion. Furthermore, the presence of distinct nonblack regions in forewings and hindwings coincides with the expression of ebony and aaNAT in these appendages. These findings suggest that the region-specific phenotypes arise from regional employment of various combinations of the melanin genes. Based on this insight, we suggest that melanin genes are used in two distinct ways: a "painting" mode, using predominantly melanin-promoting factors in areas that generally lack black coloration, and, alternatively, an "erasing" mode, using mainly melanin-suppressing factors in regions where black is the dominant pigment. Different combinations of these strategies may account for the vast diversity of melanin patterns observed in insects.

SUBMITTER: Liu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4858788 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

altmetric image

Publications

A Pathway Analysis of Melanin Patterning in a Hemimetabolous Insect.

Liu Jin J   Lemonds Thomas R TR   Marden James H JH   Popadić Aleksandar A  

Genetics 20160316 1


Diversity in insect pigmentation, encompassing a wide range of colors and spatial patterns, is among the most noticeable features distinguishing species, individuals, and body regions within individuals. In holometabolous species, a significant portion of such diversity can be attributed to the melanin synthesis genes, but this has not been formally assessed in more basal insect lineages. Here we provide a comprehensive analysis of how a set of melanin genes (ebony, black, aaNAT, yellow, and tan  ...[more]

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC8626073 | biostudies-literature
2019-01-01 | GSE100429 | GEO
| S-EPMC9574632 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC3178182 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6711289 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4423117 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC3683158 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6140108 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6711282 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC3240953 | biostudies-literature