Dataset Information

Neurogenomic Signatures of Successes and Failures in Life-History Transitions in a Key Insect Pollinator.

ABSTRACT: Life-history transitions require major reprogramming at the behavioral and physiological level. Mating and reproductive maturation are known to trigger changes in gene transcription in reproductive tissues in a wide range of organisms, but we understand little about the molecular consequences of a failure to mate or become reproductively mature, and it is not clear to what extent these processes trigger neural as well as physiological changes. In this study, we examined the molecular processes underpinning the behavioral changes that accompany the major life-history transitions in a key pollinator, the bumblebee Bombus terrestris. We compared neuro-transcription in queens that succeeded or failed in switching from virgin and immature states, to mated and reproductively mature states. Both successes and failures were associated with distinct molecular profiles, illustrating how development during adulthood triggers distinct molecular profiles within a single caste of a eusocial insect. Failures in both mating and reproductive maturation were explained by a general up-regulation of brain gene transcription. We identified 21 genes that were highly connected in a gene coexpression network analysis: nine genes are involved in neural processes and four are regulators of gene expression. This suggests that negotiating life-history transitions involves significant neural processing and reprogramming, and not just changes in physiology. These findings provide novel insights into basic life-history transitions of an insect. Failure to mate or to become reproductively mature is an overlooked component of variation in natural systems, despite its prevalence in many sexually reproducing organisms, and deserves deeper investigation in the future.

SUBMITTER: Manfredini F

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5714134 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Neurogenomic Signatures of Successes and Failures in Life-History Transitions in a Key Insect Pollinator.

Manfredini Fabio F Romero Alfonso E AE Pedroso Inti I Paccanaro Alberto A Sumner Seirian S Brown Mark J F MJF

Genome biology and evolution 20171101 11

Life-history transitions require major reprogramming at the behavioral and physiological level. Mating and reproductive maturation are known to trigger changes in gene transcription in reproductive tissues in a wide range of organisms, but we understand little about the molecular consequences of a failure to mate or become reproductively mature, and it is not clear to what extent these processes trigger neural as well as physiological changes. In this study, we examined the molecular processes u ...[more]

PMID: 29087523

Similar Datasets

Project description:The switch between biological states during key life-history transitions requires major reprogramming at the behavioural level that is under the control of the brain. In this study we focused on major life-history transitions in bumblebee queens (Bombus terrestris) that involve switching from virgin to mated and reproductively mature. To reveal the molecular processes underpinning the behavioural changes that accompany these transitions, we characterised the neurogenomic state of queens that succeeded or failed in making these transitions. Analyses of shared transcription patterns suggested that failures are associated with larger molecular signatures than successes. This was observed at the level of total numbers of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and proportions of these genes that were up-regulated, and applies to both mating and reproductive maturation. ‘Failed Reproductive’ queens were the most distinct phenotype, associated with the highest number of DEGs (1,578) and two networks of co-expressed genes. Mating status influenced gene expression the least, followed by the transition between the two successful phenotypes (mating to reproductive maturation) and reproductive maturation. However, this pattern was not mirrored in terms of functional specialisations, for Gene Ontology (GO) terms, KEGG pathways and co-expression networks associated with DEGs. Out of the 21 highly connected (hub) genes associated with co-expression networks, 9 are involved in neural processes and 4 are regulators of gene expression. This study shows that different life-history transitions trigger distinct molecular profiles, within a single caste of a eusocial insect. Failure to surmount key life-history transitions has the largest effect on a queen’s neurogenomic state, and it triggers a massive overall up-regulation of gene expression. Hence, failure is an important outcome that must be taken into account when analysing the molecular regulation of important life-history transitions.

Dataset Information

Neurogenomic Signatures of Successes and Failures in Life-History Transitions in a Key Insect Pollinator.

Publications

Neurogenomic Signatures of Successes and Failures in Life-History Transitions in a Key Insect Pollinator.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets