Sociality and DNA methylation are not evolutionary dependent
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ABSTRACT: DNA methylation is an important chromatin modification that is necessary for the structural integrity and proper regulation of the genome for many species. Despite its conservation across the tree of life, little is known about its contribution to complex traits. Reports that differences in DNA methylation between castes in closely related Hymenopteran insects (ants, bees and wasps) contributes to social behaviors has generated hypotheses on the role of DNA methylation in governing social behavior. However, social behavior has evolved multiple times across insecta, and a common role of DNA methylation in social behavior remains outstanding. Using phylogenetic comparative methods we sought to better understand patterns of DNA methylation and social behavior across insects. DNA methylation can be found in social and solitary insects from all orders, except Diptera (flies), which suggests a shared loss of DNA methylation within this order. The lack of DNA methylation is reflected in the absence of the maintenance and de novo DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) 1 and 3, respectively. Interestingly, DNA methylation is found in species without DNMT3. DNA methylation and social behavior (social/solitary) or with division of labor (caste+/caste–) for 123 insect species analyzed from 11 orders are not evolutionary dependent, which is further supported by sequencing of DNA methylomes from 40 species.
ORGANISM(S): Blattella asahinai Heliothis virescens Blaptica dubia Reticulitermes flavipes Aedes atropalpus Acyrthosiphon pisum Cryptocercus garciai Anastrepha suspensa Pemphigus populicaulis Aedes aegypti Pemphigus populitransversus Pemphigus obesinymphae Polistes carolina Eublaberus posticus Helicoverpa zea Blattella germanica Aedes albopictus Microplitis demolitor Microplitis mediator Aphidius ervi Culex quinquefasciatus Reticulitermes virginicus Chrysodeixis includens Aphis craccivora Rhyparobia maderae Periplaneta americana Anopheles gambiae Toxorhynchites amboinensis Pyractomena borealis Copidosoma floridanum
PROVIDER: GSE83497 | GEO | 2017/02/02
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA326247
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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