Project description:Butterfly wings display a diversity of cell types, including large polyploid scale cells, yet the molecular basis of such diversity is poorly understood. To explore scale cell diversity at a transcriptomic level, we employ single-cell RNA sequencing of ∼5,200 large cells (>6 μm) from 22.5- to 25-h male pupal forewings of the butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Using unsupervised clustering, followed by in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, and CRISPR-Cas9 editing of candidate genes, we annotate various cell types on the wing. We identify genes marking non-innervated scale cells, pheromone-producing glandular cells, and innervated sensory cell types. We show that senseless, a zinc-finger transcription factor, and HR38, a hormone receptor, determine the identity, size, and color of different scale cell types and are important regulators of scale cell differentiation. This dataset and the identification of various wing cell-type markers provide a foundation to compare and explore scale cell-type diversification across arthropod species.
Project description:Bicyclus anynana butterflies were reared at 17°C and 27°C to produce the dry and wet season forms. RNA was extracted using TRIzol from the heads of 12 individual animals ~0-3 hours after eclosing; 3 dry season females, 3 wet season females, 3 dry season males, and 3 wet season males. A TruSeq RNA Sample Preparation Kit v2 was used to make 12 double stranded cDNA libraries from polyadenylated RNA. We size selected for DNA at ~280-340 bp. Libraries were sequenced using a HiSeq 2500, paired end 100-cycle sequence run.
