Christopher B. Cunningham, Emily A. Shelby, Elizabeth C. McKinney, Alvin M. Simmons, Allen J. Moore, Patricia J. Moore
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The function of DNA methylation in insects and the DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) genes that influence methylation remains uncertain. We used RNA interference to reduce the gene expression of Dnmt1 within the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera:Aleyrodidae; Gennadius), a hemipteran species that relies on Dnmt1 for proper gametogenesis. We then used RNA-seq to test an a priori hypothesis that meiosis-related genetic pathways would be perturbed. We generally did not find an overall effect on meiosis-related pathways. However, we found that genes in the Wnt pathway, genes associated with the entry into meiosis in vertebrates, were differentially expressed. Our results are consistent with Dnmt1 knockdown influencing specific pathways and not causing general transcriptional response. This is a finding that is also seen with other insect species. We also characterised the methylome of B. tabaci and assessed the influence of Dnmt1 knockdown on cytosine methylation. This species has methylome characteristics comparable to other hemipterans regarding overall level, enrichment within gene bodies, and a bimodal distribution of methylated/non-methylated genes. Very little differential methylation was observed, and difference in methylation were not associated with differences in gene expression. The effect on Wnt presents an interesting new candidate pathway for future studies.
期刊介绍:
Insect Molecular Biology has been dedicated to providing researchers with the opportunity to publish high quality original research on topics broadly related to insect molecular biology since 1992. IMB is particularly interested in publishing research in insect genomics/genes and proteomics/proteins.
This includes research related to:
• insect gene structure
• control of gene expression
• localisation and function/activity of proteins
• interactions of proteins and ligands/substrates
• effect of mutations on gene/protein function
• evolution of insect genes/genomes, especially where principles relevant to insects in general are established
• molecular population genetics where data are used to identify genes (or regions of genomes) involved in specific adaptations
• gene mapping using molecular tools
• molecular interactions of insects with microorganisms including Wolbachia, symbionts and viruses or other pathogens transmitted by insects
Papers can include large data sets e.g.from micro-array or proteomic experiments or analyses of genome sequences done in silico (subject to the data being placed in the context of hypothesis testing).