PLoS ONE,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
19(10), P. e0311836 - e0311836
Published: Oct. 7, 2024
To
understand
the
mechanisms
underlying
social
evolution
and
caste
development
in
insects,
caste-specific
organs
genes
should
be
investigated.
In
rhinotermitid
termite,
Reticulitermes
speratus
,
lipocalin
gene
RS008881
which
encodes
a
protein
transporter,
is
expressed
ovarian
accessory
glands
of
primary
queens.
obtain
additional
data
on
its
expression
product
localization,
we
conducted
real-time
quantitative
polymerase
chain
reaction
assays
using
peptide
antibody.
Gene
analysis
castes
revealed
that
was
highly
female
secondary
reproductives.
Further
during
reproductive
differentiation
showed
levels
increased
prior
to
molting
into
individuals,
even
winged
imago
(alates)
stage.
Western
blotting
fluorescent
immunohistochemical
staining
localized
ovary
as
well
eggshells
produced
by
may
play
significant
role
biology
R
.
;
localization
both
eggshell
suggests
multiple
functions
related
embryo
protection
potential
pheromone
interactions.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
291(2023)
Published: May 1, 2024
Genetic
changes
that
enabled
the
evolution
of
eusociality
have
long
captivated
biologists.
More
recently,
attention
has
focussed
on
consequences
genome
evolution.
Studies
reported
higher
molecular
evolutionary
rates
in
eusocial
hymenopteran
insects
compared
with
their
solitary
relatives.
To
investigate
genomic
termites,
we
analysed
nine
genomes,
including
newly
sequenced
genomes
from
three
non-eusocial
cockroaches.
Using
a
phylogenomic
approach,
found
termite
experienced
lower
synonymous
substitutions
than
those
cockroaches,
possibly
as
result
longer
generation
times.
We
identified
non-synonymous
cockroach
and
pervasive
relaxed
selection
former
(24–31%
genes
analysed)
latter
(2–4%).
infer
this
is
due
to
reductions
effective
population
size,
rather
gene-specific
effects
(e.g.
indirect
caste-biased
genes).
no
obvious
signature
increased
genetic
load
postulate
efficient
purging
deleterious
alleles
at
colony
level.
Additionally,
adaptations
may
underpin
caste
differentiation,
such
involved
post-translational
modifications.
Our
results
provide
insights
into
termites
more
broadly.
Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B Molecular and Developmental Evolution,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 17, 2025
ABSTRACT
Termites
are
eusocial
cockroaches,
but
the
crucial
distinctions
in
gene
expression
during
evolution
of
eusociality
remain
unclear.
One
reason
for
lack
this
information
is
that
comparative
transcriptome
analysis
termites
with
their
sister
group,
cockroach
genus
Cryptocercus
,
has
not
been
conducted.
We
identified
genes
associated
three
vital
hormones
(juvenile
hormone
[JH],
20‐hydoroxyecdysone
[20E],
and
insulin)
from
genome
sequence
punctulatus
conducted
RNA‐seq
using
heads
female/male
adults
nymphs
to
elucidate
levels.
The
comprehensive
revealed
a
multitude
exhibiting
differences
between
developmental
stages
rather
than
sexes.
Subsequently,
we
compared
patterns
each
hormone‐related
by
combining
results
previous
study
on
castes
(reproductives,
workers,
soldiers)
termite
Reticulitermes
speratus
.
indicated
among
R.
particularly
those
related
JH
20E,
were
significantly
more
abundant
C.
While
no
significant
difference
was
observed
number
within
insulin
signaling
pathway,
trend
homologs
highly
expressed
adult
woodroaches
observed,
positive
negative
regulators
pathway
differed
nymphs.
believed
reflect
variations
levels
activities
juveniles,
latter
encompassing
workers
soldiers
case
termites.
Insects,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
16(3), P. 325 - 325
Published: March 19, 2025
Termites
are
eusocial
insects
with
functionally
specialized
workers
and
soldiers,
both
sharing
the
same
genotype.
Additionally,
lower
termites
host
flagellates
in
their
hindguts
that
assist
wood
digestion.
However,
worker-biased
soldier-biased
gene
expression
patterns
of
host–flagellate
symbiotic
system
remain
underexplored
most
taxonomic
groups.
In
this
study,
we
sequenced
high-depth
transcriptomes
from
soldiers
a
termite,
Neotermes
binovatus
(Kalotermitidae),
to
investigate
differentially
expressed
termite
transcripts,
flagellate
transcript
abundance,
co-expression
pairs
castes.
The
transcripts
were
enriched
functions
related
cuticle
development,
nervous
regulation,
pheromone
biosynthesis,
metabolism,
whereas
predominantly
involved
muscle
development
kinesis,
body
morphogenesis,
protein
modification,
aggression.
Flagellate
orders
Cristamonadida,
Trichomonadida,
Tritrichomonadida,
Oxymonadida
identified
abundance
tending
be
higher
than
soldiers.
Furthermore,
observed
much
larger
number
strong
correlations
between
suggesting
possibility
depend
more
on
food
processed
by
worker
holobionts
own
system.
This
research
provides
insights
into
functional
specialization
soldier
castes
termites,
supporting
workers’
roles
nest
maintenance,
preliminary
processing,
communication,
while
emphasizing
defensive
role
it
offers
new
perspectives
potential
termite-flagellate
interactions
underscores
need
for
whole-genome
data
further
studies.
Scientific Reports,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
13(1)
Published: May 24, 2023
Acquisition
of
novel
functions
caused
by
gene
duplication
may
be
important
for
termite
social
evolution.
To
clarify
this
possibility,
additional
evidence
is
needed.
An
example
takeout,
encoding
juvenile
hormone
binding
protein.
We
identified
25
takeouts
in
the
Reticulitermes
speratus
genome.
RNA-seq
revealed
that
many
genes
were
highly
expressed
specific
castes.
Two
paralogs
(RsTO1,
RsTO2)
tandemly
aligned
same
scaffold.
Real-time
qPCR
indicated
RsTO1
and
RsTO2
queens
soldiers,
respectively.
Moreover,
highest
expression
was
observed
alates
during
queen
formation.
These
patterns
different
from
vitellogenins,
egg-yolk
precursors,
which
than
alates.
In
situ
hybridization
showed
mRNA
localized
alate-frontal
gland,
indicating
binds
with
secretions
probably
used
defence
swarming
flight.
contrast,
increased
approximately
1
week
after
soldier
differentiation.
Expression
geranylgeranyl
diphosphate
synthase,
whose
product
terpenoid
synthesis,
similar
to
expression.
RsTO2-specific
signals
soldier-frontal
gland.
interact
terpenoids,
a
soldier-specific
defensive
function.
It
provide
functionalization
termites.
Frontiers in Insect Science,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
3
Published: May 9, 2023
Unveiling
the
proximate
mechanism
of
caste
differentiation
is
crucial
for
understanding
insect
social
evolution,
and
gene
function
analysis
an
important
tool
in
this
endeavor.
The
RNA
interference
(RNAi)
technique
useful
termites,
but
its
knockdown
effects
may
differ
among
species.
One
most
model
species
field
termite
sociogenomics
Reticulitermes
speratus
Kolbe
(Isoptera:
Rhinotermitidae).
Presoldier
worker
can
be
artificially
induced
by
juvenile
hormone
20-hydroxyecdysone
application,
respectively.
However,
appropriate
RNAi
genes
expressed
during
has
never
been
considered.
To
clarify
issue,
first,
we
injected
nine
different
volumes
nuclease-free
water
(NFW,
0–404.8
nL)
into
workers
found
that
survival
rates
were
strongly
reduced
application
top
three
largest
volumes.
Second,
double-stranded
(ds)
ecdysone
receptor
homolog
(
RsEcR
)
(2.0
µg/151.8
nL
NFW)
with
treatments.
expression
levels
significantly
at
9
days
after
dsRNA
injection.
affected
both
molting
events
presoldier
present
results
highlight
need
caution
regarding
injection
experiments
using
We
suggest
solution
(2
µg;
approximately
100–200
suitable
R.
.
