The molecular basis of scale development highlighted by a single-cell atlas of Bicyclus anynana butterfly pupal forewings

Cell Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 43(5), P. 114147 - 114147

Published: April 23, 2024

Butterfly wings display a diversity of cell types, including large polyploid scale cells, yet the molecular basis such is poorly understood. To explore at transcriptomic level, we employ single-cell RNA sequencing ∼5,200 cells (>6 μm) from 22.5- to 25-h male pupal forewings butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Using unsupervised clustering, followed by in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, and CRISPR-Cas9 editing candidate genes, annotate various types on wing. We identify genes marking non-innervated pheromone-producing glandular innervated sensory types. show that senseless, zinc-finger transcription factor, HR38, hormone receptor, determine identity, size, color different are important regulators differentiation. This dataset identification wing cell-type markers provide foundation compare diversification across arthropod species.

Language: Английский

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A micro-RNA is the effector gene of a classic evolutionary hotspot locus

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 12, 2024

In Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), a genomic region around the gene cortex is hotspot locus, repeatedly used to generate intraspecific melanic wing color polymorphisms across 100-million-years of evolution. However, identity effector regulating within this locus remains unknown. Here, we show that none four candidate protein-coding genes including cortex, serve as major effectors. Instead, micro-RNA (miRNA), mir-193, serves three deeply diverged lineages butterflies, its function conserved in Drosophila. Lepidoptera, mir-193 derived from gigantic long non-coding RNA, ivory, it functions by directly repressing multiple pigmentation genes. We miRNA can drive repeated instances adaptive evolution animals.

Language: Английский

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One genome, multiple phenotypes: decoding the evolution and mechanisms of environmentally induced developmental plasticity in insects

Biochemical Society Transactions, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 51(2), P. 675 - 689

Published: March 16, 2023

Plasticity in developmental processes gives rise to remarkable environmentally induced phenotypes. Some of the most striking and well-studied examples plasticity are seen insects. For example, beetle horn size responds nutritional state, butterfly eyespots enlarged response temperature humidity, environmental cues also give queen worker castes eusocial These phenotypes arise from essentially identical genomes an cue during development. Developmental is taxonomically widespread, affects individual fitness, may act as a rapid-response mechanism allowing individuals adapt changing environments. Despite importance prevalence plasticity, there remains scant mechanistic understanding how it works or evolves. In this review, we use key discuss what known about insects identify fundamental gaps current knowledge. We highlight working towards fully integrated diverse range species. Furthermore, advocate for comparative studies evo-devo framework address

Language: Английский

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A microRNA is the effector gene of a classic evolutionary hotspot locus

Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 386(6726), P. 1135 - 1141

Published: Dec. 5, 2024

In Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), the genomic region around gene cortex is a “hotspot” locus, repeatedly implicated in generating intraspecific melanic wing color polymorphisms across 100 million years of evolution. However, identity effector regulating within this locus remains unknown. We show that none four candidate protein-coding genes including , serve as major effectors. Instead, microRNA (miRNA), mir-193 serves three deeply diverged lineages butterflies, its role conserved Drosophila . Lepidoptera, derived from gigantic primary long noncoding RNA, ivory it functions by directly repressing multiple pigmentation genes. miRNA can drive repeated instances adaptive evolution animals.

Language: Английский

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The interplay between epigenomic and transcriptomic variation during ecotype divergence in stickleback

BMC Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 23(1)

Published: March 5, 2025

Populations colonizing contrasting environments are likely to undergo adaptive divergence and evolve ecotypes with locally adapted phenotypes. While diverse molecular mechanisms underlying ecotype have been identified, less is known about their interplay degree of divergence. Here we integrated epigenomic transcriptomic data explore the interactions among gene expression, alternative splicing, DNA methylation, microRNA expression gauge extent which patterns at four levels aligned in a case postglacial between marine freshwater nine-spined sticklebacks (Pungitius pungitius). Despite significant genome-wide associations variation, found largely non-parallel across levels, predominantly nonoverlapping (ranging from 43.40 87.98%) sets differentially expressed, spliced methylated genes, candidate genes targeted by expressed miRNA ecotypes. Furthermore, variation different mechanisms, differential methylation splicing showing highest lowest ecotypes, respectively. Finally, enrichment associated methylation. Our results suggest nuanced relationship processes, alignment level masking relatively independent effects on level.

Language: Английский

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Development time integrates temperature and host plant cues for eyespot size in three tropical satyrine butterflies

Journal of Insect Physiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 163, P. 104814 - 104814

Published: May 8, 2025

Language: Английский

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Genetic constraints in genes exhibiting splicing plasticity in facultative diapause

Heredity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 132(3), P. 142 - 155

Published: Jan. 30, 2024

Abstract Phenotypic plasticity is produced and maintained by processes regulating the transcriptome. While differential gene expression among most important of these processes, relatively little known about other sources transcriptional variation. Previous work suggests that alternative splicing plays an extensive functionally unique role in plasticity, though plastically spliced genes may be more constrained than remainder expressed genes. In this study, we explore relationship between along with genetic diversity those genes, ecologically consequential polyphenism: facultative diapause. Using 96 samples spread over two tissues 10 timepoints, compare extent diapausing direct developing pupae butterfly Pieris napi . Splicing differs strongly trajectories but alters a smaller set compared to expression. We further test hypothesis loci, are likely experience strongest purifying selection maintain seasonally plastic phenotypes. Genes changes through diapause consistently had lowest nucleotide diversity, effect was stronger were differentially just Further, strength negative higher population expressing every generation. Our results suggest maintenance molecular mechanisms involved progression, including post-transcriptional modifications, highly conserved constraints, especially northern populations P.

Language: Английский

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MicroRNAs in the developmental toolbox — a comparative approach to understanding their role in regulating insect development

Current Opinion in Insect Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 66, P. 101256 - 101256

Published: Aug. 28, 2024

Language: Английский

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Butterfly brains change in morphology and in gene splicing patterns after brief pheromone exposure

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 3, 2024

Abstract How insect brains differ between the sexes and respond to sex-specific pheromones is still not well understood. Here we briefly exposed female Bicyclus anynana butterflies wild type (Wt) modified male sex pheromone blends, previously shown modify females’ sexual preferences, examined how their were at morphological molecular levels, three days later. First, 3D-reconstructed of this species documented dimorphism in size seven 67 glomeruli present olfactory lobe. Then showed that several changed volume after blend exposures, implicating them perception. Finally, found a few genes differentially expressed but many more spliced naïve brains, naive blend-exposed brains. These are primarily calcium-binding channels RNA-binding genes, respectively. A learned preference for levels single component was linked variants proteins involved synaptic transmission. Our work shows gene splicing patterns brief, 3-minute, exposure produces slight changes brain large neural development, correlate with preferences females. Significance statement cues hot research topic. investigate from those males pheromones. We find sub-set lobe glomeruli, some also blends. In addition, hundreds splice variants, both before exposure. findings suggest different (splice variants) characterize brief can lead structure further altered butterflies.

Language: Английский

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Larval growth rate is not a major determinant of adult wing shape and eyespot size in the seasonally polyphenic butterfly Melanitis leda

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12, P. e18295 - e18295

Published: Oct. 16, 2024

Insects often show adaptive phenotypic plasticity where environmental cues during early stages are used to produce a phenotype that matches the environment experienced by adults. Many tropical satyrine butterflies (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) seasonally polyphenic and distinct wet- dry-season form adults, providing tight environment-phenotype matching in seasonal environments. In studied Mycalesina butterflies, forms can be induced laboratory growing larvae at low temperatures or on poor food quality. Since both these factors also tend reduce larval growth rate, rate may an internal cue translates into expression of phenotypes. If this is case, we predict slower-growing would more likely develop phenotype.

Language: Английский

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