Reframing Formalin: A Molecular Opportunity Enabling Historical Epigenomics and Retrospective Gene Expression Studies

Molecular Ecology Resources, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 2, 2025

Formalin preservation of museum specimens has long been considered a barrier to molecular research due extensive crosslinking and chemical modification. However, recent optimisation hot alkaline lysis proteinase K digestion DNA extraction methods have enabled growing number studies overcome these challenges conduct genome-wide re-sequencing targeted locus-specific sequencing. The newest, perhaps most unexpected utility formalin in archival samples is its ability preserve situ DNA-protein interactions at level. Retrieving this signal provides information about the relative compaction or accessibility genome transcriptional machinery required for gene expression. Thus, exposure essentially corresponds taking snapshot organism-wide expression time death. While methylation RNA-Seq analyses dried tissues provided glimpses into historical regulation, techniques were previously limited skeletal desiccated remains, offering only partial insights. By examining fluid-preserved specimens, tools can now be applied broader range tissues, enabling more detailed tissue-specific regulation profiling across vertebrates. In review, we chronicle use formaldehyde collections discuss how chromatin with assays like MNase-seq FAIRE-seq are surmounting fixation unlocking invaluable insights genomes profiles. deeper integration genetics bridges gap between past present vital tool that could help us predict mitigate some impacts future environmental change, novel pathogens, invasive species.

Язык: Английский

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Epigenomic Changes in Ostrinia Moths Under Elevated Pupal and Adult Temperature

Molecular Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Фев. 12, 2025

ABSTRACT Epigenetic changes in the methylation of DNA may occur response to environmental stressors, including warming climates. also play an important role regulating gene expression during both male and female reproduction many insect species. However, it is currently unknown how shifts when individuals are reproducing under warmer temperatures. We exposed European corn borer moths ( Ostrinia nubilalis ) heat pupal adult life stages then investigated across genome using enzymatic methyl‐seq (EM‐seq). compared patterns reproductive males females (28°C) those that experienced ambient temperature (23°C). found exposure led a small but significant increase percentage methylated CpG sites throughout sexes. rates were higher differential following localised unique regions each sex. In males, shifted within genes belonging pathways Hippo signalling, ubiquitin‐mediated proteolysis, damage repair spermatogenesis. females, occurred related histone modification oogenesis. Our results suggest respond moderate Lepidoptera provide insight into epigenetic responses heatwaves, suggesting novel be involved responding stress metamorphosis reproduction.

Язык: Английский

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The role of epigenetics in insects in changing environments

Insect Molecular Biology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 33(5), С. 429 - 431

Опубликована: Июль 18, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Heat‐stress memory enhances the acclimation of a migratory insect pest to global warming

Molecular Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 33(17)

Опубликована: Авг. 12, 2024

In the face of rising global temperatures, mechanisms behind an organism's ability to acclimate heat stress remain enigmatic. The rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, traditionally viewed as temperature-sensitive, paradoxically exhibits robust larval acclimation stress. This study used heat-acclimated strain HA39, developed through multigenerational exposure 39°C during stage, and unacclimated HA27 reared at 27°C unravel transgenerational effects its regulatory mechanisms. Heat for larvae incurred a fitness cost in pupae when exposed high temperature, yet significant effect surfaced, revealing heightened benefit from even without additional recovery 27°C. exhibited short-term memory, diminishing after two generations. Moreover, correlated with increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity expression levels oxidoreductase genes, representing physiological molecular foundations acclimation. Heat-acclimated displayed elevated DNA methylation levels, while generations, decreased indicated by upregulation demethylase gene downregulation methyltransferase genes temperatures. summary, induces methylation, orchestrating heat-stress memory influencing SOD activity. Heat-stress enhances migratory insect pest warming.

Язык: Английский

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