DNA methylation affects the lifespan of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) workers - Evidence for a regulatory module that involves vitellogenin expression but is independent of juvenile hormone function

Author(s)

Cardoso-Junior, Carlos A. M. ^[1] ; Guidugli-Lazzarini, Karina R. ^[1] ; Hartfelder, Klaus ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol Celular Mol & Bioagentes Patogen, Ave Bandeirantes 3900, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; v. 92, p. 21-29, JAN 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

Abstract

The canonic regulatory module for lifespan of honey bee (Apis mellifera) workers involves a mutual repressor relationship between juvenile hormone OH) and vitellogenin (Vg). Compared to vertebrates, however, little is known about a possible role of epigenetic factors. The full genomic repertoire of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) makes the honey bee an attractive emergent model for studying the role of epigenetics in the aging process of invertebrates, and especially so in social insects. We first quantified the transcript levels of the four DNMTs encoding genes in the head thorax and abdomens of workers of different age, showing that dnmtla and dnmt3 expression is up-regulated in abdomens of old workers, whereas dnmtlb and drunt2 are down-regulated in heads of old workers. Pharmacological genome demethylation by RG108 treatment caused an increase in worker lifespan. Next, we showed that the genomic DNA methylation status indirectly affects vitellogenin gene expression both in vitro and in vivo in young workers, and that this occurs independent of caloric restriction or JH levels, suggesting that a non-canonical circuitry may be acting in parallel with the JH/Vg module to regulate the adult life cycle of honey bee workers. Our data provide evidence that epigenetic factors play a role in regulatory networks associated with complex life history traits of a social insect. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/15881-0 - Epigenetics and gene expression analysis of the longevity vs. reproduction trade-off in Apis mellifera L. (Apidae, Hymenoptera) queens
• Grantee: Carlos Antônio Mendes Cardoso Júnior
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 14/26659-1 - Function of DNA methyltransferases and caracterization of the DNA methylation profile in the aging process of honey bees (Apis mellifera, Apidae, Hymenoptera)
• Grantee: Carlos Antônio Mendes Cardoso Júnior
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 11/03171-5 - Causal analysis of Apis mellifera development: regulatory genes and hierachical networks of gene expression in the specification of tissue and organs
• Grantee: Zilá Luz Paulino Simões
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants