Three-dimensional reconstruction of corpora allata nucleus reveals insights into epigenetic mechanisms of caste differentiation in Melipona scutellaris stingless bees

Autor(es)

Schumann, N. A. B. ^[1] ; Cardoso-Junior, C. A. M. ^[2] ; Silva, E. H. ^[3] ; Ueira-Vieira, C. ^[1] ; Beletti, M. E. ^[4] ; Franco, M. B. ^[4] ; Bezerra-Laure, M. ^[5] ; Araujo, G. R. ^[1] ; Travencolo, B. A. N. ^[3] ; Bonetti, A. M. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Dept Biotecnol, BR-38400902 Uberlandia, MG - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol Celular Mol & Bioagentes Patogen, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Fac Comp, BR-38400902 Uberlandia, MG - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Dept Morfol, Inst Ciancias Biomed, BR-38400902 Uberlandia, MG - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Genet, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Apidologie; v. 50, n. 3, p. 330-339, JUL 2019.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

In most Hymenoptera, the caste differentiation is influenced by differential environmental cues (e.g., food), which affect larvae development. However, Melipona stingless bees represent an exception to this rule. Workers and queens can emerge from brood cells of the same size, with the same quantity and quality of food. The different phenotypes of female bees depend on the interaction of genetic and environmental components. This mechanism is driven by the juvenile hormone, a key physiological factor synthetized by the corpora allata glands. In addition to that, epigenetic mechanisms were recently associated with caste development in Melipona scutellaris. In this study, using images captured by confocal microscopy and analyzed by 3D computational reconstruction, we show the similarities and differences in the pattern and volume of heterochromatin in the cell nuclei of corpora allata glands of M. scutellaris. Our results imply that heterochromatin territorial dispersion may act as a major player on the female phenotypic plasticity of M. scutellaris stingless bees. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 17/09269-3 - Análises do metiloma de ovários de operárias Apis mellifera L. em diferentes condições sociais
• Beneficiário: Carlos Antônio Mendes Cardoso Júnior
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Exterior - Estágio de Pesquisa - Doutorado Direto
• Processo FAPESP: 16/15881-0 - Análises epigenéticas e expressão gênica do trade-off (longevidade x reprodução) de rainhas em Apis mellifera L. (Apidae, Hymenoptera)
• Beneficiário: Carlos Antônio Mendes Cardoso Júnior
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado Direto