Caste-specific RNA editomes in the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex echinatior

ABSTRACT: Eusocial insects have evolved the capacity to generate adults with distinct morphological, reproductive and behavioural phenotypes from the same genome. Recent studies suggest that RNA editing might enhance the diversity of gene products at the post-transcriptional level, particularly to induce functional changes in the nervous system. Using head samples from the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex echinatior, we compare RNA editomes across eusocial castes, identifying ca. 11,000 RNA editing sites in gynes, large workers and small workers. Those editing sites map to 800 genes functionally enriched for neurotransmission, circadian rhythm, temperature response, RNA splicing and carboxylic acid biosynthesis. Most A. echinatior editing sites are species specific, but 8M-bM-^@M-^S23% are conserved acro

ORGANISM(S): Acromyrmex echinatior

SUBMITTER: Hong Cao 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-51576 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress