Soldier caste-specific gene expression in the mandibular glands of Hodotermopsis japonica (Isoptera: termopsidae).

ABSTRACT: Although "polymorphic castes" in social insects are well known as one of the most important phenomena of polyphenism, few studies of caste-specific gene expressions have been performed in social insects. To identify genes specifically expressed in the soldier caste of the Japanese damp-wood termite Hodotermopsis japonica, we employed the differential-display method using oligo(dT) and arbitrary primers, compared mRNA from the heads of mature soldiers and pseudergates (worker caste), and identified a clone (PCR product) 329 bp in length termed SOL1. Northern blot analysis showed that the SOL1 mRNA is about 1.0 kb in length and is expressed specifically in mature soldiers, but not in pseudergates, even in the presoldier induction by juvenile hormone analogue, suggesting that the product is s

SUBMITTER: Miura T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC24158 | biostudies-literature | 1999 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature