Caste-Specific and Sex-Specific Expression of Chemoreceptor Genes in a Termite.

ABSTRACT: The sophisticated colony organization of eusocial insects is primarily maintained through the utilization of pheromones. The regulation of these complex social interactions requires intricate chemoreception systems. The recent publication of the genome of Zootermopsis nevadensis opened a new avenue to study molecular basis of termite caste systems. Although there has been a growing interest in the termite chemoreception system that regulates their sophisticated caste system, the relationship between division of labor and expression of chemoreceptor genes remains to be explored. Using high-throughput mRNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we found several chemoreceptors that are differentially expressed among castes and between sexes in a subterranean termite Reticulitermes speratus. In total, 53 chemo

SUBMITTER: Mitaka Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4712011 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature