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Queen pheromone modulates the expression of epigenetic modifier genes in the brain of honeybee workers.

ABSTRACT: Pheromones are used by many insects to mediate social interactions. In the highly eusocial honeybee (Apis mellifera), queen mandibular pheromone (QMP) is involved in the regulation of the reproductive and other behaviour of workers. The molecular mechanisms by which QMP acts are largely unknown. Here, we investigate how genes responsible for epigenetic modifications to DNA, RNA and histones respond to the presence of QMP in the environment. We show that several of these genes are upregulated in the honeybee brain when workers are exposed to artificial QMP. We propose that pheromonal communication systems, such as those used by social insects, evolved to respond to environmental signals by making use of existing epigenomic machineries.

SUBMITTER: Cardoso-Junior CAM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7775979 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Queen pheromone modulates the expression of epigenetic modifier genes in the brain of honeybee workers.

Cardoso-Junior Carlos Antônio Mendes CAM Ronai Isobel I Hartfelder Klaus K Oldroyd Benjamin P BP

Biology letters 20201209 12

Pheromones are used by many insects to mediate social interactions. In the highly eusocial honeybee (<i>Apis mellifera</i>), queen mandibular pheromone (QMP) is involved in the regulation of the reproductive and other behaviour of workers. The molecular mechanisms by which QMP acts are largely unknown. Here, we investigate how genes responsible for epigenetic modifications to DNA, RNA and histones respond to the presence of QMP in the environment. We show that several of these genes are upregula ...[more]

PMID: 33290662

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