DNA methylation and expression of the egfr gene are associated with worker size in monomorphic ants.

ABSTRACT: The reproductive division of labour is a hallmark of eusocial Hymenoptera. Females are either reproductive queens or non-reproductive workers. In ants, workers often display further task specialisation that is associated with variation in size and/or morphology. Because female polyphenism is typically under environmental control, it is thought epigenetic mechanisms (such as DNA methylation) play a central role since they mediate gene-by-environment interactions. Methylation of the growth-promoting gene epidermal growth factor receptor (egfr) was indeed shown to control worker size in a highly polymorphic ant. However, it remains unknown if egfr methylation could also regulate worker size in monomorphic species. By combining experimental pharmacology and molecular biology, we show that work

SUBMITTER: Renard T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9732050 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature