Project description:Butterfly wings display a diversity of cell types, including large polyploid scale cells, yet the molecular basis of such diversity is poorly understood. To explore scale cell diversity at a transcriptomic level, we employ single-cell RNA sequencing of ∼5,200 large cells (>6 μm) from 22.5- to 25-h male pupal forewings of the butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Using unsupervised clustering, followed by in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, and CRISPR-Cas9 editing of candidate genes, we annotate various cell types on the wing. We identify genes marking non-innervated scale cells, pheromone-producing glandular cells, and innervated sensory cell types. We show that senseless, a zinc-finger transcription factor, and HR38, a hormone receptor, determine the identity, size, and color of different scale cell types and are important regulators of scale cell differentiation. This dataset and the identification of various wing cell-type markers provide a foundation to compare and explore scale cell-type diversification across arthropod species.
Project description:An immobile pupal phase in butterfly metamorphosis is central for the production of an airborne adult from the earlier caterpillar feeding stage. Extensive body plan re-organization occurs within the pupal case that is entirely dependent upon nutrients accumulated during caterpillar growth, and sensitive to external environmental conditions. Here, we use DNA and RNA sequencing of a laboratory butterfly population to produce a time course dataset describing changes in DNA methylation and in the transcriptome during progression from the 5th instar caterpillar larval stage through to the latest stage of pupation when the mature butterfly is about to eclose from the pupal case.
Project description:An immobile pupal phase in butterfly metamorphosis is central for the production of an airborne adult from the earlier caterpillar feeding stage. Extensive body plan re-organization occurs within the pupal case that is entirely dependent upon nutrients accumulated during caterpillar growth, and sensitive to external environmental conditions. Here, we use DNA and RNA sequencing of a laboratory butterfly population to produce a time course dataset describing changes in DNA methylation and in the transcriptome during progression from the 5th instar caterpillar larval stage through to the latest stage of pupation when the mature butterfly is about to eclose from the pupal case.
Project description:Bicyclus anynana butterflies were reared at 17°C and 27°C to produce the dry and wet season forms. RNA was extracted using TRIzol from the heads of 12 individual animals ~0-3 hours after eclosing; 3 dry season females, 3 wet season females, 3 dry season males, and 3 wet season males. A TruSeq RNA Sample Preparation Kit v2 was used to make 12 double stranded cDNA libraries from polyadenylated RNA. We size selected for DNA at ~280-340 bp. Libraries were sequenced using a HiSeq 2500, paired end 100-cycle sequence run.