GENTS

Genome Evolution in attine aNTS

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The colonies of eusocial insects (ants, bees, wasps, termites) are second in complexity only to human societies. They evolved by natural selection, in contrast to human sociality which has mostly cultural elements. In addition, insect societies have reproductive division of labor between sterile workers and fertile queens, a form of specialization that resembles germ-line and somatic cell differentiation in metazoan bodies. Social evolution theory increasingly understands the origin and elaboration of multicellular bodies and insect societies in a joint framework of inclusive fitness theory. This approach (A.F.G. Bourke, The Principles of Social Evolution, OUP, 2011) both emphasizes the power of cooperation to achieve higher levels of organization, and the corrupting tendencies emanating from lower-levels of selection that maintain selfish traits. Genomic imprinting is the most fundamental mechanism that maintains selfish tendencies at the genome level, potentially affecting all forms of social life. While genomic imprinting is increasingly well understood in mammals, its frequency and operation in insect societies is unknown. The present proposal aims to resolve this problem by combining Chinese genome sequencing excellence (BGI Shenzhen) with a cutting-edge research program in evolutionary biology (the Copenhagen Centre for Social Evolution) while focusing on one of the best studied social insect models, the fungus-growing ants. The ambitious work proposed is feasible because it is supported by significant additional funding from the combined host institutions. It implies a genome re-sequencing program with multiple components to obtain uniquely detailed insights into the fundamentals of recombination, the epigenetic mechanisms that maintain and regulate genome-level tendencies towards (social) corruption, and the validity of genomic imprinting theory as a general conceptual framework for social evolution at the molecular level.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Epigenetic regulation is a fundamental mechanism that controls variation in gene expression. It includes RNA editing and DNA methylation, and could mediate genomic imprinting, topics that are virtually unknown in social insects.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Eusociality is the complex organisation of animal sociality, defined by cooperative care for offspring and division of labour into reproductive and non-reproductive castes. In contrast to human sociality depending on cultural elements, eusocial insects, such as ants, bees, wasps and termites, evolved by natural selection. Evolutionary theories emphasise the power of cooperation to achieve higher levels of organisation, and the corrupting tendencies from lower levels of selection that maintain selfish traits.

The EU-funded project 'Genome evolution in attine ants' (GENTS) used a well-studied social insect model, the fungus-growing ants. Project scientists studied the epigenetic mechanisms that maintain and regulate genome-level mechanisms that allow conditional gene expression and the expression of selfish traits by individuals within societies.

A cutting-edge research programme in evolutionary biology (Centre for Social Evolution, University of Copenhagen) was combined with Chinese genome sequencing excellence (BGI Shenzhen) for this effort. GENTS focused on the epigenetic regulation of caste differentiation and RNA editing in Acromyrmex echinatior (leaf-cutting ant). As epigenetic mechanisms regulate gene function, the project aimed to clarify its role in brain gene expression regulation across the three female castes of A. echinatior.

The scientists found that RNA editing was pervasive across many genes expressed in the brains of small workers, large workers and gynes (virgin queens). Over 10 000 RNA-editing evens existed in over 800 genes. These RNA-editing genes were functionally enriched for neurotransmission, circadian rhythm, temperature response, RNA splicing and carboxylic acid biosynthesis.

An important GENTS finding was the varied editing levels of the same sites between castes. This suggests that RNA editing may be a general mechanism that shapes caste behaviour in ants, after the genetic code has been transcribed. GENTS explored for the first time and significantly advanced our understanding of RNA-editing regulation in eusocial insect species.