High juvenile hormone titre and abdominal activation of JH signalling may induce reproduction of termite neotenics
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- R. Saiki
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering; University of Toyama; Toyama 930-8555 3190 Gofuku Japan
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- H. Gotoh
- Department of Entomology; Washington State University; Pullman WA 99164 USA
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- K. Toga
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering; University of Toyama; Toyama 930-8555 3190 Gofuku Japan
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- T. Miura
- Laboratory of Ecological Genetics, Graduate School of Environmental Science; Hokkaido University; Sapporo Hokkaido 060-0810 Japan
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- K. Maekawa
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering; University of Toyama; Toyama 930-8555 3190 Gofuku Japan
書誌事項
- タイトル別名
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- JH titre and signalling pathways in termites
この論文をさがす
説明
Termite castes are a key example of polyphenism, in which reproductive division of labour is clearly seen in colonies. The reproductive castes in termites include primary and neotenic reproductives; primary reproductives found a new colony whereas neotenics succeed them in the reproductive role when the primary reproductives die or become senescent. Neotenics usually differentiate from nymphs or workers by developing functional gonads while retaining juvenile characteristics; however, the developmental mechanism during neotenic differentiation remains poorly understood. Juvenile hormone (JH) mediates a number of aspects of developmental regulation in caste differentiation in termites. In the present study we quantified JH titres in neotenic reproductives of Reticulitermes speratus, and compared these with other developmental stages. In addition, expression changes in JH signalling gene homologues (Methoprene-tolerant [Met], Krüppel-homolog1, Broad-Complex) in the head, thorax and abdomen were investigated during neotenic differentiation. Finally, we examined the function of Met in reproduction of neotenics by RNA interference (RNAi). Our results showed that the JH titres of neotenics were significantly higher than those of nymphs and workers. JH signalling genes were highly expressed in neotenic abdomens, compared with those in workers and nymphs. Met RNAi resulted in the inhibition of vitellogenin gene expression in newly moulted neotenics. These results suggest that the fertility of neotenics might be controlled by a large increase of JH titres and body-part-specific activation of JH signalling pathways.
収録刊行物
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- Insect Molecular Biology
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Insect Molecular Biology 24 (4), 432-441, 2015-04-03
Wiley