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Biol Lett

Title:		Queen pheromones modulate DNA methyltransferase activity in bee and ant workers
Author(s):		Holman L; Trontti K; Helantera H;
Address:		"Division of Ecology, Evolution & Genetics, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia luke.holman@anu.edu.au. Department of Biosciences, Division of Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland Centre of Excellence in Biological Interactions, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, Helsinki 00014, Finland. Centre of Excellence in Biological Interactions, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, Helsinki 00014, Finland Tvarminne Zoological Station, J. A. Palmenin tie 260, Hanko 10900, Finland"
Journal Title:		Biol Lett
Year:		2016
Volume:		12
Issue:		1
Page Number:		20151038 -
DOI:		10.1098/rsbl.2015.1038
ISSN/ISBN:		1744-957X (Electronic) 1744-9561 (Print) 1744-9561 (Linking)
Abstract:		"DNA methylation is emerging as an important regulator of polyphenism in the social insects. Research has concentrated on differences in methylation between queens and workers, though we hypothesized that methylation is involved in mediating other flexible phenotypes, including pheromone-dependent changes in worker behaviour and physiology. Here, we find that exposure to queen pheromone affects the expression of two DNA methyltransferase genes in Apis mellifera honeybees and in two species of Lasius ants, but not in Bombus terrestris bumblebees. These results suggest that queen pheromones influence the worker methylome, pointing to a novel proximate mechanism for these key social signals"
Keywords:		Animals Ants/*drug effects/enzymology Bees/*drug effects/enzymology DNA Methylation DNA Modification Methylases/genetics/*metabolism Gene Expression Regulation Phenotype Pheromones/*pharmacology caste epigenetics eusociality fertility signal methylome;
Notes:		"MedlineHolman, Luke Trontti, Kalevi Helantera, Heikki eng Comparative Study Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2016/01/28 Biol Lett. 2016 Jan; 12(1):20151038. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2015.1038"