We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Bumblebee Workers Show Differences in Allele-Specific DNA Methylation and Allele-Specific Expression.
- Authors
Marshall, Hollie; Jones, Alun R C; Lonsdale, Zoë N; Mallon, Eamonn B
- Abstract
Allele-specific expression is when one allele of a gene shows higher levels of expression compared with the other allele, in a diploid organism. Recent work has identified allele-specific expression in a number of Hymenopteran species. However, the molecular mechanism which drives this allelic expression bias remains unknown. In mammals, DNA methylation is often associated with genes which show allele-specific expression. DNA methylation systems have been described in species of Hymenoptera, providing a candidate mechanism. Using previously generated RNA-Seq and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing from reproductive and sterile bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) workers, we have identified genome-wide allele-specific expression and allele-specific DNA methylation. The majority of genes displaying allele-specific expression are common between reproductive and sterile workers and the proportion of allele-specific expression bias generally varies between genetically distinct colonies. We have also identified genome-wide allele-specific DNA methylation patterns in both reproductive and sterile workers, with reproductive workers showing significantly more genes with allele-specific methylation. Finally, there is no significant overlap between genes showing allele-specific expression and allele-specific methylation. These results indicate that cis -acting DNA methylation does not directly drive genome-wide allele-specific expression in this species.
- Subjects
DNA methylation; EPIGENOMICS; BOMBUS terrestris; BUMBLEBEES; GENOMIC imprinting; RNA sequencing; BETAINE
- Publication
Genome Biology & Evolution, 2020, Vol 12, Issue 8, p1471
- ISSN
1759-6653
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/gbe/evaa132