Screening of genes expressed in developing mandibles during soldier differentiation in the termite Hodotermopsis sjostedti.
We investigated the morphological changes accompanying soldier differentiation in the damp-wood termite Hodotermopsis sjostedti. Genes expressed in the developing mandibles, which undergo the most remarkable morphological changes during soldier differentiation, were screened using fluorescent differential display. Database searches for sequence similarities were conducted and the relative expression levels were then quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Among the identified candidate genes, 12 genes were upregulated during soldier differentiation. These included genes for cuticle proteins, nucleic acid binding proteins, ribosomal proteins and actin-binding protein, which were inferred to be involved in caste-specific morphogenesis in termites.
Koshikawa
Shigeyuki
S
Department of Biology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan.
Cornette
Richard
R
Hojo
Masaru
M
Maekawa
Kiyoto
K
Matsumoto
Tadao
T
Miura
Toru
T
D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D005453:Fluorescence; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics; D020049:Isoptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D008334:Mandible / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012333:RNA, Messenger