The function of DNA methylation marks in social insects
The social arthropods are characterized by a caste-based division of labor that may be influenced by epigenetic effects. One of the most important and widely studied epigenetic mechanisms is DNA methylation. Advances in understanding of social insect genomes, including epigenetic marks, make it poss...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2016-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fevo.2016.00057/full |
| _version_ | 1811282013380935680 |
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| author | Hongmei eLi-Byarlay Hongmei eLi-Byarlay |
| author_facet | Hongmei eLi-Byarlay Hongmei eLi-Byarlay |
| author_sort | Hongmei eLi-Byarlay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The social arthropods are characterized by a caste-based division of labor that may be influenced by epigenetic effects. One of the most important and widely studied epigenetic mechanisms is DNA methylation. Advances in understanding of social insect genomes, including epigenetic marks, make it possible to assess the role of DNA methylation in social caste development and social behavior. In this mini review, I summarize and interpret recent findings regarding DNA methylation and discuss how DNA methylation might influence evolution of sociality. In particular, I focus on enzymes associated with DNA methylation, the functions of DNA methylation in caste determination, behavioral gene regulation, and the effects of DNA methylation on learning and memory. Finally, I highlight current challenges and predict future breakthroughs in the field of socioepigenomics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T01:44:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-413e0037bf58420297d78b2b31197195 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-701X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T01:44:02Z |
| publishDate | 2016-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-413e0037bf58420297d78b2b311971952022-12-22T03:08:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution2296-701X2016-05-01410.3389/fevo.2016.00057197779The function of DNA methylation marks in social insectsHongmei eLi-Byarlay0Hongmei eLi-Byarlay1North Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State University.The social arthropods are characterized by a caste-based division of labor that may be influenced by epigenetic effects. One of the most important and widely studied epigenetic mechanisms is DNA methylation. Advances in understanding of social insect genomes, including epigenetic marks, make it possible to assess the role of DNA methylation in social caste development and social behavior. In this mini review, I summarize and interpret recent findings regarding DNA methylation and discuss how DNA methylation might influence evolution of sociality. In particular, I focus on enzymes associated with DNA methylation, the functions of DNA methylation in caste determination, behavioral gene regulation, and the effects of DNA methylation on learning and memory. Finally, I highlight current challenges and predict future breakthroughs in the field of socioepigenomics.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fevo.2016.00057/fullBehaviorEpigenomicsepigeneticssocial insectsexperiment designCaste |
| spellingShingle | Hongmei eLi-Byarlay Hongmei eLi-Byarlay The function of DNA methylation marks in social insects Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution Behavior Epigenomics epigenetics social insects experiment design Caste |
| title | The function of DNA methylation marks in social insects |
| title_full | The function of DNA methylation marks in social insects |
| title_fullStr | The function of DNA methylation marks in social insects |
| title_full_unstemmed | The function of DNA methylation marks in social insects |
| title_short | The function of DNA methylation marks in social insects |
| title_sort | function of dna methylation marks in social insects |
| topic | Behavior Epigenomics epigenetics social insects experiment design Caste |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fevo.2016.00057/full |
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