Modulation of behavioral phase changes of the migratory locust by the catecholamine metabolic pathway

The migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, shows a striking phenotypic plasticity. It transitions between solitary and gregarious phases in response to population density changes. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the phase-dependent behavior changes remains elusive. Here we report a genome-wide gene expression profiling of gregarious and solitary nymphs at each stadium of the migratory locust, and we identified the most differentially expressed genes in the fourth stadium of the two phases. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the catecholamine metabolic pathway was the most significant pathway up-regulated in the gregarious phase. We found pale, henna, and vat1, involved in dopamine biosynthesis and synaptic release, were critical target genes related to behavioral phase changes in the locusts. The roles of these genes in mediating behavioral changes in the gregarious individuals were confirmed by RNAi and pharmacological intervention. A single injection of dopamine or its agonist initiated gregarious behavior. Moreover, continuous and multiple injections of a dopamine agonist coupled with crowding resulted in more pronounced gregarious behavior. Our study thus provides insights into the relationships between genes and behavior in phase transition of this important pest species.