Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 22, 2026
09:42
Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images
Published on: September 7, 2017
10.3K
Allele specific expression and methylation in the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris
Zoë Lonsdale1, Kate Lee2, Maria Kiriakidu1
1Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.
Peerj
|September 21, 2017
Summary
This study explored DNA methylation and gene expression in bumblebees. We found genes with monoallelic methylation and expression, suggesting epigenetics influences gene activity in social insects.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Insect Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Social insects are valuable models for epigenetic research.
- DNA methylation is a key epigenetic marker influencing gene expression.
- The role of methylation in allele-specific expression is debated in social insects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate allele-specific expression and monoallelic methylation in the bumblebee (Bombus terrestris).
- To clarify the relationship between DNA methylation and gene expression patterns in social insects.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of monoallelic methylation and expression in individual bumblebees.
- Bioinformatic analysis of allele-specific expression in published RNA-seq data from bumblebees.
Main Results:
- Identified 19 genes exhibiting both monoallelic methylation and monoallelic expression in a single bee.
- Observed that 14 of these genes expressed the hypermethylated allele, while 5 expressed the hypomethylated allele.
- Detected 555 loci with allele-specific expression across 29 RNA-seq libraries.
Conclusions:
- Monoallelic methylation is linked to monoallelic expression in bumblebees.
- Results provide insights into the functional role of DNA methylation in insect gene expression.
- Highlights the potential contribution of genetic cis-regulatory effects to allele-specific expression in insects.
Related Concept Videos
02:32Position-effect Variegation
7.2K
In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
7.2K
02:30Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance
37.5K
Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
37.5K
01:30General Transcription Factors
7.3K
Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
7.3K
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
7.8K
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
7.8K
02:50Dosage Compensation
7.7K
In animals, gender is determined by the number and type of sex chromosome. For example, human females have two X chromosomes, and males have one X and one Y chromosome, whereas C.elegans with one X chromosome is a male, and the one with two X chromosomes is a hermaphrodite.
In addition to sexual development, the X chromosome has genes involved in autosomal functions such as brain development and the immune system. Therefore, males and females with distinct numbers of X chromosomes will...
In addition to sexual development, the X chromosome has genes involved in autosomal functions such as brain development and the immune system. Therefore, males and females with distinct numbers of X chromosomes will...
7.7K
02:02Cis-regulatory Sequences
12.0K
Cis-regulatory sequences are short fragments of non-coding DNA that are present on the same chromosomes as the genes that they regulate. These fragments serve as binding sites for transcriptional regulators, proteins that are responsible for controlling gene transcription and differential gene expression across cell types in eukaryotes. Cis-regulatory sequences can be close to the gene of interest or thousands of bases away in the DNA sequence; however, those sequences that are further away are...
12.0K