Meta-Analysis of Transcriptomes in Insects Showing Density-Dependent Polyphenism.

Area of Science:

• * Entomology
• * Molecular Biology
• * Bioinformatics

Background:

• * Locusts and aphids display density-dependent plasticity, a phenomenon crucial for insect adaptation.
• * While physiological aspects are known, the molecular underpinnings of this plasticity remain largely unexplored.
• * Publicly available transcriptome data offers a valuable resource for investigating these molecular mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To conduct a meta-analysis of public transcriptomes to uncover molecular insights into density-dependent plasticity.
• * To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with crowding and isolation in locusts and aphids.
• * To elucidate the biological processes regulated by these DEGs.

Main Methods:

• * Meta-analysis of RNA sequencing data from public databases for locusts and aphids.
• * Detection and analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between crowded and isolated conditions.
• * Gene set enrichment analysis to identify enriched biological pathways.

Main Results:

• * Enriched pathways under crowded conditions include DNA replication (GO:0006260), DNA metabolic processes (GO:0006259), and mitotic cell cycle (GO:0000278).
• * These identified processes, particularly DNA replication and cell cycle, have been understudied in the context of density-dependent plasticity.
• * Under isolated conditions, the oxidative stress response and neurological system modifications were highlighted.

Conclusions:

• * Meta-analysis successfully identified key molecular pathways involved in density-dependent plasticity.
• * DNA replication, DNA metabolism, and mitotic cell cycle are critical for adaptation to crowded environments.
• * Oxidative stress and neurological adaptations are important responses to isolation, influencing insect behavior and physiology.