Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2025
08:41
Pupal and Adult Injections for RNAi and CRISPR Gene Editing in Nasonia vitripennis
Published on: December 4, 2020
5.3K
Exploring the ageing methylome in the model insect, Nasonia vitripennis
K Brink1, C L Thomas1, A Jones2
1Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, UK.
BMC Genomics
|March 23, 2024
Summary
The jewel wasp, Nasonia vitripennis, is a new model for studying epigenetics and ageing. DNA methylation changes in Nasonia correlate with chronological age, offering insights into age-related processes.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Ageing involves cellular deterioration and increased disease susceptibility.
- Mammalian ageing research is complex due to genetic and environmental interactions.
- Existing invertebrate models lack DNA methylation, hindering epigenetic ageing studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce Nasonia vitripennis as a novel invertebrate model for ageing research.
- Investigate DNA methylation dynamics in relation to ageing in Nasonia.
- Explore epigenetic mechanisms underlying age-related changes.
Main Methods:
- Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing to analyze DNA methylation patterns.
- Comparison of methylation across different time points in male and female wasps.
- Development of an epigenetic clock using 19 CpG sites.
Main Results:
- Dynamic DNA methylation alterations and differentially methylated CpGs were identified.
- Methylation changes were linked to genes involved in telomere maintenance and mRNA catabolism.
- An epigenetic clock demonstrated a strong correlation between epigenetic age and chronological age, with sex-specific epigenetic entropy observed.
Conclusions:
- Nasonia vitripennis is a valuable model for epigenetic ageing research.
- The study reveals dynamic DNA methylation patterns associated with ageing in Nasonia.
- This research opens new avenues for understanding epigenetic mechanisms in ageing.
