CYP9E Expression and Repertoire in Lasius Ants: Making the Ecological Connection

Area of Science:

• * Evolutionary biology
• * Molecular genetics
• * Entomology

Background:

• * Gene duplication is a key driver of ecological adaptation.
• * The black garden ant (Lasius niger) exhibits high CYP9E gene duplication.
• * L. niger shows tolerance to fungus-infected aphids, unlike its congener, the jet ant (L. fuliginosus).

Purpose of the Study:

• * To investigate the role of CYP9E gene duplication in the ecological adaptations of Lasius ants.
• * To compare the expression of a subset of CYP9E genes involved in mycotoxin metabolism between L. niger and L. fuliginosus.
• * To explore the evolutionary history of CYP9E gene amplification within the Lasius genus.

Main Methods:

• * Comparative gene expression analysis of specific CYP9E genes in L. niger and L. fuliginosus.
• * Phylogenetic analysis of CYP9E gene copies in L. niger, L. fuliginosus, and Formica rufa.
• * Genome-wide identification of CYP9E genes across the studied ant species.

Main Results:

• * No significant differences in the expression levels of the targeted CYP9E gene subset were observed between L. niger and L. fuliginosus.
• * Both L. niger and L. fuliginosus possess six copies of the studied CYP9E genes, which cluster phylogenetically.
• * Multiple CYP9E genes were identified in L. niger and L. fuliginosus, with fewer copies in the outgroup Formica rufa.

Conclusions:

• * CYP9E gene duplication is likely an ancestral trait in the Lasius genus or a more basal clade.
• * The studied CYP9E gene subset duplication does not appear to explain the differential tolerance to fungus-infected aphids between L. niger and L. fuliginosus.
• * Further research is needed to elucidate the specific functions of CYP9E genes in ant adaptation and mycotoxin metabolism.