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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Baton Rouge, Louisiana » Honey Bee Lab » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #286067
Title: Myosin gene expression and protein abundance in different castes of the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus)

Author
item Tarver, Matthew
item Florane, Christopher
item Mattison, Chris
item Holloway, Beth
item Lax, Alan

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/6/2012
Publication Date: 11/16/2012
Citation: Tarver, M.R., Florane, C.B., Mattison, C.P., Holloway, B.A., Lax, A.R. 2012. Myosin gene expression and protein abundance in different castes of the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus). Insects. 3:1190-1199.

Interpretive Summary: The Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) is an important worldwide pest, each year causing millions of dollars in structural damage and control costs. Termite colonies are composed of several distinct castes. Termites use multiple castes to efficiently perform unique jobs within the colony. During the molting/caste differentiation process, multiple genes are believed to be involved in the massive reorganization of the body plan. The objective of this research was to analyze the muscle gene, myosin, to further understand the role it plays in C. formosanus development. We find that comparing worker vs. solider termite caste there is more myosin gene expression in the soldier and a myosin antibody-reactive protein suggests changes protein form. Comparison of body region of soldier and worker castes indicates a greater level of myosin transcript in the heads. The differential expression of this important muscle related gene is expected because of the large amount of body plan reorganization and muscle found in the soldier caste. These results have a direct impact on our understanding of termite caste differentiation process and may lead to new targets for termite control.

Technical Abstract: The Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) is an important worldwide pest, each year causing millions of dollars in structural damage and control costs. Termite colonies are composed of several phenotypically distinct castes. Termites utilize these multiple castes to efficiently perform unique roles within the colony. During the molting/caste differentiation process, multiple genes are believed to be involved in the massive reorganization of the body plan. The objective of this research was to analyze the muscle gene, myosin, to further understand the role it plays in C. formosanus development. We find that comparing worker vs. solider caste myosin gene expression is up-regulated in the soldier and a myosin antibody-reactive protein suggests changes in splicing. Comparison of body region of mature soldier and worker castes indicates a greater level of myosin transcript in the heads. The differential expression of this important muscle related gene is anticipated considering the large amount of body plan reorganization and muscle found in the soldier caste. These results have a direct impact on our understanding of the downstream genes in the caste differentiation process and may lead to new targets for termite control.