Cited by 183Epigenetics and DNA MethylationInsect and Arachnid Ecology and BehaviorAnimal Behavior and Reproduction

DNA methylation in social insects: how epigenetics can control behavior and longevity

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Yan, Hua, Bonasio, Roberto, Simola, Daniel F., Liebig, Jürgen, Berger, Shelley L., Reinberg, Danny·2015·Annual Review of Entomology

Abstract

In eusocial insects, genetically identical individuals can exhibit striking differences in behavior and longevity. The molecular basis of such phenotypic plasticity is of great interest to the scientific community. DNA methylation, as well as other epigenetic signals, plays an important role in modulating gene expression and can therefore establish, sustain, and alter organism-level phenotypes, including behavior and life span. Unlike DNA methylation in mammals, DNA methylation in insects, including eusocial insects, is enriched in gene bodies of actively expressed genes. Recent investigations have revealed the important role of gene body methylation in regulating gene expression in response to intrinsic and environmental factors. In this review, we summarize recent advances in DNA methylation research and discuss its significance in our understanding of the epigenetic underpinnings of behavior and longevity.

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Crossref · 10.1146/annurev-ento-010814-020803

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  • Ant and bee castes have caste-specific DNA methylation and H3K27ac patterns functionally important for behavior.

    “Comparisons between individuals from different castes have revealed that they have caste-specific DNA methylation and H3K27ac patterns that are functionally important for their behavior (Simola et al., 2016; Yan et al., 2015).”

    From The Aging Epigenome (2016) · cites this paper as Yan et al., 2015

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Allis CD, Jenuwein T, Reinberg D. 2007. Epigenetics. Cold Spring Harbor, NY: Cold Spring Harb. Lab. Press
  2. H ölldobler B, Wilson EO. 1990. The Ants. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard Univ. Press

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Authors
Yan, H., Bonasio, R., Simola, D. F., Liebig, J., Berger, S. L., & Reinberg, D.
Affiliations
  • Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and
  • University of Pennsylvania (US)
  • Arizona State University (US)
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute (US)
Venue
Annual Review of Entomology
Published
2015-01-07
Volume
60
Issue
1
Pages
435-452
ISSN
  • 0066-4170 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-4487
OpenAlex
W2143558266
Cited by
183
References
147
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 40 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 12
FWCI
1.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Annual Review of Entomology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2009005)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
Keywords
DNA methylation, eusocial insects, epigenetics, phenotypic plasticity, social behavior, longevity, gene body methylation, gene expression regulation, caste differentiation, lifespan
MeSH terms
Animals, Behavior, Animal, Gene Expression Regulation, Hymenoptera, Longevity, DNA Methylation, Isoptera, Epigenesis, Genetic

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