TY - JOUR
T1 - Protein localization and potential function of lipocalin in Reticulitermes speratus queens
AU - Hanada, Takumi
AU - Kobayash, Anji
AU - Yaguchi, Hajime
AU - Maekawa, Kiyoto
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright: © 2024 Hanada et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
PY - 2024/10/1
Y1 - 2024/10/1
N2 - To understand the mechanisms underlying social evolution and caste development in social insects, caste-specific organs and genes should be investigated. In the rhinotermitid termite, Reticulitermes speratus, the lipocalin gene RS008881, which encodes a protein transporter, is expressed in the ovarian accessory glands of primary queens. To obtain additional data on its expression and product localization, we conducted real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and protein assays using a peptide antibody. Gene expression analysis of the castes revealed that RS008881 was highly expressed in female primary and secondary reproductives. Further analysis of its expression during reproductive caste differentiation showed that its expression levels increased prior to molting into reproductive individuals, even during the winged imago (alates) stage. Western blotting and fluorescent immunohistochemical staining revealed that the RS008881 product was localized in the ovary as well as the eggshells produced by female reproductives. RS008881 may play a significant role in the reproductive biology of R. speratus; protein localization in both the ovary and eggshell suggests multiple functions related to embryo protection and potential pheromone interactions.
AB - To understand the mechanisms underlying social evolution and caste development in social insects, caste-specific organs and genes should be investigated. In the rhinotermitid termite, Reticulitermes speratus, the lipocalin gene RS008881, which encodes a protein transporter, is expressed in the ovarian accessory glands of primary queens. To obtain additional data on its expression and product localization, we conducted real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and protein assays using a peptide antibody. Gene expression analysis of the castes revealed that RS008881 was highly expressed in female primary and secondary reproductives. Further analysis of its expression during reproductive caste differentiation showed that its expression levels increased prior to molting into reproductive individuals, even during the winged imago (alates) stage. Western blotting and fluorescent immunohistochemical staining revealed that the RS008881 product was localized in the ovary as well as the eggshells produced by female reproductives. RS008881 may play a significant role in the reproductive biology of R. speratus; protein localization in both the ovary and eggshell suggests multiple functions related to embryo protection and potential pheromone interactions.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85205761926&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0311836
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0311836
M3 - 学術論文
C2 - 39374259
AN - SCOPUS:85205761926
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 19
JO - PLoS ONE
JF - PLoS ONE
IS - 10 October
M1 - e0311836
ER -