The essential role of Dnmt1 in gametogenesis in the large milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus

eLife

Joshua T Washington¹  Elizabeth C McKinney¹  Katelyn R Cavender¹  Ashley U Amukamara¹  Patricia J Moore¹  Robert J Schmitz² 

[1] Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, United States;Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, United States;

关键词: DNA methylation;    epigenetics;    Dnmt1;    spermatogenesis;    germ cells;    O. fasciatus;   

DOI  :  10.7554/eLife.62202

来源: eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd

【 摘 要 】

Given the importance of DNA methylation in protection of the genome against transposable elements and transcriptional regulation in other taxonomic groups, the diversity in both levels and patterns of DNA methylation in the insects raises questions about its function and evolution. We show that the maintenance DNA methyltransferase, DNMT1, affects meiosis and is essential to fertility in milkweed bugs, Oncopeltus fasciatus, while DNA methylation is not required in somatic cells. Our results support the hypothesis that Dnmt1 is required for the transition of germ cells to gametes in O. fasciatus and that this function is conserved in male and female gametogenesis. They further suggest that DNMT1 has a function independent of DNA methylation in germ cells. Our results raise thequestion as to how a gene that is so critical to fitness across multiple insect species is able to diverge widely across the insect tree of life.

【 授权许可】

CC BY