Expression profiles of neotropical termites reveal microbiota-associated, caste-biased genes and biotechnological targets.

Termites are well recognized by their complex development trajectories, involving dynamic differentiation process between non-reproductive castes, workers and soldiers. These insects are associated with endosymbiotic microorganisms, which help in lignocellulose digestion and nitrogen metabolism. Aiming to identify genes harbouring biotechnological potential, we analyzed workers and soldiers RNA-Seq data of three neotropical termites: Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), Velocitermes heteropterus (Isoptera: Termitidae) and Cornitermes cumulans (Isoptera: Termitidae). We observed differences in the microbiota associated with each termite family, and found protists' genes in both Termitidae species. We found an opposite pattern of caste-biased gene expression between H. tenuis and the termitids studied. Moreover, the two termitids are considerably different concerning the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional annotation indicated considerable differences in caste-biased gene content between V. heteropterus and C. cumulans, even though they share similar diet and biological niche. Among the most DEGs, we highlighted those involved in caste differentiation and cellulose digestion, which are attractive targets for studying more efficient technologies for termite control, biomass digestion and other biotechnological applications.

Evidence of macrophage modulation in the mouse pubic symphysis remodeling during the end of first pregnancy and postpartum.

In mouse pregnancy, pubic symphysis (PS) remodels into an elastic interpubic ligament (IpL) in a temporally regulated process to provide safe delivery. It restores at postpartum to assure reproductive tract homeostasis. Recently, macrophage localization in the IpL and dynamic changes in the expression of inflammatory mediators observed from the end of pregnancy (D18, D19) to early days postpartum (1dpp, 3dpp) highlighted the necessity of the identification of the key molecules involved in innate immune processes in PS remodeling. Therefore, this study uses morphological and high-sensitivity molecular techniques to identify both macrophage association with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and the immunological processes involved in PS changes from D18 to 3dpp. Results showed macrophage association with active gelatinases and ECM components and 25 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to macrophage activities in interpubic tissues from D18 to 3dpp. Additionally, microarray and proteomic analysis showed a significant association of interpubic tissue DEGs with complement system activation and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) with phagocytosis, highlighting the involvement of macrophage-related activities in mouse PS remodeling. Therefore, the findings suggest that PS ECM remodeling is associated with evidence of macrophage modulation that ensures both IpL relaxation and fast PS recovery postpartum for first labor.

Analysis of the workers head transcriptome of the Asian subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi.

The lower termite, Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), is originally from Southeast Asia and has become a pest in Brazil. The main goal of this study was to survey C. gestroi transcriptome composition. To accomplish this, we sequenced and analyzed 3003 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) isolated from libraries of worker heads. After assembly, 695 uniESTs were obtained from which 349 have similarity with known sequences. Comparison with insect genomes demonstrated similarity, primarily with genes from Apis mellifera (28%), Tribolium castaneum (28%) and Aedes aegypti (10%). Notably, we identified two endogenous cellulases in the sequences, which may be of interest for biotechnological applications. The results presented in this work represent the first genomic study of the Asian subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi.