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Expressions of juvenile hormone biosynthetic genes during presoldier differentiation in the incipient colony of Zootermopsis nevadensis (Isoptera: Archotermopsidae)

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Abstract

Soldier differentiations require high juvenile hormone (JH) titers in workers and two molts via a presoldier stage. However, it is still unclear when the endogenous JH titer increases in workers, because identifying an individual before it undergoes the presoldier molt is quite difficult in natural conditions. In an incipient colony of Zootermopsis nevadensis Hagen, the oldest 3rd instar larva (Νo. 1 larva) always differentiates into a presoldier and the second 3rd instar larva (Νo. 2 larva) molts into a 4th instar larva. Consequently, by focusing on the ontogeny of the Νo. 1 larva, the timing of the increase in the JH titer can be determined. Here, we compared the expression levels of JH biosynthetic genes in the heads of Νo. 1 and Νo. 2 larvae. Most genes involved in JH biosynthesis were found in a genome database, and two candidate JH epoxidase (CYP15A1) genes were identified. Expression levels of JH acid methyltransferase (JHAMT) and one candidate CYP15A1, probably involved in the final steps of the JH biosynthesis, were specifically high in Νo. 1 larvae at 2–3 and 4–5 days after the appearance, respectively. Expression patterns of these genes may be used for the prediction of endogenous JH titer changes during presoldier differentiation.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Toru Miura and Hiroki Gotoh (Hokkaido University) for advice on and use of the HPLC–MS system. We also thank Ryota Saiki, Shutaro Hanmoto, Souichiro Kawamura and Ryutaro Suzuki (University of Toyama) for help during both the field and laboratory work. This study was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (nos. 24570022 and 25128705 to KM) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

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  1. Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, 3190 Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan

    Hajime Yaguchi, Yudai Masuoka, Takaya Inoue & Kiyoto Maekawa

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  1. Hajime Yaguchi
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Correspondence to Kiyoto Maekawa.

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Yaguchi, H., Masuoka, Y., Inoue, T. et al. Expressions of juvenile hormone biosynthetic genes during presoldier differentiation in the incipient colony of Zootermopsis nevadensis (Isoptera: Archotermopsidae). Appl Entomol Zool 50, 497–508 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13355-015-0358-3

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