Conserved orthology in termite chemosensory gene families

0566906 - ÚOCHB 2024 RIV CH eng J - Journal Article
Johny, J. - Diallo, S. - Lukšan, Ondřej - Shewale, M. - Kalinová, B. - Hanus, Robert - Große-Wilde, E.
Conserved orthology in termite chemosensory gene families.
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. Roč. 10, January (2023), č. článku 1065947. ISSN 2296-701X. E-ISSN 2296-701X
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA20-17194S
Institutional support: RVO:61388963
Keywords : termites * olfactory receptors * chemosensory receptors * evolution * olfaction * Blattodea * transcriptome * Isoptera
OECD category: Biochemistry and molecular biology
Impact factor: 3, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Open access
https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.1065947

Termites, like other social insects, extensively use chemical communication to coordinate the tasks in their colonies. Here, we present the repertoire of chemosensory genes of three species of termites belonging to three distinct lineages. Using antennal transcriptome screening of termite workers, we identified the chemosensory genes, which allowed us to perform phylogenetic analysis. We found a comparatively large repertoires of odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs), ionotropic receptors (IRs), odorant binding proteins (OBPs), chemosensory proteins (CSPs), and sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs). The evolutionary analysis of termite chemosensory genes revealed Isoptera-specific expansions with a 1:1 orthologous pattern, indicating the existence of conserved olfactory functions. Our findings on basal eusocial insects will further enhance our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of eusociality and the evolution of olfactory communication in termites.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0338170