Analysis of the horn formation gene regulatory network in Tripoxylus dichotomus

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16181
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 44040:Morphology and anatomical structure-related
• Research Institution: National Institute for Basic Biology
• Principal Investigator: Morita Shinichi 基礎生物学研究所, 進化発生研究部門, 特任助教 (10780926)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: カブトムシ / 角形成 / 進化的新奇形質 / 性的二型

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study focused on beetle horns as a model for evolutionary novel traits and tried to 1) identify genes involved in horn formation, 2) analyze the spatiotemporal expression regions of these genes, and 3) elucidate the gene regulatory network that controls horn formation. As a result, identified many genes involved in horn formation. In addition, RNA-seq analysis was performed by dividing the horn primordia to obtain pseudo-spatial expression profiles. From these data, the genes showing similar expression patterns and phenotypes were categorized, and the results of quantitative PCR in RNAi background individuals revealed several gene regulatory networks controlling horn formation.

Free Research Field

発生生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

我が国では、立派な角をもつカブトムシは子供から大人まで人気の高い昆虫であるが、角がどのような遺伝的プログラム （遺伝子制御ネットワーク） の改変により生じてきた形質かはほとんど明らかになっていなかった。本研究では、これまでにない大規模な解析を試み、いくつかの角形成を制御する遺伝子制御ネットワークの実体を明らかにした。