DNMT1 mutant ants develop normally but have disrupted oogenesis

Iryna Ivasyk (), Leonora Olivos-Cisneros, Stephany Valdés-Rodríguez, Marie Droual, Hosung Jang, Robert J. Schmitz and Daniel J. C. Kronauer ()
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Iryna Ivasyk: The Rockefeller University
Leonora Olivos-Cisneros: The Rockefeller University
Stephany Valdés-Rodríguez: The Rockefeller University
Marie Droual: The Rockefeller University
Hosung Jang: University of Georgia
Robert J. Schmitz: University of Georgia
Daniel J. C. Kronauer: The Rockefeller University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Although DNA methylation is an important gene regulatory mechanism in mammals, its function in arthropods remains poorly understood. Studies in eusocial insects have argued for its role in caste development by regulating gene expression and splicing. However, such findings are not always consistent across studies, and have therefore remained controversial. Here we use CRISPR/Cas9 to mutate the maintenance DNA methyltransferase DNMT1 in the clonal raider ant, Ooceraea biroi. Mutants have greatly reduced DNA methylation, but no obvious developmental phenotypes, demonstrating that, unlike mammals, ants can undergo normal development without DNMT1 or DNA methylation. Additionally, we find no evidence of DNA methylation regulating caste development. However, mutants are sterile, whereas in wild-type ants, DNMT1 is localized to the ovaries and maternally provisioned into nascent oocytes. This supports the idea that DNMT1 plays a crucial but unknown role in the insect germline.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37945-4

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