Genome-Wide Characterization of DNA Methylation in an Invasive Lepidopteran Pest, the Cotton Bollworm Helicoverpa armigera

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Jones, C. M., Lim, K. S., Chapman, J. W. and Bass, C. 2018. Genome-Wide Characterization of DNA Methylation in an Invasive Lepidopteran Pest, the Cotton Bollworm Helicoverpa armigera. G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics. 8 (3), pp. 779-787. https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.117.1112

AuthorsJones, C. M., Lim, K. S., Chapman, J. W. and Bass, C.
Abstract

The genes and genomes of insect pests are shaped by the wide array of selective forces encountered in their environments. While the molecular adaptations that evolve are beginning to be understood at the genomic and transcriptomic level they have been less well characterised at an epigenetic level. Here, we present a genome-wide map of DNA methylation, at single-nucleotide resolution for the cotton bollworm moth, Helicoverpa armigera; a globally invasive pest of agriculture. We show that methylation is almost identical in the larvae and adults of H. armigera and that, through whole genome bisulfite sequencing, at the most ~0.9% of CpG sites in this species are methylated. We find that DNA methylation occurs primarily in exons, is positively correlated with gene expression and methylated genes are enriched for cellular housekeeping roles. H. armigera has an exceptional capacity for long-range migration. To explore the role of methylation in influencing the migratory phenotype of H. armigera we performed targeted bisulfite sequencing on selected loci from sixteen genes that were differentially expressed between adult moths exhibiting distinct flight performance in behavioural assays. While most CpG sites in these genes were not methylated between flight phenotypes we identified hyper-methylation in a demethylase (KDM4) that targets lysine-specific histone modifications which are strongly associated with transcription and methylation. The H. armigera methylome provides new insights into the role of DNA methylation in a noctuid moth and is a valuable resource for further research into the epigenetic control of adaptive traits in this important pest.

KeywordsGenome-wide characterisation of DNA ; Helicoverpa armigera; Flight activity; Gene expression; Phenotypic plasticity; Cytosine methylation
Year of Publication2018
JournalG3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics
Journal citation8 (3), pp. 779-787
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.117.1112
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
FunderBBSRC Newton funding
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Funder project or codeChasing the high-fliers: Aerial sampling and flight capacity of high-flying migrant insect pests in China
Understanding the genetic mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity in insect migration
UK-China Joint Centre for Sustainable Intensification in Agriculture (CSIA)
Publisher's version
Copyright license
CC BY
Accepted author manuscript
Copyright license
CC BY
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online02 Jan 2018
Publication process dates
Accepted09 Dec 2017
PublisherGenetics Society of America (GSA)
ISSN2160-1836

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