Meeting Abstract

S2-1.6  Friday, Jan. 4  The function of DNA methylation in insects GLASTAD, K M; HUNT, B G; YI, S V; GOODISMAN, M A D*; Georgia Tech; Georgia Tech; Georgia Tech; Georgia Tech michael.goodisman@biology.gatech.edu

Many organisms are capable of developing distinct phenotypes in response to ecological variation. This developmental plasticity is particularly prevalent in insects, which can produce alternate adaptive forms under different environmental conditions. Developmental plasticity often relies on epigenetic information, which affects gene function and is transmitted through cell divisions. One of the most important epigenetic marks, DNA methylation is found in many insect taxa, yet its function remains unclear. We have investigated the prevalence and patterns of DNA methylation in insect genomes. We have found that DNA methylation is preferentially targeted to genes showing active and uniform expression among insect phenotypes. Genes displaying DNA methylation also tend to be involved in particular biological functions and are conserved phylogenetically. Finally, we provide novel insight into the nature of DNA methylation in insects by contextualizing its role in the multi-layered epigenome.