An Engineered orco Mutation Produces Aberrant Social Behavior and Defective Neural Development in Ants

作者：Yan Hua; Opachaloemphan Comzit; Mancini Giacomo; Yang Huan; Gallitto Matthew; Mlejnek Jakub; Leibholz Alexandra; Haight Kevin; Ghaninia Majid; Huo Lucy; Perry Michael; Slone Jesse; Zhou Xiaofan; Traficante Maria; Penick Clint A; Dolezal Kelly; Gokhale Kaustubh; Stevens Kelsey; Fetter Pruneda Ingrid; Bonasio Roberto; Zwiebel Laurence J; Berger Shelley L^*; Liebig Jurgen^*; Reinberg Danny^*; Desplan Claude^*

来源：Cell, 2017, 170(4): 736-+.

DOI：10.1016/j.cell.2017.06.051

• CRISPR
• Harpegnathos saltator
• Orco
• ant
• eusocial insect
• glomerulus
• neural development
• odorant receptor
• odorant receptor neurons
• pheromone
• reproduction
• social behavior

Ants exhibit cooperative behaviors and advanced forms of sociality that depend on pheromone-mediated communication. Odorant receptor neurons (ORNs) express specific odorant receptors (ORs) encoded by a dramatically expanded gene family in ants. In most eusocial insects, only the queen can transmit genetic information, restricting genetic studies. In contrast, workers in Harpegnathos saltator ants can be converted into gamergates (pseudoqueens) that can found entire colonies. This feature facilitated CRISPR-Cas9 generation of germline mutations in orco, the gene that encodes the obligate co-receptor of all ORs. orco mutations should significantly impact olfaction. We demonstrate striking functions of Orco in odorant perception, reproductive physiology, and social behavior plasticity. Surprisingly, unlike in other insects, loss of OR functionality also dramatically impairs development of the antennal lobe to which ORNs project. Therefore, the development of genetics in Harpegnathos establishes this ant species as a model organism to study the complexity of eusociality.

• 出版日期2017-8-10