The role of the dsx gene in specifying cooperative behaviors in a eusocial organism, the honeybee

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Martin Beye
• Subject Area: Evolutionary Cell and Developmental Biology (Zoology)
• Term: since 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 221274390

The evolution to eusociality in vertebrates and invertebrates has led to changes from solitary living to group living, which in some species involves the formation of distinct castes, a reproductive queen and the workers that forego reproduction. In more advanced eusocial insect colonies, such as honeybees, the sophisticated social within-group behaviors are limited to workers and do not apply to queens. The worker-specific behaviors are characterized by a rich repertoire of behavioral tasks, which serve a common goal: the maintenance and reproduction of the colony. In previously published work, the preferences of behavioral task engagements, which are influenced by the genotype, gene expression, experience and age of adult workers, have been studied. However, our understanding of how the potential of innate worker-specific behaviors is specified in the adult worker central nerve system (CNS) during development is rudimentary at best. We have identified a developmental gene that can specify aspects of worker-specific behaviors, which is related to brood rearing. Other general behaviors were not programmed. Behavioral malfunctions are associated with malformations of brain structures and with specific expression in a small subset of neuronal cells. The aim of this proposal is to understand the cellular and anatomical components underlying worker-specific behaviors. We will use the cells expressing this gene as a model system. The overall goal is to characterize the molecular and cellular underpinnings of cooperative behaviors in a eusocial society.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants