Queen pheromone modulates the expression of epigenetic modifier genes in the brain of honeybee workers

Pheromones are used by many insects to mediate social interactions. In the
highly eusocial honeybee (Apis mellifera) queen mandibular pheromone (QMP)
is involved in the regulation of the reproductive and other behaviour of
workers. The molecular mechanisms by which QMP acts are largely unknown.
Here we investigate how genes responsible for epigenetic modifications to
DNA, RNA and histones respond to the presence of QMP in the environment.
We show that several of these genes are upregulated in the honeybee brain
when workers are exposed to artificial QMP. We propose that pheromonal
communication systems, such as those used by social insects, evolved to
respond to environmental signals by making use of existing epigenomic
machineries.