Coding and long non-coding RNAs regulating adult migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) brain polyphenism revealed via whole transcriptome analyses

The migratory locust, Locust migratoria is the most widely distributed and destructive grasshopper in the world. A draft whole genome of this pest were recently reported. However, there have been no reports of coding and long-non coding (LNC) RNAs, whose expression varies in adult locust brains depending on different habitats, phases, or sexes. Thus, an RNA–Seq analysis using 12 RNA seq data sets was performed in the present study. A total of 10.973 LNC and 22,845 coding RNAs were assembled based on 12 transcriptome datasets. Among these RNAs, the number of differentially expressed coding RNAs between phases and sexes ranged from 43 to 269 and 286–385, respectively. In addition, the number of differentially expressed LNC RNAs between phases and sexes were ranged from 19 to 57 and 109–173, respectively. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analyses showed that metabolic pathways, such as purine, pyruvate, inositol phosphate and amino acids metabolism were significantly altered according to phases and sexes. Furthermore, the expression of 7 coding and 3 LNC RNAs was verified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR. In this study, we identified habitat-, phase- and sex-specific coding and LNC RNAs. We further confirmed and analyzed 7 coding RNAs that have been suggested to be involved in inositol metabolisms, the regulation of micro RNA expression and juvenile hormone synthesis and the induction of caste development and adult behavioral changes. Further studies using LNC-RNAs would provide new insights into the molecular and cellular basis of polyphenisms in the migratory locusts.