Sexual epigenetics: genome-wide analysis revealed differential DNA methylation in the vector tick Haemaphysalis longicornis
Abstract Background Haemaphysalis longicornis is an important vector that transmits a variety of pathogens to humans and animals. This tick species is unique for having two separate reproductive populations: bisexual and parthenogenetic populations. In bisexual populations, morphological differences...
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2025-06-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06810-2 |
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| author | Han Wang Ziyan Bing Lu Li Ziwen Gao Chuks Fidelis Nwanade Na Dong Ke Li Leyan Du Zhijun Yu |
| author_facet | Han Wang Ziyan Bing Lu Li Ziwen Gao Chuks Fidelis Nwanade Na Dong Ke Li Leyan Du Zhijun Yu |
| author_sort | Han Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Haemaphysalis longicornis is an important vector that transmits a variety of pathogens to humans and animals. This tick species is unique for having two separate reproductive populations: bisexual and parthenogenetic populations. In bisexual populations, morphological differences exist between the males and females, with the females often larger than the males. DNA methylation, as a key epigenetic modification, plays a crucial role in biological processes such as the maintenance of normal cellular function, the regulation of gene expression, and embryonic development. However, the epigenetic mechanism underlying sex differentiation in the bisexual population of H. longicornis has been overlooked. Methods In the present study, the global DNA methylation profiles of the female and male H. longicornis ticks from the bisexual population were explored using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of DMR-related genes. Results The results revealed that DNA methylation levels in H. longicornis varied by sex and sequence context (CG, CHG, and CHH). The 3′ untranslated region (UTR) had the highest methylation in the CG context, followed by exons, introns, and CGI_shore regions. Female ticks generally exhibited higher methylation levels than males, particularly in gene body regions. A total of 10,460 DMRs were identified, with 5282 hypermethylated and 5178 hypomethylated. Further, GO and KEGG pathway analyses showed that differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were highly enriched in binding and metabolic pathways. Conclusions These results broaden our understanding of DNA methylation changes associated with the female and male of H. longicornis and provide an important theoretical basis for subsequent studies of epigenetic mechanisms of sex differences in ticks. Graphical Abstract Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis revealed epigenetic differences between male and female Haemaphysalis longicornis. Male and female ticks have significantly different methylation sites in multiple regions of the genome, and these sites may regulate gender specific biological functions. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj-art-a3de4c5ecabc4dbb9bc024946258e89d2025-08-20T03:10:31ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052025-06-0118111110.1186/s13071-025-06810-2Sexual epigenetics: genome-wide analysis revealed differential DNA methylation in the vector tick Haemaphysalis longicornisHan Wang0Ziyan Bing1Lu Li2Ziwen Gao3Chuks Fidelis Nwanade4Na Dong5Ke Li6Leyan Du7Zhijun Yu8Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal UniversityHebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal UniversityHebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal UniversityHebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal UniversityGuangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of SciencesHebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal UniversityHebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal UniversityHebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal UniversityHebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal UniversityAbstract Background Haemaphysalis longicornis is an important vector that transmits a variety of pathogens to humans and animals. This tick species is unique for having two separate reproductive populations: bisexual and parthenogenetic populations. In bisexual populations, morphological differences exist between the males and females, with the females often larger than the males. DNA methylation, as a key epigenetic modification, plays a crucial role in biological processes such as the maintenance of normal cellular function, the regulation of gene expression, and embryonic development. However, the epigenetic mechanism underlying sex differentiation in the bisexual population of H. longicornis has been overlooked. Methods In the present study, the global DNA methylation profiles of the female and male H. longicornis ticks from the bisexual population were explored using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of DMR-related genes. Results The results revealed that DNA methylation levels in H. longicornis varied by sex and sequence context (CG, CHG, and CHH). The 3′ untranslated region (UTR) had the highest methylation in the CG context, followed by exons, introns, and CGI_shore regions. Female ticks generally exhibited higher methylation levels than males, particularly in gene body regions. A total of 10,460 DMRs were identified, with 5282 hypermethylated and 5178 hypomethylated. Further, GO and KEGG pathway analyses showed that differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were highly enriched in binding and metabolic pathways. Conclusions These results broaden our understanding of DNA methylation changes associated with the female and male of H. longicornis and provide an important theoretical basis for subsequent studies of epigenetic mechanisms of sex differences in ticks. Graphical Abstract Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis revealed epigenetic differences between male and female Haemaphysalis longicornis. Male and female ticks have significantly different methylation sites in multiple regions of the genome, and these sites may regulate gender specific biological functions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06810-2Haemaphysalis longicornisSexual dimorphismDNA methylationWhole-genome bisulfite sequencingEpigenetic regulation |
| spellingShingle | Han Wang Ziyan Bing Lu Li Ziwen Gao Chuks Fidelis Nwanade Na Dong Ke Li Leyan Du Zhijun Yu Sexual epigenetics: genome-wide analysis revealed differential DNA methylation in the vector tick Haemaphysalis longicornis Parasites & Vectors Haemaphysalis longicornis Sexual dimorphism DNA methylation Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing Epigenetic regulation |
| title | Sexual epigenetics: genome-wide analysis revealed differential DNA methylation in the vector tick Haemaphysalis longicornis |
| title_full | Sexual epigenetics: genome-wide analysis revealed differential DNA methylation in the vector tick Haemaphysalis longicornis |
| title_fullStr | Sexual epigenetics: genome-wide analysis revealed differential DNA methylation in the vector tick Haemaphysalis longicornis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sexual epigenetics: genome-wide analysis revealed differential DNA methylation in the vector tick Haemaphysalis longicornis |
| title_short | Sexual epigenetics: genome-wide analysis revealed differential DNA methylation in the vector tick Haemaphysalis longicornis |
| title_sort | sexual epigenetics genome wide analysis revealed differential dna methylation in the vector tick haemaphysalis longicornis |
| topic | Haemaphysalis longicornis Sexual dimorphism DNA methylation Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing Epigenetic regulation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06810-2 |
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