1. Achievement Title
Chromatin dynamics of a large-sized genome provides insights into polyphenism and X0 dosage compensation of locusts
2. Achievement Summary
Systematically elucidated the complex regulatory mechanisms of chromatin modifications on gene expression within a giant genome, inaugurating a new era in locust ENCODE research.
3. Research Team and Detailed Achievement Description
On September 1, 2025, the Kang Le team published their latest research findings inNature Genetics titled “Chromatin dynamics of a large-sized genome provides insights into polyphenism and X0 dosage compensation of locusts”.
In this study, the team completed chromosome-level genome assemblies for the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) and the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria). Using the migratory locust as the model, the team constructed the most comprehensive chromosome-level chromatin modification atlas to date in the context of a giant genome. The study revealed that transcription upregulation mediated by active enhancers promotes the occurrence of phase polyphenism (gregarious behavior) in migratory locusts. As a representative species with an X0 sex-determination system, the migratory locust exhibits a unique distance-dependent dosage compensation mechanism in the context of a giant genome. During species evolution, genes recently translocated from autosomes to the X chromosome exhibit a lag effect in dosage compensation mechanisms. Academician Kang Le served as the corresponding author.
4. Link to the Original Article
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02330-y
5. Achievement Schematic Diagram
