In this study, the full-length cDNA of a BR-C homolog was obtained from the Polyrhachis vicina Roger based on the result of RNA-Seq using RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends techniques. The homolog was designated as PvBR-C(GenBank accession no. MF596490.1). The nucleotide sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of PvBR-C were analyzed and characterized by bioinformatic methods. The results showed that the full-length cDNA of PvBR-C was 3 061 bp, including a 1 302 bp open reading frame, and encoding a precursor protein of 433 amino acid residues. The PvBR-C exhibited high homology with BR-C protein and contained the BTB and Zf-H2C2 domains. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) analysis revealed that the PvBR-C expression level varied significantly in different development stages and adult castes. The expression was highest in the larral stage. It was expressed in all studied adult tissues with high expression levels detected in the abdomen of reproductive ants and the head of the worker ants. Our data demonstrated that PvBR-C may affect the regulation of different developmental stages and different grades of Polyrhachis vicina Roger, and may play important roles in regulating the reproductive and digestive functions of reproductive ants and the behavior of worker ants.

Polychichis vicina Roger; Broad-Complex; cDNA; RT-qPCR; expression analysis