蜜蜂体内王浆主蛋白基因mrjp9的转录表达研究

蜜蜂体内有9种王浆蛋白基因(major royal jelly protein,MRJPs1～9),其中MRJPs1～5在蜂王浆中含量较高,是蜂王浆生物学功能的基础。MRJPs6～9在王浆中没有或含量极少,且功能未知。为研究非王浆蛋白组分的MRJP9的生物学功能,本研究用RT-PCR的方法对意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica Spinola不同组织,不同部位,不同级型样本中mrjp9的转录水平进行检测和定量。结果发现mrjp9在蜜蜂的幼虫、蛹和成年蜜蜂的各组织部位均广泛转录表达,但其在幼虫、蛹和刚出房的成年蜜蜂体内表达水平较低,而在成年采集蜂体内表达水平则较高,其表达与蜜蜂的发育时期有关。通过对在成年蜜蜂体内各组织部位的表达水平进行检测的结果显示该基因主要在蜜蜂的头、胸和王浆腺等组织部位的表达较高,其他组织部位表达较少。此外,该基因也在雄蜂和蜂王体内广泛表达,不受蜜蜂性别和级型的影响。这些结果说明mrjp9是一与蜜蜂发育有关的基因,可能与蜜蜂的行为发育和分工调控有关。     

蜂王浆主蛋白研究进展

作为社会性昆虫,蜜蜂是研究社会行为和学习记忆的理想模式生物。王浆主蛋白（Major royal jelly protein, MRJP）是蜂王浆中蛋白质的主要成分,该家族一共有9个成员,MRJP1~MRJP9。所有mrjps均以串联排列的形式位于蜜蜂11号染色体上一个大约60 kb的DNA片段上。mrjp的同源体也存在于其他的膜翅目昆虫,均是通过yellow进化而来的。随着不断地进化,MRJPs家族进化出许多重要功能,其中最主要的就是营养功能。本文从MRJPs家族的基因及蛋白质结构、mRNA表达情况、进化和功能等方面进行综述,为今后开展相关研究提供理论支持。     

西方蜜蜂(Apis mellifera L.)体内王浆蛋白MRJP6基因的表达

为探究蜜蜂王浆MRJP6基因在意大利蜜蜂体内的时空表达情况,为进一步的功能研究提供依据。本研究利用实时荧光定量PCR技术对西方蜜蜂不同级型、发育时期和组织内的mrjp6表达量进行检测和分析。结果表明mrjp在蜜蜂幼虫和蛹期的表达水平较低,与对照基本一致,但在成年蜜蜂体内表达量显著提高,约为对照的2~5~2~8倍(p0.05);在成年三型蜂体内,其在雄蜂体内表达量低,约为对照的2~5倍,而在雌性的工蜂和蜂王体内表达量明显较高,可达28倍(p0.05)。这说明mrjp6的表达与蜜蜂的性别有关。但其在工蜂和蜂王之间的表达没有差异,显示其表达与蜜蜂级型无关;进一步的研究表明,成年工蜂体内,mrjp6在哺育蜂和采集蜂体内表达量很高且比较稳定,通过对不同组织的检测表明该基因主要是在蜜蜂的头部特异性高表达。作为王浆蛋白家族的一员,mrjp6在成年雌性蜜蜂头部高水平表达,但又与典型的一般王浆蛋白在9日龄前后哺育蜂体内高表达、其他阶段低表达的模式不同,说明其具有不同于一般王浆蛋白的功能,分析其可能与蜜蜂神经系统的功能以及成年雌性蜜蜂复杂的行为发育模式有关。     

蜜蜂王浆主蛋白（MRJPs）基因家族结构与功能概述

王浆主蛋白（Major royal jelly proteins,MRJPs）是王浆中的水溶性蛋白,为王浆蛋白的主要组分。因结构与功能的相似性,各王浆蛋白编码基因构成一个基因家族。目前该基因家族已鉴定出9个成员,依次命名为mrjp 1~9。该家族为单系群,拥有共同的祖先—yellow-e3,各成员之间具有较高的同源性。随着进化的进行,该家族逐步进化出营养及其它多种生物学功能。本文从该基因家族成员的鉴定、基因和蛋白质的结构特征、进化、功能以及其表达调控等多个方面进行综述,以期为相关的研究和应用提供帮助。     

意大利工蜂咽下腺结构观察

通过研究意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera工蜂咽下腺的结构及形态,为蜜蜂形态学和蜜蜂生理学以及王浆分泌生理提供新知识采用光学显微镜、扫描电镜、HE染色石蜡切片和透射电镜,从形态学和细胞学水平对意大利工蜂咽下腺的结构和功能做了详尽探究和分析.意大利工蜂咽下腺由多个卵圆形腺泡组成,每个腺泡的直径约为120×180 μm,腺泡之间有微气管相连,腺泡外侧有神经细胞,神经细胞的胞体直径约为12μm.每个腺泡是由多细胞构成,最外层有0.1 ～0.2 μm的结缔组织膜,内部有壁细胞、酶原细胞和王浆分泌细胞,其中王浆分泌细胞分布较多,细胞直径约为16 ～ 18 μm,细胞核直径约为6μm. 由咽下腺的形态结构和细胞类型推断,意大利工蜂咽下腺主要分泌王浆,也具有分泌消化酶的功能,同时了解到分泌消化酶和王浆的途径.     

王浆主蛋白MRJP7基因在意大利蜜蜂体内的表达

王浆蛋白是蜂王浆生物功能的物质基础,是由王浆蛋白基因家族(mrjps)编码合成的。但部分家族成员如MRJP7在王浆中的含量极少甚至检测不到。基因功能与其在生物体内的时空表达特性相关,为探究mrjp7的生物学功能,本研究利用荧光定量PCR技术对mrjp7在不同发育时期的工蜂和成年工蜂、雄蜂和蜂王的不同组织部位的表达进行定量检测。结果显示mrjp7在成年雄蜂体内的表达水平最低,成年蜂王次之,且在它们的各不同组织部位之间的表达量差异较小。该基因在工蜂幼虫和蛹期的表达同样较低,但在羽化后9日龄前后的哺育蜂王浆腺和头部特异性高表达,这与哺育蜂分泌蜂王浆哺育幼虫和蜂王的功能是相适应的,该结果在转录水平上证实了mrjp7的营养功能,为进一步的研究和应用打下了理论基础。     

噻虫啉对西方蜜蜂王浆主蛋白、免疫和记忆相关基因表达的影响

【目的】噻虫啉Thiacloprid是当今应用较为广泛的新烟碱类杀虫剂之一。研究表明亚致死剂量的噻虫啉不仅能够影响蜜蜂的采集和飞行能力,而且还能损害蜜蜂的免疫系统。本文主要探究了亚致死浓度的噻虫啉对西方蜜蜂5种王浆主蛋白基因Mrjp1,Mrjp2,Mrjp3,Mrjp4和Mrjp5 4种免疫相关抗菌肽基因Abaecin,Hymenoptaecin,Defensin1和Apidaecin以及3种记忆相关基因Pka,Creb和Nmdar1表达的影响。【方法】对蜜蜂长期饲喂含有0.2 mg/L和2 mg/L噻虫啉的糖水10 d,然后运用荧光定量PCR技术分别检测了蜜蜂王浆腺中王浆主蛋白基因以及脑部免疫和记忆相关基因的表达变化。【结果】0.2 mg/L和2 mg/L噻虫啉均能显著的抑制5种王浆主蛋白基因Mrjp1,Mrjp2,Mrjp3,Mrjp4,Mrjp5和Apidaecin的表达水平(P0.05),而仅有2 mg/L噻虫啉处理能够能显著抑制Abaecin,Hymenoptaecin,Defensin1和Nmdar1表达(P0.05)。不过,0.2 mg/L和2 mg/L噻虫啉处理对另外两种记忆相关基因Pka和Creb表达没有显著影响。【结论】亚致死浓度噻虫啉可能通过抑制王浆主蛋白基因的表达影响蜜蜂王浆腺的发育,而Nmdar1,Abaecin,Hymenoptaecin,Defensin1和Apidaecin的下调表达则可能预示着噻虫啉对蜜蜂记忆能力生成和免疫系统的损害。我们的研究为深入探究噻虫啉对西方蜜蜂健康影响的分子机制提供了基础。     

西方蜜蜂不同级型王浆主蛋白MRJP8基因的表达差异

王浆主蛋白在蜜蜂的级型分化中具有重要的功能。为探究mrjp8在西方蜜蜂Apis mellifera不同级型的表达模式及功能差异。【方法】 利用荧光定量PCR技术对西方蜜蜂工蜂、 雄蜂和蜂王不同发育时期和不同组织的mrjp8表达水平进行检测。【结果】 工蜂体内mrjp8在9日龄前后的毒腺组织内特异性高表达, 为参照基因表达量的上万倍, 在其他发育时期和组织的表达量则明显较低, 其表达具有明显的时空特异性; 在雄蜂体内其表达量与对照相当; 在蜂王体内表达量可达参照的近1 000倍, 没有组织特异性。【结论】 mrjp8的这种表达模式提示其在工蜂防御及维系蜂王长寿命方面有积极作用, 这为进一步研究该基因乃至整个王浆蛋白基因家族的进化和功能分化提供了依据。     

利用PiggyBac系统在家蝇中表达蜜蜂王浆蛋白MRJP1

家蝇Musca domestica是一种重要的资源昆虫,作为饲料蛋白已广泛应用于动物养殖产业。MRJP1蛋白（Major Royal Jelly Proteins 1, MRJP1）是蜂王浆的主要蛋白成分,具有营养作用和跨物种促细胞增殖作用。构建表达意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera王浆蛋白基因Ammrjp1的家蝇可望提高家蝇幼虫的应用价值。本研究构建了携带Ammrjp1基因的重组转座质粒pBac[fa PUb-mrjp1-DsRed],显微注射家蝇胚胎,成功建立Ammrjp1转基因家蝇品系,RT-PCR证明Ammrjp1基因在转基因家蝇中正常转录;SouthernBlot证实Ammrjp1基因是以单拷贝的形式插入到家蝇基因组内;利用Inverse-PCR技术获得Ammrjp1基因在家蝇基因组上插入位点侧翼序列。与野生型家蝇比较,G8代Ammrjp1转基因家蝇4龄幼虫的百头重增加8.6%。家蝇遗传转化体系的成功构建,为建立新型转基因生物反应器和开发高值动物蛋白饲料提供技术支持。     

中华蜜蜂重要生物学特性相关功能基因研究进展

中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana Fabricisus是一种重要的经济动物,具有嗅觉敏锐,抗寒耐热,抗螨及采集能力强等特点.目前人们采用分子生物学的方法,对中华蜜蜂的基因组成、基因表达调控及基因功能分析等方面开展研究,揭示其特征行为的分子机理已成为该领域的研究热点之一.近年来,中华蜜蜂重要生物学特征功能相关基因(即蜂王浆蛋白相关基因、化学通讯相关蛋白基因和抗逆相关基因)在基因克隆、表达特性及功能研究等方面取得了重大进展.本文重点对此进行综述.     

Identification of major royal jelly proteins in the brain of the honeybee Apis mellifera

The consumption of royal jelly (RJ) determines the differences between castes and behavioral development in the honeybee Apis mellifera. However, it is not known whether the proteins of RJ are related to these differences, or which proteins are responsible for the changes. To understand the functions of RJ proteins that are present in other tissues of the bee, in addition to hypopharyngeal gland, we used a polyclonal antibody anti-MRJP1 to investigate the presence of this protein in nervous system of honeybee. This study showed the presence of three polypeptides (p57, p70 and p128) in specific tissues of bee brain. Mushroom body, optic lobe and antennal lobe neuropils all contained proteins recognized by anti-MRJP1. Proteomic analysis showed that the three polypeptides are correlated with proteins of the MRJP family. p57 is correlated with MRJP1, p70 with MRJP3, while p128 may be an oligomeric form or a new polypeptide. Immunostaining of the brain and hypopharyngeal gland revealed differential expression of MRJPs in various brain regions and in different honeybee castes and subcastes. The identification and localization of these MRJPs contribute to the elucidation of the biological roles of this protein family.     

Identification of a Novel Hypocholesterolemic Protein,Major Royal Jelly Protein 1, Derived from Royal Jelly

Royal jelly (RJ) intake lowers serum cholesterol levels in animals and humans, but the active component in RJ that lowers serum cholesterol level and its molecular mechanism are unclear. In this study, we set out to identify the bile acid-binding protein contained in RJ, because dietary bile acid-binding proteins including soybean protein and its peptide are effective in ameliorating hypercholesterolemia. Using a cholic acid-conjugated column, we separated some bile acid-binding proteins from RJ and identified the major RJ protein 1 (MRJP1), MRJP2, and MRJP3 as novel bile acid-binding proteins from RJ, based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Purified MRJP1, which is the most abundant protein of the bile acid-binding proteins in RJ, exhibited taurocholate-binding activity in vitro. The micellar solubility of cholesterol was significantly decreased in the presence of MRJP1 compared with casein in vitro. Liver bile acids levels were significantly increased, and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) mRNA and protein tended to increase by MRJP1 feeding compared with the control. CYP7A1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased by MRJP1 tryptic hydrolysate treatment compared with that of casein tryptic hydrolysate in hepatocytes. MRJP1 hypocholesterolemic effect has been investigated in rats. The cholesterol-lowering action induced by MRJP1 occurs because MRJP1 interacts with bile acids induces a significant increase in fecal bile acids excretion and a tendency to increase in fecal cholesterol excretion and also enhances the hepatic cholesterol catabolism. We have identified, for the first time, a novel hypocholesterolemic protein, MRJP1, in RJ. Interestingly, MRJP1 exhibits greater hypocholesterolemic activity than the medicine β-sitosterol in rats.     

Honeybee (Apis cerana) major royal jelly protein 4 exhibits antimicrobial activity

Major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs) are important protein components of bee royal jelly (RJ) and exhibit various biological and pharmacological activities. The antimicrobial activities of the royalisin and the jelleines contained within MRJP 1 and MRJP 2 in RJ have been elucidated. However, the antimicrobial effects of other MRJPs remain largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of the Asiatic honeybee (Apis cerana) MRJP 4 (AcMRJP4). Recombinant AcMRJP4 was expressed as a 63-kDa protein in baculovirus-infected insect cells. We examined the antimicrobial activity of recombinant AcMRJP4 against bacteria, fungi, and yeast. The mechanisms underlying the antimicrobial activity of AcMRJP4 were assessed using western blot analysis, immunofluorescence staining, and scanning electron microscopy. Recombinant AcMRJP4 bound to the cell walls of bacteria, fungi, and yeast and induced structural damage in the microbial cell walls. AcMRJP4 has an antimicrobial role and exhibits a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities against bacteria, fungi, and yeast. We demonstrated that AcMRJP4 functions as an antimicrobial agent with activity against bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Together, our data identified a novel function of MRJP 4 as an antimicrobial agent.     

Molecular characteristics and physiological functions of major royal jelly protein 1 oligomer

Royal jelly contains numerous components, including proteins. Major royal jelly protein (MRJP) 1 is the most abundant protein among the soluble royal jelly proteins. In its physiological state, MRJP 1 exists as a monomer and/or oligomer. This study focuses the molecular characteristics and functions of MRJP 1 oligomer. MRJP 1 oligomer purified using HPLC techniques was subjected to the following analyses. The molecular weight of MRJP 1 oligomer was found to be 290 kDa using blue native‐PAGE. MRJP 1 oligomer was separated into 55 and 5 kDa spots on 2‐D blue native/SDS‐PAGE. The 55 kDa protein was identified as MRJP 1 monomer by proteome analysis, whereas the 5 kDa protein was identified as Apisimin by N‐terminal amino acid sequencing, and this protein may function as a subunit‐joining protein within MRJP 1 oligomer. We also found that the oligomeric form included noncovalent bonds and was stable under heat treatment at 56°C. Furthermore, MRJP 1 oligomer dose dependently enhanced and sustained cell proliferation in the human lymphoid cell line Jurkat. In conclusion, MRJP 1 oligomer is a heat‐resistant protein comprising MRJP 1 monomer and Apisimin, and has cell proliferation activity. These findings will contribute to further studies analyzing the effects of MRJP 1 in humans.     

Major royal jelly protein 2 acts as an antimicrobial agent and antioxidant in royal jelly

Royal jelly (RJ) is a well-known functional and medicinal food for human health promotion. Major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs), which are the major protein components in RJ, exhibit antimicrobial activities. However, the identities of the MRJPs of RJ responsible for its antioxidant effects have remained unclear. Here, we report that honeybee (Apis cerana) MRJP 2 (AcMRJP2) acts as an antimicrobial and antioxidant agent in RJ. Using recombinant AcMRJP2, which was produced in baculovirus-infected insect cells, we established the antimicrobial and antioxidant roles of MRJP 2. AcMRJP2 bound to the surfaces of bacteria, fungi, and yeast, which then induced structural damage in the microbial cell walls and led to a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities. AcMRJP2 protected mammalian and insect cells via the direct shielding of the cell against oxidative stress, which led to reduced levels of caspase-3 activity and oxidative stress-induced cell apoptosis, followed by increased cell viability. Moreover, AcMRJP2 exhibited DNA protection activity against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our data indicate that AcMRJP2 could play a crucial role as an antimicrobial agent and antioxidant in RJ, suggesting that MRJP 2 is a component responsible for the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of RJ.     

Proteomics analysis of major royal jelly protein changes under different storage conditions

Protein changes in fresh royal jelly (RJ) were compared when stored at -20, 4 degrees C, and room temperature (RT) for 12 months. Protein was partially identified using combinations of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS), gel filtration chromatography, nanoLC MS/MS, and a protein engine identification tool applied to the honeybee genome. Significantly more protein spots were found in fresh (85 spots) and -20 degrees C (81 spots) stored RJ than in samples stored at 4 degrees C (73 spots) and at RT (70 spots) for 1 year. Most identified spots, 56, 57, 51, 46, corresponding to RJ sample of the fresh, -20 degrees C, 4 degrees C, and RT, were assigned to major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs). Marked differences were found in the heterogeneity of the MRJPs, in particular, MRJP3. The quantity of MRJP1 decreased significantly following the temperature trend in all images, but MRJP 2 and -3 did not increase or decrease following the temperature trend, thus, suggesting that MRJP 1-3 are sensitive to temperature. However, MRJP4, 5, glucose oxidase (GOD), peroxiredoxin (PRDX), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) S1 were clearly absent in all images in samples held at RT for 1 year. This indicates that they are the proteins most sensitive to storage temperature and protein markers for freshness of RJ. Combining chromatography and nanoLC MS/MS results, we tentatively conclude that MRJP5 is a reliable freshness marker and that the best way to maintain quality of RJ is under freezing conditions.     

The Family of Major Royal Jelly Proteins and Its Evolution

A cDNA encoding a new member of the gene family of major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs) from the honeybee, Apis mellifera, was isolated and sequenced. Royal jelly (RJ) is a secretion of the cephalic glands of nurse bees. The origin and biological function of the protein component (12.5%, w/w) of RJ is unknown. We show that the MRJP gene family encodes a group of closely related proteins that share a common evolutionary origin with the yellow protein of Drosophila melanogaster. Yellow protein functions in cuticle pigmentation in D. melanogaster. The MRJPs appear to have evolved a novel nutritional function in the honeybee. Received: 26 September 1998 / Accepted: 28 February 1999     

Comprehensive royal jelly (RJ) proteomics using one- and two-dimensional proteomics platforms reveals novel RJ proteins and potential phospho/glycoproteins

Royal jelly (RJ) is an exclusive food for queen honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) that is synthesized and secreted by young worker bees. RJ is also widely used in medical products, cosmetics, and as health foods. However, little is known about RJ functionality and the total protein components, although recent research is attempting to unravel the RJ proteome. We have embarked on a detailed investigation of the RJ proteome, using a modified protein extraction protocol and two complementary proteomics approaches, one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (1-DGE and 2-DGE) in conjunction with tandem mass spectrometry. Simultaneously, we examined total soluble protein from RJ collected at 24, 48, and 72 h after honey bee larvae deposition twice (in two flower blooming seasons), to check differences, if any, in RJ proteome therein. Both 1- and 2-D gels stained with silver nitrate revealed similar protein profiles among these three time points. However, we observed a clear difference in two bands (ca. MW of 55 and 75 kDa) on 1-D gel between the first and the second collection of RJ. A similar difference was also observed in the 2-D gel. Except for this difference, the protein profiles were similar at the 3 time points. As the RJ from 48 (or sometimes 72) is commercially used, we selected the RJ sample at 48 h for detailed analysis with the first collection. 1-DGE identified 90 and 15 proteins from the first and second selection, respectively; in total, 47 nonredundant proteins were identified. 2-DGE identified 105 proteins comprising 14 nonredundant proteins. In total, 52 nonredundant proteins were identified in this study, and other than the major royal jelly protein family and some other previously identified proteins, 42 novel proteins were identified. Furthermore, we also report potentially post-translationally modified (phosphorylation and glycosylation) RJ proteins based on the Pro-Q diamond/emerald phosphoprotein/glycoprotein gel stains; MRJP 2p and 7p were suggested as potential phosphoproteins. The 2-DGE data were integrated to develop a 2-D gel reference map, and all data are accessible through RJ proteomics portal (http://foodfunc.agr.ibaraki.ac.jp/RJP.html).     

Molecular characterization of MRJP3, highly polymorphic protein of honeybee (Apis mellifera) royal jelly.

Major proteins of honey bee (Apis mellifera) royal jelly are members of the MRJP protein family. One MRJP protein termed MRJP3 exhibits a size polymorphism as detected by SDS-PAGE. In this report we show that polymorphism of the MRJP3 protein is a consequence of the polymorphism of a region with a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) located at the C-terminal part of the MRJP3 coding region. We present the characterization of five polymorphic alleles of MRJP3 by DNA sequencing. By PCR analyses, at least 10 alleles of distinct sizes were found in randomly sampled bees. Studies with nurse bees from a single honeybee colony revealed both Mendelian inheritance and very high variability of the MRJP3 genomic locus. The high variability and simple detection of the MRJP3 polymorphism may be useful for genotyping of individuals in studies of the honeybee.     

Towards posttranslational modification proteome of royal jelly

Royal jelly (RJ) is a secretory protein from the hypopharyngeal glands of nurse honeybee workers, which contains a variety of proteins of which major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs) are some of the most important. It plays important roles both for honeybee and human. Each family of MRJP 1-5 displays a string of modified protein spots in the RJ proteome profile, which may be caused by posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of MRJPs. However, information on the RJ PTMs is still limited. Therefore, the PTM status of RJ was identified by using complementary proteome strategies of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), shotgun analysis in combination with high performance liquid chromatography-chip/electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight/tandem mass spectrometry and bioinformatics. Phosphorylation was characterized in MRJP 1, MRJP 2 and apolipophorin-III-like protein for the first time and a new site was localized in venom protein 2 precursor. Methylation and deamidation were also identified in most of the MRJPs. The results indicate that methylation is the most important PTM of MRJPs that triggers the polymorphism of MRJP 1-5 in the RJ proteome. Our data provide a comprehensive catalog of several important PTMs in RJ and add valuable information towards assessing both the biological roles of these PTMs and deciphering the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of RJ for human health.