Cloning and expression pattern of odorant receptor 11 in Asian honeybee drones,Apis cerana (Hymenoptera,Apidae)

Odorant receptors play a crucial role in the special recognition of scent molecules in the honeybee olfaction system. The odorant receptor 11 (AmOR11) in western honeybee drones (Apis mellifera) has been demonstrated to specifically bind to 9-oxo-2-decenoic acid (9-ODA) of queens. However, little is known regarding the functions of OR11 Asian honeybee drones (Apis cerana) in the context of their mating activities. In this study, the odorant receptor 11 gene (AcOr11) from A. cerana was cloned, and its expression profiles were examined during two developmental stages (immature and sexually mature) and different physiological statuses (flying and crawling). The cDNA sequence of AcOr11 was highly similar to that of AmOr11, and encoded a membrane-coupled protein of 384 amino acids. The results of qRT-PCR indicated that AcOr11 was expressed at higher levels in drone antennae compared to brains, and the expression was significantly up-regulated in sexually mature drone brains compared to immature brains. Interestingly, AcOr11 expression in brains of mature flying drones was dramatically higher than those of mature crawling drones. To our knowledge, this study demonstrate a link between AcOr11 gene expression in the brain of honeybee drones and behavior associated with sexual maturity and mating flight.     

Prevention of Chinese Sacbrood Virus Infection in Apis cerana using RNA Interference

Chinese sacbrood virus (CSBV) is the pathogen of Chinese sacbrood disease, which poses a serious threat to honeybee Apis cerana, and tends to cause bee colony and even the whole apiary collapse. Here we report on prevention of CSBV infection by feeding second instar larvae of A. cerana with specific sequences of CSBV double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Protection of the bee larvae from CSBV by ingestion of CSBV-derived dsRNA was further demonstrated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and northern blot analysis. The result provides a potential method to protect A. cerana from CSBV infection.     

Origin and function of the major royal jelly proteins of the honeybee (Apis mellifera) as members of the yellow gene family

In the honeybee, Apis mellifera, the queen larvae are fed with a diet exclusively composed of royal jelly (RJ), a secretion of the hypopharyngeal gland of young worker bees that nurse the brood. Up to 15% of RJ is composed of proteins, the nine most abundant of which have been termed major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs). Although it is widely accepted that RJ somehow determines the fate of a female larva and in spite of considerable research efforts, there are surprisingly few studies that address the biochemical characterisation and functions of these MRJPs. Here we review the research on MRJPs not only in honeybees but in hymenopteran insects in general and provide metadata analyses on genome organisation of mrjp genes, corroborating previous reports that MRJPs have important functions for insect development and not just a nutritional value for developing honeybee larvae.     

Molecular characterization of a venom acid phosphatase Acph-1-like protein from the Asiatic honeybee Apis cerana

Bee venom contains a variety of peptides and enzymes, including acid phosphatases. An acid phosphatase has been identified from European honeybee (Apis mellifera) venom. However, although the amino acid sequence is known, no functional information is currently available for bee venom acid phosphatase Acph-1-like proteins. In this study, an Asiatic honeybee (Apis cerana) venom acid phosphatase Acph-1-like protein (AcAcph-1) was identified. The analysis of the predicted AcAcph-1 amino acid sequence revealed high levels of identity with other bee venom acid phosphatase Acph-1-like proteins. Recombinant AcAcph-1 was expressed as a 64-kDa protein in baculovirus-infected insect cells. The enzymatic properties of recombinant AcAcph-1, determined using p-nitrophenyl phosphate (p-NPP) as a substrate, showed the highest activity at 45 °C and pH 4.8. Northern and western blot analyses showed that AcAcph-1 was expressed in the venom gland and was present as a 64-kDa protein in bee venom. In addition, N-glycosylation of AcAcph-1 was revealed by tunicamycin treatment of recombinant virus-infected insect Sf9 cells and by glycoprotein staining of purified recombinant AcAcph-1. Our findings show that AcAcph-1 functions as a venom acid phosphatase. This paper provides the first evidence of the role of a bee venom acid phosphatase Acph-1-like protein.     

RNAi靶向VP2基因抑制中蜂囊状幼虫病毒在中华蜜蜂幼虫体内复制研究

中蜂囊状幼虫病(Chinese sacbrood disease,CSBD)是造成中华蜜蜂患病死亡的主要原因之一,目前尚无有效的治疗方法。为了研究靶向中蜂囊状幼虫病毒(Chinese sacbrood virus,CSBV)结构蛋白VP2基因的siRNA介导的RNA干扰(RNA interference,RNAi)作用和其对CSBV在中华蜜蜂幼虫体内复制的影响,设计合成针对CSBV VP2基因的特异性siRNA,以100 nM的浓度与pEGFPN1-VP2-CSBV融合表达载体共同转染至293T细胞中,通过荧光显微镜和流式细胞仪观察和分析siRNA在体外对CSBV VP2基因表达的干扰效果。同时,将siRNA(1μg/μL)和1×10~7拷贝数的CSBV共同饲喂2日龄中华蜜蜂幼虫,检测幼虫体内CSBV拷贝数和幼虫存活率,研究siR-NA对中华蜜蜂幼虫体内CSBV复制的影响。荧光结果显示,在293T细胞中siRNA能抑制CSBV VP2蛋白的表达,并且通过流式细胞仪检测分析发现干扰效果接近40%。幼虫饲喂实验表明,饲喂siRNA组在各时间点幼虫体内CSBV拷贝数均低于CSBV对照组,且在摄入siRNA后感染CSBV的幼虫存活率明显上升,与CSBV组差异极显著(P<0.01)。通过本研究,证明了针对CSBV结构蛋白VP2基因的特异性siRNA能够介导产生RNAi,影响CSBV在中蜂体内的复制,为深入研究CSBV VP2基因的功能和研发抗CSBV生物制剂提供了理论基础。     

Tissue-specific glycosylation in the honeybee: Analysis of the N-glycomes of Apis mellifera larvae and venom

BackgroundPrevious glycophylogenetic comparisons of dipteran and lepidopteran species revealed variations in the anionic and zwitterionic modifications of their N-glycans; therefore, we wished to explore whether species- and order-specific glycomic variations would extend to the hymenoptera, which include the honeybee Apis mellifera, an agriculturally- and allergologically-significant social species.MethodsIn this study, we employed an off-line liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry approach, in combination with enzymatic and chemical treatments, to analyse the N-glycans of male honeybee larvae and honeybee venom in order to facilitate definition of isomeric structures.ResultsThe neutral larval N-glycome was dominated by oligomannosidic and paucimannosidic structures, while the neutral venom N-glycome displayed more processed hybrid and complex forms with antennal N-acetylgalactosamine, galactose and fucose residues including Lewis-like epitopes; the anionic pools from both larvae and venom contained a wide variety of glucuronylated, sulphated and phosphoethanolamine-modified N-glycans with up to three antennae. In comparison to honeybee royal jelly, there were more fucosylated and fewer Man_4/5-based hybrid glycans in the larvae and venom samples as well as contrasting antennal lengths.ConclusionsCombining the current data on venom and larvae with that we previously published on royal jelly, a total honeybee N-glycomic repertoire of some 150 compositions can be proposed in addition to the 20 previously identified on specific venom glycoproteins.SignificanceOur data are indicative of tissue-specific modification of the core and antennal regions of N-glycans in Apis mellifera and reinforce the concept that insects are capable of extensive processing to result in rather complex anionic oligosaccharide structures.     

Antibiotic treatment (Tetracycline) effect on bio-efficiency of the larvae honey bee (Apis mellifera jemenatica)

Honey bees are important for ecological health, biodiversity preservation, and crop output. Antimicrobials, like Tetracyclines, are commonly used in agriculture, medicine, and beekeeping, bees might be exposed to Tetracycline residues in the environment either directly or indirectly. This study aimed to determine the effect of antibiotic treatment (Tetracycline) effect on the Bio-efficiency of the larvae honey bee (Apis mellifera jemenatica), when larvae honeybee workers were exposed to different concentrations of it, to see how long they survived after being exposed to it and affected this antibiotic to the histological structure of the midgut. The results demonstrated that the concentration (LC₅₀ = 125.25 μg/ml) of antibiotics Tetracycline leads to kills half of the individuals. Our data indicate that the high concentrations of Tetracycline have a significant effect on the histological composition of the cells of the midgut of honeybee larvae. Antibiotic exposure can negatively impact the health of honey bees, especially Tetracycline because it is the most used antibiotic in apiculture.     

Antibacterial activity of major royal jelly proteins of the honeybee (Apis mellifera) royal jelly

Major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs) are the protein components in royal jelly (RJ). MRJPs 1–7 are detected in the honeybee Apis mellifera RJ. Although A. mellifera MRJP (AmMRJP) 2 exhibited antibacterial activity, the other MRJPs with antimicrobial activities in A. mellifera RJ remains largely unknown. Here, we compared the antibacterial activity of recombinant AmMRJPs 1–7 expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells. Antibacterial assays of recombinant AmMRJPs 1–7 against the gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli revealed that AmMRJPs 2–5 and 7 exhibited antibacterial activity, whereas AmMRJPs 1 and 6 displayed almost no antibacterial activity. Consistent with the antibacterial activity of AmMRJPs, AmMRJPs 2–5 and 7 are bound to bacterial cell walls. These results indicated that AmMRJPs 2–5 and 7 contribute directly to the antibacterial property of RJ, suggesting that MRJPs play a role in the antimicrobial property of RJ.     

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.     

Prepro-tachykinin gene expression in the brain of the honeybee<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Apis mellifera</Emphasis>

We have recently identified a tachykinin-related peptide (AmTRP) from the mushroom bodies (MBs) of the brain of the honeybee Apis mellifera L. by using direct matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization with time-of-flight mass spectometry and have isolated its cDNA. Here, we have examined prepro-AmTRP gene expression in the honeybee brain by using in situ hybridization. The prepro-AmTRP gene is expressed predominantly in the MBs and in some neurons located in the optic and antennal lobes. cDNA microarray studies have revealed that AmTRP expression is enriched in the MBs compared with other brain regions. There is no difference in AmTRP-expressing cells among worker, queen, and drone brains, suggesting that the cell types that express the prepro-AmTRP gene do not change according to division of labor, sex, or caste. The unique expression pattern of the prepro-AmTRP gene suggests that AmTRPs function as neuromodulators in the MBs of the honeybee brain.This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid from the Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution (BRAIN)     

Antioxidant capacity of major royal jelly proteins of honeybee (Apis mellifera) royal jelly

Major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs) of honeybee royal jelly (RJ) exhibit antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Although MRJPs of Apis mellifera RJ (AmMRJPs) responsible for antibacterial activity have been identified, AmMRJPs with antioxidant effects remain to be elucidated. Here we identified and compared the antioxidant activities of purified recombinant AmMRJPs 1–7, which are expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells. Antioxidant assays of recombinant AmMRJPs 1–7 against H₂O₂ revealed that AmMRJPs reduce caspase-3 activity and oxidative stress-induced cell apoptosis and lead to increased cell viability. Consistent with these results, AmMRJPs 1–7 exhibit 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity and protect against oxidative DNA damage. These results indicate that AmMRJPs play a role as antioxidants in A. mellifera RJ.     

Differential expression of antioxidant system genes in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) caste development mitigates ROS-mediated oxidative damage in queen larvae

The expression of morphological differences between the castes of social bees is triggered by dietary regimes that differentially activate nutrient-sensing pathways and the endocrine system, resulting in differential gene expression during larval development. In the honey bee, Apis mellifera, mitochondrial activity in the larval fat body has been postulated as a link that integrates nutrient-sensing via hypoxia signaling. To understand regulatory mechanisms in this link, we measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, oxidative damage to proteins, the cellular redox environment, and the expression of genes encoding antioxidant factors in the fat body of queen and worker larvae. Despite higher mean H₂O₂ levels in queens, there were no differences in ROS-mediated protein carboxylation levels between the two castes. This can be explained by their higher expression of antioxidant genes (MnSOD, CuZnSOD, catalase, and Gst1) and the lower ratio between reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG). In worker larvae, the GSG/GSSH ratio is elevated and antioxidant gene expression is delayed. Hence, the higher ROS production resulting from the higher respiratory metabolism in queen larvae is effectively counterbalanced by the up-regulation of antioxidant genes, avoiding oxidative damage. In contrast, the delay in antioxidant gene expression in worker larvae may explain their endogenous hypoxia response.     

Mitochondrial proteins differential expression during honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) queen and worker larvae caste determination

Despite their similar genetic makeup, honeybee (A. mellifera) queens and workers show alternative morphologies driven by nutritional difference during the larval stage. Although much research have been done to investigate the causes of honeybee caste polymorphism, information at subcellular protein levels is limited. We analyzed queen- and worker-destined larvae mitochondrial proteome at three early developmental stages using combinations of differential centrifugation, two-dimensional electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, bioinformatics, and quantitative real time PCR. In total, 67, 69, and 97 protein spots were reproducibly identified as mitochondrial proteins at 72, 96, and 120 h, respectively. There were significant qualitative and quantitative protein expression differences between the two castes at three developmental stages. In general, the queen-destined larvae up-regulated large proportions of proteins at all of the developmental stages and, in particular, 95% at 72 h. An overwhelming majority of the queen larvae up-regulated proteins were physiometabolic-enriched proteins (metabolism of carbohydrate and energy, amino acid, and fatty acid) and involved in protein folding, and this was further verified by functional enrichment and biological interaction network analyses as a direct link with metabolic rates and cellular responses to hormones. Although wide-ranging mitochondrial proteomes participate to shape the metabolic, physiologic, and anatomic differences between the two castes at 72 h, physiometabolic-enriched proteins were found as the major modulators of the profound marking of this caste differentiation. Owing to nutritional difference, prospective queen larvae showed enhanced growth, and this was manifested through the overexpression of metabolic enzymes. Differently from similar studies targeting the causes of honeybee caste polymorphism, this subcellular level study provides an in-depth insight into mitochondrial proteins-mediated caste polymorphism and greatly improves protein coverage involved during honeybee caste determination. Hence, it is a major step forward in the analysis of the fundamental causes of honeybee caste pathway decision and greatly contributes to the knowledge of honeybee biology. In particular, the consistency between the 22 proteins and mRNA expressions provides us important target genes for the reverse genetic analysis of caste pathway modulation through RNA interference.     

中华蜜蜂幼虫原代细胞培养及中华蜜蜂囊状幼虫病毒在培养的细胞中的复制

【目的】建立一种适用于蜜蜂源的细胞培养方法,为蜜蜂源细胞培养和蜂病毒的研究奠定基础。【方法】比较在Grace和WH2两种昆虫细胞培养基中培养的中华蜜蜂 Apis cerana cerana 幼虫原代细胞状况,筛选出适用于中华蜜蜂幼虫原代细胞培养的最佳培养基,并通过细胞活力比较,确定用于中华蜜蜂幼虫原代细胞培养的适宜胎牛血清(fetal bovine serum, FBS)浓度。在此基础上,用该原代细胞接种中华蜜蜂囊状幼虫病毒（Chinese sacbrood bee disease, CSBV）,并通过实时定量RT-PCR方法对病毒复制情况进行检测。【结果】相对于WH2培养基,在Grace培养基中生长的细胞大而圆,透明,边缘整齐,无颗粒物,活力明显高于WH2培养,且含15% FBS的Grace培养基更适合于中华蜜蜂幼虫原代细胞培养。CSBV接种在该原代细胞,能够复制增殖,同时伴随宿主细胞快速分裂。【结论】中华蜜蜂幼虫原代细胞培养基在含15%FBS的Grace中能够良好生长,并且CSBV可以在该原代细胞中进行复制。     

Differential hygienic behavior of Apis cerana F. and Apis mellifera L. to Sacbrood virus infection

Beekeeping with Apis cerana of Korean apiculture is facing with serious colony collapse caused by invasive Sacbrood virus (SBV) disease. This fatal brood disease was the main reason of more than 90% colony lost in Korea leading almost the extinct crisis. Sacbrood virus can infect either larvae or adult honeybees, with a higher sensibility of larvae to the infection. Since SBV has spread to all over the country, efforts have been made to treat and prevent this devastating disease although no effective results have so far been obtained. Several studies have demonstrated that Apis mellifera bee colonies that express an efficient hygienic behavior exhibit a higher resistance to the brood disease. In this study we demonstrated that the differences of hygienic behavior between A. cerana and A. mellifera. A. cerana more efficiently removed the pin-killed brood than A. mellifera. On the other hand, A. mellifera more efficiently removed SBV-infected larvae and SBV-dead brood than A. cerana. However, it remains unclear whether the advantage of hygienic bee could have efficacy against Sacbrood disease on A. cerana colonies.     

Invasion of the dwarf honeybee Apis florea into the near East

The dwarf honeybee, Apis florae, is an open nesting honeybee typical to Southern Asia. In the past decades it has been accidentally introduced by man to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula where the species established sustainable and expanding populations. Recently it has also been introduced to Aqaba and Eilat, where it has also established expanding populations. We here study the genetic structure of this invasive population with nine microsatellite DNA markers to reconstruct the invasion history. The population shows indications of an extreme bottleneck suggesting that it established itself very recently and may have originated from a single introduced colony only. The impact of the species for both apiculture and conservation of biodiversity is discussed.     

Lethal infection thresholds of Paenibacillus larvae for honeybee drone and worker larvae (Apis mellifera)

We compared the mortality of honeybee (Apis mellifera) drone and worker larvae from a single queen under controlled in vitro conditions following infection with Paenibacillus larvae, a bacterium causing the brood disease American Foulbrood (AFB). We also determined absolute P. larvae cell numbers and lethal titres in deceased individuals of both sexes up to 8 days post infection using quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR). Our results show that in drones the onset of infection induced mortality is delayed by 1 day, the cumulative mortality is reduced by 10% and P. larvae cell numbers are higher than in worker larvae. Since differences in bacterial cell titres between sexes can be explained by differences in body size, larval size appears to be a key parameter for a lethal threshold in AFB tolerance. Both means and variances for lethal thresholds are similar for drone and worker larvae suggesting that drone resistance phenotypes resemble those of related workers.