烟曲霉素在防治蜜蜂孢子虫病中的应用研究进展

近年来,全球性蜂群损失严重,对蜜蜂授粉农业造成巨大冲击。东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae,N.ceranae在成功实现由东方蜜蜂Apis cerana Fabr.向西方蜜蜂Apis mellifera L.的宿主转移后,成为严重威胁西方蜜蜂健康的一种新的寄生虫病原,并被认为是蜂群损失的一个重要原因。烟曲霉素是一种能够有效防治蜜蜂孢子虫病的药物,但作为一种抗生素类药物,其在蜂产品中的残留问题以及对蜂群和人类健康的影响也颇受关注。本文将围绕蜜蜂孢子虫病概况、烟曲霉素在治疗蜜蜂孢子虫病以及人类疾病中的应用及其潜在的问题等进行综述,以期为我国养蜂生产中蜜蜂孢子虫病的防治以及烟曲霉素在相关领域中的应用提供参考。     

感染蜜蜂的两种微孢子虫——Nosema apis和Nosema ceranae

孢子虫病是西方蜜蜂的主要病害之一,其病原包括蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema apis和东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae。自2006年首次在西方蜜蜂体内发现N.ceranae以来,关于N.ceranae的研究成为热点,其中感染蜜蜂的两种微孢子虫的比较是关注的焦点。本文主要综述近十多年来发表的相关文献,从流行性、形态、基因组、毒力等角度对这两种微孢子虫进行比较,并对后续研究进行展望,以期为微孢子虫的研究及蜜蜂孢子虫病的防治提供借鉴。     

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫传染病学分析

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫病是一种由东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(Nosema ceranae)引起的蜜蜂传染病,已经蔓延到全球。蜜蜂感染东方蜜蜂微孢子虫后会导致早衰、哺育能力下降、生产力和繁殖能力降低,严重时可直接导致蜂群瓦解。本文从传染病学角度出发,对近10年东方蜜蜂微孢子虫病原学、流行病学和防治方法等方面进行总结,以此提高对微孢子虫的认识,为微孢子虫防治提供新思路。     

Calcofluor White M2R与Sytox Green双重染色法鉴别蜜蜂微孢子虫

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(Nosema ceranae)是一种广泛寄生于东方蜜蜂Apis cerana,西方蜜蜂Apis mellifera和熊蜂Bombus Latreille上的寄生虫,对蜜蜂和熊蜂的危害较大,进而影响养蜂业的发展。本实验采用荧光染色试剂Calcofluor White M2R与核酸染料Sytox Green双重染法来鉴别蜜蜂或熊蜂体内的N.ceranae及孢子的存活状态。结果得出,在荧光显微镜下可见死孢子被染上黄绿色荧光,活的呈现蓝白色荧光,而寄主细胞、细菌、病毒等不被染色。这是一种快速有效鉴别N.ceranae及其死活的方法,从而判定蜜蜂或熊蜂体内的微孢子虫在是否具有侵染活性,对微孢子虫的研究及药物防治具有重要作用。     

环介导等温扩增（LAMP）技术检测东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae的研究

应用环介导等温扩增(Loop-mediated isothermal amplification,LAMP)技术建立一种准确、灵敏、快速的蜜蜂微孢子虫检测方法。本研究根据东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae的依赖DNA的RNA聚合酶Ⅱ大亚基(RPB1)序列,用在线软件Primer Explorer V4.0 online设计4条特异性引物,分别对Mg2+、d NTP、内引物FIP/BIP和甜菜碱浓度及反应温度和时间优化;选择蜜蜂体内常见病原进行该方法的特异性验证,用MseⅠ酶切扩增产物验证其准确性;将N.ceranae的DNA梯度稀释进行灵敏度检测并与PCR比较分析;最后在临床检测中验证该技术的可行性。结果表明,优化的体系可在恒温57℃下完成扩增反应;引物的病原特异性检测仅N.ceranae有梯状条带,MseⅠ酶切产物条带符合理论值;LAMP反应检测的灵敏度较PCR高10倍;能够直接从蜜蜂体内检测出N.ceranae。本研究建立的LAMP检测N.ceranae体系准确、快速、成本低,可为蜜蜂微孢子虫病的检测提供有力的技术支撑。     

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂工蜂过程的nce-miR-23928及其靶基因表达谱

【背景】东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(Nosema ceranae)专性侵染成年蜜蜂中肠上皮细胞而导致的微孢子虫病给养蜂业造成严重损失。【目的】检测东方蜜蜂微孢子虫nce-miR-23928及其靶基因在侵染意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera ligustica)工蜂过程的表达谱,为深入探究nce-miR-23928在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染中的功能及调控机制提供依据。【方法】通过RNAhybrid、miRanda和TargetScan软件预测nce-miR-23928的靶基因。使用BLAST工具将上述靶基因比对到基因本体论(geneontology,GO)、京都基因和基因组百科全书(Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes, KEGG)、Nr和Swiss-Prot数据库以获得相应注释。采用实时荧光定量PCR(realtimequantitativePCR,RT-qPCR)技术检测nce-miR-23928及其靶基因在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意蜂工蜂过程中的相对表达量。【结果】相较于接种后1 d (1 day post infection, 1 dpi),nce-...     

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫N6-腺苷特异性甲基化转移酶基因的克隆、分子特性及表达模式北大核心

【目的】东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(Nosme ceranae)专性侵染成年蜜蜂导致微孢子虫病,给养蜂生产造成很大损失。目前,东方蜜蜂微孢子虫的N6-腺苷特异性甲基化转移酶(N6-adenine-specific methyltransferase,N6AMT)基因NcN6AMT的研究仍然缺失。本研究对NcN6AMT的编码序列(coding sequence,CDS)区进行克隆,并解析NcN6AMT蛋白的理化性质和分子特性,进而测定东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera ligustica)和中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana cerana)工蜂过程中NcN6AMT的相对表达量,以期丰富NcN6AMT的信息,并为探究东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染过程NcN6AMT的功能及表观调控机制提供基础。【方法】采用Protparam和ProtScale软件对NcN6AMT进行等电点和亲水性分析。通过SignalP 5.0、NetPhos 3.1、TMHMM-2.0、SOPMA和SWISS-MODEL等软件分别预测NcN6AMT的信号肽、磷酸化位点、跨膜结构域、二级结构和三级结构。使用WoLF PSORT II软件预测NcN6AMT的亚细胞定位。根据N6AMT氨基酸序列,通过TBtools软件对智人(Homo sapiens)、小鼠(Mus musculus)、褐飞虱(Nilaparvata lugens)、兔脑炎微孢子虫(Encephalitozoon cuniculi)、肠脑炎微孢子虫(Encephalitozoon intestinalis ATCC 50506)、蚱蜢脑炎微孢子虫(Encephalitozoon romaleae SJ-2008)、美洲思普雷格孢虫(Spraguea lophii 42_110)、家蚕微孢子虫(Nosema bombycis CQ1)、隐生菱形藻(Nitzschia inconspicua)和东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(Nosema ceranae)的N6AMT进行结构域预测和分析。利用MEME软件和MEGA 11.0软件进行东方蜜蜂微孢子虫和其他物种N6AMT的保守基序预测及进化树构建。采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction,RT-qPCR)检测NcN6AMT在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂和中华蜜蜂工蜂过程的相对表达量。【结果】通过PCR扩增出大小约500 bp的目的片段,克隆测序结果显示其与GenBank数据库收录的预测序列一致;NcN6AMT蛋白的分子量约为18.7 kDa,分子式为C845H1374N214O249S6,理论等电点为5.88,脂溶系数是119.76,不稳定系数为37.47,平均亲水系数为0.025,含166个氨基酸和15个磷酸化位点,不含典型的跨膜结构域和信号肽,可同时定位于细胞质、线粒体、细胞核和液泡膜;NcN6AMT含1个甲基转移酶小结构域(methyltransferase small domain,MTS),该结构域同样存在于家蚕微孢子虫和兔脑炎微孢子虫等8个其他物种的N6AMT;在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫、兔脑炎微孢子虫、肠脑炎微孢子虫和蚱蜢脑炎微孢子虫的N6AMT中均预测到5个相同的保守基序;NcN6AMT与家蚕微孢子虫、肠脑炎微孢子虫、兔脑炎微孢子虫和蚱蜢脑炎微孢子虫的N6AMT序列一致性达到70.92%;东方蜜蜂微孢子虫和家蚕微孢子虫的N6AMT在系统进化树上聚为一支;东方蜜蜂微孢子虫接种后1–4 d,NcN6AMT在意大利蜜蜂和中华蜜蜂工蜂中肠内均呈现先上升后下降的表达趋势。【结论】成功克隆到NcN6AMT基因的CDS区,明确了NcN6AMT蛋白的理化性质和分子特性,并揭示东方蜜蜂微孢子虫和家蚕微孢子虫的N6AMT蛋白具有较高的保守性,NcN6AMT在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂和中华蜜蜂工蜂的第一个增殖周期(1–4 dpi)内动态表达且均呈上升-下降的表达模式。     

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫N6-腺苷特异性甲基化转移酶基因的克隆、分子特性及表达模式

【目的】东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(Nosme ceranae)专性侵染成年蜜蜂导致微孢子虫病,给养蜂生产造成很大损失。目前,东方蜜蜂微孢子虫的N6-腺苷特异性甲基化转移酶(N6-adenine-specific methyltransferase,N6AMT)基因NcN6AMT的研究仍然缺失。本研究对NcN6AMT的编码序列(coding sequence,CDS)区进行克隆,并解析NcN6AMT蛋白的理化性质和分子特性,进而测定东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera ligustica)和中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana cerana)工蜂过程中NcN6AMT的相对表达量,以期丰富NcN6AMT的信息,并为探究东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染过程NcN6AMT的功能及表观调控机制提供基础。【方法】采用Protparam和ProtScale软件对NcN6AMT进行等电点和亲水性分析。通过SignalP 5.0、NetPhos 3.1、TMHMM-2.0、SOPMA和SWISS-MODEL等软件分别预测NcN6AMT的信号肽、磷酸化位点、跨膜结构域、二级结构和三级结构。使用WoLF PSORT II软件预测NcN6AMT的亚细胞定位。根据N6AMT氨基酸序列,通过TBtools软件对智人(Homo sapiens)、小鼠(Mus musculus)、褐飞虱(Nilaparvata lugens)、兔脑炎微孢子虫(Encephalitozoon cuniculi)、肠脑炎微孢子虫(Encephalitozoon intestinalis ATCC 50506)、蚱蜢脑炎微孢子虫(Encephalitozoon romaleae SJ-2008)、美洲思普雷格孢虫(Spraguea lophii 42_110)、家蚕微孢子虫(Nosema bombycis CQ1)、隐生菱形藻(Nitzschia inconspicua)和东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(Nosema ceranae)的N6AMT进行结构域预测和分析。利用MEME软件和MEGA 11.0软件进行东方蜜蜂微孢子虫和其他物种N6AMT的保守基序预测及进化树构建。采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction,RT-qPCR)检测NcN6AMT在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂和中华蜜蜂工蜂过程的相对表达量。【结果】通过PCR扩增出大小约500 bp的目的片段,克隆测序结果显示其与GenBank数据库收录的预测序列一致;NcN6AMT蛋白的分子量约为18.7 kDa,分子式为C845H1374N214O249S6,理论等电点为5.88,脂溶系数是119.76,不稳定系数为37.47,平均亲水系数为0.025,含166个氨基酸和15个磷酸化位点,不含典型的跨膜结构域和信号肽,可同时定位于细胞质、线粒体、细胞核和液泡膜;NcN6AMT含1个甲基转移酶小结构域(methyltransferase small domain,MTS),该结构域同样存在于家蚕微孢子虫和兔脑炎微孢子虫等8个其他物种的N6AMT;在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫、兔脑炎微孢子虫、肠脑炎微孢子虫和蚱蜢脑炎微孢子虫的N6AMT中均预测到5个相同的保守基序;NcN6AMT与家蚕微孢子虫、肠脑炎微孢子虫、兔脑炎微孢子虫和蚱蜢脑炎微孢子虫的N6AMT序列一致性达到70.92%;东方蜜蜂微孢子虫和家蚕微孢子虫的N6AMT在系统进化树上聚为一支;东方蜜蜂微孢子虫接种后1–4 d,NcN6AMT在意大利蜜蜂和中华蜜蜂工蜂中肠内均呈现先上升后下降的表达趋势。【结论】成功克隆到NcN6AMT基因的CDS区,明确了NcN6AMT蛋白的理化性质和分子特性,并揭示东方蜜蜂微孢子虫和家蚕微孢子虫的N6AMT蛋白具有较高的保守性,NcN6AMT在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂和中华蜜蜂工蜂的第一个增殖周期(1–4 dpi)内动态表达且均呈上升-下降的表达模式。     

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂工蜂过程中nce-miR-10660及其靶基因表达谱

【目的】本研究旨在为探究nce-miR-10660调控东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae侵染的作用机制提供理论和实验依据。【方法】采用Stem-loop RT-PCR对前期鉴定到的东方蜜蜂微孢子虫nce-miR-10660进行表达验证，再通过Sanger测序验证nce-miR-10660的序列。利用相关生物信息学软件预测和分析nce-miR-10660的靶基因。通过RT-qPCR检测nce-miR-10660及其靶基因在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica工蜂过程中中肠中的表达谱。【结果】Stem-loop RT-PCR和Sanger测序结果分别证实了nce-miR-10660在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫孢子中的表达和真实存在。靶向预测结果显示nce-miR-10660共靶向RRDRP和RCDP 42等9个基因；分别有2和6个靶基因可被分别注释到KEGG数据库中的4条通路和GO数据库中的23个条目。RT-qPCR结果显示，相较于东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染后1 d时意大利蜜蜂工蜂中肠中nce-miR-10660的表达量，东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染后2 d时意...     

CLARITY组织透明化技术在蜜蜂肠道组织上的运用

【目的】以西方蜜蜂Apis mellifera工蜂肠道为例探究组织透明化技术--丙烯酰胺交联替换脂质透明硬化成像/免疫染色/原位杂交兼容组织水凝胶(clear lipid-exchanged acrylamide-hybridized rigid imaging/immunostaining/in situ hybridization-compatible tissue-hYdrogel, CLARITY)在昆虫组织上的应用,确定CLARITY与荧光原位杂交(FISH)相结合在昆虫肠道组织透明化中的适用性。【方法】依照CLARITY技术操作程序,用水凝胶固定西方蜜蜂肠道,并以被动方式透明化,再用靶向东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae 16S rRNA带异硫氰酸荧光素(fluorescein isothiocyanate, FITC)标记和靶向真核细胞18S rRNA带Texas RED标记的寡核苷酸荧光探针进行肠道组织的荧光原位杂交,然后用DAPI(蓝色)进行细胞核复染,通过激光共聚焦显微镜观察透明化的染色组织。【结果】首次成功将西方蜜蜂肠道组织透明化。在激光共聚焦显微镜下,观察到马氏管的原始分布形态,以及东方蜜蜂微孢子虫在中肠末端分布更密集的空间分布特征,并实现了对肠道组织的3D重构。【结论】CLARITY能应用于蜜蜂肠道组织透明化,透明化组织能进行原位杂交和激光共聚焦观察。CLARITY和FISH相结合免除抗体制备和石蜡切片的麻烦,直观展示肠道内部的真实状态,为昆虫生理病理研究提供了一种可靠特异的标记方法。     

Asymptomatic presence of Nosema spp. in Spanish commercial apiaries

Nosemosis is caused by intracellular parasites (Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae) that infect the midgut epithelial cells in adult honey bees. Recent studies relate N. ceranae to Colony Collapse Disorder and there is some suggestion that Nosema spp., especially N. ceranae, induces high mortality in honey bees, a fact that is considered as a serious threat for colony survival. 604 samples of adult honey bees for Nosema spp. analysis were collected from beekeeping colonies across Spain and were analysed using PCR with capillary electrophoresis. We also monitored 77 Andalusian apiaries for 2years; the sampled hives were standard healthy colonies, without any special disease symptoms. We found 100% presence of Nosema spp. in some locations, indicating that this parasite was widespread throughout the country. The two year monitoring indicated that 87% of the hives with Nosema spp. remained viable, with normal honey production and biological development during this period of time. The results of these trials indicated that both N. ceranae and N. apis could be present in these beehives without causing disease symptom and that there is no evidence for the replacement of N. apis by N. ceranae, supporting the hypothesis that nosemosis is not the main reason of the collapse and death of beehives.     

Widespread dispersal of the microsporidian Nosema ceranae, an emergent pathogen of the western honey bee, Apis mellifera

The economically most important honey bee species, Apis mellifera, was formerly considered to be parasitized by one microsporidian, Nosema apis. Recently, [Higes, M., Martín, R., Meana, A., 2006. Nosema ceranae, a new microsporidian parasite in honeybees in Europe, J. Invertebr. Pathol. 92, 93-95] and [Huang, W.-F., Jiang, J.-H., Chen, Y.-W., Wang, C.-H., 2007. A Nosema ceranae isolate from the honeybee Apis mellifera. Apidologie 38, 30-37] used 16S (SSU) rRNA gene sequences to demonstrate the presence of Nosema ceranae in A. mellifera from Spain and Taiwan, respectively. We developed a rapid method to differentiate between N. apis and N. ceranae based on PCR-RFLPs of partial SSU rRNA. The reliability of the method was confirmed by sequencing 29 isolates from across the world (N =9 isolates gave N. apis RFLPs and sequences, N =20 isolates gave N. ceranae RFLPs and sequences; 100% correct classification). We then employed the method to analyze N =115 isolates from across the world. Our data, combined with N =36 additional published sequences demonstrate that (i) N. ceranae most likely jumped host to A. mellifera, probably within the last decade, (ii) that host colonies and individuals may be co-infected by both microsporidia species, and that (iii) N. ceranae is now a parasite of A. mellifera across most of the world. The rapid, long-distance dispersal of N. ceranae is likely due to transport of infected honey bees by commercial or hobbyist beekeepers. We discuss the implications of this emergent pathogen for worldwide beekeeping.     

Outcome of colonization of Apis mellifera by Nosema ceranae

A multiplex PCR-based method, in which two small-subunit rRNA regions are simultaneously amplified in a single reaction, was designed for parallel detection of honeybee microsporidians (Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae). Each of two pairs of primers exclusively amplified the 16S rRNA targeted gene of a specific microsporidian. The multiplex PCR assay was useful for specific detection of the two species of microsporidians related to bee nosemosis, not only in purified spores but also in honeybee homogenates and in naturally infected bees. The multiplex PCR assay was also able to detect coinfections by the two species. Screening of bee samples from Spain, Switzerland, France, and Germany using the PCR technique revealed a greater presence of N. ceranae than of N. apis in Europe, although both species are widely distributed. From the year 2000 onward, statistically significant differences have been found in the proportions of Nosema spp. spore-positive samples collected between and within years. In the first period examined (1999 to 2002), the smallest number of samples diagnosed as Nosema positive was found during the summer months, showing clear seasonality in the diagnosis, which is characteristic of N. apis. From 2003 onward a change in the tendency resulted in an increase in Nosema-positive samples in all months until 2005, when a total absence of seasonality was detected. A significant causative association between the presence of N. ceranae and hive depopulation clearly indicates that the colonization of Apis mellifera by N. ceranae is related to bee losses.     

Immune suppression in the honey bee (Apis mellifera) following infection by Nosema ceranae (Microsporidia)

Two microsporidia species have been shown to infect Apis mellifera , Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae . This work present evidence that N. ceranae infection significantly suppresses the honey bee immune response, although this effect was not observed following infection with N. apis . Immune suppression would also increase susceptibility to other bee pathogens and senescence. Despite the importance of both Nosema species in honey bee health, there is no information about their effect on the bees' immune system and present results can explain the different virulence between both microsporida infecting honeybees.     

The comparison of rDNA spacer regions of Nosema ceranae isolates from different hosts and locations

Nosema ceranae is a common microsporidian pathogen, one of two Nosema species that cause "nosema disease" in honeybees, Apis cerana and Apis mellifera. Samples of N. ceranae rDNA from isolates collected in different locations were sequenced and one 5S rRNA was found to be upstream of SSUrRNA. The rDNA arrangement, 5'-5S rRNA-IGS-SSUrRNA-ITS-LSUrRNA-3', was found in all isolates. In order to better understand the distribution relationship between N. ceranae isolates from A. cerana and A. mellifera, their rRNA spacer regions were also sequenced for analysis. Results showed that there are no significant differences between the IGS sequences of the isolates and no difference in the ITS sequence with the exception of one transition found in an isolate from Martinique. These isolates showed consistency in the IGS phylogenic analysis suggesting that no transmission barrier exists between A. mellifera and A. cerana and there is no difference between isolates from geography separated areas.     

Nosema ceranae, a new microsporidian parasite in honeybees in Europe

Twelve samples of adult honey bees from different regions of Spain from colonies with clear signs of population depletion, positive to microsporidian spores using light microscopy (1% of total positive samples analysed), were selected for molecular diagnosis. PCR specific primers for a region of the 16S rRNA gene of Microsporidia were developed and the PCR products were sequenced and compared to GenBank entries. The sequenced products of 11 out of the 12 samples were identical to the corresponding Nosema ceranae sequence. This is the first report of N. ceranae in colonies of Apis mellifera in Europe. The suggested link of the infections to clinical disease symptoms makes imperative a study of the virulence of N. ceranae in European races of honey bees.     

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫一新型孢壁蛋白的基因克隆、 表达及亚细胞定位

【目的】微孢子虫(Microsporidia)孢壁在孢子构成及孢子侵染宿主过程中扮演重要的角色。本研究旨在鉴定获得的东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae新型孢壁蛋白,并进行基因克隆和原核表达,明确其亚细胞定位。【方法】通过在线软件对东方蜜蜂微孢子虫新型孢壁蛋白AAJ76_1400036761序列进行生物信息学分析。利用PCR法获取目的片段并将其克隆至原核表达载体pCold II中,利用IPTG诱导表达重组蛋白并通过镍柱亲和层析法纯化目的蛋白。以获得的重组蛋白为抗原免疫小鼠制备多克隆抗体,通过间接免疫荧光技术和免疫胶体金定位技术对该蛋白进行亚细胞定位分析;利用蛋白质免疫印迹法检测该蛋白与东方蜜蜂微孢子虫几丁质壳的互作。【结果】在MicrosporidiaDB数据库中获得AAJ76_1400036761基因序列,基因全长681 bp,编码226个氨基酸;预测等电点为6.84,分子量为26.19 kD。SDS-PAGE电泳和Western blot结果表明AAJ76_1400036761重组蛋白能够在大肠杆菌Eescherichia coli Rosetta中高量表达。Western blot结果表明,制备的多克隆抗体能够特异地识别东方蜜蜂微孢子虫总蛋白中的AAJ76_1400036761,说明其在成熟东方蜜蜂微孢子虫中有表达。亚细胞定位结果显示,AAJ76_1400036761定位于东方蜜蜂微孢子虫孢壁上。重组蛋白AAJ76_1400036761能够与蜜蜂微孢子虫的几丁质壳结合。【结论】AAJ76_1400036761蛋白在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫成熟孢子中有表达;该蛋白定位于东方蜜蜂微孢子虫孢壁上,为东方蜜蜂微孢子虫新的孢壁蛋白。本研究为深入研究该蛋白的生物学功能奠定了基础。     

Low natural levels of Nosema ceranae in Apis mellifera queens

Queens are the primary female reproductive individuals in honey bee colonies and, while they are generally free from Nosema ceranae infection, they are nevertheless susceptible. We sought to determine whether queens are naturally infected by N. ceranae, as these infections could be a factor in the rapid spread of this parasite. Queens were analyzed using real-time PCR and included larval queens, newly emerged, and older mated queens. Overall, we found that all tissues we examined were infected with N. ceranae at low levels but no samples were infected with Nosema apis. The infection of the ovaries and spermatheca suggests the possibility of vertical transmission of N. ceranae.     

First detection of Nosema ceranae, a microsporidian parasite of European honey bees (Apis mellifera), in Canada and central USA

Nosema ceranae is an emerging microsporidian parasite of European honey bees, Apis mellifera, but its distribution is not well known. Six Nosema-positive samples (determined from light microscopy of spores) of adult worker bees from Canada (two each from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island) and two from USA (Minnesota) were tested to determine Nosema species using previously-developed PCR primers of the 16S rRNA gene. We detected for the first time N. ceranae in Canada and central USA. One haplotype of N. ceranae was identified; its virulence may differ from that of other haplotypes.