Molecular characterization and immunohistochemical localization of a mitogen-activated protein kinase, Accp38b, from Apis cerana cerana

The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is involved in various processes, including stress responses, development, and differentiation. However, little information on p38 MAPK in insects is available. In this study, a p38 MAPK gene, Accp38b, was isolated from Apis cerana cerana and characterized. The quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) analysis revealed that Accp38b was induced by multiple stressors. Notably, the expression of Accp38b was relatively higher in the pupae phase than in other developmental phases. During the pupae phase, Accp38b expression was higher in the thorax than in the head and abdomen and higher in the fat body than in the muscle and midgut. Immunohistochemisty showed significant positive staining of Accp38b in sections from the brain, eyes, fat body, and midgut of A. cerana cerana. These results suggest that Accp38b may play a crucial role in stress responses and have multiple aspects function during development.     

中华蜜蜂ZFP37基因的生物信息学分析及高温下表达特性的研究

锌指蛋白(Zinc finger proteins, ZFPs)是一类在真核生物体内广泛分布的蛋白质。锌指蛋白作为一类转录因子,它能够调控基因的表达和细胞的分化,最近的研究显示其在动植物抗逆方面也发挥着重要作用。本研究对中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana ZFP37的蛋白结构进行了预测分析,并通过qRT-PCR分析了中华蜜蜂在遭受高温胁迫时ZFP37的表达情况,进一步了解锌指蛋白在中华蜜蜂应对热胁迫过程中的作用。结果显示,中华蜜蜂ZFP37可编码123个氨基酸,蛋白分子量为13.7 kDa,无跨膜结构。氨基酸同源序列比对结果表明,中华蜜蜂ZFP37序列与蜜蜂科昆虫的相似性最高,与其他膜翅目昆虫的相似性存在差异。基因的表达模式显示,ZFP37在高温下表达升高,此外,胁迫时间的增加也可导致ZFP37表达的升高。这些结果表明ZFP37对于中华蜜蜂应对热应激有重要的生物学意义。     

中华蜜蜂感觉神经元膜蛋白基因克隆、组织表达分析及原核表达

为明确中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana嗅觉形成中重要功能因子的信号转导通路, 本研究利用RT-PCR方法, 克隆了中华蜜蜂感觉神经元膜蛋白 (sensory neuron membrane protein, SNMP) 基因编码区, GenBank登录号为KC012595, 命名为AccSNMP1。序列分析表明, 该编码区开放阅读框长1 563 bp, 编码520个氨基酸, 推测的编码蛋白的相对分子量和等电点分别为58.02 kD和5.83。同源性比较发现, 中华蜜蜂AccSNMP1与其他昆虫感觉神经元膜蛋白基因同源性差异很大, 在氨基酸水平上与西方蜜蜂Apis mellifera SNMP基因一致性达99.2%, 与熊蜂Bombus impatiens SNMP基因一致性达90.9%, 而与赤拟谷盗Tribolium castaneum SNMP基因一致性仅为22.7%。系统发育树显示中华蜜蜂与西方蜜蜂遗传距离最近。实时荧光定量PCR结果分析表明, AccSNMP1在触角中表达量最高, 在足中表达量较高, 与胸、 腹、 头（去除触角和喙）、 喙中表达量相比差异显著（P<0.05）。构建原核表达载体pEASY-E1-AccSNMP1, 经IPTG诱导, 中华蜜蜂感觉神经元膜蛋白在大肠杆菌Escherichia coli BL21 （DE3）中高效表达。结果为进一步研究AccSNMP1在中华蜜蜂体内的作用机理奠定了基础。     

中华蜜蜂DNA甲基化转移酶Dnmt3基因克隆及表达谱分析

为探究中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana的DNA甲基化模式, 本研究采用RT PCR技术克隆了中华蜜蜂DNA甲基化转移酶3（Dnmt3）基因(GenBank登录号为JQ740768); 采用荧光定量PCR检测不同发育时期工蜂（4日龄蛹, 1, 7和30日龄成年蜂及产卵工蜂）和蜂王（4日龄蛹, 1日龄蜂王和产卵蜂王）头部的Dnmt3基因mRNA的表达量。结果表明： 该基因cDNA序列全长2 277 bp, 编码758个氨基酸残基, 预测的蛋白分子量为88.24 kD, 等电点为7.85。将中华蜜蜂与其他物种的Dnmt3基因的结构域进行比对, 同时将该基因推导的氨基酸序列与其他物种的Dnmt3氨基酸序列进行同源性比对和系统发育分析, 发现与西方蜜蜂的Dnmt3序列一致性高达99%。该基因在工蜂和蜂王不同发育时期均有表达, 1日龄工蜂与7日龄工蜂中没有显著差异(P>0.05), 30日龄工蜂中的表达量显著高于前两者 (P<0.05); 蜂王蛹中的表达量显著高于工蜂蛹 (P<0.05); 1日龄的蜂王中的表达量显著高于1日龄的工蜂(P<0.05); 产卵工蜂与产卵蜂王中的表达量没有差异（P>0.05）。这种表达情况提示其可能与工蜂劳动分工及蜜蜂卵巢发育有关。     

Isolation of AccGalectin1 from Apis cerana cerana and its functions in development and adverse stress response

The galectins are a family of lectins that play important roles in development, immunity, and the regulation of cellular responses. Much research has focused on the functions of galectins in mammals, though less in insects. Here, we identified the AccGalectin1 gene in Apis cerana cerana for the first time and explored its functions. The open reading frame of AccGalectin1 is 1449 base pairs and encodes a 482-amino-acid protein. AccGalectin1 expression was high during the transition between developmental stages and was high in the head, thorax, and epidermis compared with its levels in other tissues. In addition, the expression of AccGalectin1 was induced by several adverse stresses, including both abiotic and biotic stresses. A disk diffusion assay of recombinant AccGalectin1 protein revealed possible roles in protecting cells from oxidative stress. Furthermore, the expression levels of multiple oxidative genes (AccCAT, AccTpx1, AccTrx2, etc) were increased after AccGalectin1 was knocked down in Apis cerana cerana using RNA interference. We also observed that the malondialdehyde content in the AccGalectin1-silenced bees was higher than that in the control bees, while the antioxidant enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase were lower. Considering these results, we suggest that AccGalectin1 may be indispensable for protecting honeybees from biotic and abiotic damage by participating in the oxidative resistance response and the immune response. These results may provide insight into the precise functions of galectins in mammals and other insects.     

中华蜜蜂咽下神经节的结构和胚后发育

咽下神经节是昆虫腹神经索的第一个复合神经节, 主要调节口器附肢的活动。本研究通过形态解剖、 BrdU免疫组织化学等技术, 对中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana咽下神经节的组织结构和胚后发育过程进行了比较研究。结果表明： 中华蜜蜂的咽下神经节由上颚、 下颚和下唇3个神经节组成。在胚后发育过程中, 细胞增殖的活跃期主要集中在预蛹和蛹发育的第1天, 增殖活动一直持续到蛹发育的第4天结束。根据神经胶质细胞的位置和形态, 咽下神经节中的神经胶质可分为3种类型--表面神经胶质、 皮层神经胶质和神经纤维网神经胶质。本研究为蜜蜂神经系统的发育和功能研究提供了理论基础。     

中华蜜蜂Malvolio基因 Acmvl 的克隆及组织表达分析

【目的】本研究克隆了中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana Malvolio (Mvl)基因的cDNA序列,分析了其编码蛋白的结构特点,并探讨其mRNA在内勤蜂、采蜜蜂和采粉蜂各部位组织中的表达差异,以期为该基因的生物学功能研究提供参考。【方法】利用RT-PCR技术从中华蜜蜂内勤蜂头部组织中扩增和克隆获得Acmvl的全长序列,并采用多种生物信息学软件分析Acmvl蛋白的结构特征;采用Real-time PCR对中华蜜蜂Acmvl在内勤蜂、采蜜蜂和采粉蜂各组织中的表达特征进行分析。【结果】Acmvl基因cDNA全长为2 130 bp（GenBank登录号：KP662686）,编码587个氨基酸,预测该蛋白分子量为65.86 kD,等电点为6.03,无信号肽,存在11个跨膜结构域、9个糖基化位点和14个潜在磷酸化位点;系统发育树分析结果显示,中华蜜蜂Acmvl与其他膜翅目昆虫Malvolio聚为一支,与小鼠Mus musculus和人Homo sapiens Nramp家族的Nramp2聚为另一大分支,且与小鼠、水稻 Oryza sativa 、黑腹果蝇 Drosophila melanogaster 和酵母Saccharomyces cerevisiae的Nramp家族同源体在跨膜区、跨膜区带电残基及转运蛋白特征结构域上有很高的保守性,尤其是与Nramp2。Acmvl 基因在中华蜜蜂各部位组织中均有表达,但高表达于内勤蜂的胸部及采蜜蜂和采粉蜂的腹部和足部,提示该基因表达的差异影响采集行为。【结论】Acmvl 属于Nramp基因家族,可能为Nramp2的同源基因,该基因影响采集行为可能与转运Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺和Fe²⁺（尤其是Fe²⁺）有关。     

Molecular characterization and tissue localization of sensory neuron membrane protein from Chinese honey bee, Apis cerana cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Sensory neuron membrane protein (SNMP) is an olfactory receptor with photoaffinity analogs, capable of binding the pheromone membrane protein receptor deduced from receptor membrane protein with the pheromone–pheromone binding protein complex. However, this hypothesis has not yet been experimentally verified. In this experiment, the cDNA sequence encoding an open reading frame (ORF) of the SNMP gene AccSNMP1 (GenBank, KC012595) was cloned from Chinese honey bee, Apis cerana cerana Fabricius. Results from sequence analysis showed that this gene is 1,563 bp long, and that the ORF encodes 520 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 58.02 kDa, and has a theoretical isoelectric point of 5.83. Furthermore, there are two putative transmembrane domains. Multiple sequence alignment indicated that the AccSNMP1 gene from A. cerana cerana had different degrees of identity with the corresponding genes in nineteen other insects at the amino acid level. Phylogenetic analysis of the aligned sequences showed that A. cerana cerana is closely related to Apis mellifera Linnaeus and Bombus impatiens Cresson. Its distribution in tissues, as quantified using real-time RT-PCR, indicated that AccSNMP1 is highly expressed in the antennae and legs of A. cerana cerana, and there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in gene expression between those tissues and tissues in the thorax, abdomen, snout, and head (not including antennae). Western blotting also confirmed the existence in the antennae of AccSNMP1 with an M _W of 58.0 kDa, which is the same as the expected value of 58.02 kDa. An immunohistochemistry study showed that AccSNMP1 is expressed in the trichoid sensilla of A. cerana cerana antenna. Therefore, the results of this study provide the basis for further studies of the function of SNMP from A. cerana cerana.     

春季城市中华蜜蜂的食物结构与蜂蜜金属元素含量——以四川省内江市为例

中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana是我国重要的本土传粉者,为评价城市生境对中华蜜蜂的生态价值,在四川省内江市城区人工饲养蜂群,调查和测定了其春季的食物来源和蜂蜜质量。结果表明,春季城市园林中开花植物资源丰富,中华蜜蜂可有效地采集花蜜、花粉等食物资源;城郊农作物也是其积极采集的食物对象。除油菜Brassica napus var.oleifera初花期外,蜂蜜中油菜花粉比例均低于50%,表明即使存在开花大宗作物,春季园林植物仍然是城市蜂群重要的食物来源。蜂蜜中金属元素含量在不同蜂群、时间存在一定差异,未检测出危害较大的铬、镉和铅,但样品中检测出微量的铝和钒,且城市蜂蜜锌含量总体高于非城市,提示蜂蜜无重金属污染,但应注意风险防范。本研究对于理解城市园林植物为访花昆虫提供的食物质量和指导城市养蜂具有参考价值。     

中华蜜蜂气味结合蛋白基因OBP4的分子特性及时空表达

气味结合蛋白OBPs在蜜蜂识别气味分子和生理反应的过程中起到了十分重要的作用。本研究通过利用生物信息学软件预测分析中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana气味结合蛋白基因OBP4(AcerOBP4)编码的蛋白理化特性和结构特征;采用MEGA 5.2软件中的邻位相连法(Neighbor-joining, NJ)构建AcerOBP4及其它昆虫OBPs的系统发育树;通过qRT-PCR技术分析AcerOBP4在中华蜜蜂的哺育蜂、采集蜂和1日龄工蜂各组织的表达情况。结果表明,中华蜜蜂和意大利蜜蜂Apis melliferaOBP4(AmelOBP4)氨基酸同源性为78%,AcerOBP4在中华蜜蜂的触角表达量最高,其次是足和头部组织表明该基因与蜜蜂的嗅觉行为密切相关。此外,AcerOBP4在蜜蜂脑部有一定的表达,但是在腹部组织表达量很低。该研究结果丰富了蜜蜂OBPs表达特性的研究数据,同时也为继续深入研究OBP4在中华蜜蜂中是否影响嗅觉行为提供了基础。     

中华蜜蜂蕈形体的发育

中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana cerana)的脑由前脑、中脑和后脑三部分构成,蕈形体位于前脑的背侧,是其重要的学习及其他复杂行为的整合中心。通过对中华蜜蜂工蜂的幼虫、蛹及成虫的蕈形体形态发育的观察研究,发现中华蜜蜂的蕈形体包含约1000个成神经细胞,它们最终形成了蕈形体的所有Kenyon细胞。这些成神经细胞来自于在新孵化的幼虫脑中已存在的四丛成神经细胞,每一丛细胞的数量不多于45个。蕈形体柄区的出现约在3龄幼虫,而α叶和β叶在5龄幼虫已可明显辨认。冠区出现较晚,大约在蛹期的第二天以后。由于社会性昆虫复杂的学习、记忆和认知需求,其蕈形体的体积和复杂程度都优于其他昆虫。     

中华蜜蜂精子介导egfp基因转移

中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana是一种真社会性昆虫,也是我国重要的经济昆虫。本实验目的是为了检测精子是否可以作为载体将外源egfp基因介导转入中华蜜蜂。首先将雄蜂精子与线性化的质粒DNA共浴,然后通过人工授精技术将精子导入处女王,再对实验蜂群后代进行分析。结果显示EGFP蛋白在一群实验组蜂的1～2日龄小幼虫中表达较强,能检测到0.01%～0.02%荧光阳性小幼虫个体;通过PCR和RT-PCR技术分析,证实转入的外源egfp基因获得表达。实验结果表明精子载体法能够用于中华蜜蜂外源基因的转移和表达。     

CLONING,EXPRESSION PATTERNS,AND PRELIMINARY CHARACTERIZATION OF AccCPR24, A NOVEL RR‐1 TYPE CUTICLE PROTEIN GENE FROM Apis cerana cerana

Cuticular proteins (CPs) are key components of insect cuticle, a structure that plays a pivotal role in insect development and defense. In this study, we cloned the full‐length cDNA of a CP gene from Apis cerana cerana (AccCPR24). An amino acid sequence alignment indicated that AccCPR24 contains the conserved Rebers and Riddiford consensus sequence and shares high similarity with the genes from other hymenopteran insects. We then isolated the genomic DNA and found that the first intron, which is present in other CP genes, is absent in AccCPR24. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis revealed that AccCPR24 is highly expressed in the late pupal stage and midgut. Expression was inhibited by an exogenous ecdysteroid in vitro but was enhanced by this hormone in vivo; environmental stressors, such as heavy metals and pesticides, also influenced gene expression. In addition, a disc diffusion assay showed that AccCPR24 enhanced the ability of bacterial cells to resist multiple stresses. We infer from our results that AccCPR24 acts in honeybee development and in protecting these insects from abiotic stresses.     

A novel 1-Cys thioredoxin peroxidase gene in Apis cerana cerana: characterization of AccTpx4 and its role in oxidative stresses

Thioredoxin peroxidase (Tpx), also named peroxiredoxin (Prx), is an important peroxidase that can protect organisms against stressful environments. AccTpx4, a 1-Cys thioredoxin peroxidase gene from the Chinese honey bee Apis cerana cerana, was cloned and characterized. The AccTpx4 gene encodes a protein that is predicted to contain the conserved PVCTTE motif from 1-Cys peroxiredoxin. Quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) and Western blotting revealed that AccTpx4 was induced by various oxidative stresses, such as cold, heat, insecticides, H₂O₂, and HgCl₂. The in vivo peroxidase activity assay showed that recombinant AccTpx4 protein could efficiently degrade H₂O₂ in the presence of DL-dithiothreitol (DTT). In addition, disc fusion assays revealed that AccTpx4 could function to protect cells against oxidative stresses. These results indicate that AccTpx4 plays an important role in oxidative stress responses and may contribute to the conservation of honeybees.     

Molecular Cloning and Expression of a Mouse Brain cDNA Encoding a Novel Protein Target of Calcyclin

Abstract: A protein target of mouse calcyclin, p30, which we call calcyclin-binding protein (CacyBP), was identified in mouse brain and Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells. The amino acid sequence of the CacyBP chymotryptic peptide was used to prepare synthetic oligonucleotides that served as a probe to screen the mouse brain cDNA library. A 1.4-kb positive clone was detected, isolated, and sequenced. The analyzed clone contains an open reading frame encoding a protein of a molecular mass of ～26 kDa. The nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences indicate that CacyBP is a novel protein. The results obtained from northern blots show that the CacyBP gene is expressed predominantly in mouse brain and EAT cells. Using a pGEX vector the recombinant CacyBP was expressed in Escherichia coli, and its properties were analyzed. The recombinant protein interacts with calcyclin at a physiologically relevant range of Ca²⁺ in solution during affinity chromatography and on blots. Because CacyBP, like calcyclin, is present in the brain, the interaction of these two proteins might be involved in calcium signaling pathways in neuronal tissue.     

中华蜜蜂mrjp1 cDNA的克隆及其序列分析

构建中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana cerana)8日龄工蜂头部cDNA文库,利用中蜂基因组的mrjp3部分基因片段作为杂交探针,采用DIG标记筛选cDNA文库,获得mrjps阳性克隆120个;对阳性克隆进行PCR扩增和测序,通过NCBI的BLAST序列比对,获得12个与印度蜂(Apis cerana india)、西方蜜蜂(Apis mellifera L.)mrjp1基因同源的中蜂mtjp1 cDNA片段,并进一步对中华蜜蜂mrjp1的cDNA全序列进行测定和分析。序列比对分析表明,东方蜜蜂(Apis cerana)与西方蜜蜂mrjp1的cDNA序列相似性为93．78％,中华蜜蜂与印度蜂的相似性高达99．36％,这一结果从分子水平证实中华蜜蜂与印度蜂有较近的共同祖先,而东方蜜蜂与西方蜜蜂的亲缘关系较远。