蜜蜂微孢子虫在中国的自然种系构成初探

蜜蜂微孢子虫(Nosema apis及Nosema ceranae)是微孢子虫的典型代表之一,由它寄生蜜蜂所产生的疾病,称为蜜蜂微孢子虫病。通过目前国际上普遍使用的克隆16srRNA基因(16srDNA)的片段并测序的方法来进行蜜蜂微孢子虫在我国主要养蜂地区的分布情况。结果表明,在我国主要养蜂地区,造成大量西方蜜蜂患蜜蜂微孢子虫病的是东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae,至今为止未发现过去我们广泛认定的西方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema apis。     

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫孢子中微小RNA的鉴定与分析

【目的】丰富东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae的微小RNA(microRNA, miRNA)信息,并为深入探究miRNA在病原孢子和病原侵染中的功能提供理论和实验依据。【方法】基于已获得的small RNA-seq数据,利用生物信息学软件对东方蜜蜂微孢子虫的纯净孢子中的miRNA进行鉴定和分析。采用茎环反转录PCR(stem-loop RT-PCR)检测已鉴定的miRNA的表达;通过分子克隆与Sanger测序验证miRNA的序列。使用TargetFinder软件预测这些miRNA的靶基因,并对靶基因进行数据库注释。根据miRNA与靶基因的靶向结合关系构建调控网络,再利用Cytoscape软件进行可视化。【结果】在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫孢子中共鉴定到10个miRNA;这些miRNA的长度分布介于21~25 nt,首位碱基表现出U偏向性,每一位碱基的偏向性差异明显。Stem-loop RT-PCR检测结果表明这10个miRNA均真实表达;Sanger测序结果证实了随机选取的其中2个miRNA的序列真实性。共预测出249个靶基因,其中分别有249, 118, 136和3个靶基因可注释到Nr,Swiss-Prot, KOG和eggNOG数据库。此外,分别有134和71个靶基因可分别注释到GO数据库的30个功能条目和KEGG数据库的54条通路。【结论】本研究揭示了东方蜜蜂微孢子虫孢子中miRNA的存在和表达;这些miRNA通过调控潜在靶基因的表达参与孢子的生命活动。     

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...     

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫的SNP与InDel位点鉴定及分析

【目的】东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae是一种专性侵染成年蜜蜂中肠上皮细胞的单细胞真菌病原,广泛感染世界各地的蜂群。本研究拟利用已获得的东方蜜蜂微孢子虫纯净孢子的高质量转录组数据进行单核苷酸多态性（Single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP）和插入缺失（Insertion-Deletion,InDel）位点的鉴定和分析,旨在丰富东方蜜蜂微孢子虫的SNP和InDel信息,并为新型分子标记的开发提供基础。【方法】使用GATK软件识别东方蜜蜂微孢子虫的SNP和InDel位点。采用SnpEff软件预测变异位点发生的基因组区域及变异产生的影响。通过相关生物信息学软件分别将SNP和InDel位点所在基因分别比对GO和KEGG数据库,获得相应的功能和通路注释。【结果】共鉴定到28195个SNP位点,其中发生转换和颠换的SNP位点分别有21403和6792个;上述SNP位点的突变类型有12种,其中最丰富的突变类型为C/T;分布在CDS区的SNP位点最多,其次是基因间区、上游区、下游区和内含子区;最丰富的密码子突变类型是同义突变;SNP位点所在基因可注释到代谢进程、细胞组分和催化活性等43个GO条目以及代谢途径、核糖体和等次生代谢产物的生物合成等85条KEGG通路。共鉴定到2831个InDel位点,其中分布在基因间区InDel位点最多,分布在CDS区的InDel位点最少;最丰富的密码子突变类型是移码突变;InDel位点所在基因可注释到细胞进程、细胞和结合等38个GO条目以及代谢途径、次生代谢产物的生物合成及核糖体等73条KEGG通路。【结论】东方蜜蜂微孢子虫中存在大量的SNP和InDel位点,SNP位点的突变类型主要为转换,与其他物种类似;SNP与InDel位点的基因组功能元件分布规律和突变类型具有明显差异;SNP和InDel位点所在基因与东方蜜蜂微孢子虫适应宿主细胞内环境及病原增殖过程具有潜在关系。     

基于small RNA组学分析揭示意大利蜜蜂响应东方蜜蜂微孢子虫胁迫的免疫应答机制

【目的】通过深度测序和组学分析在small RNA组学层面揭示意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera ligustica,简称意蜂)响应东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(Nosema ceranae)的免疫应答机制。【方法】利用small RNA-seq技术对正常及N. ceranae胁迫7 d和10 d的意蜂工蜂中肠(Am7CK、Am7T、Am10CK和Am10T)进行深度测序。利用相关生物信息学软件对测序数据进行质控、已知micro RNA (mi RNA)鉴定、新mi RNA预测及mi RNA的结构特征分析。通过Stem-loop RT-PCR验证新mi RNA的表达。按照|log2(Fold change)|≥1和P≤0.05的标准筛选出Am7CKvs.Am7T和Am10CKvs.Am10T比较组的差异表达mi RNA(differentially expressed mi RNA,DEmi RNA)。利用软件预测DEmi RNA靶向结合的m RNA并进行GO和KEGG数据库注释,根据注释信息对细胞和体液免疫相关通路及富集靶m RNA进行统计和分析。根据靶向结合关系构建DEmi RNA和免疫通路相关差异表达m RNA (differentially expressed m RNA,DEm RNA)的调控网络。采用RT-q PCR对数据的可靠性和DEmi RNA的差异表达进行验证。【结果】共获得165895574条原始读段和132028990条有效序列标签,各组的组内Pearson相关性平均在87.92%及以上。共鉴定到928个已知mi RNA和56个新mi RNA。这些mi RNA的长度介于18–28nt,多数的长度为18nt和22nt且首位碱基主要偏向U。验证了12个新mi RNA的真实表达。Am7CKvs.Am7T比较组包含48个上调mi RNA和36个下调mi RNA;Am10CK vs. Am10T比较组包含56个上调mi RNA和51个下调mi RNA。两个比较组的DEmi RNA可分别靶向结合9827个和10720个m RNA。这些靶m RNA可分别注释到50和47条功能条目,以及138和135条KEGG通路。DEmi RNA与免疫通路相关靶m RNA的调控网络分析结果显示,Am7CK vs. Am7T中有26个DEmi RNA靶向与内吞作用等免疫通路相关的10个DEm RNA;Am10CK vs. Am10T中有15个DEmi RNA靶向与MAPK信号通路等免疫通路相关的10个DEm RNA。验证了测序数据和4个DEmi RNA差异表达的可靠性。【结论】研究结果揭示了宿主DEmi RNA可能通过调控物质和能量代谢、细胞和体液免疫对N. ceranae产生应答,但DEmi RNA不参与抗菌肽基因的表达调控;mi R-1-z可能参与宿主的细胞增殖、细胞凋亡和免疫进程;氧化磷酸化通路可能在宿主免疫应答及宿主-病原互作中发挥特殊作用。     

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫腺苷酸激酶的生物信息学与基因表达特征

本研究旨在解析东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae的腺苷酸激酶（Adenylat kinase, ADK）NcADK的理化性质和分子特性,并检测NcADK基因在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica工蜂过程中的表达特征,以期丰富NcADK相关信息,并为进一步的功能研究提供依据。利用相关生物信息学软件预测和分析NcADK的理化性质、信号肽、磷酸化位点、二级结构和三级结构。使用MEME软件和Batch CD-Search工具分别预测东方蜜蜂微孢子虫和其它7种微孢子ADK蛋白的保守基序和保守结构域。通过Mega 11.0软件基于ADK氨基酸序列构建进化树。采用RT-qPCR检测东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染过程中NcADK的相对表达量。结果表明,NcADK的CDS含有540个核苷酸,可编码179个氨基酸;NcADK的分子量约为20.66 kDa,分子式为C903H1488N258O278S8,脂肪系数为100.61,平均亲水系数为-0.502,等电点为6.83,含29个负电荷氨基酸和29个正电荷氨基酸;NcADK可同时定位于细胞质、线粒体、细胞核、囊泡和过氧化物酶体;NcADK含20个磷酸化位点,不含典型的信号肽;NcADK含88个α-螺旋,24条延长链,17个β-转角,50个无规则卷曲,与模板A0A0F9WEU7.1.A之间的序列同源性为100%;在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫、东方赤孢子虫Hamiltosporidium tvaerminnensis、肠脑炎微孢子虫Encephalitozoon intestinalis、按蚊微孢子虫Anncaliia algerae和角膜条孢虫Vittaforma corneae ADK中均鉴定到1个相同的结构域和5个相同的保守基序;东方蜜蜂微孢子虫与蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema apis的ADK在进化树上聚为一支。相较于接种后1 d（1 day post inoculation, 1 dpi）,NcADK的表达量在2 dpi上调但无显著差异(P>0.05）,在3 dpi 和4 dpi均显著上调（P>0.05）。研究结果明确了NcADK的理化性质和分子特性,并揭示NcADK是潜在的亲水性蛋白和胞内蛋白,不同微孢子虫的ADK具有较强的保守性,东方蜜蜂微孢子虫及其姐妹种蜜蜂微孢子虫的ADK具有高同源性,NcADK在3 dpi和4 dpi被激活表达。     

转录组分析揭示东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂的分子机制

【目的】本研究旨在通过差异表达基因(differentially expressed gene, DEG)分析以及毒力因子和其他侵染相关因子分析,在转录组水平揭示东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae侵染意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica的分子机制。【方法】基于前期已获得高质量的东方蜜蜂微孢子虫纯化孢子(NcCK)及侵染意大利蜜蜂工蜂7和10 d的东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(分别为NcT1和NcT2)转录组数据,根据P≤0.05且|log₂(Fold change)|≥1的标准,通过比较分析筛选出NcCK vs NcT1, NcCK vs NcT2和NcT1 vs NcT2比较组的DEG。通过相关生物信息学软件对上述DEG进行Venn分析、GO分类和KEGG代谢通路富集分析。根据Nr和KEGG数据库注释信息和相关文献进行对东方蜜蜂微孢子虫的毒力因子和侵染相关因子的统计和分析。通过RT-qPCR验证转录组数据及DEG表达趋势。【结果】从NcCK vs NcT1, NcCK vs NcT2和NcT1 vs NcT2比较组分别鉴定出1 397, 1 ...     

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫的基因结构优化及新基因鉴定

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae是一种寄生于蜜蜂中肠上皮细胞的单细胞真菌,对蜜蜂的健康危害严重,给世界各国的养蜂业造成较大损失。本研究基于前期获得的N.ceranae孢子的转录组数据对其已注释基因进行结构优化,并对未注释基因进行预测和分析。通过将测序得到的clean reads比对参考基因组和转录本重构,共对10个N.ceranae的已注释基因的5'端或3'端进行了延长。利用Cuffcompare软件将重构转录本与参考基因组进行比对,共鉴定出27个新基因,随机挑选9个新基因进行RT-PCR验证,均能扩增出符合预期的目的片段,表明预测出的新基因真实存在。有6个新基因能够注释到GO数据库和6个基因注释到KEGG数据库。进一步分析结果显示上述新基因注释到细胞等10个GO条目上,它们可能在N.ceranae的生命活动中具有重要功能。研究结果为N.ceranae的基因结构和功能注释信息的完善提供了有益补充,也为新基因的功能研究打下了基础。     

参与调控意大利蜜蜂工蜂中肠基因表达的东方蜜蜂微孢子虫miRNA的组学解析及其调控网络

[目的]本研究结合前期已获得的miRNA和mRNA组学数据对东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae 的差异表达 miRNA(differentially expressed miRNA,DEmiRNA)靶向意大利蜜蜂 Apis mellifera ligustica 工蜂中肠的 mRNA 和差异表达 mRNA(d...     

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染过程中nce-miR-34537和靶基因PIP5KI的表达谱

【目的】本研究旨在对前期鉴定到的nce-miR-34537进行表达和序列验证,预测nce-miR-34537的靶基因并明确其分子特性,进而检测nce-miR-34537及其靶基因在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(Nosema ceranae)侵染意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera ligustica)工蜂过程的表达谱,为进一步探究nce-miR-34537调控东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染的功能和作用机制提供基础。【方法】通过Stem-loop-RT-PCR和Sanger测序验证nce-miR-34537的表达和序列。通过生物信息学软件预测nce-miR-34537的靶基因PIP5KI(I型磷脂酰肌醇4-磷酸-5-激酶基因)的理化性质等分子特性和保守基序,并构建基于氨基酸序列的系统进化树。采用RT-qPCR检测nce-miR-34537及其靶基因的表达谱。【结果】nce-miR-34537在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫孢子中真实存在和表达。nce-miR-34537共靶向PIP5KI等151个基因。PIP5KI蛋白的分子式为C₈₈₂H_{1 364}N₂₂₆     

Energetic stress in the honeybee Apis mellifera from Nosema ceranae infection

Parasites are dependent on their hosts for energy to reproduce and can exert a significant nutritional stress on them. Energetic demand placed on the host is especially high in cases where the parasite-host complex is less co-evolved. The higher virulence of the newly discovered honeybee pathogen, Nosema ceranae, which causes a higher mortality in its new host Apis mellifera, might be based on a similar mechanism. Using Proboscis Extension Response and feeding experiments, we show that bees infected with N. ceranae have a higher hunger level that leads to a lower survival. Significantly, we also demonstrate that the survival of infected bees fed ad libitum is not different from that of uninfected bees. These results demonstrate that energetic stress is the probable cause of the shortened life span observed in infected bees. We argue that energetic stress can lead to the precocious and risky foraging observed in Nosema infected bees and discuss its relevance to colony collapse syndrome. The significance of energetic stress as a general mechanism by which infectious diseases influence host behavior and physiology is discussed.     

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。     

Infections of Nosema ceranae in four different honeybee species

The microsporidium Nosema ceranae is detected in honeybees in Thailand for the first time. This endoparasite has recently been reported to infect most Apis mellifera honeybee colonies in Europe, the US, and parts of Asia, and is suspected to have displaced the endemic endoparasite species, Nosema apis, from the western A. mellifera. We collected and identified species of microsporidia from the European honeybee (A. mellifera), the cavity nesting Asian honeybee (Apis cerana), the dwarf Asian honeybee (Apis florea) and the giant Asian honeybee (Apis dorsata) from colonies in Northern Thailand. We used multiplex PCR technique with two pairs of primers to differentiate N. ceranae from N. apis. From 80 A. mellifera samples, 62 (77.5%) were positively identified for the presence of the N. ceranae. Amongst 46 feral colonies of Asian honeybees (A. cerana, A. florea and A. dorsata) examined for Nosema infections, only N. ceranae could be detected. No N. apis was found in our samples. N. ceranae is found to be the only microsporidium infesting honeybees in Thailand. Moreover, we found the frequencies of N. ceranae infection in native bees to be less than that of A. mellifera.     

Genetic detection and quantification of Nosema apis and N. ceranae in the honey bee

The incidence of nosemosis has increased in recent years due to an emerging infestation of Nosema ceranae in managed honey bee populations in much of the world. A real-time PCR assay was developed to facilitate detection and quantification of both Nosema apis and N. ceranae in both single bee and pooled samples. The assay is a multiplexed reaction in which both species are detected and quantified in a single reaction. The assay is highly sensitive and can detect single copies of the target sequence. Real-time PCR results were calibrated to spore counts generated by standard microscopy procedures. The assay was used to assess bees from commercial apiaries sampled in November 2008 and March 2009. Bees from each colony were pooled. A large amount of variation among colonies was evident, signifying the need to examine large numbers of colonies. Due to sampling constraints, a subset of colonies (from five apiaries) was sampled in both seasons. In November, N. apis levels were 1212 ± 148 spores/bee and N. ceranae levels were 51,073 ± 31,155 spores/bee. In March, no N. apis was detected, N. ceranae levels were 11,824 ± 6304 spores/bee. Changes in N. ceranae levels were evident among apiaries, some increasing and other decreasing. This demonstrates the need for thorough sampling of apiaries and the need for a rapid test for both detection and quantification of both Nosema spp. This assay provides the opportunity for detailed study of disease resistance, infection kinetics, and improvement of disease management practices for honey bees.     

家蚕微粒子虫分泌蛋白己糖激酶NbHK对家蚕基因表达及相关通路的调控作用

【目的】微孢子虫是一种营专性细胞内寄生的微生物,它可以感染几乎所有动物种类,包括人类和重要的经济动物。本研究对家蚕微粒子虫分泌蛋白己糖激酶(Nosema bombycis hexokinase, NbHK)在家蚕胚胎细胞中表达特征、亚细胞定位、调控作用和宿主互作蛋白质进行了系统分析,为阐明该蛋白在侵染中的作用与机理提供参考。【方法】利用原核表达蛋白免疫小鼠,制备NbHK的多克隆抗体,并利用Western blotting和间接免疫荧光法分析家蚕微粒子虫在感染的家蚕胚胎细胞(Bombyx mori embryo, BmE)中的表达和定位;通过过表达和RNA干扰实验,分析NbHK对病原增殖的作用;利用RNA-seq分析NbHK调控的家蚕基因表达和通路;利用生物素-链霉亲和素系统和质谱技术,从NbHK::APEX2转基因细胞中分离鉴定NbHK的互作蛋白。【结果】在感染家蚕微粒子虫的BmE中,NbHK持续上调表达,主要被定位于宿主细胞核内。过表达NbHK显著促进了病原增殖,而敲低NbHK则明显抑制了病原增殖,说明在NbHK感染过程中发挥关键作用。利用RNA-seq分析鉴定了94个差异表达基因(differentially expressed genes, DEGs),其中58个基因上调,36个基因下调。DEGs的富集分析显示,细胞寿命和内质网蛋白加工通路受到显著激活,而线粒体自噬途径受到明显抑制。互作蛋白鉴定分析发现,NbHK可能与宿主细胞核内的核蛋白易位启动子区(nucleoprotein translocated promoter region, NTPR)等蛋白间存在相互作用。【结论】NbHK主要被定位至家蚕细胞核中,调控家蚕细胞寿命等多个重要通路的基因表达,以利于病原增殖。本研究为深入解析NbHK在感染过程中的功能及其调控机理提供了新的参考。     

Presence of Nosema ceranae in honeybees (Apis mellifera) in Uruguay

The microsporidium Nosema ceranae is an emergent pathogen of European honeybees Apis mellifera. Using a PCR-RFLP diagnosis, 29 samples of infected honeybees obtained in 2007-2008 (N = 26), 2004 (N = 2) and before 1990 (N = 1) were analyzed for the presence of Nosema apis and N. ceranae. Only N. ceranae was found in all samples, indicating that this species dispersed to Uruguay (and likely the region) at some time before 1990. The presence of N. ceranae in Uruguay is not associated with an increase of Nosemosis, and its role in colony loss seems to be irrelevant.     

Asymmetrical coexistence of Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis in honey bees

Globalization has provided opportunities for parasites/pathogens to cross geographic boundaries and expand to new hosts. Recent studies showed that Nosema ceranae, originally considered a microsporidian parasite of Eastern honey bees, Apis cerana, is a disease agent of nosemosis in European honey bees, Apis mellifera, along with the resident species, Nosema apis. Further studies indicated that disease caused by N. ceranae in European honey bees is far more prevalent than that caused by N. apis. In order to gain more insight into the epidemiology of Nosema parasitism in honey bees, we conducted studies to investigate infection of Nosema in its original host, Eastern honey bees, using conventional PCR and duplex real time quantitative PCR methods. Our results showed that A. cerana was infected not only with N. ceranae as previously reported [Fries, I., Feng, F., Silva, A.D., Slemenda, S.B., Pieniazek, N.J., 1996. Nosema ceranae n. sp. (Microspora, Nosematidae), morphological and molecular characterization of a microsporidian parasite of the Asian honey bee Apis cerana (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Eur. J. Protistol. 32, 356-365], but also with N. apis. Both microsporidia produced single and mixed infections. Overall and at each location alone, the prevalence of N. ceranae was higher than that of N. apis. In all cases of mixed infections, the number of N. ceranae gene copies (corresponding to the parasite load) significantly out numbered those of N. apis. Phylogenetic analysis based on a variable region of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSUrRNA) showed four distinct clades of N. apis and five clades of N. ceranae and that geographical distance does not appear to influence the genetic diversity of Nosema populations. The results from this study demonstrated that duplex real-time qPCR assay developed in this study is a valuable tool for quantitative measurement of Nosema and can be used to monitor the progression of microsprodian infections of honey bees in a timely and cost efficient manner.