Dataset Information

Forager bees (Apis mellifera) highly express immune and detoxification genes in tissues associated with nectar processing.

ABSTRACT: Pollinators, including honey bees, routinely encounter potentially harmful microorganisms and phytochemicals during foraging. However, the mechanisms by which honey bees manage these potential threats are poorly understood. In this study, we examine the expression of antimicrobial, immune and detoxification genes in Apis mellifera and compare between forager and nurse bees using tissue-specific RNA-seq and qPCR. Our analysis revealed extensive tissue-specific expression of antimicrobial, immune signaling, and detoxification genes. Variation in gene expression between worker stages was pronounced in the mandibular and hypopharyngeal gland (HPG), where foragers were enriched in transcripts that encode antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and immune response. Additionally, forager HPGs and mandibular glands were enriched in transcripts encoding detoxification enzymes, including some associated with xenobiotic metabolism. Using qPCR on an independent dataset, we verified differential expression of three AMP and three P450 genes between foragers and nurses. High expression of AMP genes in nectar-processing tissues suggests that these peptides may contribute to antimicrobial properties of honey or to honey bee defense against environmentally-acquired microorganisms. Together, these results suggest that worker role and tissue-specific expression of AMPs, and immune and detoxification enzymes may contribute to defense against microorganisms and xenobiotic compounds acquired while foraging.

SUBMITTER: Vannette RL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4637902 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Forager bees (Apis mellifera) highly express immune and detoxification genes in tissues associated with nectar processing.

Vannette Rachel L RL Mohamed Abbas A Johnson Brian R BR

Scientific reports 20151109

Pollinators, including honey bees, routinely encounter potentially harmful microorganisms and phytochemicals during foraging. However, the mechanisms by which honey bees manage these potential threats are poorly understood. In this study, we examine the expression of antimicrobial, immune and detoxification genes in Apis mellifera and compare between forager and nurse bees using tissue-specific RNA-seq and qPCR. Our analysis revealed extensive tissue-specific expression of antimicrobial, immune ...[more]

PMID: 26549293

Similar Datasets

Project description:This study investigates A. mellifera gut microbiota diversity and enzymatic activities, aiming to utilize identified isolates for practical applications in sustainable crop residue management and soil health enhancement. This study sampled honey bees, analyzed gut bacterial diversity via 16S rRNA gene, and screened isolates for cellulolytic, hemicellulolytic, and pectinolytic activities, with subsequent assessment of enzymatic potential. The study reveals that cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic bacterial isolates, mainly from γ-Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes, have significant potential for crop residue management. Some genera, like Aneurinibacillus, Bacillus, Clostridium, Enterobacter, Serratia, Stenotrophomonas, Apilactobacillus, Lysinibacillus, and Pseudomonas, are very good at breaking down cellulose and hemicellulase. Notable cellulose-degrading genera include Cedecea (1.390 ± 0.57), Clostridium (1.360 ± 0.86 U/mg), Enterobacter (1.493 ± 1.10 U/mg), Klebsiella (1.380 ± 2.03 U/mg), and Serratia (1.402 ± 0.31 U/mg), while Aneurinibacillus (1.213 ± 1.12 U/mg), Bacillus (3.119 ± 0.55 U/mg), Enterobacter (1.042 ± 0.14 U/mg), Serratia (1.589 ± 0.05 U/mg), and Xanthomonas (1.156 ± 0.08 U/mg) excel in hemicellulase activity. Specific isolates with high cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic activities are identified, highlighting their potential for crop residue management. The research explores gut bacterial compartmentalization in A. mellifera, emphasising gut physiology's role in cellulose and hemicellulose digestion. Pectinolytic activity is observed, particularly in the Bacillaceae clade (3.229 ± 0.02), contributing to understanding the honey bee gut microbiome. The findings offer insights into microbiome diversity and enzymatic capabilities, with implications for biotechnological applications in sustainable crop residue management. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for ongoing research to uncover underlying mechanisms and ecological factors influencing gut microbiota, impacting honey bee health, colony dynamics, and advancements in crop residue management.

Project description:BackgroundChemical analysis shows that honey bees (Apis mellifera) and hive products contain many pesticides derived from various sources. The most abundant pesticides are acaricides applied by beekeepers to control Varroa destructor. Beekeepers also apply antimicrobial drugs to control bacterial and microsporidial diseases. Fungicides may enter the hive when applied to nearby flowering crops. Acaricides, antimicrobial drugs and fungicides are not highly toxic to bees alone, but in combination there is potential for heightened toxicity due to interactive effects.Methodology/principal findingsLaboratory bioassays based on mortality rates in adult worker bees demonstrated interactive effects among acaricides, as well as between acaricides and antimicrobial drugs and between acaricides and fungicides. Toxicity of the acaricide tau-fluvalinate increased in combination with other acaricides and most other compounds tested (15 of 17) while amitraz toxicity was mostly unchanged (1 of 15). The sterol biosynthesis inhibiting (SBI) fungicide prochloraz elevated the toxicity of the acaricides tau-fluvalinate, coumaphos and fenpyroximate, likely through inhibition of detoxicative cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activity. Four other SBI fungicides increased the toxicity of tau-fluvalinate in a dose-dependent manner, although possible evidence of P450 induction was observed at the lowest fungicide doses. Non-transitive interactions between some acaricides were observed. Sublethal amitraz pre-treatment increased the toxicity of the three P450-detoxified acaricides, but amitraz toxicity was not changed by sublethal treatment with the same three acaricides. A two-fold change in the toxicity of tau-fluvalinate was observed between years, suggesting a possible change in the genetic composition of the bees tested.Conclusions/significanceInteractions with acaricides in honey bees are similar to drug interactions in other animals in that P450-mediated detoxication appears to play an important role. Evidence of non-transivity, year-to-year variation and induction of detoxication enzymes indicates that pesticide interactions in bees may be as complex as drug interactions in mammals.

Dataset Information

Forager bees (Apis mellifera) highly express immune and detoxification genes in tissues associated with nectar processing.

Publications

Forager bees (Apis mellifera) highly express immune and detoxification genes in tissues associated with nectar processing.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets