scholarly journals Transcriptomic analysis of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) queen spermathecae reveals genes that may be involved in sperm storage after mating

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0244648
Author(s):  
Juliana Rangel ◽  
Tonya F. Shepherd ◽  
Alejandra N. Gonzalez ◽  
Andrew Hillhouse ◽  
Kranti Konganti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Virgin Queen ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Specific Mrnas ◽  
Honey Bee Queens ◽  
Virgin Queens

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) queens have a remarkable organ, the spermatheca, which successfully stores sperm for years after a virgin queen mates. This study uniquely characterized and quantified the transcriptomes of the spermathecae from mated and virgin honey bee queens via RNA sequencing to identify differences in mRNA levels based on a queen’s mating status. The transcriptome of drone semen was analyzed for comparison. Samples from three individual bees were independently analyzed for mated queen spermathecae and virgin queen spermathecae, and three pools of semen from ten drones each were collected from three separate colonies. In total, the expression of 11,233 genes was identified in mated queen spermathecae, 10,521 in virgin queen spermathecae, and 10,407 in drone semen. Using a cutoff log2 fold-change value of 2.0, we identified 212 differentially expressed genes between mated and virgin spermathecal queen tissues: 129 (1.4% of total) were up-regulated and 83 (0.9% of total) were down-regulated in mated queen spermathecae. Three genes in mated queen spermathecae, three genes in virgin queen spermathecae and four genes in drone semen that were more highly expressed in those tissues from the RNA sequencing data were further validated by real time quantitative PCR. Among others, expression of Kielin/chordin-like and Trehalase mRNAs was highest in the spermathecae of mated queens compared to virgin queen spermathecae and drone semen. Expression of the mRNA encoding Alpha glucosidase 2 was higher in the spermathecae of virgin queens. Finally, expression of Facilitated trehalose transporter 1 mRNA was greatest in drone semen. This is the first characterization of gene expression in the spermathecae of honey bee queens revealing the alterations in mRNA levels within them after mating. Future studies will extend to other reproductive tissues with the purpose of relating levels of specific mRNAs to the functional competence of honey bee queens and the colonies they head.

scholarly journals Differential expression of TgMIC1 in isolates of Chinese 1 Toxoplasma with different virulence

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Wang ◽  
Chengjian Han ◽  
Rongsheng zhou ◽  
Jinjin Zhu ◽  
Famin Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Differential Expression ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Polyclonal Antibody ◽  
Protein Level ◽  
Polyclonal Antibodies ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Quantitative Real Time Pcr ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Predominant Genotype ◽  
High Virulence

Abstract Background The predominant genotype of Toxoplasma in China is the Chinese 1 (ToxoDB#9) lineage. TgCtwh3 and TgCtwh6 are two representative strains of Chinese 1, exhibiting high and low virulence to mice, respectively. Little is known regarding the virulence mechanism of this non-classical genotype. Our previous RNA sequencing data revealed differential mRNA levels of TgMIC1 in TgCtwh3 and TgCtwh6. We aim to further confirm the differential expression of TgMIC1 and its significance in this atypical genotype. Methods Quantitative real-time PCR was used to verify the RNA sequencing data; then, polyclonal antibodies against TgMIC1 were prepared and identified. Moreover, the invasion and proliferation of the parasite in HFF cells were observed after treatment with TgMIC1 polyclonal antibody or not. Results The data showed that the protein level of TgMIC1 was significantly higher in high-virulence strain TgCtwh3 than in low-virulence strain TgCtwh6 and that the invasion and proliferation of TgCtwh3 were inhibited by TgMIC1 polyclonal antibody. Conclusion Differential expression of TgMIC1 in TgCtwh3 and TgCtwh6 may explain, at least partly, the virulence mechanism of this atypical genotype.

scholarly journals The physical, insemination, and reproductive quality of honey bee queens (Apis mellifera L.)

Apidologie ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah A. Delaney ◽  
Jennifer J. Keller ◽  
Joel R. Caren ◽  
David R. Tarpy
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bee Queens

scholarly journals Sperm viability and gene expression in honey bee queens (Apis mellifera) following exposure to the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid and the organophosphate acaricide coumaphos

2016 ◽  
Vol 89 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veeranan Chaimanee ◽  
Jay D. Evans ◽  
Yanping Chen ◽  
Caitlin Jackson ◽  
Jeffery S. Pettis
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Sperm Viability ◽  
Neonicotinoid Insecticide ◽  
Honey Bee Queens

scholarly journals Silencing the Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Naked Cuticle Gene (nkd) Improves Host Immune Function and Reduces Nosema ceranae Infections

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (22) ◽  
pp. 6779-6787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenfeng Li ◽  
Jay D. Evans ◽  
Qiang Huang ◽  
Cristina Rodríguez-García ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Nosema Ceranae ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bee Disease

ABSTRACTNosema ceranaeis a new and emerging microsporidian parasite of European honey bees,Apis mellifera, that has been implicated in colony losses worldwide. RNA interference (RNAi), a posttranscriptional gene silencing mechanism, has emerged as a potent and specific strategy for controlling infections of parasites and pathogens in honey bees. While previous studies have focused on the silencing of parasite/pathogen virulence factors, we explore here the possibility of silencing a host factor as a mechanism for reducing parasite load. Specifically, we used an RNAi strategy to reduce the expression of a honey bee gene,naked cuticle(nkd), which is a negative regulator of host immune function. Our studies found thatnkdmRNA levels in adult bees were upregulated byN. ceranaeinfection (and thus, the parasite may use this mechanism to suppress host immune function) and that ingestion of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) specific tonkdefficiently silenced its expression. Furthermore, we found that RNAi-mediated knockdown ofnkdtranscripts inNosema-infected bees resulted in upregulation of the expression of several immune genes (Abaecin,Apidaecin,Defensin-1, andPGRP-S2), reduction ofNosemaspore loads, and extension of honey bee life span. The results of our studies clearly indicate that silencing the hostnkdgene can activate honey bee immune responses, suppress the reproduction ofN. ceranae, and improve the overall health of honey bees. This study represents a novel host-derived therapeutic for honey bee disease treatment that merits further exploration.IMPORTANCEGiven the critical role of honey bees in the pollination of agricultural crops, it is urgent to develop strategies to prevent the colony decline induced by the infection of parasites/pathogens. Targeting parasites and pathogens directly by RNAi has been proven to be useful for controlling infections in honey bees, but little is known about the disease impacts of RNAi silencing of host factors. Here, we demonstrate that knocking down the honey bee immune repressor-encodingnkdgene can suppress the reproduction ofN. ceranaeand improve the overall health of honey bees, which highlights the potential role of host-derived and RNAi-based therapeutics in controlling the infections in honey bees. The information obtained from this study will have positive implications for honey bee disease management practices.

Testing of the isolation of the Rog-Ponikve mating station for Carniolan (Apis mellifera carnica) honey bee queens

2008 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ăles Gregorc ◽  
Vesna Lokar ◽  
Maja Ivana Smodiš Škerl
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Apis Mellifera Carnica ◽  
Honey Bee Queens

scholarly journals Effect of Different Substrates on the Acceptance of Grafted Larvae in Commercial Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera) Queen Rearing

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celia A. Contreras-Martinez ◽  
Francisca Contreras-Escareño ◽  
José O. Macias-Macias ◽  
Jose M. Tapia-Gonzalez ◽  
Tatiana Petukhova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Royal Jelly ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Acceptance Rate ◽  
Coconut Water ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Queen Rearing ◽  
Honey Bee Queens

Abstract The need for the increased production of honey bee (Apis mellifera) queens has led beekeepers to use different substrates in artificial queen cups where larvae destined to become queens are deposited (grafting). However, not enough scientific evidence exists that indicates that this practice is useful and what substance offers the best results. This study was conducted to determine with the Doolittle queen rearing method the acceptance rate of larvae deposited on different substrates during grafting and to determine if the sugar content and pH of the substrates used affect the acceptance of larvae in cell builder colonies. The evaluated substrates were coconut water, apple nectar, royal jelly, cola soda and distilled water, plus control (without substrate). Grafted larvae of the six treatments were introduced into cell builder colonies and their acceptance verified after 72 h. Apple nectar provided the highest rate of larvae acceptance with 81.06%, followed by cola soda with 62.93%, coconut water with 60.90%, royal jelly with 57.82% and distilled water with 58.99%. The larvae acceptance rates of all substrates were significantly higher than the control, which had an acceptance rate of 47.04%. No significant relationship was found between the sugar content of the substrates and larvae acceptance. However, although not significant, a high negative correlation was found between the substrate pH and the number of accepted larvae (Rho = - 0.90, p = 0.07). These results suggest that the use of liquid acidic substrates during larvae grafting, in particular apple nectar, may increase the production of honey bee queens.

scholarly journals Egg‐size plasticity in Apis mellifera : Honey bee queens alter egg size in response to both genetic and environmental factors

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 534-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esmaeil Amiri ◽  
Kevin Le ◽  
Carlos Vega Melendez ◽  
Micheline K. Strand ◽  
David R. Tarpy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Honey Bee Queens

scholarly journals Factors affecting the reproductive health of honey bee (Apis mellifera) drones—a review

Apidologie ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 759-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Rangel ◽  
Adrian Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Pesticide Exposure ◽  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Female Workers ◽  
Sperm Development ◽  
Virgin Queens ◽  
Colony Level

Abstract In the honey bee, Apis mellifera, colonies are composed of one queen, thousands of female workers, and a few thousand seasonal males (drones) that are reared only during the reproductive season when colony resources are plentiful. Despite their transient presence in the hive, drones have the important function of mating with virgin queens, transferring their colony’s genes to their mates for the production of fertilized, worker-destined eggs. Therefore, factors affecting drone health and reproductive competency may directly affect queen fitness and longevity, having great implications at the colony level. Several environmental and in-hive conditions can affect the quality and viability of drones in general and their sperm in particular. Here we review the extant studies that describe how environmental factors including nutrition, temperature, season, and age may influence drone reproductive health. We also review studies that describe other factors, such as pesticide exposure during and after development, that may also influence drone reproductive quality. Given that sperm development in drones is completed during pupation prior to adult emergence, particular attention needs to be paid to these factors during drone development, not just during adulthood. The present review showcases a growing body of evidence indicating that drones are very sensitive to environmental fluctuations and that these factors cause drones to underperform, potentially compromising the reproductive health of their queen mates, as well as the overall fitness of their colony.

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