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Brasero N, Ghisbain G, Lecocq T, Michez D, Valterová I, Biella P, Monfared A, Williams PH, Rasmont P, Martinet B. Resolving the species status of overlooked West‐Palaearctic bumblebees. ZOOL SCR 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Brasero
- Laboratory of Zoology Research institute for Biosciences, University of Mons MonsBelgium
| | - Guillaume Ghisbain
- Laboratory of Zoology Research institute for Biosciences, University of Mons MonsBelgium
| | - Thomas Lecocq
- Laboratory of Zoology Research institute for Biosciences, University of Mons MonsBelgium
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, URAFPA Nancy France
| | - Denis Michez
- Laboratory of Zoology Research institute for Biosciences, University of Mons MonsBelgium
| | - Irena Valterová
- Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Prague Czech Republic
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Czech Republic
| | - Paolo Biella
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences University of Milano‐Bicocca Milano Italy
| | - Alireza Monfared
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture Yasouj University Yasouj Iran
| | | | - Pierre Rasmont
- Laboratory of Zoology Research institute for Biosciences, University of Mons MonsBelgium
| | - Baptiste Martinet
- Laboratory of Zoology Research institute for Biosciences, University of Mons MonsBelgium
- Evolutionary Biology & Ecology Université Libre de Bruxelles Bruxelles Belgium
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2
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Hambalko J, Gajdoš P, Nicaud JM, Ledesma-Amaro R, Tupec M, Pichová I, Čertík M. Production of Long Chain Fatty Alcohols Found in Bumblebee Pheromones by Yarrowia lipolytica. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 8:593419. [PMID: 33490049 PMCID: PMC7820814 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.593419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty alcohols (FA-OH) are aliphatic unbranched primary alcohols with a chain of four or more carbon atoms. Besides potential industrial applications, fatty alcohols have important biological functions as well. In nature, fatty alcohols are produced as a part of a mixture of pheromones in several insect species, such as moths, termites, bees, wasps, etc. In addition, FA-OHs have a potential for agricultural applications, for example, they may be used as a suitable substitute for commercial insecticides. The insecticides have several drawbacks associated with their preparation, and they exert a negative impact on the environment. Currently, pheromone components are prepared mainly through the catalytic hydrogenation of plant oils and petrochemicals, which is an unsustainable, ecologically unfriendly, and highly expensive process. The biotechnological production of the pheromone components using engineered microbial strains and through the expression of the enzymes participating in the biosynthesis of these components is a promising approach that ensures ecological sustenance as well. The present study was aimed at evaluating the production of FA-OHs in the oleaginous yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica, with different lengths of fatty-acyl chains by expressing the fatty acyl-CoA reductase (FAR) BlapFAR4 from B. lapidarius, producing C16:0-OH, C16:1Δ9-OH, and lower quantities of both C14:0-OH and C18:1Δ9-OH, and BlucFAR1 from B. lucorum, producing FA-OHs with a chain length of 18-26 carbon atoms, in this yeast. Among the different novel Y. lipolytica strains used in the present study, the best results were obtained with JMY7086, which carried several lipid metabolism modifications and expressed the BlucFAR1 gene under the control of a strong constitutive promoter 8UAS-pTEF. JMY7086 produced only saturated fatty alcohols with chain lengths from 18 to 24 carbon atoms. The highest titer and accumulation achieved were 166.6 mg/L and 15.6 mg/g DCW of fatty alcohols, respectively. Unlike JMY7086, the BlapFAR4-expressing strain JMY7090 produced only 16 carbon atom-long FA-OHs with a titer of 14.6 mg/L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Hambalko
- Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Institute of Biotechnology, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Gajdoš
- Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Institute of Biotechnology, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jean-Marc Nicaud
- French National Research Institute for Agriculture (INRAE), Food and Environment, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro
- Department of Bioengineering and Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michal Tupec
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Iva Pichová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Milan Čertík
- Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Institute of Biotechnology, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
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3
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Martinet B, Zambra E, Przybyla K, Lecocq T, Anselmo A, Nonclercq D, Rasmont P, Michez D, Hennebert E. Mating under climate change: Impact of simulated heatwaves on the reproduction of model pollinators. Funct Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Martinet
- Laboratory of Zoology Research Institute of Biosciences University of Mons Mons Belgium
- Evolutionary Biology & Ecology Université Libre de Bruxelles Bruxelles Belgium
| | - Ella Zambra
- Laboratory of Zoology Research Institute of Biosciences University of Mons Mons Belgium
| | - Kimberly Przybyla
- Laboratory of Zoology Research Institute of Biosciences University of Mons Mons Belgium
| | - Thomas Lecocq
- Laboratory of Zoology Research Institute of Biosciences University of Mons Mons Belgium
- INRAEURAFPAUniversity of Lorraine Nancy France
| | - Abigaël Anselmo
- Laboratory of Zoology Research Institute of Biosciences University of Mons Mons Belgium
| | - Denis Nonclercq
- Laboratory of Histology Research Institute of BiosciencesUniversity of Mons Mons Belgium
| | - Pierre Rasmont
- Laboratory of Zoology Research Institute of Biosciences University of Mons Mons Belgium
| | - Denis Michez
- Laboratory of Zoology Research Institute of Biosciences University of Mons Mons Belgium
| | - Elise Hennebert
- Laboratory of Cell Biology Research Institute of BiosciencesUniversity of Mons Mons Belgium
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Belsky JE, Camp AA, Lehmann DM. The Importance of Males to Bumble Bee ( Bombus Species) Nest Development and Colony Viability. INSECTS 2020; 11:E506. [PMID: 32764336 PMCID: PMC7469185 DOI: 10.3390/insects11080506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Bumble bee population declines over the last decade have stimulated strong interest in determining causative factors and necessary conservation measures. Research attention has largely been directed toward bumble bee worker and queen health and their contributions to population stability, while male bees (i.e., drones) have typically been overlooked regarding their role in influencing colony fitness and longevity. In this review we assess existing literature on the diverse role of males within bumble bee nests and their importance to queen health and fitness, as well as to overall nest success. The implications of reproductive measures, including sperm transfer, mating behavior, mating plugs, and male immunity, among other topics, are examined. Overall, bumble bee males are found to drive colony function in a unique manner. Current knowledge gaps pertaining to the role of males are discussed. We highlight the importance of drones to queen success and fitness in many ways, and suggest future research exploring impacts of this often-neglected caste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph E Belsky
- Public Health & Environmental Systems Division, Integrated Health Assessment Branch Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), US-Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27711, USA
| | - Allison A Camp
- ORISE Researcher, Research Triangle Park Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27711, USA
| | - David M Lehmann
- Public Health & Environmental Systems Division, Integrated Health Assessment Branch Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), US-Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27711, USA
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5
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Brasero N, Martinet B, Michez D, Lecocq T, Valterova I, Rasmont P. Taxonomic revision of the Sylvarum group of bumblebees using an integrative approach. SYST BIODIVERS 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2020.1737843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Brasero
- Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, Mons, 7000, Belgium
| | - Baptiste Martinet
- Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, Mons, 7000, Belgium
| | - Denis Michez
- Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, Mons, 7000, Belgium
| | - Thomas Lecocq
- Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, Mons, 7000, Belgium
- INRAe, URAFPA, University of Lorraine, Nancy, F-54000, France
| | - Irena Valterova
- Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Flemingovo nám 2, Prague, CZ-166 10, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, Prague, CZ-165 21, Czech Republic
| | - Pierre Rasmont
- Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, Mons, 7000, Belgium
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Valterová I, Martinet B, Michez D, Rasmont P, Brasero N. Sexual attraction: a review of bumblebee male pheromones. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 74:233-250. [PMID: 31442206 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2019-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Males of many bumblebee species exhibit a conspicuous pre-mating behavior with two distinct behavioral components: scent marking and patrol flying. The marking pheromone is produced by the cephalic part of the labial gland (CLG). As far as is known, the CLG secretion is species specific, and it usually consists of two types of compounds: (i) straight-chain aliphatic alcohols, aldehydes or esters, and (ii) acyclic mono-, sesqui- and diterpenes (alcohols or acetates). Here, we summarize data from the literature reporting chemical composition of the CLG secretions of more than 80 bumblebee species. Similarities and differences within and between subgenera are discussed in the context of biosynthetic pathways and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irena Valterová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám 2, CZ-166 10 Prague, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 21 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Baptiste Martinet
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute of Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Denis Michez
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute of Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Pierre Rasmont
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute of Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Brasero
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute of Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000 Mons, Belgium
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Lecocq T, Biella P, Martinet B, Rasmont P. Too strict or too loose? Integrative taxonomic assessment ofBombus lapidariuscomplex (Hymenoptera: Apidae). ZOOL SCR 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Lecocq
- Laboratory of Zoology Research Institute of Biosciences University of Mons Mons Belgium
- Inra URAFPA Université de Lorraine Nancy France
| | - Paolo Biella
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences University of Milano-Bicocca Milano Italy
| | - Baptiste Martinet
- Laboratory of Zoology Research Institute of Biosciences University of Mons Mons Belgium
| | - Pierre Rasmont
- Laboratory of Zoology Research Institute of Biosciences University of Mons Mons Belgium
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Erban T, Sopko B, Talacko P, Harant K, Kadlikova K, Halesova T, Riddellova K, Pekas A. Chronic exposure of bumblebees to neonicotinoid imidacloprid suppresses the entire mevalonate pathway and fatty acid synthesis. J Proteomics 2019; 196:69-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2018.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Brasero N, Lecocq T, Martinet B, Valterová I, Urbanová K, de Jonghe R, Rasmont P. Variability in Sexual Pheromones Questions their Role in Bumblebee Pre-Mating Recognition System. J Chem Ecol 2017; 44:9-17. [PMID: 29209934 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-017-0910-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Sex-specific chemical secretions have been widely used as diagnostic characters in chemotaxonomy. The taxonomically confused group of bumblebees has reaped the benefit of this approach through the analyses of cephalic labial gland secretions (CLGS). Most of currently available CLGS descriptions concern species from the West-Palearctic region but few from the New World. Here, the CLGS of four East-Palearctic species Bombus deuteronymus, B. filchnerae, B. humilis, and B. exil (subgenus Thoracobombus) are analysed. Our results show high levels of variability in the major compounds in B. exil. In contrast, we describe a low differentiation in CLGS compounds between B. filchnerae and its phylogenetically closely related taxon B. muscorum. Moreover, the chemical profiles of B. filchnerae and B. muscorum are characterized by low concentrations of the C16 component, which is found in higher concentrations in the other Thoracobombus species. This raises the possibility that courtship behavior as well as environmental constraints could affect the role of the bumblebee males' CLGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Brasero
- Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000, Mons, Belgium.
| | - Thomas Lecocq
- Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000, Mons, Belgium
- Research Unit Animal and Functionalities of Animal Products (URAFPA), University of Lorraine - INRA, 2 Avenue de la Forêt de Haye, BP 172, 54505, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Baptiste Martinet
- Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Irena Valterová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám 2, CZ-166 10, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Klára Urbanová
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Department of Sustainable Technologies, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 21, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Roland de Jonghe
- Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Pierre Rasmont
- Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000, Mons, Belgium
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10
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Jedlička P, Ernst UR, Votavová A, Hanus R, Valterová I. Gene Expression Dynamics in Major Endocrine Regulatory Pathways along the Transition from Solitary to Social Life in a Bumblebee, Bombus terrestris. Front Physiol 2016; 7:574. [PMID: 27932998 PMCID: PMC5121236 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the social evolution leading to insect eusociality requires, among other, a detailed insight into endocrine regulatory mechanisms that have been co-opted from solitary ancestors to play new roles in the complex life histories of eusocial species. Bumblebees represent well-suited models of a relatively primitive social organization standing on the mid-way to highly advanced eusociality and their queens undergo both, a solitary and a social phase, separated by winter diapause. In the present paper, we characterize the gene expression levels of major endocrine regulatory pathways across tissues, sexes, and life-stages of the buff-tailed bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, with special emphasis on critical stages of the queen's transition from solitary to social life. We focused on fundamental genes of three pathways: (1) Forkhead box protein O and insulin/insulin-like signaling, (2) Juvenile hormone (JH) signaling, and (3) Adipokinetic hormone signaling. Virgin queens were distinguished by higher expression of forkhead box protein O and downregulated insulin-like peptides and JH signaling, indicated by low expression of methyl farnesoate epoxidase (MFE) and transcription factor Krüppel homolog 1 (Kr-h1). Diapausing queens showed the expected downregulation of JH signaling in terms of low MFE and vitellogenin (Vg) expressions, but an unexpectedly high expression of Kr-h1. By contrast, reproducing queens revealed an upregulation of MFE and Vg together with insulin signaling. Surprisingly, the insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) turned out to be a queen-specific hormone. Workers exhibited an expression pattern of MFE and Vg similar to that of reproducing queens. Males were characterized by high Kr-h1 expression and low Vg level. The tissue comparison unveiled an unexpected resemblance between the fat body and hypopharyngeal glands across all investigated genes, sexes, and life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Jedlička
- Department of Chemistry of Social Insects, The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences Prague, Czechia
| | - Ulrich R Ernst
- Department of Chemistry of Social Insects, The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences Prague, Czechia
| | | | - Robert Hanus
- Department of Chemistry of Social Insects, The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences Prague, Czechia
| | - Irena Valterová
- Research Group of Infochemicals, The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences Prague, Czechia
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Buček A, Brabcová J, Vogel H, Prchalová D, Kindl J, Valterová I, Pichová I. Exploring complex pheromone biosynthetic processes in the bumblebee male labial gland by RNA sequencing. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 25:295-314. [PMID: 26945888 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Male marking pheromones (MPs) are used by the majority of bumblebee species (Hymenoptera: Apidae), including a commercially important greenhouse pollinator, the buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), to attract conspecific females. MP biosynthetic processes in the cephalic part of the bumblebee male labial gland (LG) are of extraordinary complexity, involving enzymes of fatty acid and isoprenoid biosynthesis, which jointly produce more than 50 compounds. We employed a differential transcriptomic approach to identify candidate genes involved in MP biosynthesis by sequencing Bombus terrestris LG and fat body (FB) transcriptomes. We identified 12 454 abundantly expressed gene products (reads per kilobase of exon model per million mapped reads value > 1) that had significant hits in the GenBank nonredundant database. Of these, 876 were upregulated in the LG (> 4-fold difference). We identified more than 140 candidate genes potentially involved in MP biosynthesis, including esterases, fatty acid reductases, lipases, enzymes involved in limited fatty acid chain shortening, neuropeptide receptors and enzymes involved in biosynthesis of triacylglycerols, isoprenoids and fatty acids. For selected candidates, we confirmed their abundant expression in LG using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). Our study shows that the Bombus terrestris LG transcriptome reflects both fatty acid and isoprenoid MP biosynthetic processes and identifies rational gene targets for future studies to disentangle the molecular basis of MP biosynthesis. Additionally, LG and FB transcriptomes enrich the available transcriptomic resources for Bombus terrestris.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Buček
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - J Brabcová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - H Vogel
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - D Prchalová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - J Kindl
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - I Valterová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - I Pichová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
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12
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Prchalová D, Buček A, Brabcová J, Žáček P, Kindl J, Valterová I, Pichová I. Regulation of Isoprenoid Pheromone Biosynthesis in Bumblebee Males. Chembiochem 2015; 17:260-7. [PMID: 26632352 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Males of the closely related species Bombus terrestris and Bombus lucorum attract conspecific females by completely different marking pheromones. MP of B. terrestris and B. lucorum pheromones contain mainly isoprenoid (ISP) compounds and fatty acid derivatives, respectively. Here, we studied the regulation of ISP biosynthesis in both bumblebees. RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses indicated that acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase (AACT), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), and farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS) transcripts are abundant in the B. terrestris labial gland. Maximal abundance of these transcripts correlated well with AACT enzymatic activity detected in the LG extracts. In contrast, transcript abundances of AACT, HMGR, and FPPS in B. lucorum were low, and AACT activity was not detected in LGs. These results suggest that transcriptional regulation plays a key role in the control of ISP biosynthetic gene expression and ISP pheromone biosynthesis in bumblebee males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darina Prchalová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. Flemingovo n. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Buček
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. Flemingovo n. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Brabcová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. Flemingovo n. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Žáček
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. Flemingovo n. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Kindl
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. Flemingovo n. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Irena Valterová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. Flemingovo n. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Iva Pichová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. Flemingovo n. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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Brasero N, Martinet B, Urbanová K, Valterová I, Torres A, Hoffmann W, Rasmont P, Lecocq T. First Chemical Analysis and Characterization of the Male Species‐Specific Cephalic Labial‐Gland Secretions of South American Bumblebees. Chem Biodivers 2015; 12:1535-46. [DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201400375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Brasero
- University of Mons, Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, Place du Parc 20, BE‐7000 Mons (phone: +32‐65373435)
| | - Baptiste Martinet
- University of Mons, Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, Place du Parc 20, BE‐7000 Mons (phone: +32‐65373435)
| | - Klára Urbanová
- Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Flemingovo nám 2, CZ‐166 10 Prague
| | - Irena Valterová
- Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Flemingovo nám 2, CZ‐166 10 Prague
| | - Alexandra Torres
- Grupo de Biocalorimetría, Facultad de Ciencias Bàsicas, Universidad de Pamplona, Km 1 vía Bucaramanga, Ciudadela Universitaria, Pamplona, Colombia
| | - Wolfgang Hoffmann
- Grupo de Biocalorimetría, Facultad de Ciencias Bàsicas, Universidad de Pamplona, Km 1 vía Bucaramanga, Ciudadela Universitaria, Pamplona, Colombia
| | - Pierre Rasmont
- University of Mons, Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, Place du Parc 20, BE‐7000 Mons (phone: +32‐65373435)
| | - Thomas Lecocq
- University of Mons, Research Institute of Biosciences, Laboratory of Zoology, Place du Parc 20, BE‐7000 Mons (phone: +32‐65373435)
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Žáček P, Kindl J, Frišonsová K, Průchová M, Votavová A, Hovorka O, Kovalczuk T, Valterová I. Biosynthetic Studies of the Male Marking Pheromone in Bumblebees by Using Labelled Fatty Acids and Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography with Mass Detection. Chempluschem 2015; 80:839-850. [PMID: 31973346 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.201402420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Revised: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Two-dimensional comprehensive gas chromatography (GC×GC) coupled with mass detection was used as a tool for biosynthetic studies of bumblebee pheromones. Prior to biosynthetic experiments, the chromatographic behaviour of isotopically modified esters in the GC×GC system as well as their behaviour in mass detection was studied. The male marking pheromones of Bombus lucorum, Bombus lapidarius and Bombus terrestris were investigated. Main pheromonal components are ethyl tetradec-9-enoate (53 %) and ethyl dodecanoate (6 %) in B. lucorum, hexadec-9-en-1-ol (52 %) and hexadecan-1-ol (31 %) in B. lapidarius, and 2,3-dihydrofarnesol (58 %) and ethyl dodecanoate (15 %) in B. terrestris. The research strategy was based on 1) in vivo incubation of isotopically (2 H, 13 C) modified fatty acids (FAs) and analysis of their metabolites and 2) feeding experiments with 2 H- and 13 C-labelled FAs mixed with food. It was observed that labelled FAs were modified into the most abundant aliphatic compounds present in labial gland secretions. In feeding experiments, the labelled FAs were transformed into pheromone components. Transport of the FA precursors from the fat body through haemolymph was confirmed. The results show that FAs, stored in the form of triacylglycerols in the fat body, are likely to participate in the biosynthesis of some aliphatic pheromone components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Žáček
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6 (Czech Republic).,Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 8, 128 40 Prague 2 (Czech Republic)
| | - Jiří Kindl
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6 (Czech Republic)
| | - Kateřina Frišonsová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6 (Czech Republic)
| | - Markéta Průchová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6 (Czech Republic)
| | - Alena Votavová
- Agricultural Research, Zahradní 1, 66441 Troubsko (Czech Republic)
| | - Oldřich Hovorka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6 (Czech Republic)
| | - Tomáš Kovalczuk
- LECO Corp., Applicat. Lab. Prague, Sokolovská 219, 190 00 Prague 9 (Czech Republic)
| | - Irena Valterová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6 (Czech Republic)
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Brabcová J, Demianová Z, Kindl J, Pichová I, Valterová I, Zarevúcka M. Characterisation of Acetyl-CoA Thiolase: The First Enzyme in the Biosynthesis of Terpenic Sex Pheromone Components in the Labial Gland ofBombus terrestris. Chembiochem 2015; 16:1047-51. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201402591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Lecocq T, Dellicour S, Michez D, Dehon M, Dewulf A, De Meulemeester T, Brasero N, Valterová I, Rasplus JY, Rasmont P. Methods for species delimitation in bumblebees (Hymenoptera, Apidae,Bombus): towards an integrative approach. ZOOL SCR 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Lecocq
- Laboratory of Zoology; Research institute of Biosciences; University of Mons; Place du Parc 20 7000 Mons Belgium
| | - Simon Dellicour
- Evolutionary Biology and Ecology; Université Libre de Bruxelles; av. FD Roosevelt 50 1050 Brussels Belgium
- Department of Zoology; University of Oxford; South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PS UK
| | - Denis Michez
- Laboratory of Zoology; Research institute of Biosciences; University of Mons; Place du Parc 20 7000 Mons Belgium
| | - Manuel Dehon
- Laboratory of Zoology; Research institute of Biosciences; University of Mons; Place du Parc 20 7000 Mons Belgium
| | - Alexandre Dewulf
- Laboratory of Zoology; Research institute of Biosciences; University of Mons; Place du Parc 20 7000 Mons Belgium
| | | | - Nicolas Brasero
- Laboratory of Zoology; Research institute of Biosciences; University of Mons; Place du Parc 20 7000 Mons Belgium
| | - Irena Valterová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry; Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; Flamingovo nám 2 CZ-166 10 Prague Czech Republic
| | - Jean-Yves Rasplus
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique; UMR 1062 Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations; CS 30 016 F-34988 Montferrier/Lez Cedex France
| | - Pierre Rasmont
- Laboratory of Zoology; Research institute of Biosciences; University of Mons; Place du Parc 20 7000 Mons Belgium
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Lecocq T, Brasero N, De Meulemeester T, Michez D, Dellicour S, Lhomme P, de Jonghe R, Valterová I, Urbanová K, Rasmont P. An integrative taxonomic approach to assess the status of Corsican bumblebees: implications for conservation. Anim Conserv 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Lecocq
- Research Institute of Biosciences; Laboratory of Zoology; University of Mons; Mons Belgium
| | - N. Brasero
- Research Institute of Biosciences; Laboratory of Zoology; University of Mons; Mons Belgium
| | | | - D. Michez
- Research Institute of Biosciences; Laboratory of Zoology; University of Mons; Mons Belgium
| | - S. Dellicour
- Evolutionary Biology and Ecology; Université Libre de Bruxelles; Brussels Belgium
| | - P. Lhomme
- Research Institute of Biosciences; Laboratory of Zoology; University of Mons; Mons Belgium
| | - R. de Jonghe
- Research Institute of Biosciences; Laboratory of Zoology; University of Mons; Mons Belgium
| | - I. Valterová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry; Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; Prague Czech Republic
| | - K. Urbanová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry; Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; Prague Czech Republic
| | - P. Rasmont
- Research Institute of Biosciences; Laboratory of Zoology; University of Mons; Mons Belgium
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Kofroňová E, Nekola A, Cvačka J, Kindl J, Valterová I. Fatty acids from pool lipids as possible precursors of the male marking pheromone in bumblebees. Molecules 2014; 19:2330-43. [PMID: 24566306 PMCID: PMC6271375 DOI: 10.3390/molecules19022330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Triacylglycerols (TGs) stored in the fat bodies of bumblebee males have a species-specific composition. The striking structural similarities between TG fatty acids (FAs) and components of the male marking pheromone in certain species led to the hypothesis that FAs may serve as precursors in pheromone biosynthesis. Here, we analysed TGs from B.ruderatus, B. bohemicus, and B. campestris. Nonadec-9-ene and icos-15-en-1-ol are the main components of B. ruderatus labial gland secretion, forming up to 92% of the gland extract. The corresponding icos-11-enic and icos-15-enic acids were found in TGs at levels higher than usual for bumblebee species. We found similar relationships in B. campestris and B. bohemicus. These results suggest that FAs might be precursors of aliphatic compounds in the male pheromones. Furthermore, we report for the first time the pheromone structure of B. ruderatus males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edita Kofroňová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, Prague 166 10, Czech Republic.
| | - Adam Nekola
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, Prague 166 10, Czech Republic.
| | - Josef Cvačka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, Prague 166 10, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiří Kindl
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, Prague 166 10, Czech Republic.
| | - Irena Valterová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, Prague 166 10, Czech Republic.
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Lecocq T, Dellicour S, Michez D, Lhomme P, Vanderplanck M, Valterová I, Rasplus JY, Rasmont P. Scent of a break-up: phylogeography and reproductive trait divergences in the red-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius). BMC Evol Biol 2013; 13:263. [PMID: 24295171 PMCID: PMC4219352 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-13-263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2013] [Accepted: 11/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Pleistocene climatic oscillations are considered as a major driving force of intraspecific divergence and speciation. During Ice Ages, populations isolated in allopatric glacial refugia can experience differentiation in reproductive traits through divergence in selection regimes. This phenomenon may lead to reproductive isolation and dramatically accentuates the consequences of the climatic oscillations on species. Alternatively, when reproductive isolation is incomplete and populations are expanding again, further mating between the formerly isolated populations can result in the formation of a hybrid zone, genetic introgression or reinforcement speciation through reproductive trait displacements. Therefore changes in reproductive traits driven by population movements during climatic oscillations can act as an important force in promoting pre-zygotic isolation. Notwithstanding, divergence of reproductive traits has not been approached in the context of climatic oscillations. Here we investigate the impact of population movements driven by climatic oscillations on a reproductive trait of a bumblebee species (Bombus lapidarius). We characterise the pattern of variation and differentiation across the species distribution (i) with five genes (nuclear and mitochondrial), and (ii) in the chemical composition of male marking secretions (MMS), a key trait for mate attraction in bumblebees. Results Our results provide evidence that populations have experienced a genetic allopatric differentiation, in at least three main refugia (the Balkans, Centre-Eastern Europe, and Southern Italy) during Quaternary glaciations. The comparative chemical analyses show that populations from the Southern Italian refugium have experienced MMS differentiation and an incipient speciation process from another refugium. The meeting of Southern Italian populations with other populations as a result of range expansion at a secondary contact zone seems to have led to a reinforcement process on local MMS patterns. Conclusions This study suggests that population movement during Quaternary climatic oscillations can lead to divergence in reproductive traits by allopatric differentiation during Ice Ages and by reinforcement during post-glacial recolonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Lecocq
- Laboratoire de Zoologie (Research Institute of Biosciences), University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, B-7000 Mons, Belgium.
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Brabcová J, Prchalová D, Demianová Z, Bučánková A, Vogel H, Valterová I, Pichová I, Zarevúcka M. Characterization of neutral lipase BT-1 isolated from the labial gland of Bombus terrestris males. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80066. [PMID: 24260337 PMCID: PMC3832651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In addition to their general role in the hydrolysis of storage lipids, bumblebee lipases can participate in the biosynthesis of fatty acids that serve as precursors of pheromones used for sexual communication. Results We studied the temporal dynamics of lipolytic activity in crude extracts from the cephalic part of Bombus terrestris labial glands. Extracts from 3-day-old males displayed the highest lipolytic activity. The highest lipase gene expression level was observed in freshly emerged bumblebees, and both gene expression and lipase activity were lower in bumblebees older than 3 days. Lipase was purified from labial glands, further characterized and named as BT-1. The B. terrestris orthologue shares 88% sequence identity with B. impatiens lipase HA. The molecular weight of B. terrestris lipase BT-1 was approximately 30 kDa, the pH optimum was 8.3, and the temperature optimum was 50°C. Lipase BT-1 showed a notable preference for C8-C10 p-nitrophenyl esters, with the highest activity toward p-nitrophenyl caprylate (C8). The Michaelis constant (Km) and maximum reaction rate (Vmax) for p-nitrophenyl laurate hydrolysis were Km = 0.0011 mM and Vmax = 0.15 U/mg. Conclusion This is the first report describing neutral lipase from the labial gland of B. terrestris. Our findings help increase understanding of its possible function in the labial gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Brabcová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Darina Prchalová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Demianová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Heiko Vogel
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Irena Valterová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Iva Pichová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Zarevúcka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
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Buček A, Vogel H, Matoušková P, Prchalová D, Záček P, Vrkoslav V, Šebesta P, Svatoš A, Jahn U, Valterová I, Pichová I. The role of desaturases in the biosynthesis of marking pheromones in bumblebee males. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2013; 43:724-731. [PMID: 23727612 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2013.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Revised: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Bumblebee males (Hymenoptera) produce species-specific labial gland secretions called marking pheromones (MPs). MPs generally consist of terpenoids and fatty-acid-derived aliphatic compounds with various chain lengths predominantly containing one or no double bonds. The unsaturated fatty-acid-derived MP components were hypothesized to be produced by fatty acid desaturases (FADs) that exhibit diverse substrate specificities. To address this hypothesis, we isolated and functionally characterized FADs from three bumblebee species: Bombus lucorum, Bombus terrestris, and Bombus lapidarius. By employing RNA sequencing of the male labial glands and fat bodies of B. lucorum and B. terrestris, we identified five paralogous FAD-like sequences but only two FAD lineages were abundant and differentially expressed in the labial glands. We found that abundant FAD lineages were also expressed in the labial gland and fat body of Bombus lapidarius. Functional characterization of FADs in a yeast expression system confirmed that Δ4-FADs exhibited a unique Δ4-desaturase activity exclusively on 14-carbon fatty acyls and Δ9-FADs displayed Δ9-desaturase activity on 14- to 18-carbon fatty acyls. These results indicate that Δ9-FADs are involved in the biosynthesis of major unsaturated components of MPs in B. lucorum and B. lapidarius despite the diverse MP composition of these bumblebee species. The contribution of lipases, acyltransferases, esterases, and fatty acid reductases to production of the species-specific MP composition is also discussed in light of the transcriptomic data obtained in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleš Buček
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. Flemingovo n. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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22
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Lecocq T, Vereecken NJ, Michez D, Dellicour S, Lhomme P, Valterová I, Rasplus JY, Rasmont P. Patterns of genetic and reproductive traits differentiation in Mainland vs. Corsican populations of bumblebees. PLoS One 2013; 8:e65642. [PMID: 23755263 PMCID: PMC3675023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Populations on islands often exhibit lower levels of genetic variation and ecomorphological divergence compared to their mainland relatives. While phenotypic differentiation in characters, such as size or shape among insular organisms, has been well studied, insular differentiation in quantitative reproductive traits involved in chemical communication has received very little attention to date. Here, we investigated the impact of insularity on two syntopic bumblebee species pairs: one including species that are phylogenetically related (Bombus terrestris and B. lucorum), and the other including species that interact ecologically (B. terrestris and its specific nest inquiline B. vestalis). For each bumblebee species, we characterized the patterns of variation and differentiation of insular (Corsican) vs. mainland (European) populations (i) with four genes (nuclear and mitochondrial, 3781 bp) and (ii) in the chemical composition of male marking secretions (MMS), a key trait for mate attraction in bumblebees, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Our results provide evidence for genetic differentiation in Corsican bumblebees and show that, contrary to theoretical expectations, island populations of bumblebees exhibit levels of genetic variation similar to the mainland populations. Likewise, our comparative chemical analyses of MMS indicate that Corsican populations of bumblebees are significantly differentiated from the mainland yet they hold comparative levels of within-population MMS variability compared to the mainland. Therefore, insularity has led Corsican populations to diverge both genetically and chemically from their mainland relatives, presumably through genetic drift, but without a decrease of genetic diversity in island populations. We hypothesize that MMS divergence in Corsican bumblebees was driven by a persistent lack of gene flow with mainland populations and reinforced by the preference of Corsican females for sympatric (Corsican) MMS. The impoverished Corsican bumblebee fauna has not led to relaxation of stabilizing selection on MMS but to consistent differentiation chemical reproductive traits on the island.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Lecocq
- Laboratoire de Zoologie, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Nicolas J. Vereecken
- Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Denis Michez
- Laboratoire de Zoologie, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Simon Dellicour
- Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Patrick Lhomme
- Laboratoire de Zoologie, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Irena Valterová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jean-Yves Rasplus
- Institut national de la recherche agronomique, UMR Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations, Montferrier sur Lez, France
| | - Pierre Rasmont
- Laboratoire de Zoologie, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
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