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Pei P, Guo W, Qi M, Jiang J, Feng S, Luo SZ, Chen L. Identification of low-abundance proteins in the royal jelly using the Osborne classification method. J Proteomics 2024; 306:105266. [PMID: 39053808 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2024.105266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Royal jelly (RJ) is recognized as healthy food, with a high content of proteins. These proteins play important roles in honeybee caste and human health, but the proteomic analysis of low-abundance proteins in RJ has long been a challenge. Herein, we used the Osborne classification method to separate the RJ proteins of Xinjiang black bees into various fractions. The globulin, ethanol-soluble protein, and glutelin fractions were further separated by SDS-PAGE, and proteomic analysis was carried out by LC-MS/MS and searched against the UniProt database. A total of 23 secretory proteins were identified by proteomic analysis, in which 7 proteins were identified for the first time in RJ. The Osborne classification method combining one-dimensional gel electrophoresis-based proteomic analysis allows the identification of low-abundance proteins in the RJ and greatly extends the knowledge about the components and functions of RJ proteins. The raw data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD023315. SIGNIFICANCE: This study makes an important contribution to the research of the components and functions of low-abundance royal jelly proteins for the following reasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioprocess, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Wenxu Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioprocess, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Mingxue Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioprocess, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jianhui Jiang
- Engineering Laboratory of Chemical Resources Utilization in South Xinjiang of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, College of Life Sciences, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang 843300, China.
| | - Shan Feng
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China; Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, The Biomedical Research Core Facility, Center for Research Equipment and Facilities, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Shi-Zhong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioprocess, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Long Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioprocess, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
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2
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Yusuf AA, Pirk CWW, Buttstedt A. Expression of honey bee (Apis mellifera) sterol homeostasis genes in food jelly producing glands of workers. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 341:627-641. [PMID: 38567629 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Adult workers of Western honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) acquire sterols from their pollen diet. These food sterols are transported by the hemolymph to peripheral tissues such as the mandibular and the hypopharyngeal glands in the worker bees' heads that secrete food jelly which is fed to developing larvae. As sterols are obligatory components of biological membranes and essential precursors for molting hormone synthesis in insects, they are indispensable to normal larval development. Thus, the study of sterol delivery to larvae is important for a full understanding of honey bee larval nutrition and development. Whereas hypopharyngeal glands only require sterols for their membrane integrity, mandibular glands add sterols, primarily 24-methylenecholesterol, to its secretion. For this, sterols must be transported through the glandular epithelial cells. We have analyzed for the first time in A. mellifera the expression of genes which are involved in intracellular movement of sterols. Mandibular and hypopharyngeal glands were dissected from newly emerged bees, 6-day-old nurse bees that feed larvae and 26-day-old forager bees. The expression of seven genes involved in intracellular sterol metabolism was measured with quantitative real-time PCR. Relative transcript abundance of sterol metabolism genes was significantly influenced by the age of workers and specific genes but not by gland type. Newly emerged bees had significantly more transcripts for six out of seven genes than older bees indicating that the bulk of the proteins needed for sterol metabolism are produced directly after emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullahi A Yusuf
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Christian W W Pirk
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Anja Buttstedt
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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3
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Ricardo PC, Arias MC, de Souza Araujo N. Decoding bee cleptoparasitism through comparative transcriptomics of Coelioxoides waltheriae and its host Tetrapedia diversipes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12361. [PMID: 38811580 PMCID: PMC11137135 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56261-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Cleptoparasitism, also known as brood parasitism, is a widespread strategy among bee species in which the parasite lays eggs into the nests of the host species. Even though this behavior has significant ecological implications for the dynamics of several species, little is known about the molecular pathways associated with cleptoparasitism. To shed some light on this issue, we used gene expression data to perform a comparative analysis between two solitary neotropical bees: Coelioxoides waltheriae, an obligate parasite, and their specific host Tetrapedia diversipes. We found that ortholog genes involved in signal transduction, sensory perception, learning, and memory formation were differentially expressed between the cleptoparasite and the host. We hypothesize that these genes and their associated molecular pathways are engaged in cleptoparasitism-related processes and, hence, are appealing subjects for further investigation into functional and evolutionary aspects of cleptoparasitism in bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Cseri Ricardo
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva - Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Maria Cristina Arias
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva - Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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4
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Liu B, Xu Y, Zhang W. Transcriptome analysis of Apis mellifera antennae reveals molecular divergence underlying the division of labour in worker bees. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 33:101-111. [PMID: 37864451 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The olfactory system plays a fundamental role in mediating insect behaviour. Worker bees exhibit an age-dependent division of labour, performing discrete sets of behaviours throughout their lifespan. The behavioural states of bees rely on their sense of the environment and chemical communication via their olfactory system, the antennae. However, the olfactory adaptation mechanism of worker bees during their behavioural development remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive and quantitative analysis of antennal gene expression in the Apis mellifera of newly emerged workers, nurses, foragers and defenders using RNA-seq. We found that the antenna tissues of honey bees continued developing after transformation from newly emerged workers to adults. Additionally, we identified differentially expressed genes associated with bee development and division of labour. We validated that major royal jelly protein genes are highly and specifically expressed in nurse honey bee workers. Furthermore, we identified and validated significant alternative splicing events correlated with the development and division of labour. These findings provide a comprehensive transcriptome profile and a new perspective on the molecular mechanisms that may underlie the worker honey bee division of labour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bairu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yicong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weixing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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5
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Fine JD, Cox-Foster DL, Moor KJ, Chen R, Avalos A. Trisiloxane Surfactants Negatively Affect Reproductive Behaviors and Enhance Viral Replication in Honey Bees. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:222-233. [PMID: 37861380 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Trisiloxane surfactants are often applied in formulated adjuvant products to blooming crops, including almonds, exposing the managed honey bees (Apis mellifera) used for pollination of these crops and persisting in colony matrices, such as bee bread. Despite this, little is known regarding the effects of trisiloxane surfactants on important aspects of colony health, such as reproduction. In the present study, we use laboratory assays to examine how exposure to field-relevant concentrations of three trisiloxane surfactants found in commonly used adjuvant formulations affect queen oviposition rates, worker interactions with the queen, and worker susceptibility to endogenous viral pathogens. Trisiloxane surfactants were administered at 5 mg/kg in pollen supplement diet for 14 days. No effects on worker behavior or physiology could be detected, but our results demonstrate that hydroxy-capped trisiloxane surfactants can negatively affect queen oviposition and methyl-capped trisiloxane surfactants cause increased replication of Deformed Wing Virus in workers, suggesting that trisiloxane surfactant use while honey bees are foraging may negatively impact colony longevity and growth. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:222-233. © 2023 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia D Fine
- US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit, Davis, California, USA
| | - Diana L Cox-Foster
- US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service Pollinating Insect Research Unit, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Kyle J Moor
- Utah Water Research Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Ruiwen Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Arian Avalos
- US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Research Laboratory, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
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6
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Buttstedt A, Pirk CWW, Yusuf AA. Mandibular glands secrete 24-methylenecholesterol into honey bee (Apis mellifera) food jelly. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 161:104011. [PMID: 37716535 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Honey bee (Apis mellifera) workers feed their larvae with food jelly that is secreted by specialized glands in their heads - the hypopharyngeal and the mandibular glands. Food jelly contains all the nutrients the larvae need to develop into adult honey bees, including essential dietary sterols. The main sterol in food jelly, 24-methylenecholesterol (24MC), is pollen-derived and delivered in food jelly to the larvae in a complex with two proteins, major royal jelly protein 1 (MRJP1) and apisim. Whereas the proteins are synthesized in the hypopharyngeal glands, the sterol-secreting gland has not been identified. We here identified the mandibular glands as sterol-secreting gland for food jelly production by direct detection of the four main honey bee sterols (24MC, campesterol, β-sitosterol and isofucosterol). Furthermore, 24MC seems to be specifically enriched in the mandibular glands, thereby ensuring that food jelly contains the amounts of 24MC necessary for complex formation with MRJP1 and apisimin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Buttstedt
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, 0028, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Christian W W Pirk
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, 0028, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Abdullahi A Yusuf
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, 0028, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa
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7
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Nazemi-Rafie J, Fatehi F, Hasrak S. A comparative transcriptome analysis of the head of 1 and 9 days old worker honeybees ( Apis mellifera). BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2023; 113:253-270. [PMID: 36511774 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485322000554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The role of bees in the environment, economic, biodiversity and pharmaceutical industries is due to its social behavior, which is oriented from the brain and hypopharyngeal gland that is the center of royal jelly (RJ) production. Limited studies have been performed on the head gene expression profile at the RJ production stage. The aim of this study was to compare the gene expressions in 9 and 1-day-old (DO) honeybee workers in order to achieve better understanding about head gene expression pattern. After sequencing of RNAs, transcriptome and their networks were compared. The head expression profile undergoes various changes. 1662 gene transcripts had differential expressions which 1125 and 537 were up and down regulated, respectively, in 9_DO compared with 1_DO honey bees. The day 1th had more significant role in the expression of genes related to RJ production as major RJ protein 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9 encoding genes, but their maximum secretion occurred at day 9th. All process related to hypopharyngeal glands activities as CYP450 gene, fatty acid synthase gene, vitamin B6 metabolism and some of genes involved in fatty acid elongation and degradation process had an upward trend from 1_DO and were age-dependent. By increasing the age, the activity of pathways related to immune system increased for keeping the health of bees against the chemical compound. The expression of aromatic amino acid genes involved in Phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis pathway are essential for early stage of life. In 9_DO honeybees, the energy supplying, reducing stress, protein production and export pathways have a crucial role for support the body development and the social duties. It can be stated that the activity of honeybee head is focused on energy supply instead of storage, while actively trying to improve the level of cell dynamics for increasing the immunity and reducing stress. Results of current study identified key genes of certain behaviors of honeybee workers. Deeper considering of some pathways will be evaluated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Nazemi-Rafie
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran
| | - Foad Fatehi
- Department of Agriculture, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shabnam Hasrak
- Genome Center, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
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8
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Paget BW, Kleffmann T, Whiteman KE, Thomas MF, McMahon CD. Quantitative comparison of manuka and clover honey proteomes with royal jelly. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0272898. [PMID: 36763642 PMCID: PMC9916596 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Royal jelly and honey are two substances produced successively by the worker bee caste. Modern proteomics approaches have been used to explore the protein component of each substance independently, but to date none have quantitatively compared the protein profile of honey and royal jelly directly. Sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment-ion spectra mass spectrometry (SWATH-MS) was used to compare protein quantities of bee origin in mānuka and clover honey to royal jelly. Two analysis techniques identified 76 proteins in total. Peptide intensity was directly compared for a subset of 31 proteins that were identified with high confidence, and the relative changes in protein abundance were compared between each honey type and royal jelly. Major Royal Jelly Proteins (MRJPs) had similar profiles in both honeys, except MRJP6, which was significantly more abundant in clover honey. Proteins involved in nectar metabolism were more abundant in honey than in royal jelly as expected. However, the trend revealed a potential catalytic role for MRJP6 in clover honey and a nectar- or honey-specific role for uncharacterised protein LOC408608. The abundance of MRJP6 in mānuka honey was equivalent to royal jelly suggesting a potential effect of nectar type on expression of this protein. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD038889.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake W. Paget
- Hamilton Laboratory, ManukaMed LP, Masterton, New Zealand
- * E-mail:
| | - Torsten Kleffmann
- Division of Health Sciences, Research Infrastructure Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Mark F. Thomas
- Hamilton Laboratory, ManukaMed LP, Masterton, New Zealand
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9
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Botezan S, Baci GM, Bagameri L, Pașca C, Dezmirean DS. Current Status of the Bioactive Properties of Royal Jelly: A Comprehensive Review with a Focus on Its Anticancer, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antioxidant Effects. Molecules 2023; 28:1510. [PMID: 36771175 PMCID: PMC9921556 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Royal jelly (RJ) has been one of the most widely used natural products in alternative medicine for centuries. Being produced by both hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands, RJ exhibits an extraordinary complexity in terms of its composition, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, polyphenols, vitamins, and hormones. Due to its heterogeneous structure, RJ displays various functional roles for honeybees, including being involved in nutrition, learning, memory, and social behavior. Furthermore, a wide range of studies reported its therapeutic properties, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities, to name a few. In this direction, there is a wide range of health-related problems for which the medical area specialists and researchers are continuously trying to find a cure, such as cancer, atherosclerosis, or infertility. For the mentioned diseases and more, it has been proven that RJ is a key player in finding a valuable treatment. In this review, the great impact of RJ as an alternative medicine agent is highlighted, with a focus on its anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Moreover, we link it to its apitherapeutic potential by discussing its composition. Herein, we discuss a wide range of novel studies and present the latest research work.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriela-Maria Baci
- Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Claudia Pașca
- Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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10
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Fang Y, Feng M, Ma C, Rueppell O, Li J. Major royal jelly proteins influence the neurobiological regulation of the division of labor among honey bee workers. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 225:848-860. [PMID: 36414079 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.11.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Age-based division of labor among workers is a fundamental life-history trait of many social insects, including the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera L. Extensive studies of the causation of the most pronounced transition from performing tasks in the nest to outside foraging indicate hormonal regulation of complex physiological changes. However, the proximate neurobiological mechanisms that cause the behavioral repertoire to change are still not understood and require novel approaches to be fully characterized. Thus, we established the first comprehensive monoclonal antibody microarray in honey bees with 16,320 antibodies to directly identify proteins in the brain that regulate the transition to foraging. Major royal jelly protein (MRJP) 1 and MRJP3 were identified as potential protein effectors and further investigated. A series of experimental manipulations of the workers' behavioral transition led to changes in MRJP1 and MRJP3 quantities in accordance with their presumed functional role. Injection of MRJPs into the brain resulted in increased task-reversal from foraging to nursing and decreased task-progression from nursing to foraging, while the latter was increased by injection with MRJP antibodies. Finally, down-regulation of MRJP1 and MRJP3 expression via RNAi injection into the brain increased the transition from in-hive nursing to outside foraging, confirming a causal role of these two proteins in the proximate regulation of behavior and life-history of honey bee workers. Interaction partners of MRJP1 and MRJP3 in the honey bee brain included other regulators of honey bee behavior and life history. Thus, our transformative methodological advancement of proteome analysis in honey bees reveals novel regulators of honey bee behavior, extends our understanding of the functional pleiotropy of MRJPs, and supports a general nutrition-based model of the regulation of the age-based division of labor in honey bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Fang
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Mao Feng
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Chuan Ma
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Olav Rueppell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G2L3, Canada
| | - Jianke Li
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, China.
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11
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Akyıldız İE, Erdem Ö, Raday S, Daştan T, Acar S, Uzunöner D, Düz G, Damarlı E. Elucidating the false positive tendency at AOAC 998.12 C-4 sugar test for pine honey samples: Modified sample preparation method for accurate δ13C measurement of honey proteome. J Food Compost Anal 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2022.104787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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12
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Expression of MRJP3 and HSP70 mRNA Levels in Apis mellifera L. Workers after Dietary Supplementation with Proteins, Prebiotics, and Probiotics. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13070571. [PMID: 35886747 PMCID: PMC9318322 DOI: 10.3390/insects13070571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Royal jelly is an essential substance for the development of bees from larval to adult stages. Studies have identified a group of key proteins in royal jelly, denominated major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs). The group currently consists of nine proteins (MRJP1–MRJP9), with MRJP1 being the most abundant and MRJP3 being used as a microsatellite marker for the selection of queens with a greater production of royal jelly. The diet of bees is mostly composed of proteins, and supplementing this intake to encourage a higher production of their primary product is important for producers. It is estimated that, by adding probiotic and prebiotic organisms to their diets, the benefits to bees will be even greater, both for their immune systems and primary responses to stress. Circumstances that are adverse compared to those of the natural habitat of bees eventually substantially interfere with bee behavior. Stress situations are modulated by proteins termed heat shock proteins (HSPs). Among these, HSP70 has been shown to exhibit abundance changes whenever bees experience unusual situations of stress. Thus, we sought to supplement A. mellifera bee colony diets with proteins and prebiotic and probiotic components, and to evaluate the expression levels of MRJP3 and HSP70 mRNAs using qRT-PCR. The results revealed that differences in the expression of MRJP3 can be attributed to the different types of feed offered. Significant differences were evident when comparing the expression levels of MRJP3 and HSP70, suggesting that protein supplementation with pre/probiotics promotes positive results in royal jelly synthesis carried out by honey bee nurses.
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13
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Ward R, Coffey M, Kavanagh K. Proteomic analysis of summer and winter Apis mellifera workers shows reduced protein abundance in winter samples. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 139:104397. [PMID: 35537525 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2022.104397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Apis mellifera workers display two stages; short lived summer bees that engage in nursing, hive maintenance and foraging, and long lived winter bees (diutinus bees) which remain within the hive and are essential for thermoregulation and rearing the next generation of bees in spring before dying. Label free quantitative proteomic analysis was conducted on A. mellifera workers sampled in June and December to compare the proteomes of summer and winter bees. Proteomic analysis was performed on head, abdominal and venom sac samples and revealed an elevated level of protein abundance in summer bees. Head and abdominal samples displayed an increased abundance in cuticular proteins in summer samples whereas an increase in xenobiotic proteins was observed in winter samples. Several carbohydrate metabolism pathways which have been linked to energy production and longevity in insects were increased in abundance in winter samples in comparison to summer samples. Proteomic analysis of the venom sacs of summer samples showed an increased abundance of bee venom associated proteins in comparison to winter workers. These data provides an insight into the adaptions of A. mellifera workers in summer and winter and may aid in future treatment and disease studies on honeybee colonies. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD030483.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Ward
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Mary Coffey
- Plant Health Laboratories, Plant Science Division (Bee Health), Department of Agriculture, Celbridge, Co Kildare, Ireland
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
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14
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de Almeida Longuini A, Martineli GM, Camilli MP, de Barros DCB, Vieira JCS, de Magalhães Padilha P, de Oliveira Orsi R. Supplementation with an Inorganic Zinc Source in the Metalloproteomic Profile of Royal Jelly in Apis mellifera L. Biol Trace Elem Res 2021; 199:4308-4318. [PMID: 33398653 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-020-02564-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the quality of royal jelly produced by honeybees Apis mellifera supplemented with different concentrations of inorganic zinc (zinc sulfate monohydrate-0, 25, 50, and 75 ppm). Two-dimensional electrophoresis for the fractionation of royal jelly proteins was performed, and the zinc level was quantified by the flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) technique. Proteins were identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS MS). Analysis of variance followed by the Tukey test (P < 0.05) was used. Supplementation with the mineral zinc positively affected the quantification of proteins for treatments 50 and 75 ppm. However, all treatments independent of zinc concentrations showed fewer protein spots when compared to the control. All zinc-containing proteins were classified as major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs). The exposure of nursing bees to the mineral zinc in its inorganic form reduced the expression of six different MRJPs involved in larval and glands development of nursing bees (MRJP1, MRJP2, MRJP3, MRJP5, and MRJP7), however promoted an increase in the expression of royal jelly proteins involved in defense systems (MRJP8 and MRJP9). The results demonstrate that vital proteins and metabolic processes are impaired in nursing bees exposed to the mineral zinc in its inorganic form in all doses used affecting nutrition and maintenance of colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimê de Almeida Longuini
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, UNESP- São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Moreno Martineli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, UNESP- São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Polizel Camilli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, UNESP- São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Ricardo de Oliveira Orsi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, UNESP- São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil.
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15
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Kramer BH, Nehring V, Buttstedt A, Heinze J, Korb J, Libbrecht R, Meusemann K, Paxton RJ, Séguret A, Schaub F, Bernadou A. Oxidative stress and senescence in social insects: a significant but inconsistent link? Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20190732. [PMID: 33678022 PMCID: PMC7938172 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The life-prolonging effects of antioxidants have long entered popular culture, but the scientific community still debates whether free radicals and the resulting oxidative stress negatively affect longevity. Social insects are intriguing models for analysing the relationship between oxidative stress and senescence because life histories differ vastly between long-lived reproductives and the genetically similar but short-lived workers. Here, we present the results of an experiment on the accumulation of oxidative damage to proteins, and a comparative analysis of the expression of 20 selected genes commonly involved in managing oxidative damage, across four species of social insects: a termite, two bees and an ant. Although the source of analysed tissue varied across the four species, our results suggest that oxidative stress is a significant factor in senescence and that its manifestation and antioxidant defenses differ among species, making it difficult to find general patterns. More detailed and controlled investigations on why responses to oxidative stress may differ across social species may lead to a better understanding of the relations between oxidative stress, antioxidants, social life history and senescence. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ageing and sociality: why, when and how does sociality change ageing patterns?'
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris H. Kramer
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Theoretical Research in Evolutionary Life Sciences, RUG, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Volker Nehring
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Institute of Biology I (Zoology), University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 1, 79104 Freiburg (Brsg.), Germany
| | - Anja Buttstedt
- Institute for Biology - Molecular Ecology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Saale, Hoher Weg 4, 06099 Halle, Germany
| | - Jürgen Heinze
- Zoology, Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Judith Korb
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Institute of Biology I (Zoology), University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 1, 79104 Freiburg (Brsg.), Germany
| | - Romain Libbrecht
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (IOME), Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Karen Meusemann
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Institute of Biology I (Zoology), University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 1, 79104 Freiburg (Brsg.), Germany
| | - Robert J. Paxton
- Institute for Biology - General Zoology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Alice Séguret
- Institute for Biology - General Zoology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Florentine Schaub
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Institute of Biology I (Zoology), University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 1, 79104 Freiburg (Brsg.), Germany
| | - Abel Bernadou
- Zoology, Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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16
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Sasaki K, Yokoi K, Toga K. Bumble bee queens activate dopamine production and gene expression in nutritional signaling pathways in the brain. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5526. [PMID: 33750862 PMCID: PMC7943803 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84992-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
To explore the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying caste-specific behavior and its evolution from primitive to advanced eusocial bees, the monoamine levels and expression of genes involved in monoamine production and signaling in the brain were compared between the castes of Bombus ignitus. Higher levels of dopamine and its related substances were found in the brains of newly emerged queens than in the brains of emerged workers. The degree of caste differences in B. ignitus was smaller than that reported in Apis mellifera, indicating a link to different social stages in the two species. There was no differential expression in genes involved in dopamine biosynthesis between castes, suggesting that the high dopamine production in queens was not largely influenced by the expression of these genes at emergence, rather it might be influenced by tyrosine supply. Genome-wide analyses of gene expression by RNA-sequencing indicated that a greater number of genes involved in nutrition were actively expressed in the brains of newly emerged queens in comparison to the emerged workers. Some of the expression was confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. The signaling pathways driven by the expression of these genes may be associated with dopamine signaling or the parallel activation of dopamine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Sasaki
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Honeybee Science Research Center, Tamagawa University, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8610, Japan.
| | - Kakeru Yokoi
- Insect Genome Research Unit, Division of Applied Genetics, The National Agriculture and Research Organization, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Owashi 1-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8634, Japan
| | - Kouhei Toga
- Department of Biosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Sakurajyosui 3-25-40, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo, 156-8550, Japan
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17
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Uversky VN, Albar AH, Khan RH, Redwan EM. Multifunctionality and intrinsic disorder of royal jelly proteome. Proteomics 2021; 21:e2000237. [PMID: 33463023 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202000237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Royal Jelly (RJ) is a gelatinous white-yellowish fluid, possessing a sour taste and a slight phenolic smell that is secreted by the hypopharyngeal and mandibular salivary glands of the nurse honeybees, and is used in nutrition of larvae and adult queens. Similar to other substances associated with the activities of honeybees, RJ not only contains nutritive components, such as carbohydrates, proteins, peptides, lipids, vitamins, and mineral salts, but also represents a natural ingredient with cosmetic and health-promoting properties. RJ is characterized by remarkable multifunctionality, possessing numerous biological activities. Although this multifunctionality of RJ can be considered as a consequence of its complex nature, many proteins and peptides in RJ are polyfunctional entities themselves. In this article, we show that RJ proteins contain different levels of intrinsic disorder, have sites of post-translational modifications, can be found in multiple isoforms, and many of them possess disorder-based binding sites, suggesting that the conformational ensembles of the RJ proteins might undergo change as a result of their interaction with specific binding partners. All these observations suggest that the multifunctionality of proteins and peptides from RJ is determined by their structural heterogeneity and polymorphism, and serve as an illustration of the protein structure-function continuum concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589 80203, Saudi Arabia.,Protein Research Group, Institute for Biological Instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center "Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences", Pushchino, Moscow region 142290, Russia.,Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Abdulgader H Albar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589 80203, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rizwan H Khan
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Elrashdy M Redwan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589 80203, Saudi Arabia
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18
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Declining genetic diversity of European honeybees along the twentieth century. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10520. [PMID: 32601293 PMCID: PMC7324561 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67370-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The European honeybee (Apis mellifera) is a key pollinator and has in the last decades suffered significant population decline. A combination of factors, including decrease in genetic diversity and introduction of Varroa mites, have been suggested to be responsible for these losses, but no definitive cause has yet been appointed. In Europe not only have wild colonies been severely affected, but managed hives have had a massive decline in numbers. To test the hypothesis that honeybees’ genetic diversity has decreased in the recent past, we used reduced representation genome sequencing of 40 historical honeybee specimens collected in Natural History collections across Europe and compared them to genomic data from 40 individuals from extant populations (collected post 2006). Our results are consistent with the existence of five evolutionary lineages as previously described, and show a decrease in genetic diversity between historical and extant individuals of the same lineage, as well as high levels of admixture in historical specimens. Our data confirm that a loss of genetic diversity has occurred during the last century, potentially increasing honeybees’ vulnerability to contemporary ecological and anthropogenic stressors.
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19
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Rizwan M, Liang P, Ali H, Li Z, Nie H, Ahmed Saqib HS, Fiaz S, Raza MF, Hassanyar AK, Niu Q, Su S. Population genomics of honey bees reveals a selection signature indispensable for royal jelly production. Mol Cell Probes 2020; 52:101542. [PMID: 32105702 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2020.101542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
In order to interpret the molecular mechanisms that modulating the organism variations and selection signatures to drive adaptive evolutionary changes are indispensable goals in the new evolutionary ecological genetics. Here, we identified the gene locus associated to royal jelly production through whole-genome sequencing of the DNA from eight populations of honeybees. The analysis of the samples was composed of 120 individuals and each pointed extremely opposite trait values for a given phenotype. We identified functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) candidate that might be essential in regulating the phenotypic traits of honeybee populations. Moreover, selection signatures were investigated using pooling sequencing of eight distinct honeybee populations, and the results provided the evidence of signatures of recent selection among populations under different selection objectives. Furthermore, gene ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses indicated that selected genes were potentially involved in several biological processes and molecular functioning, which could directly or indirectly influence the production of royal jelly. Our findings can be used to understand the genomic signatures, as well as implicate a profound glance on genomic regions that control the production trait of royal jelly in honey bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Rizwan
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China; Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Pingping Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Habib Ali
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Zhiguo Li
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Hongyi Nie
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Hafiz Sohaib Ahmed Saqib
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Haripur, Khyber Pkhtunkhwa, Pakistan; Apiculture Science Institute of Jilin Province, Jilin, 132108, China
| | - Sajid Fiaz
- Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Depalpur Campus, Okara, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Fahad Raza
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Aqai Kalan Hassanyar
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Qingsheng Niu
- Apiculture Science Institute of Jilin Province, Jilin, 132108, China
| | - Songkun Su
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
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20
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Lewkowski O, Mureșan CI, Dobritzsch D, Fuszard M, Erler S. The Effect of Diet on the Composition and Stability of Proteins Secreted by Honey Bees in Honey. INSECTS 2019; 10:E282. [PMID: 31480801 PMCID: PMC6780080 DOI: 10.3390/insects10090282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Honey proteins are essential bee nutrients and antimicrobials that protect honey from microbial spoilage. The majority of the honey proteome includes bee-secreted peptides and proteins, produced in specialised glands; however, bees need to forage actively for nitrogen sources and other basic elements of protein synthesis. Nectar and pollen of different origins can vary significantly in their nutritional composition and other compounds such as plant secondary metabolites. Worker bees producing and ripening honey from nectar might therefore need to adjust protein secretions depending on the quality and specific contents of the starting material. Here, we assessed the impact of different food sources (sugar solutions with different additives) on honey proteome composition and stability, using controlled cage experiments. Honey-like products generated from sugar solution with or without additional protein, or plant secondary metabolites, differed neither in protein quality nor in protein quantity among samples. Storage for 4 weeks prevented protein degradation in most cases, without differences between food sources. The honey-like product proteome included several major royal jelly proteins, alpha-glucosidase and glucose oxidase. As none of the feeding regimes resulted in different protein profiles, we can conclude that worker bees may secrete a constant amount of each bee-specific protein into honey to preserve this highly valuable hive product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Lewkowski
- Institut für Biologie, Molekulare Ökologie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Carmen I Mureșan
- Institutul de Științele Vieții "Regele Mihai I al României", Nutriție moleculară (Genomică și Proteomică), Universitatea de Științe Agricole și Medicină Veterinară, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dirk Dobritzsch
- Proteinzentrum Charles Tanford, Core Facility-Proteomic Mass Spectrometry, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3a, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Institut für Biochemie und Biotechnologie, Pflanzenbiochemie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3a, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Matthew Fuszard
- Proteinzentrum Charles Tanford, Core Facility-Proteomic Mass Spectrometry, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3a, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Zentrum für Medizinische Grundlagenforschung (ZMG), Medizinische Fakultät der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Silvio Erler
- Institut für Biologie, Molekulare Ökologie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany.
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