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Todorov SD, Alves MV, Bueno GCA, Alves VF, Ivanova IV. Bee-Associated Beneficial Microbes-Importance for Bees and for Humans. INSECTS 2024; 15:430. [PMID: 38921144 DOI: 10.3390/insects15060430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Bees are one of the best-known and, at the same time, perhaps the most enigmatic insects on our planet, known for their organization and social structure, being essential for the pollination of agricultural crops and several other plants, playing an essential role in food production and the balance of ecosystems, being associated with the production of high-value-added inputs, and a unique universe in relation to bees' microbiota. In this review, we summarize information regarding on different varieties of bees, with emphasis on their specificity related to microbial variations. Noteworthy are fructophilic bacteria, a lesser-known bacterial group, which use fructose fermentation as their main source of energy, with some strains being closely related to bees' health status. The beneficial properties of fructophilic bacteria may be extendable to humans and other animals as probiotics. In addition, their biotechnological potential may ease the development of new-generation antimicrobials with applications in biopreservation. The concept of "One Health" brings together fundamental and applied research with the aim of clarifying that the connections between the different components of ecosystems must be considered part of a mega-structure, with bees being an iconic example in that the healthy functionality of their microbiota is directly and indirectly related to agricultural production, bee health, quality of bee products, and the functional prosperity for humans and other animals. In fact, good health of bees is clearly related to the stable functionality of ecosystems and indirectly relates to humans' wellbeing, a concept of the "One Health".
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetoslav Dimitrov Todorov
- ProBacLab, Laboratório de Microbiologia de Alimentos, Departamento de Alimentos e Nutrição Experimental, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
- CISAS-Center for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
| | - Marcos Vinício Alves
- ProBacLab, Laboratório de Microbiologia de Alimentos, Departamento de Alimentos e Nutrição Experimental, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Virgínia Farias Alves
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia 74605-170, GO, Brazil
| | - Iskra Vitanova Ivanova
- Department of General and Industrial Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, 8, Bul. Dragan Tzankov, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
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Sattayawat P, Inwongwan S, Noirungsee N, Li J, Guo J, Disayathanoowat T. Engineering Gut Symbionts: A Way to Promote Bee Growth? INSECTS 2024; 15:369. [PMID: 38786925 PMCID: PMC11121833 DOI: 10.3390/insects15050369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Bees play a crucial role as pollinators, contributing significantly to ecosystems. However, the honeybee population faces challenges such as global warming, pesticide use, and pathogenic microorganisms. Promoting bee growth using several approaches is therefore crucial for maintaining their roles. To this end, the bacterial microbiota is well-known for its native role in supporting bee growth in several respects. Maximizing the capabilities of these microorganisms holds the theoretical potential to promote the growth of bees. Recent advancements have made it feasible to achieve this enhancement through the application of genetic engineering. In this review, we present the roles of gut symbionts in promoting bee growth and collectively summarize the engineering approaches that would be needed for future applications. Particularly, as the engineering of bee gut symbionts has not been advanced, the dominant gut symbiotic bacteria Snodgrassella alvi and Gilliamella apicola are the main focus of the paper, along with other dominant species. Moreover, we propose engineering strategies that will allow for the improvement in bee growth with listed gene targets for modification to further encourage the use of engineered gut symbionts to promote bee growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pachara Sattayawat
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Sahutchai Inwongwan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Nuttapol Noirungsee
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Jilian Li
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jun Guo
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Terd Disayathanoowat
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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3
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Smriti, Rana A, Singh G, Gupta G. Prospects of probiotics in beekeeping: a review for sustainable approach to boost honeybee health. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:205. [PMID: 38573383 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03926-4] [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: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Honeybees are vital for global crop pollination, making indispensable contributions to agricultural productivity. However, these vital insects are currently facing escalating colony losses on a global scale, primarily attributed to parasitic and pathogenic attacks. The prevalent response to combat these infections may involve the use of antibiotics. Nevertheless, the application of antibiotics raises concerns regarding potential adverse effects such as antibiotic resistance and imbalances in the gut microbiota of bees. In response to these challenges, this study reviews the utilization of a probiotic-supplemented pollen substitute diet to promote honeybee gut health, enhance immunity, and overall well-being. We systematically explore various probiotic strains and their impacts on critical parameters, including survival rate, colony strength, honey and royal jelly production, and the immune response of bees. By doing so, we emphasize the significance of maintaining a balanced gut microbial community in honeybees. The review also scrutinizes the factors influencing the gut microbial communities of bees, elucidates the consequences of dysbiosis, and evaluates the potential of probiotics to mitigate these challenges. Additionally, it delineates different delivery mechanisms for probiotic supplementation and elucidates their positive effects on diverse health parameters of honeybees. Given the alarming decline in honeybee populations and the consequential threat to global food security, this study provides valuable insights into sustainable practices aimed at supporting honeybee populations and enhancing agricultural productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smriti
- Department of Biosciences (UIBT), Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413, India
| | - Anita Rana
- Department of Biosciences (UIBT), Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413, India.
| | - Gagandeep Singh
- Department of Biosciences (UIBT), Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413, India
| | - Garima Gupta
- Department of Agriculture (UIAS), Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413, India
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Wielkopolan B, Szabelska‐Beręsewicz A, Gawor J, Obrępalska‐Stęplowska A. Cereal leaf beetle-associated bacteria enhance the survival of their host upon insecticide treatments and respond differently to insecticides with different modes of action. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2024; 16:e13247. [PMID: 38644048 PMCID: PMC11033208 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The cereal leaf beetle (CLB, Oulema melanopus) is one of the major cereal pests. The effect of insecticides belonging to different chemical classes, with different mechanisms of action and the active substances' concentrations on the CLB bacterial microbiome, was investigated. Targeted metagenomic analysis of the V3-V4 regions of the 16S ribosomal gene was used to determine the composition of the CLB bacterial microbiome. Each of the insecticides caused a decrease in the abundance of bacteria of the genus Pantoea, and an increase in the abundance of bacteria of the genus Stenotrophomonas, Acinetobacter, compared to untreated insects. After cypermethrin application, a decrease in the relative abundance of bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas was noted. The dominant bacterial genera in cypermethrin-treated larvae were Lactococcus, Pantoea, while in insects exposed to chlorpyrifos or flonicamid it was Pseudomonas. Insecticide-treated larvae were characterized, on average, by higher biodiversity and richness of bacterial genera, compared to untreated insects. The depletion of CLB-associated bacteria resulted in a decrease in larval survival, especially after cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos treatments. The use of a metagenome-based functional prediction approach revealed a higher predicted function of bacterial acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase in flonicamid and chlorpyrifos-treated larvae and tRNA dimethyltransferase in cypermethrin-treated insects than in untreated insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Wielkopolan
- Department of Monitoring and Signaling of AgrophagesInstitute of Plant Protection–National Research InstitutePoznanPoland
| | | | - Jan Gawor
- DNA Sequencing and Synthesis FacilityInstitute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of SciencesWarsawPoland
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Weinhold A, Grüner E, Keller A. Bumble bee microbiota shows temporal succession and increase of lactic acid bacteria when exposed to outdoor environments. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1342781. [PMID: 38500505 PMCID: PMC10945022 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1342781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Question The large earth bumble bee (Bombus terrestris) maintains a social core gut-microbiota, similar as known from the honey bee, which plays an important role for host health and resistance. Experiments under laboratory conditions with commercial hives are limited to vertically transmitted microbes and neglect influences of environmental factors or external acquisition of microbes. Various environmental and landscape-level factors may have an impact on the gut-microbiota of pollinating insects, with consequences for pollinator health and fitness in agroecosystems. Still, it is not fully clear whether access to different flower diversities will have a significant influence on the bumble bee microbiota. Here, we tested in a semi-field experiment if the bumble bee microbiota changes over time when exposed to different flower diversities within outdoor flight cages. We used commercial hives to distinguish between vertically and horizontally transmitted bacteria, respectively from the nest environment or the exposed outside environment. Result The sequential sampling of foraging workers over a period of 35 days indicated a temporal progression of the bumble bee microbiota when placed outside. The microbiota increased in diversity and changed in composition and variability over time. We observed a major increase in relative abundance of the families Lactobacillaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae and Weeksellaceae. In contrast, major core-taxa like Snodgrassella and Gilliamella declined in their relative abundance over time. The genus Lactobacillus showed a high diversity and strain specific turnover, so that only specific ASVs showed an increase over time, while others had a more erratic occurrence pattern. Exposure to different flower diversities had no significant influence on the progression of the bumble bee microbiota. Conclusion The bumble bee microbiota showed a dynamic temporal succession with distinct compositional changes and diversification over time when placed outdoor. The exposure of bumble bees to environmental conditions, or environmental microbes, increases dissimilarity and changes the gut-community composition. This shows the importance of environmental influences on the temporal dynamic and progression of the bumble bee microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Weinhold
- Cellular and Organismic Networks, Faculty of Biology, Center for Organismic Adaptation, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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Xiaowen C, Jiahao L, Zhaorun D, Wenfeng L, Richou H, Yanping C, Huichun X, Yi Z. Honeybee symbiont Bombella apis could restore larval-to-pupal transition disrupted by antibiotic treatment. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 153:104601. [PMID: 38142957 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104601] [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: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have demonstrated the vital roles of gut microbes in the health, immunity, nutrient metabolism, and behavior of adult worker honeybees. However, a few studies have been conducted on gut microbiota associated with the larval stage of honeybees. In the present study, we explored the role of a gut bacterium in larval development and larval-pupal transition in the Asian honeybee, Apis cerana. First, our examination of gut microbial profiling showed that Bombella apis, a larvae-associated bacterium, was the most dominant bacterium colonized in the fifth instar larvae. Second, we demonstrated that tetracycline, an antibiotic used to treat a honeybee bacterial brood disease, could cause the complete depletion of gut bacteria. This antibiotic-induced gut microbiome depletion in turn, significantly impacted the survivorship, pupation rate and emergence rate of the treated larvae. Furthermore, our analysis of gene expression pattens revealed noteworthy changes in key genes. The expression of genes responsible for encoding storage proteins vitellogenin (vg) and major royal jelly protein 1 (mrjp1) was significantly down-regulated in the tetracycline-treated larvae. Concurrently, the expression of krüppel homolog 1(kr-h1), a pivotal gene in endocrine signaling, increased, whilethe expression of broad-complex (br-c) gene that plays a key role in the ecdysone regulation decreased. These alterations indicated a disruption in the coordination of juvenile hormone and ecdysteroid synthesis. Finally, we cultivated B. apis isolated from the fifth instar worker larval of A. cerana and fed tetracycline-treated larvae with a diet replenished by B. apis. This intervention resulted in a significant improvement in the pupation rate, emergence rate, and overall survival rate of the treated larvae. Our findings demonstrate the positive impact of B. apis on honeybee larvae development, providing new evidence of the functional capacities of gut microbes in honeybee growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Xiaowen
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Medicinal Plant and Animal Resources, Qinghai Normal University, Xi'ning 810008, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Li Jiahao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Ding Zhaorun
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Li Wenfeng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Han Richou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Chen Yanping
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Xie Huichun
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Medicinal Plant and Animal Resources, Qinghai Normal University, Xi'ning 810008, China; Qinghai Ecosystem Observation and Research Station in the Southern Qilian Mountains, Haidong 810500, China.
| | - Zhang Yi
- School of Chinese Medicinal Resource, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Yunfu 527527, China.
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7
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Acheampong SA, Polat MF, Kwong WK. Complete genome sequences of 12 bacterial strains from the honey bee gut, resolved with long-read nanopore sequencing. Microbiol Resour Announc 2024; 13:e0077523. [PMID: 38193702 PMCID: PMC10868161 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00775-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
We report the de novo sequencing of six bacterial strains isolated from the Western honey bee, as well as the resequencing of six strains that have existing draft genomes, to obtain complete, chromosomal-level assemblies. These strains include the bee gut symbiont genera Bartonella, Bifidobacterium, Snodgrassella, Gilliamella, Lactobacillus, and the opportunistic pathogen Serratia marcescens KZ11.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Waldan K. Kwong
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande, Oeiras, Portugal
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8
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Nguyen JB, Marshall CW, Cook CN. The buzz within: the role of the gut microbiome in honeybee social behavior. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246400. [PMID: 38344873 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246400] [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] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Gut symbionts influence the physiology and behavior of their host, but the extent to which these effects scale to social behaviors is an emerging area of research. The use of the western honeybee (Apis mellifera) as a model enables researchers to investigate the gut microbiome and behavior at several levels of social organization. Insight into gut microbial effects at the societal level is critical for our understanding of how involved microbial symbionts are in host biology. In this Commentary, we discuss recent findings in honeybee gut microbiome research and synthesize these with knowledge of the physiology and behavior of other model organisms to hypothesize how host-microbe interactions at the individual level could shape societal dynamics and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
| | - C W Marshall
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
| | - C N Cook
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
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9
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Decaestecker E, Van de Moortel B, Mukherjee S, Gurung A, Stoks R, De Meester L. Hierarchical eco-evo dynamics mediated by the gut microbiome. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:165-174. [PMID: 37863775 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.09.013] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The concept of eco-evolutionary (eco-evo) dynamics, stating that ecological and evolutionary processes occur at similar time scales and influence each other, has contributed to our understanding of responses of populations, communities, and ecosystems to environmental change. Phenotypes, central to these eco-evo processes, can be strongly impacted by the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome shapes eco-evo dynamics in the host community through its effects on the host phenotype. Complex eco-evo feedback loops between the gut microbiome and the host communities might thus be common. Bottom-up dynamics occur when eco-evo interactions shaping the gut microbiome affect host phenotypes with consequences at population, community, and ecosystem levels. Top-down dynamics occur when eco-evo dynamics shaping the host community structure the gut microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Decaestecker
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Facility Life Sciences, KU Leuven, KULAK, Campus Kortrijk, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium.
| | - Broos Van de Moortel
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Facility Life Sciences, KU Leuven, KULAK, Campus Kortrijk, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Shinjini Mukherjee
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Reproductive Genomics, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aditi Gurung
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Robby Stoks
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Stress Ecology and Ecotoxicology, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luc De Meester
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), D-12587 Berlin, Germany; Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
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10
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Quinn A, El Chazli Y, Escrig S, Daraspe J, Neuschwander N, McNally A, Genoud C, Meibom A, Engel P. Host-derived organic acids enable gut colonization of the honey bee symbiont Snodgrassella alvi. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:477-489. [PMID: 38225461 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01572-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Diverse bacteria can colonize the animal gut using dietary nutrients or by engaging in microbial crossfeeding interactions. Less is known about the role of host-derived nutrients in enabling gut bacterial colonization. Here we examined metabolic interactions within the evolutionary ancient symbiosis between the honey bee (Apis mellifera) and the core gut microbiota member Snodgrassella alvi. This betaproteobacterium is incapable of metabolizing saccharides, yet colonizes the honey bee gut in the presence of a sugar-only diet. Using comparative metabolomics, 13C-tracers and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS), we show in vivo that S. alvi grows on host-derived organic acids, including citrate, glycerate and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarate, which are actively secreted by the host into the gut lumen. S. alvi also modulates tryptophan metabolism in the gut by converting kynurenine to anthranilate. These results suggest that S. alvi is adapted to a specific metabolic niche in the honey bee gut that depends on host-derived nutritional resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Quinn
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yassine El Chazli
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stéphane Escrig
- Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean Daraspe
- Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Neuschwander
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aoife McNally
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christel Genoud
- Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anders Meibom
- Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Advanced Surface Analysis, Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Engel
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Sbaghdi T, Garneau JR, Yersin S, Chaucheyras-Durand F, Bocquet M, Moné A, El Alaoui H, Bulet P, Blot N, Delbac F. The Response of the Honey Bee Gut Microbiota to Nosema ceranae Is Modulated by the Probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici and the Neonicotinoid Thiamethoxam. Microorganisms 2024; 12:192. [PMID: 38258019 PMCID: PMC10819737 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The honey bee Apis mellifera is exposed to a variety of biotic and abiotic stressors, such as the highly prevalent microsporidian parasite Nosema (Vairimorpha) ceranae and neonicotinoid insecticides. Both can affect honey bee physiology and microbial gut communities, eventually reducing its lifespan. They can also have a combined effect on the insect's survival. The use of bacterial probiotics has been proposed to improve honey bee health, but their beneficial effect remains an open question. In the present study, western honey bees were experimentally infected with N. ceranae spores, chronically exposed to the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam, and/or supplied daily with the homofermentative bacterium Pediococcus acidilactici MA18/5M thought to improve the honey bees' tolerance to the parasite. Deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing allowed the response of the gut microbiota to be investigated with a taxonomic resolution at the species level. All treatments induced significant changes in honey bee gut bacterial communities. Nosema ceranae infection increased the abundance of Proteus mirabilis, Frischella perrara, and Gilliamella apicola and reduced the abundance of Bifidobacterium asteroides, Fructobacillus fructosus, and Lactobacillus spp. Supplementation with P. acidilactici overturned some of these alterations, bringing back the abundance of some altered species close to the relative abundance found in the controls. Surprisingly, the exposure to thiamethoxam also restored the relative abundance of some species modulated by N. ceranae. This study shows that stressors and probiotics may have an antagonistic impact on honey bee gut bacterial communities and that P. acidilactici may have a protective effect against the dysbiosis induced by an infection with N. ceranae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thania Sbaghdi
- Laboratoire “Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement”, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (T.S.); (A.M.); (H.E.A.)
| | - Julian R. Garneau
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Campus UNIL-Sorge, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; (J.R.G.); (S.Y.)
| | - Simon Yersin
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Campus UNIL-Sorge, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; (J.R.G.); (S.Y.)
| | - Frédérique Chaucheyras-Durand
- Lallemand SAS, 19 Rue des Briquetiers, BP 59, CEDEX, F-31702 Blagnac, France;
- Microbiologie Environnement Digestif et Santé, INRAE, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63122 Saint-Genès Champanelle, France
| | | | - Anne Moné
- Laboratoire “Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement”, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (T.S.); (A.M.); (H.E.A.)
| | - Hicham El Alaoui
- Laboratoire “Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement”, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (T.S.); (A.M.); (H.E.A.)
| | - Philippe Bulet
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CR Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, F-38000 Grenoble, France;
- Platform BioPark Archamps, ArchParc, F-74160 Archamps, France
| | - Nicolas Blot
- Laboratoire “Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement”, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (T.S.); (A.M.); (H.E.A.)
| | - Frédéric Delbac
- Laboratoire “Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement”, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (T.S.); (A.M.); (H.E.A.)
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Smutin D, Taldaev A, Lebedev E, Adonin L. Shotgun Metagenomics Reveals Minor Micro" bee"omes Diversity Defining Differences between Larvae and Pupae Brood Combs. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:741. [PMID: 38255816 PMCID: PMC10815634 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020741] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Bees represent not only a valuable asset in agriculture, but also serve as a model organism within contemporary microbiology. The metagenomic composition of the bee superorganism has been substantially characterized. Nevertheless, traditional cultural methods served as the approach to studying brood combs in the past. Indeed, the comb microbiome may contribute to determining larval caste differentiation and hive immunity. To further this understanding, we conducted a shotgun sequencing analysis of the brood comb microbiome. While we found certain similarities regarding species diversity, it exhibits significant differentiation from all previously described hive metagenomes. Many microbiome members maintain a relatively constant ratio, yet taxa with the highest abundance level tend to be ephemeral. More than 90% of classified metagenomes were Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli and Actinobacteria genetic signatures. Jaccard dissimilarity between samples based on bacteria genus classifications hesitate from 0.63 to 0.77, which for shotgun sequencing indicates a high consistency in bacterial composition. Concurrently, we identified antagonistic relationships between certain bacterial clusters. The presence of genes related to antibiotic synthesis and antibiotic resistance suggests potential mechanisms underlying the stability of comb microbiomes. Differences between pupal and larval combs emerge in the total metagenome, while taxa with the highest abundance remained consistent. All this suggests that a key role in the functioning of the comb microbiome is played by minor biodiversity, the function of which remains to be established experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniil Smutin
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, Tyumen 625003, Russia
- Faculty of Information Technology and Programming, ITMO University, St. Petersburg 197101, Russia
| | - Amir Taldaev
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, Tyumen 625003, Russia
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow 119121, Russia
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny 141700, Russia
| | - Egor Lebedev
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, Tyumen 625003, Russia
| | - Leonid Adonin
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, Tyumen 625003, Russia
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow 119121, Russia
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13
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Damico ME, Beasley B, Greenstein D, Raymann K. Testing the Effectiveness of a Commercially Sold Probiotic on Restoring the Gut Microbiota of Honey Bees: a Field Study. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2023:10.1007/s12602-023-10203-1. [PMID: 38112994 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-023-10203-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic use in apiculture is often necessary to ensure the survival of honey bee colonies. However, beekeepers are faced with the dilemma of needing to combat bacterial brood infections while also knowing that antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria important for bee health. In recent years, bee probiotics have become increasingly purchased by beekeepers because of product claims like being able to "replenish the microbes lost due to agricultural modifications of honey bees' environment" or "promote optimal gut health." Unfortunately, these products have little scientific evidence to support their efficacy, and previous lab experiments have refuted some of their claims. Here, we performed hive-level field experiments to test the effectiveness of SuperDFM-HoneyBee™ - the most commonly purchased honey bee probiotic in the United States - on restoring the honey bee gut microbiota after antibiotic treatment. We found slight but significant changes in the microbiota composition of bees following oxytetracycline (TerraPro) treatment and no difference between the microbiota of antibiotic treated bees with or without subsequent probiotic supplementation. Moreover, the microorganisms in the probiotic supplement were never found in the guts of the worker bee samples. These results highlight that more research is needed to test the efficacy and outcomes of currently available commercial honey bee probiotic supplements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Damico
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27412, USA
| | - Burton Beasley
- North Carolina State Beekeepers Association, Hurdle Mills, NC, 27541, USA
| | - Drew Greenstein
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27412, USA
| | - Kasie Raymann
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27412, USA.
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
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14
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Baud GLC, Prasad A, Ellegaard KM, Engel P. Turnover of strain-level diversity modulates functional traits in the honeybee gut microbiome between nurses and foragers. Genome Biol 2023; 24:283. [PMID: 38066630 PMCID: PMC10704631 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03131-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Strain-level diversity is widespread among bacterial species and can expand the functional potential of natural microbial communities. However, to what extent communities undergo consistent shifts in strain composition in response to environmental/host changes is less well understood. RESULTS Here, we used shotgun metagenomics to compare the gut microbiota of two behavioral states of the Western honeybee (Apis mellifera), namely nurse and forager bees. While their gut microbiota is composed of the same bacterial species, we detect consistent changes in strain-level composition between nurses and foragers. Single nucleotide variant profiles of predominant bacterial species cluster by behavioral state. Moreover, we identify strain-specific gene content related to nutrient utilization, vitamin biosynthesis, and cell-cell interactions specifically associated with the two behavioral states. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that strain-level diversity in host-associated communities can undergo consistent changes in response to host behavioral changes modulating the functional potential of the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles L C Baud
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aiswarya Prasad
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kirsten M Ellegaard
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Engel
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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15
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Gekière A, Vanderplanck M, Hettiarachchi A, Semay I, Gerbaux P, Michez D, Joossens M, Vandamme P. A case study of the diet-microbiota-parasite interplay in bumble bees. J Appl Microbiol 2023; 134:lxad303. [PMID: 38066692 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxad303] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Diets and parasites influence the gut bacterial symbionts of bumble bees, but potential interactive effects remain overlooked. The main objective of this study was to assess the isolated and interactive effects of sunflower pollen, its phenolamides, and the widespread trypanosomatid Crithidia sp. on the gut bacterial symbionts of Bombus terrestris males. METHODS AND RESULTS Bumble bee males emerged in microcolonies fed on either (i) willow pollen (control), (ii) sunflower pollen, or (iii) willow pollen spiked with phenolamide extracts from sunflower pollen. These microcolonies were infected by Crithidia sp. or were pathogen-free. Using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing (V3-V4 region), we observed a significant alteration of the beta diversity but not of the alpha diversity in the gut microbial communities of males fed on sunflower pollen compared to males fed on control pollen. Similarly, infection by the gut parasite Crithidia sp. altered the beta diversity but not the alpha diversity in the gut microbial communities of males, irrespective of the diet. By contrast, we did not observe any significant alteration of the beta or alpha diversity in the gut microbial communities of males fed on phenolamide-enriched pollen compared to males fed on control pollen. Changes in the beta diversity indicate significant dissimilarities of the bacterial taxa between the treatment groups, while the lack of difference in alpha diversity demonstrates no significant changes within each treatment group. CONCLUSIONS Bumble bees harbour consistent gut microbiota worldwide, but our results suggest that the gut bacterial communities of bumble bees are somewhat shaped by their diets and gut parasites as well as by the interaction of these two factors. This study confirms that bumble bees are suitable biological surrogates to assess the effect of diet and parasite infections on gut microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Gekière
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium, 20 Place du Parc, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Maryse Vanderplanck
- CEFE, CNRS, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Amanda Hettiarachchi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, 35 K.L. Ledeganckstraat, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Irène Semay
- Organic Synthesis and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium, 20 Place du Parc, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Pascal Gerbaux
- Organic Synthesis and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium, 20 Place du Parc, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Denis Michez
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium, 20 Place du Parc, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Marie Joossens
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, 35 K.L. Ledeganckstraat, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Vandamme
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, 35 K.L. Ledeganckstraat, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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16
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Gekière A, Vanderplanck M, Michez D. Trace metals with heavy consequences on bees: A comprehensive review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 895:165084. [PMID: 37379929 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165084] [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] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
The pervasiveness of human imprint on Earth is alarming and most animal species, including bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila), must cope with several stressors. Recently, exposure to trace metals and metalloids (TMM) has drawn attention and has been suggested as a threat for bee populations. In this review, we aimed at bringing together all the studies (n = 59), both in laboratories and in natura, that assessed the effects of TMM on bees. After a brief comment on semantics, we listed the potential routes of exposure to soluble and insoluble (i.e. nanoparticle) TMM, and the threat posed by metallophyte plants. Then, we reviewed the studies that addressed whether bees could detect and avoid TMM in their environment, as well as the ways bee detoxify these xenobiotics. Afterwards, we listed the impacts TMM have on bees at the community, individual, physiological, histological and microbial levels. We discussed around the interspecific variations among bees, as well as around the simultaneous exposure to TMM. Finally, we highlighted that bees are likely exposed to TMM in combination or with other stressors, such as pesticides and parasites. Overall, we showed that most studies focussed on the domesticated western honey bee and mainly addressed lethal effects. Because TMM are widespread in the environment and have been shown to result in detrimental consequences, evaluating their lethal and sublethal effects on bees, including non-Apis species, warrants further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Gekière
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, 20 Place du Parc, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
| | - Maryse Vanderplanck
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, 1919 Route de Mende, 34090 Montpellier, France.
| | - Denis Michez
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, 20 Place du Parc, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
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17
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Hettiarachchi A, Cnockaert M, Joossens M, Laureys D, De Clippeleer J, Vereecken NJ, Michez D, Smagghe G, de Graaf DC, Vandamme P. Convivina is a specialised core gut symbiont of the invasive hornet Vespa velutina. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 32:510-527. [PMID: 37204105 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We provide a culturomics analysis of the cultivable bacterial communities of the crop, midgut and hindgut compartments, as well as the ovaries, of the invasive insect Vespa velutina, along with a cultivation-independent analysis of samples of the same nest through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The Vespa velutina bacterial symbiont community was dominated by the genera Convivina, Fructobacillus, Lactiplantibacillus, Lactococcus, Sphingomonas and Spiroplasma. Lactococcus lactis and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum represented generalist core lactic acid bacteria (LAB) symbionts, while Convivina species and Fructobacillus fructosus represented highly specialised core LAB symbionts with strongly reduced genome sizes. Sphingomonas and Spiroplasma were the only non-LAB core symbionts but were not isolated. Convivina bacteria were particularly enriched in the hornet crop and included Convivina intestini, a species adapted towards amino acid metabolism, and Convivina praedatoris sp. nov. which was adapted towards carbohydrate metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Hettiarachchi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Margo Cnockaert
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marie Joossens
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - David Laureys
- Innovation Centre for Brewing & Fermentation, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jessika De Clippeleer
- Innovation Centre for Brewing & Fermentation, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Denis Michez
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dirk C de Graaf
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Vandamme
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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18
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Lazarova S, Lozanova L, Neov B, Shumkova R, Balkanska R, Palova N, Salkova D, Radoslavov G, Hristov P. Composition and diversity of bacterial communities associated with honey bee foragers from two contrasting environments. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2023; 113:693-702. [PMID: 37545319 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485323000378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The honey bee is associated with a diverse community of microbes (viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protists), commonly known as the microbiome. Here, we present data on honey bee microbiota from two localities having different surrounding landscapes - mountain (the Rhodope Mountains) and lowland (the Danube plain). The bacterial communities of abdomen of adult bees were studied using amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The composition and dominance structure and their variability within and between localities, alpha and beta diversity, and core and differential taxa were compared at different hierarchical levels (operational taxonomic units to phylum). Seven genera (Lactobacillus, Gilliamella, Bifidobacterium, Commensalibacter, Bartonella, Snodgrassella, and Frischella), known to include core gut-associated phylotypes or species clusters, dominated (92-100%) the bacterial assemblages. Significant variations were found in taxa distribution across both geographical regions and within each apiary. Lactobacillus (Firmicutes) prevailed significantly in the mountain locality followed by Gilliamella and Bartonella (Proteobacteria). Bacteria of four genera, core (Bartonella and Lactobacillus) and non-core (Pseudomonas and Morganella), dominated the bee-associated assemblages of the Danube plain locality. Several ubiquitous bacterial genera (e.g., Klebsiella, Serratia, and Providencia), some species known also as potential and opportunistic bee pathogens, had been found in the lowland locality. Beta diversity analyses confirmed the observed differences in the bacterial communities from both localities. The occurrence of non-core taxa contributes substantially to higher microbial richness and diversity in bees from the Danube plain locality. We assume that the observed differences in the microbiota of honey bees from both apiaries are due to a combination of factors specific for each region. The surrounding landscape features of both localities and related vegetation, anthropogenic impact and land use intensity, the beekeeping management practices, and bee health status might all contribute to observed differences in bee microbiota traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stela Lazarova
- Department of Animal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Lyudmila Lozanova
- Department of Ecosystem Research, Environmental Risk Assessment and Conservation Biology, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Boyko Neov
- Department of Animal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Rositsa Shumkova
- Research Centre of Stockbreeding and Agriculture, Agricultural Academy, 4700 Smolyan, Bulgaria
| | - Ralitsa Balkanska
- Department 'Special Branches', Institute of Animal Science, Agricultural Academy, 2230 Kostinbrod, Bulgaria
| | - Nadezhda Palova
- Scientific Center of Agriculture, Agricultural Academy, Sredets 8300, Bulgaria
| | - Delka Salkova
- Department of Experimental Parasitology, Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Georgi Radoslavov
- Department of Animal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Peter Hristov
- Department of Animal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
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19
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Huang Y, Li N, Yang C, Lin Y, Wen Y, Zheng L, Zhao C. Honeybee as a food nutrition analysis model of neural development and gut microbiota. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105372. [PMID: 37652394 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Research on the relationships between the gut microbiota and the neurophysiology and behavior of animals has grown exponentially in just a few years. Insect behavior may be controlled by molecular mechanisms that are partially homologous to those in mammals, and swarming insects may be suitable as experiment models in these types of investigations. All core gut bacteria in honeybees can be cultivated in vitro. Certain gut microflora of bees can be genetically engineered or sterilized and colonized. The bee gut bacteria model is established more rapidly and has a higher flux than other sterile animal models. It may help elucidate the pathogenesis of intestinal diseases and identify effective molecular therapeutic targets against them. In the present review, we focused on the contributions of the honeybee model in learning cognition and microbiome research. We explored the relationship between honeybee behavior and neurodevelopment and the factors determining the mechanisms by which the gut microbiota affects the host. In particular, we concentrated on the correlation between gut microbiota and brain development. Finally, we examined strategies for the effective use of simple animal models in animal cognition and microbiome research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Huang
- College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Na Li
- College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Chengfeng Yang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yan Lin
- College of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yuxi Wen
- College of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Department of Analytical and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade de Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain
| | - Lingjun Zheng
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Chao Zhao
- College of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
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20
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Lariviere PJ, Ashraf AHMZ, Leonard SP, Miller LG, Moran NA, Barrick JE. Single-step genome engineering in the bee gut symbiont Snodgrassella alvi. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.19.558440. [PMID: 37786689 PMCID: PMC10541602 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.19.558440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees are economically relevant pollinators experiencing population declines due to a number of threats. As in humans, the health of bees is influenced by their microbiome. The bacterium Snodgrassella alvi is a key member of the bee gut microbiome and has a role in excluding pathogens. Despite this importance, there are not currently any easy-to-use methods for modifying the S. alvi chromosome to study its genetics. To solve this problem, we developed a one-step procedure that uses electroporation and homologous recombination, which we term SnODIFY (Snodgrassella-specific One-step gene Deletion or Insertion to alter FunctionalitY). We used SnODIFY to create seven single-gene knockout mutants and recovered mutants for all constructs tested. Nearly all transformants had the designed genome modifications, indicating that SnODIFY is highly accurate. Mutant phenotypes were validated through knockout of Type 4 pilus genes, which led to reduced biofilm formation. We also used SnODIFY to insert heterologous sequences into the genome by integrating fluorescent protein-coding genes. Finally, we confirmed that genome modification is dependent on S. alvi's endogenous RecA protein. Because it does not require expression of exogenous recombination machinery, SnODIFY is a straightforward, accurate, and lightweight method for genome editing in S. alvi. This workflow can be used to study the functions of S. alvi genes and to engineer this symbiont for applications including protection of honey bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J. Lariviere
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - A. H. M. Zuberi Ashraf
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Sean P. Leonard
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Laurel G. Miller
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Nancy A. Moran
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Jeffrey E. Barrick
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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21
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Cabirol A, Moriano-Gutierrez S, Engel P. Neuroactive metabolites modulated by the gut microbiota in honey bees. Mol Microbiol 2023. [PMID: 37718573 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees have emerged as a new model to study the gut-brain axis, as they exhibit complex social behaviors and cognitive abilities, while experiments with gnotobiotic bees have revealed that their gut microbiota alters both brain and behavioral phenotypes. Furthermore, while honey bee brain functions supporting a broad range of behaviors have been intensively studied for over 50 years, the gut microbiota of bees has been experimentally characterized only recently. Here, we combined six published datasets from metabolomic analyses to provide an overview of the neuroactive metabolites whose abundance in the gut, hemolymph and brain varies in presence of the gut microbiota. Such metabolites may either be produced by gut bacteria, released from the pollen grains during their decomposition by bacteria, or produced by other organs in response to different bacterial products. We describe the current state of knowledge regarding the impact of such metabolites on brain function and behavior and provide further hypotheses to explore in this emerging field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Cabirol
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Philipp Engel
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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22
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Daisley BA, Pitek AP, Torres C, Lowery R, Adair BA, Al KF, Niño B, Burton JP, Allen-Vercoe E, Thompson GJ, Reid G, Niño E. Delivery mechanism can enhance probiotic activity against honey bee pathogens. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1382-1395. [PMID: 37311937 PMCID: PMC10432525 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01422-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Managed honey bee (Apis mellifera) populations play a crucial role in supporting pollination of food crops but are facing unsustainable colony losses, largely due to rampant disease spread within agricultural environments. While mounting evidence suggests that select lactobacilli strains (some being natural symbionts of honey bees) can protect against multiple infections, there has been limited validation at the field-level and few methods exist for applying viable microorganisms to the hive. Here, we compare how two different delivery systems-standard pollen patty infusion and a novel spray-based formulation-affect supplementation of a three-strain lactobacilli consortium (LX3). Hives in a pathogen-dense region of California are supplemented for 4 weeks and then monitored over a 20-week period for health outcomes. Results show both delivery methods facilitate viable uptake of LX3 in adult bees, although the strains do not colonize long-term. Despite this, LX3 treatments induce transcriptional immune responses leading to sustained decreases in many opportunistic bacterial and fungal pathogens, as well as selective enrichment of core symbionts including Bombilactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Bartonella spp. These changes are ultimately associated with greater brood production and colony growth relative to vehicle controls, and with no apparent trade-offs in ectoparasitic Varroa mite burdens. Furthermore, spray-LX3 exerts potent activities against Ascosphaera apis (a deadly brood pathogen) likely stemming from in-hive dispersal differences, whereas patty-LX3 promotes synergistic brood development via unique nutritional benefits. These findings provide a foundational basis for spray-based probiotic application in apiculture and collectively highlight the importance of considering delivery method in disease management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan A Daisley
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Andrew P Pitek
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Christina Torres
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Robin Lowery
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Bethany A Adair
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Kait F Al
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Bernardo Niño
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Jeremy P Burton
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Emma Allen-Vercoe
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Graham J Thompson
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Gregor Reid
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Elina Niño
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Oakland, CA, 95618, USA.
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23
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Zaghloul HAH, El Halfawy NM. Whole genome analyses of toxicants tolerance genes of Apis mellifera gut-derived Enterococcus faecium strains. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:479. [PMID: 37620768 PMCID: PMC10463970 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09590-0] [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: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because of its social nature, the honeybee is regularly exposed to environmental toxicants such as heavy metals and xenobiotics. These toxicants are known to exert strong selective pressure on the gut microbiome's structure and diversity. For example, resistant microbial members are more likely to dominate in maintaining a stable microbiome, which is critical for bee health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from bee guts for their in vitro growth and tolerability to diverse heavy metals and xenobiotics. An additional aim was to analyze the genomes of E. faecium isolates to assess the molecular bases of resistance and compare them with E. faecium species isolated from other environmental sources. RESULTS The E. faecium bee isolates were able to tolerate high levels (up to 200 mg/L) of toxicants, including cadmium, zinc, benzoate, phenol and hexane. Moreover, the isolates could tolerate toluene and copper at up to 100 mg/L. The genome of E. faecium Am5, isolated from the larval stage of Apis mellifera gut, was about 2.7 Mb in size, had a GC content of 37.9% and 2,827 predicted coding sequences. Overall, the Am5 genome features were comparable with previously sequenced bee-gut isolates, E. faecium Am1, Bee9, SM21, and H7. The genomes of the bee isolates provided insight into the observed heavy metal tolerance. For example, heavy metal tolerance and/or regulation genes were present, including czcD (cobalt/zinc/cadmium resistance), cadA (exporting ATPase), cutC (cytoplasmic copper homeostasis) and zur (zinc uptake regulation). Additionally, genes associated with nine KEGG xenobiotic biodegradation pathways were detected, including γ-hexachlorocyclohexane, benzoate, biphenyl, bisphenol A, tetrachloroethene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, ethylbenzene, trinitrotoluene and caprolactam. Interestingly, a comparative genomics study demonstrated the conservation of toxicant resistance genes across a variety of E. faecium counterparts isolated from other environmental sources such as non-human mammals, humans, avians, and marine animals. CONCLUSIONS Honeybee gut-derived E. faecium strains can tolerate a variety of heavy metals. Moreover, their genomes encode many xenobiotic biodegradation pathways. Further research is required to examine E. faecium strains potential to boost host resistance to environmental toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba A H Zaghloul
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Moharam Bek 21511, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Nancy M El Halfawy
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Moharam Bek 21511, Alexandria, Egypt.
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24
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Qi S, Dong S, Fan M, Xue X, Wu L, Wang P. Stress Response in the Honeybee ( Apis mellifera L.) Gut Induced by Chlorinated Paraffins at Residue Levels Found in Bee Products. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:11442-11451. [PMID: 37490655 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) have become global pollutants and are of considerable concern as a result of their persistence and long-distance transmission in the environment and toxicity to mammals. However, their risks to pollinating insects are unknown. Honeybees are classical pollinators and sensitive indicators of environmental pollution. Herein, the effects of CPs on the gut microenvironment and underlying mechanisms were evaluated and explored using Apis mellifera L. Both short- and medium-chain CPs had significant sublethal effects on honeybees at a residue dose of 10 mg/L detected in bee products but did not significantly alter the composition or diversity of the gut microbiota. However, this concentration did induce significant immune, detoxification, and antioxidation responses and metabolic imbalances in the midgut. The mechanisms of CP toxicity in bees are complicated by the complex composition of these chemicals, but this study indicated that CPs could substantially affect intestinal physiology and metabolic homeostasis. Therefore, CPs in the environment could have long-lasting impacts on bee health. Future studies are encouraged to identify novel bioindicators of CP exposure to detect early contamination and uncover the detailed mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of CPs on living organisms, especially pollinating insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzhen Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, People's Republic of China
| | - Shujun Dong
- Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Man Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, People's Republic of China
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofeng Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, People's Republic of China
| | - Liming Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, People's Republic of China
| | - Peilong Wang
- Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, People's Republic of China
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25
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Rutkowski D, Weston M, Vannette RL. Bees just wanna have fungi: a review of bee associations with nonpathogenic fungi. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2023; 99:fiad077. [PMID: 37422442 PMCID: PMC10370288 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiad077] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Bee-fungus associations are common, and while most studies focus on entomopathogens, emerging evidence suggests that bees associate with a variety of symbiotic fungi that can influence bee behavior and health. Here, we review nonpathogenic fungal taxa associated with different bee species and bee-related habitats. We synthesize results of studies examining fungal effects on bee behavior, development, survival, and fitness. We find that fungal communities differ across habitats, with some groups restricted mostly to flowers (Metschnikowia), while others are present almost exclusively in stored provisions (Zygosaccharomyces). Starmerella yeasts are found in multiple habitats in association with many bee species. Bee species differ widely in the abundance and identity of fungi hosted. Functional studies suggest that yeasts affect bee foraging, development, and pathogen interactions, though few bee and fungal taxa have been examined in this context. Rarely, fungi are obligately beneficial symbionts of bees, whereas most are facultative bee associates with unknown or ecologically contextual effects. Fungicides can reduce fungal abundance and alter fungal communities associated with bees, potentially disrupting bee-fungi associations. We recommend that future study focus on fungi associated with non-honeybee species and examine multiple bee life stages to document fungal composition, abundance, and mechanistic effects on bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Rutkowski
- 367 Briggs Hall, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Makena Weston
- 367 Briggs Hall, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Rachel L Vannette
- 367 Briggs Hall, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
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26
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Steinigeweg C, Alkassab AT, Erler S, Beims H, Wirtz IP, Richter D, Pistorius J. Impact of a Microbial Pest Control Product Containing Bacillus thuringiensis on Brood Development and Gut Microbiota of Apis mellifera Worker Honey Bees. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 85:1300-1307. [PMID: 35389085 PMCID: PMC10167108 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-022-02004-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
To avoid potential adverse side effects of chemical plant protection products, microbial pest control products (MPCP) are commonly applied as biological alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the biosafety of a MPCP with the active organism Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. aizawai (strain: ABTS-1857). An in-hive feeding experiment was performed under field-realistic conditions to examine the effect of B. thuringiensis (B. t.) on brood development and the bacterial abundance of the core gut microbiome (Bifidobacterium asteroids, Gilliamella apicola, the group of Lactobacillus and Snodgrasella alvi) in Apis mellifera worker bees. We detected a higher brood termination rate and a non-successful development into worker bees of treated colonies compared to those of the controls. For the gut microbiome, all tested core members showed a significantly lower normalized abundance in bees of the treated colonies than in those of the controls; thus, a general response of the gut microbiome may be assumed. Consequently, colony exposure to B. t. strain ABTS-1857 had a negative effect on brood development under field-realistic conditions and caused dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. Further studies with B. t.-based products, after field-realistic application in bee attractive crops, are needed to evaluate the potential risk of these MPCPs on honey bees.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abdulrahim T Alkassab
- Institute for Bee Protection, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) - FederalResearch Centre for Cultivated Plants, Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Silvio Erler
- Institute for Bee Protection, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) - FederalResearch Centre for Cultivated Plants, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Hannes Beims
- Institute for Apiculture, Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), Celle, Germany
| | - Ina P Wirtz
- Institute for Bee Protection, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) - FederalResearch Centre for Cultivated Plants, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dania Richter
- Institute of Geoecology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jens Pistorius
- Institute for Bee Protection, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) - FederalResearch Centre for Cultivated Plants, Braunschweig, Germany
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27
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Pérez Matos AE, Bacci G, Borruso L, Landolfi M, Petrocchi D, Renzi S, Perito B. Characterization of the Bacterial Communities Inhabiting Tropical Propolis of Puerto Rico. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1130. [PMID: 37317104 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Propolis is a resinous material produced by honeybees from different plant sources and used in the hive as a building material and to protect the colony from parasites and pathogens. Despite its antimicrobial properties, recent studies showed that propolis hosts diverse microbial strains, some with great antimicrobial potential. In this study, the first description of the bacterial community of propolis produced by the gentle Africanized honeybee was reported. Propolis was sampled from hives of two different geographic areas of Puerto Rico (PR, USA), and the associated microbiota investigated by both cultivation and metataxonomic approaches. Metabarcoding analysis showed appreciable bacterial diversity in both areas and statistically significant dissimilarity in the taxa composition of the two areas, probably due to the different climatic conditions. Both metabarcoding and cultivation data revealed the presence of taxa already detected in other hive components and compatible with the bee's foraging environment. Isolated bacteria and propolis extracts showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial tester strains. These results support the hypothesis that the propolis microbiota could contribute to propolis' antimicrobial properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana E Pérez Matos
- Biotechnology and Agrobiotechnology Research and Learning Center, Department of Natural Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce 00717, Puerto Rico
| | - Giovanni Bacci
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Luigimaria Borruso
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen/Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Maria Landolfi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen/Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Dominique Petrocchi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
- Scientific Laboratory of Opificio delle Pietre Dure, Viale F. Strozzi 1, 50129 Firenze, Italy
| | - Sonia Renzi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Brunella Perito
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
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28
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Sarton-Lohéac G, Nunes da Silva CG, Mazel F, Baud G, de Bakker V, Das S, El Chazli Y, Ellegaard K, Garcia-Garcera M, Glover N, Liberti J, Nacif Marçal L, Prasad A, Somerville V, Bonilla-Rosso G, Engel P. Deep Divergence and Genomic Diversification of Gut Symbionts of Neotropical Stingless Bees. mBio 2023; 14:e0353822. [PMID: 36939321 PMCID: PMC10128065 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03538-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Social bees harbor conserved gut microbiotas that may have been acquired in a common ancestor of social bees and subsequently codiversified with their hosts. However, most of this knowledge is based on studies on the gut microbiotas of honey bees and bumblebees. Much less is known about the gut microbiotas of the third and most diverse group of social bees, the stingless bees. Specifically, the absence of genomic data from their microbiotas presents an important knowledge gap in understanding the evolution and functional diversity of the social bee microbiota. Here, we combined community profiling with culturing and genome sequencing of gut bacteria from six neotropical stingless bee species from Brazil. Phylogenomic analyses show that most stingless bee gut isolates form deep-branching sister clades of core members of the honey bee and bumblebee gut microbiota with conserved functional capabilities, confirming the common ancestry and ecology of their microbiota. However, our bacterial phylogenies were not congruent with those of the host, indicating that the evolution of the social bee gut microbiota was not driven by strict codiversification but included host switches and independent symbiont gain and losses. Finally, as reported for the honey bee and bumblebee microbiotas, we found substantial genomic divergence among strains of stingless bee gut bacteria, suggesting adaptation to different host species and glycan niches. Our study offers first insights into the genomic diversity of the stingless bee microbiota and highlights the need for broader samplings to understand the evolution of the social bee gut microbiota. IMPORTANCE Stingless bees are the most diverse group of the corbiculate bees and represent important pollinator species throughout the tropics and subtropics. They harbor specialized microbial communities in their gut that are related to those found in honey bees and bumblebees and that are likely important for bee health. Few bacteria have been cultured from the gut of stingless bees, which has prevented characterization of their genomic diversity and functional potential. Here, we established cultures of major members of the gut microbiotas of six stingless bee species and sequenced their genomes. We found that most stingless bee isolates belong to novel bacterial species distantly related to those found in honey bees and bumblebees and encoding similar functional capabilities. Our study offers a new perspective on the evolution of the social bee gut microbiota and presents a basis for characterizing the symbiotic relationships between gut bacteria and stingless bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garance Sarton-Lohéac
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Florent Mazel
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gilles Baud
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vincent de Bakker
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sudip Das
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yassine El Chazli
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kirsten Ellegaard
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Natasha Glover
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joanito Liberti
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lorena Nacif Marçal
- Department of Morphology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Aiswarya Prasad
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Somerville
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Germán Bonilla-Rosso
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Engel
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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29
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Sinpoo C, In-on A, Noirungsee N, Attasopa K, Chantawannakul P, Chaimanee V, Phokasem P, Ling TC, Purahong W, Disayathanoowat T. Microbial community profiling and culturing reveal functional groups of bacteria associated with Thai commercial stingless worker bees (Tetragonula pagdeni). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280075. [PMID: 36857385 PMCID: PMC9977063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Stingless bees play a crucial role in the environment and agriculture as they are effective pollinators. Furthermore, they can produce various products that can be exploited economically, such as propolis and honey. Despite their economic value, the knowledge of microbial community of stingless bees, and their roles on the bees' health, especially in Thailand, are in its infancy. This study aimed to investigate the composition and the functions of bacterial community associated with Tetragonula pagdeni stingless bees using culture-independent and culture-dependent approaches with emphasis on lactic acid bacteria. The culture-independent results showed that the dominant bacterial phyla were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. The most abundant families were Lactobacillaceae and Halomonadaceae. Functional prediction indicated that the prevalent functions of bacterial communities were chemoheterotrophy and fermentation. In addition, the bacterial community might be able to biosynthesize amino acid and antimicrobial compounds. Further isolation and characterization resulted in isolates that belonged to the dominant taxa of the community and possessed potentially beneficial metabolic activity. This suggested that they are parts of the nutrient acquisition and host defense bacterial functional groups in Thai commercial stingless bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chainarong Sinpoo
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Ammarin In-on
- Bioinformatics & Systems Biology Program, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (Bang Khun Thian Campus), Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nuttapol Noirungsee
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Korrawat Attasopa
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Panuwan Chantawannakul
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Veeranan Chaimanee
- Department of Agro-Industrial Biotechnology, Maejo University Phrae Campus, Rong Kwang, Phrae, Thailand
| | - Patcharin Phokasem
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Tial Cung Ling
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Witoon Purahong
- Department of Soil Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Halle (Saale), Germany
- * E-mail: (WP); (TD)
| | - Terd Disayathanoowat
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- * E-mail: (WP); (TD)
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30
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Chen R, Li L, Zhao W. Antibiotics-induced dysbiosis in gut microbiota affects bumblebee health via regulating host amino acid metabolism. Amino Acids 2023; 55:519-528. [PMID: 36749379 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-023-03247-8] [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: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The gut bacteria can provide nutrition for the host, and regulate host physiological functions and host behavior. In this study, we specifically examined the important roles of free amino acids in the gut microbiota-host interaction. Bumblebees were treated with different concentrations of antibiotics (ampicillin combined with low/high concentrations of tetracycline). Then the effect of antibiotic treatments on the host body weight, gut microbiota, and the free amino acid profiles in the hindgut, hemolymph and brain of bees was evaluated. The results showed that antibiotic treatments resulted in a significant decrease in the host body weight at 11 days of age, the total bacterial load and the abundance of Bifidobacterium bohemicum and Gilliamella apicola in the bumblebee's hindgut. Additionally, the higher the concentration of antibiotics (tetracycline), the greater their impact on the body weight and intestinal microbiota of bumblebees. Further, we found that antibiotic treatments caused changes of free amino acids in different tissues, especially in the hindgut and hemolymph, including particularly the decrease of several types of essential amino acids and branched-chain amino acids. Our results suggest that the gut microbiota may modulate the host growth via specific essential amino acids and branched-chain amino acids, which further reveals the crucial roles of free amino acids in the gut microbiota-host interplay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Li
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, China.
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31
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Almeida EL, Ribiere C, Frei W, Kenny D, Coffey MF, O'Toole PW. Geographical and Seasonal Analysis of the Honeybee Microbiome. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 85:765-778. [PMID: 35284961 PMCID: PMC9957864 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-022-01986-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
We previously showed that colonies of thriving and non-thriving honeybees co-located in a single geographically isolated apiary harboured strikingly different microbiomes when sampled at a single time point in the honey season. Here, we profiled the microbiome in returning forager bees from 10 to 12 hives in each of 6 apiaries across the southern half of Ireland, at early, middle, and late time points in the 2019 honey production season. Despite the wide range of geographical locations and forage available, apiary site was not the strongest determinant of the honeybee microbiome. However, there was clear clustering of the honeybee microbiome by time point across all apiaries, independent of which apiary was sampled. The clustering of microbiome by time was weaker although still significant in three of the apiaries, which may be connected to their geographic location and other external factors. The potential forage effect was strongest at the second timepoint (June-July) when the apiaries also displayed greatest difference in microbiome diversity. We identified bacteria in the forager bee microbiome that correlated with hive health as measured by counts of larvae, bees, and honey production. These findings support the hypothesis that the global honeybee microbiome and its constituent species support thriving hives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo L Almeida
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, T12 K8AF, Ireland
| | - Celine Ribiere
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, T12 K8AF, Ireland
| | - Werner Frei
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, T12 K8AF, Ireland
| | - Denis Kenny
- Keeling's Farm, Food Central, St. Margaret's, Co. Dublin, K67 YC83, Ireland
| | - Mary F Coffey
- Department of Agriculture Food & the Marine, Backweston Campus, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, W23 X3PH, Ireland
| | - Paul W O'Toole
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, T12 K8AF, Ireland.
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32
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The promise of probiotics in honeybee health and disease management. Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:73. [PMID: 36705763 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03416-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decades, losses of bee populations have been observed worldwide. A panoply of biotic and abiotic factors, as well as the interplay among them, has been suggested to be responsible for bee declines, but definitive causes have not yet been identified. Among pollinators, the honeybee Apis mellifera is threatened by various diseases and environmental stresses, which have been shown to impact the insect gut microbiota that is known to be fundamental for host metabolism, development and immunity. Aimed at preserving the gut homeostasis, many researches are currently focusing on improving the honeybee health through the administration of probiotics e.g., by boosting the innate immune response against microbial infections. Here, we review the knowledge available on the characterization of the microbial diversity associated to honeybees and the use of probiotic symbionts as a promising approach to maintain honeybee fitness, sustaining a healthy gut microbiota and enhancing its crucial relationship with the host immune system.
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33
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Cheng S, Dai P, Li R, Chen Z, Liang P, Xie X, Zhen C, Gao X. The sulfoximine insecticide sulfoxaflor exposure reduces the survival status and disrupts the intestinal metabolism of the honeybee Apis mellifera. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 442:130109. [PMID: 36303336 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130109] [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: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are indispensable pollinators in agricultural production, biodiversity conservation, and nutrients provision. The abundance and diversity of honeybees have been rapidly diminishing, possibly related to the extensive use of insecticides in ecosystems. Sulfoxaflor is a novel sulfoximine insecticide that, like neonicotinoids, acts as a competitive modulator of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in insects. However, few studies have addressed the negative effects of sulfoxaflor on honeybees at environmentally relevant concentrations. In the present study, adult workers were fed a 50% (w/v) of sugar solution containing different concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.5 and 2.0 mg/L) of sulfoxaflor for two weeks consecutively. The survival rates, food intake, and body weight of the honeybees significantly decreased after continuous exposure at higher doses (0.5 and 2.0 mg/L) of sulfoxaflor when compared with the control. The change in the metabolites in the honeybee gut was determined using high-throughput non-targeted metabolomics on day 14 after sulfoxaflor treatment. The results revealed that 24 and 105 metabolites changed after exposure to 0.5 and 2.0 mg/L sulfoxaflor, respectively, compared with that of the control groups. A total of 12 changed compounds including pregenolone and glutathione were detected as potential biomarkers, which were eventually found to be enriched in pathways of the steroid hormone biosynthesis (p = 0.0001) and glutathione metabolism (p = 0.021). These findings provide a new perspective on the physiological influence of sulfoxaflor stress in honeybees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenhang Cheng
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Pingli Dai
- Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, PR China
| | - Ren Li
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Zhibin Chen
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Pingzhuo Liang
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Xiaoping Xie
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Congai Zhen
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Xiwu Gao
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China.
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Dequenne I, Philippart de Foy JM, Cani PD. Developing Strategies to Help Bee Colony Resilience in Changing Environments. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233396. [PMID: 36496917 PMCID: PMC9737243 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change, loss of plant biodiversity, burdens caused by new pathogens, predators, and toxins due to human disturbance and activity are significant causes of the loss of bee colonies and wild bees. The aim of this review is to highlight some possible strategies that could help develop bee resilience in facing their changing environments. Scientists underline the importance of the links between nutrition, microbiota, and immune and neuroendocrine stress resistance of bees. Nutrition with special care for plant-derived molecules may play a major role in bee colony health. Studies have highlighted the importance of pollen, essential oils, plant resins, and leaves or fungi as sources of fundamental nutrients for the development and longevity of a honeybee colony. The microbiota is also considered as a key factor in bee physiology and a cornerstone between nutrition, metabolism, growth, health, and pathogen resistance. Another stressor is the varroa mite parasite. This parasite is a major concern for beekeepers and needs specific strategies to reduce its severe impact on honeybees. Here we discuss how helping bees to thrive, especially through changing environments, is of great concern for beekeepers and scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Dequenne
- J-M Philippart de Foy & I Dequenne Consultation, Avenue Orban, 127, 1150 Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Patrice D. Cani
- Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
- WELBIO Department, WEL Research Institute, Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and BIOtechnology (WELBIO), Avenue Pasteur, 6, 1300 Wavre, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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Zhu Y, Yang R, Wang X, Wen T, Gong M, Shen Y, Xu J, Zhao D, Du Y. Gut microbiota composition in the sympatric and diet-sharing Drosophila simulans and Dicranocephalus wallichii bowringi shaped largely by community assembly processes rather than regional species pool. IMETA 2022; 1:e57. [PMID: 38867909 PMCID: PMC10989964 DOI: 10.1002/imt2.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Clarifying the mechanisms underlying microbial community assembly from regional microbial pools is a central issue of microbial ecology, but remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the gut bacterial and fungal microbiome assembly processes and potential sources in Drosophila simulans and Dicranocephalus wallichii bowringi, two wild, sympatric insect species that share a common diet of waxberry. While some convergence was observed, the diversity, composition, and network structure of the gut microbiota significantly differed between these two host species. Null model analyses revealed that stochastic processes (e.g., drift, dispersal limitation) play a principal role in determining gut microbiota from both hosts. However, the strength of each ecological process varied with the host species. Furthermore, the source-tracking analysis showed that only a minority of gut microbiota within D. simulans and D. wallichii bowringi are drawn from a regional microbial pool from waxberries, leaves, or soil. Results from function prediction implied that host species-specific gut microbiota might arise partly through host functional requirement and specific selection across host-microbiota coevolution. In conclusion, our findings uncover the importance of community assembly processes over regional microbial pools in shaping sympatric insect gut microbiome structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu‐Xi Zhu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant ProtectionYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
| | - Run Yang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant ProtectionYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
| | - Xin‐Yu Wang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant ProtectionYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
| | - Tao Wen
- The Key Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource‐saving fertilizersNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Ming‐Hui Gong
- Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Binhu District of WuxiWuxiChina
| | - Yuan Shen
- Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Binhu District of WuxiWuxiChina
| | - Jue‐Ye Xu
- Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Binhu District of WuxiWuxiChina
| | - Dian‐Shu Zhao
- Entomology and Nematology DepartmentUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Yu‐Zhou Du
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant ProtectionYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
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Daisley BA, Pitek AP, Mallory E, Chernyshova AM, Allen-Vercoe E, Reid G, Thompson GJ. Disentangling the microbial ecological factors impacting honey bee susceptibility to Paenibacillus larvae infection. Trends Microbiol 2022; 31:521-534. [PMID: 36526535 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Paenibacillus larvae is a spore-forming bacterial entomopathogen and causal agent of the important honey bee larval disease, American foulbrood (AFB). Active infections by vegetative P. larvae are often deadly, highly transmissible, and incurable for colonies but, when dormant, the spore form of this pathogen can persist asymptomatically for years. Despite intensive investigation over the past century, this process has remained enigmatic. Here, we provide an up-to-date synthesis on the often overlooked microbiota factors involved in the spore-to-vegetative growth transition (corresponding with the onset of AFB disease symptoms) and offer a novel outlook on AFB pathogenesis by focusing on the 'collaborative' and 'competitive' interactions between P. larvae and other honey bee-adapted microorganisms. Furthermore, we discuss the health trade-offs associated with chronic antibiotic exposure and propose new avenues for the sustainable control of AFB via probiotic and microbiota management strategies.
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Micro"bee"ota: Honey Bee Normal Microbiota as a Part of Superorganism. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122359. [PMID: 36557612 PMCID: PMC9785237 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bees are model organisms for microbiota research. Gut microbiomes are very interesting for surveys due to their simple structure and relationship with hive production. Long-term studies reveal the gut microbiota patterns of various hive members, as well as the functions, sources, and interactions of the majority of its bacteria. But the fungal non-pathogenic part of gut microbiota is almost unexplored, likewise some other related microbiota. Honey bees, as superorganisms, interact with their own microorganisms, the microbial communities of food stores, hive surfaces, and other environments. Understanding microbiota diversity, its transition ways, and hive niche colonization control are necessary for understanding any separate microbiota niche because of their interplay. The long coevolution of bees with the microorganisms populating these niches makes these systems co-dependent, integrated, and stable. Interaction with the environment, hive, and other bees determines caste lifestyle as well as individual microbiota. In this article, we bring together studies on the microbiota of the western honey bee. We show a possible relationship between caste determination and microbiota composition. And what is primary: caste differentiation or microbiota composition?
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Gorrochategui-Ortega J, Muñoz-Colmenero M, Kovačić M, Filipi J, Puškadija Z, Kezić N, Parejo M, Büchler R, Estonba A, Zarraonaindia I. A short exposure to a semi-natural habitat alleviates the honey bee hive microbial imbalance caused by agricultural stress. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18832. [PMID: 36336704 PMCID: PMC9637708 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23287-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Honeybee health and the species' gut microbiota are interconnected. Also noteworthy are the multiple niches present within hives, each with distinct microbiotas and all coexisting, which we termed "apibiome". External stressors (e.g. anthropization) can compromise microbial balance and bee resilience. We hypothesised that (1) the bacterial communities of hives located in areas with different degrees of anthropization differ in composition, and (2) due to interactions between the multiple microbiomes within the apibiome, changes in the community of a niche would impact the bacteria present in other hive sections. We characterised the bacterial consortia of different niches (bee gut, bee bread, hive entrance and internal hive air) of 43 hives from 3 different environments (agricultural, semi-natural and natural) through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Agricultural samples presented lower community evenness, depletion of beneficial bacteria, and increased recruitment of stress related pathways (predicted via PICRUSt2). The taxonomic and functional composition of gut and hive entrance followed an environmental gradient. Arsenophonus emerged as a possible indicator of anthropization, gradually decreasing in abundance from agriculture to the natural environment in multiple niches. Importantly, after 16 days of exposure to a semi-natural landscape hives showed intermediate profiles, suggesting alleviation of microbial dysbiosis through reduction of anthropization.
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Affiliation(s)
- June Gorrochategui-Ortega
- grid.11480.3c0000000121671098Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Marta Muñoz-Colmenero
- grid.11480.3c0000000121671098Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain ,grid.419099.c0000 0001 1945 7711Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (CSIC)/Institute of Marine Research, Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Pontevedra Spain
| | - Marin Kovačić
- grid.412680.90000 0001 1015 399XFaculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, V.Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Janja Filipi
- grid.424739.f0000 0001 2159 1688Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar, Trg Kneza Višeslava 9, 23000 Zadar, Croatia
| | - Zlatko Puškadija
- grid.412680.90000 0001 1015 399XFaculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, V.Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Nikola Kezić
- grid.4808.40000 0001 0657 4636Department of Fisheries, Apiculture and Special Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska Cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Melanie Parejo
- grid.11480.3c0000000121671098Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Ralph Büchler
- grid.506460.10000 0004 4679 6788Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen (LLH), Bieneninstitut, Erlenstraße 9, 35274 Kirchhain, Germany
| | - Andone Estonba
- grid.11480.3c0000000121671098Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Iratxe Zarraonaindia
- grid.11480.3c0000000121671098Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain ,grid.424810.b0000 0004 0467 2314IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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Liberti J, Kay T, Quinn A, Kesner L, Frank ET, Cabirol A, Richardson TO, Engel P, Keller L. The gut microbiota affects the social network of honeybees. Nat Ecol Evol 2022; 6:1471-1479. [PMID: 35995848 PMCID: PMC7613669 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01840-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The gut microbiota influences animal neurodevelopment and behaviour but has not previously been documented to affect group-level properties of social organisms. Here, we use honeybees to probe the effect of the gut microbiota on host social behaviour. We found that the microbiota increased the rate and specialization of head-to-head interactions between bees. Microbiota colonization was associated with higher abundances of one-third of the metabolites detected in the brain, including amino acids with roles in synaptic transmission and brain energetic function. Some of these metabolites were significant predictors of the number of social interactions. Microbiota colonization also affected brain transcriptional processes related to amino acid metabolism and epigenetic modifications in a brain region involved in sensory perception. These results demonstrate that the gut microbiota modulates the emergent colony social network of honeybees and suggest changes in chromatin accessibility and amino acid biosynthesis as underlying processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanito Liberti
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Tomas Kay
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Quinn
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lucie Kesner
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Erik T Frank
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Amélie Cabirol
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas O Richardson
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Engel
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Laurent Keller
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Ren X, Cao S, Akami M, Mansour A, Yang Y, Jiang N, Wang H, Zhang G, Qi X, Xu P, Guo T, Niu C. Gut symbiotic bacteria are involved in nitrogen recycling in the tephritid fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis. BMC Biol 2022; 20:201. [PMID: 36104720 PMCID: PMC9476588 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01399-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nitrogen is considered the most limiting nutrient element for herbivorous insects. To alleviate nitrogen limitation, insects have evolved various symbiotically mediated strategies that enable them to colonize nitrogen-poor habitats or exploit nitrogen-poor diets. In frugivorous tephritid larvae developing in fruit pulp under nitrogen stress, it remains largely unknown how nitrogen is obtained and larval development is completed. Results In this study, we used metagenomics and metatranscriptomics sequencing technologies as well as in vitro verification tests to uncover the mechanism underlying the nitrogen exploitation in the larvae of Bactrocera dorsalis. Our results showed that nitrogenous waste recycling (NWR) could be successfully driven by symbiotic bacteria, including Enterobacterales, Lactobacillales, Orbales, Pseudomonadales, Flavobacteriales, and Bacteroidales. In this process, urea hydrolysis in the larval gut was mainly mediated by Morganella morganii and Klebsiella oxytoca. In addition, core bacteria mediated essential amino acid (arginine excluded) biosynthesis by ammonium assimilation and transamination. Conclusions Symbiotic bacteria contribute to nitrogen transformation in the larvae of B. dorsalis in fruit pulp. Our findings suggest that the pattern of NWR is more likely to be applied by B. dorsalis, and M. morganii, K. oxytoca, and other urease-positive strains play vital roles in hydrolysing nitrogenous waste and providing metabolizable nitrogen for B. dorsalis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01399-9.
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Papp M, Békési L, Farkas R, Makrai L, Judge MF, Maróti G, Tőzsér D, Solymosi N. Natural diversity of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) gut bacteriome in various climatic and seasonal states. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273844. [PMID: 36083885 PMCID: PMC9462563 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
As pollinators and producers of numerous human-consumed products, honey bees have great ecological, economic and health importance. The composition of their bacteriota, for which the available knowledge is limited, is essential for their body's functioning. Based on our survey, we performed a metagenomic analysis of samples collected by repeated sampling. We used geolocations that represent the climatic types of the study area over two nutritionally extreme periods (March and May) of the collection season. Regarding bacteriome composition, a significant difference was found between the samples from March and May. The samples' bacteriome from March showed a significant composition difference between cooler and warmer regions. However, there were no significant bacteriome composition differences among the climatic classes of samples taken in May. Based on our results, one may conclude that the composition of healthy core bacteriomes in honey bees varies depending on the climatic and seasonal conditions. This is likely due to climatic factors and vegetation states determining the availability and nutrient content of flowering plants. The results of our study prove that in order to gain a thorough understanding of a microbiome's natural diversity, we need to obtain the necessary information from extreme ranges within the host's healthy state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márton Papp
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Békési
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Róbert Farkas
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Makrai
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Maura Fiona Judge
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergely Maróti
- Plant Biology Institute of the Biological Research Center, Szeged, Hungary
- Faculty of Water Sciences, University of Public Service, Baja, Hungary
| | - Dóra Tőzsér
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Norbert Solymosi
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
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Yuan H, Gao B, Wu C, Zhang L, Li H, Xiao Y, Wu K. Genome of the hoverfly Eupeodes corollae provides insights into the evolution of predation and pollination in insects. BMC Biol 2022; 20:157. [PMID: 35794591 PMCID: PMC9261035 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01356-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) including Eupeodes corollae are important insects worldwide that provide dual ecosystem services including pest control and pollination. The larvae are dominant predators of aphids and can be used as biological control agents, and the adults are efficient pollinators. The different feeding habits of larvae and adults make hoverflies a valuable genetic resource for understanding the mechanisms underlying the evolution and adaptation to predation and pollination in insects. Results Here, we present a 595-Mb high-quality reference genome of the hoverfly E. corollae, which is typical of an aphid predator and a pollinator. Comparative genomic analyses of E. corollae and Coccinellidae (ladybugs, aphid predators) shed light on takeout genes (3), which are involved in circadian rhythms and feeding behavior and might regulate the feeding behavior of E. corollae in a circadian manner. Genes for sugar symporter (12) and lipid transport (7) related to energy production in E. corollae had homologs in pollinator honeybees and were absent in predatory ladybugs. A number of classical cytochrome P450 detoxification genes, mainly CYP6 subfamily members, were greatly expanded in E. corollae. Notably, comparative genomic analyses of E. corollae and other aphidophagous hoverflies highlighted three homologous trypsins (Ecor12299, Ecor12301, Ecor2966). Transcriptome analysis showed that nine trypsins, including Ecor12299, Ecor12301, and Ecor2966, are strongly expressed at the larval stage, and 10 opsin genes, which are involved in visual perception, are significantly upregulated at the adult stage of E. corollae. Conclusions The high-quality genome assembly provided new insights into the genetic basis of predation and pollination by E. corollae and is a valuable resource for advancing studies on genetic adaptations and evolution of hoverflies and other natural enemies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01356-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bojia Gao
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Wu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hui Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yutao Xiao
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Kongming Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Investigation of the probiotic and metabolic potential of Fructobacillus tropaeoli and Apilactobacillus kunkeei from apiaries. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:432. [PMID: 35759032 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-03000-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Honeybee products have been among important consumer products throughout history. Microbiota has attracted attention in recent years due to both their probiotic value and industrial potential. Fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB), whose field of study has been expanding rapidly in the last 20 years, are among the groups that can be isolated from the bee gut. This study aimed to isolate FLAB from the honeybees of two different geographic regions in Turkey and investigate their probiotic, metabolic and anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS) potential. Metabolic properties were investigated based on fructose toleration and acid and diacetyl production while the probiotic properties of the isolates were determined by examining pH, pepsin, pancreatin resistance, antimicrobial susceptibility, and antimicrobial activity. Anti-QS activities were also evaluated with the Chromobacterium violaceum biosensor strain. Two FLAB members were isolated and identified by the 16S rRNA analysis as Fructobacillus tropaeoli and Apilactobacillus kunkeei, which were found to be tolerant to high fructose, low pH, pepsin, pancreatin, and bile salt environments. Both isolates showed anti-QS activity against the C. violaceum biosensor strain and no diacetyl production. The daily supernatants of the isolates inhibited the growth of Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 among the selected pathogens. The isolates were found resistant to kanamycin, streptomycin, erythromycin, and clindamycin. In the evaluation of the probiotic potential of these species, the negative effect of antibiotics and other chemicals to which honeybees are directly or indirectly exposed draws attention within the scope of the "One Health" approach.
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Brown AF, Rodriguez V, Brzoska C, Pfister J, Neumann P, Retschnig G. Dream Team for Honey Bee Health: Pollen and Unmanipulated Gut Microbiota Promote Worker Longevity and Body Weight. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2022.864741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gut microbiota are known to foster pollen digestion in honey bee workers, Apis mellifera, thereby enhancing longevity and body weight gain. However, it is currently not known how longevity and body weight gain are effected when gut microbiota are reduced in bees with or without access to pollen. Here, using a hoarding cage set-up with freshly emerged summer workers, we manipulated the gut microbiota of half the bees with the antibiotic tetracycline (ABX), and left the other half untreated on a sucrose solution diet. Afterwards, all bees were assigned to either sucrose diets or sucrose plus ad libitum access to pollen (N = 4 treatments, N = 26 bees/treatment, N = 10 replicates/treatment, N = 1,040 total workers). The data confirm that pollen has a positive effect on longevity and body weight in workers with an unmanipulated gut microbiota. Surprisingly, the antibiotics alone also improved the longevity and body weight of the workers fed a strictly sucrose diet, potentially explained by the reduction of harmful bacteria. However, this positive effect was reversed from an observed antagonistic interaction between pollen and antibiotics, underscoring the innate value of natural microbiota on pollen digestion. In conclusion, a combination of adequate pollen supply and an unmanipulated gut microbiota appears crucial to honey bee worker health, calling for respective efforts to ensure both in managed colonies.
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Pino A, Benkaddour B, Inturri R, Amico P, Vaccaro SC, Russo N, Vaccalluzzo A, Agolino G, Caggia C, Miloud H, Randazzo CL. Characterization of Bifidobacterium asteroides Isolates. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10030655. [PMID: 35336230 PMCID: PMC8950671 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacteria have long been recognized as bacteria with probiotic and therapeutic features. The aim of this work is to characterize the Bifidobacterium asteroides BA15 and BA17 strains, isolated from honeybee gut, to evaluate its safety for human use. An in-depth assessment was carried out on safety properties (antibiotic resistance profiling, β-hemolytic, DNase and gelatinase activities and virulence factor presence) and other properties (antimicrobial activity, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation and hydrophobicity). Based on phenotypic and genotypic characterization, both strains satisfied all the safety requirements. More specifically, genome analysis showed the absence of genes encoding for glycopeptide (vanA, vanB, vanC-1, vanC-2, vanD, vanE, vanG), resistance to tetracycline (tetM, tetL and tetO) and virulence genes (asa1, gelE, cylA, esp, hyl).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Pino
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environment, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.P.); (N.R.); (A.V.); (G.A.); (C.C.)
- ProBioEtna S.r.l., Spin-Off of University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Bachir Benkaddour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, University of Oran1, Oran 31000, Algeria; (B.B.); (H.M.)
| | - Rosanna Inturri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Department of R&D, Local Noto Unit, Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A., 96017 Noto, Italy; (P.A.); (S.C.V.)
- Correspondence: (R.I.); (C.L.R.)
| | - Pietro Amico
- Department of R&D, Local Noto Unit, Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A., 96017 Noto, Italy; (P.A.); (S.C.V.)
| | - Susanna C. Vaccaro
- Department of R&D, Local Noto Unit, Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A., 96017 Noto, Italy; (P.A.); (S.C.V.)
| | - Nunziatina Russo
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environment, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.P.); (N.R.); (A.V.); (G.A.); (C.C.)
- ProBioEtna S.r.l., Spin-Off of University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Amanda Vaccalluzzo
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environment, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.P.); (N.R.); (A.V.); (G.A.); (C.C.)
| | - Gianluigi Agolino
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environment, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.P.); (N.R.); (A.V.); (G.A.); (C.C.)
| | - Cinzia Caggia
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environment, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.P.); (N.R.); (A.V.); (G.A.); (C.C.)
- ProBioEtna S.r.l., Spin-Off of University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Hadadji Miloud
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, University of Oran1, Oran 31000, Algeria; (B.B.); (H.M.)
| | - Cinzia L. Randazzo
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environment, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.P.); (N.R.); (A.V.); (G.A.); (C.C.)
- ProBioEtna S.r.l., Spin-Off of University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.I.); (C.L.R.)
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Mild chronic exposure to pesticides alters physiological markers of honey bee health without perturbing the core gut microbiota. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4281. [PMID: 35277551 PMCID: PMC8917129 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08009-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies highlighted that exposure to glyphosate can affect specific members of the core gut microbiota of honey bee workers. However, in this study, bees were exposed to relatively high glyphosate concentrations. Here, we chronically exposed newly emerged honey bees to imidacloprid, glyphosate and difenoconazole, individually and in a ternary mixture, at an environmental concentration of 0.1 µg/L. We studied the effects of these exposures on the establishment of the gut microbiota, the physiological status, the longevity, and food consumption of the host. The core bacterial species were not affected by the exposure to the three pesticides. Negative effects were observed but they were restricted to few transient non-core bacterial species. However, in the absence of the core microbiota, the pesticides induced physiological disruption by directly altering the detoxification system, the antioxidant defenses, and the metabolism of the host. Our study indicates that even mild exposure to pesticides can directly alter the physiological homeostasis of newly emerged honey bees and particularly if the individuals exhibit a dysbiosis (i.e. mostly lack the core microbiota). This highlights the importance of an early establishment of a healthy gut bacterial community to strengthen the natural defenses of the honey bee against xenobiotic stressors.
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Abstract
The honeybee possesses a limited number of bacterial phylotypes that play essential roles in host metabolism, hormonal signaling, and feeding behavior. However, the contribution of individual gut members in shaping honeybee brain profiles remains unclear. By generating gnotobiotic bees which were mono-colonized by a single gut bacterium, we revealed that different species regulated specific modules of metabolites in the hemolymph. Circulating metabolites involved in carbohydrate and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways were mostly regulated by Gilliamella, while Lactobacillus Firm4 and Firm5 mainly altered amino acid metabolism pathways. We then analyzed the brain transcriptomes of bees mono-colonized with these three bacteria. These showed distinctive gene expression profiles, and genes related to olfactory functions and labor division were upregulated by Lactobacillus. Interestingly, differentially spliced genes in the brains of gnotobiotic bees largely overlapped with those of bees unresponsive to social stimuli. The differentially spliced genes were enriched in pathways involved in neural development and synaptic transmission. We showed that gut bacteria altered neurotransmitter levels in the brain. In particular, dopamine and serotonin, which show inhibitory effects on the sensory sensitivity of bees, were downregulated in bacteria-colonized bees. The proboscis extension response showed that a normal gut microbiota is essential for the taste-related behavior of honeybees, suggesting the contribution of potential interactions among different gut species to the host's physiology. Our findings provide fundamental insights into the diverse functions of gut bacteria which likely contribute to honeybee neurological processes. IMPORTANCE The honeybee possesses a simple and host-restricted gut community that contributes to the metabolic health of its host, while the effects of bacterial symbionts on host neural functions remain elusive. We found that the colonization of specific bee gut bacteria regulates distinct circulating metabolites enriched in carbohydrate, amino acid, and glycerophospholipid metabolic pathways. The brains of bees colonized with different gut members display distinct transcriptomic profiles of genes crucial for bee behaviors and division of labor. Alternative splicing of genes related to disordered bee behaviors is also mediated. The presence of gut bacteria promotes sucrose sensitivity with major neurotransmitters being regulated in the brain. Our findings demonstrate how individual bee gut species affect host behaviors, highlighting the gut-brain connections important for honeybee neurobiological and physiological states.
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Ortiz-Alvarado Y, Giray T. Antibiotics Alter the Expression of Genes Related to Behavioral Development in Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2022; 22:10. [PMID: 35389490 PMCID: PMC8988713 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieac017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees, as many species of social insects, display a division of labor among colony members based on behavioral specializations related to age. Adult worker honey bees perform a series of tasks in the hive when they are young (such as brood care or nursing) and at ca. 2-3 wk of age, shift to foraging for nectar and pollen outside the hive. The transition to foraging involves changes in metabolism and neuroendocrine activities. These changes are associated with a suite of developmental genes. It was recently demonstrated that antibiotics influence behavioral development by accelerating or delaying the onset of foraging depending on timing of antibiotic exposure. To understand the mechanisms of these changes, we conducted a study on the effects of antibiotics on expression of candidate genes known to regulate behavioral development. We demonstrate a delay in the typical changes in gene expression over the lifetime of the individuals that were exposed to antibiotics during immature stage and adulthood. Additionally, we show an acceleration in the typical changes in gene expression on individuals that were expose to antibiotics only during immature stage. These results show that timing of antibiotic exposure alter the typical regulation of behavioral development by metabolic and neuroendocrine processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yarira Ortiz-Alvarado
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, SJ 00925, Puerto Rico
| | - Tugrul Giray
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, SJ 00925, Puerto Rico
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Gruneck L, Gentekaki E, Khongphinitbunjong K, Popluechai S. Distinct gut microbiota profiles of Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) foragers. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:187. [PMID: 35192066 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-02800-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Bee gut microbial communities have been studied extensively and linked to honey bee biology in terms of stages of bee development and behavior. Associations of bee gut microbiota in health and disease have also been explored. A large number of studies have centered on the gut microbiome of Apis mellifera, with similar investigations lagging far behind in Asian honey bee foragers. In this study, we characterized and compared the gut bacterial profiles of foragers and nurse bees of A. cerana and A. mellifera. Analysis of 16S rRNA partial gene sequences revealed significant differences in gut bacterial communities between the two honey bee species. Despite sharing dominant taxa, Bacteroides was more abundant in A. cerana, while Proteobacteria was higher in A. mellifera. Specific gut members are distinctly associated with hosts performing different tasks (i.e. nurse bees versus foragers). An exclusive abundance of Apibacter detected in Asian honey bee seemed to be a microbial signature of A. cerana foragers. Overall, our study highlights that variations in gut microbiota could be linked to task-specific (nurse bees and foragers) bacterial species associated with honey bees. Future investigations on the symbiotic relationship between host and the resident microbiota would be beneficial for improving honey bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucsame Gruneck
- Gut Microbiome Research Group, Mae Fah Luang University, Muang, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Eleni Gentekaki
- Gut Microbiome Research Group, Mae Fah Luang University, Muang, Chiang Rai, Thailand.,School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Muang, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Kitiphong Khongphinitbunjong
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Muang, Chiang Rai, Thailand.,Microbial Products and Innovation Group, Mae Fah Luang University, Muang, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Siam Popluechai
- Gut Microbiome Research Group, Mae Fah Luang University, Muang, Chiang Rai, Thailand. .,School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Muang, Chiang Rai, Thailand.
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Hotchkiss MZ, Poulain AJ, Forrest JRK. Pesticide-induced disturbances of bee gut microbiotas. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2022; 46:6517452. [PMID: 35107129 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Social bee gut microbiotas play key roles in host health and performance. Worryingly, a growing body of literature shows that pesticide exposure can disturb these microbiotas. Most studies examine changes in taxonomic composition in Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) gut microbiotas caused by insecticide exposure. Core bee gut microbiota taxa shift in abundance after exposure but are rarely eliminated, with declines in Bifidobacteriales and Lactobacillus near melliventris abundance being the most common shifts. Pesticide concentration, exposure duration, season and concurrent stressors all influence whether and how bee gut microbiotas are disturbed. Also, the mechanism of disturbance-i.e. whether a pesticide directly affects microbial growth or indirectly affects the microbiota by altering host health-likely affects disturbance consistency. Despite growing interest in this topic, important questions remain unanswered. Specifically, metabolic shifts in bee gut microbiotas remain largely uninvestigated, as do effects of pesticide-disturbed gut microbiotas on bee host performance. Furthermore, few bee species have been studied other than A. mellifera, and few herbicides and fungicides have been examined. We call for these knowledge gaps to be addressed so that we may obtain a comprehensive picture of how pesticides alter bee gut microbiotas, and of the functional consequences of these changes.
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