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Khedidji H, Abderrahmani K, Oulebsir-Mohandkaci H, Ladjali-Mohammedi K, Mohammedi A. Effects of Pollen Deprivation in Groups of Tellian ( Apis mellifera intermissa) and Saharan ( Apis mellifera sahariensis) Honey Bees under Controlled Conditions. INSECTS 2022; 13:727. [PMID: 36005352 PMCID: PMC9409310 DOI: 10.3390/insects13080727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide, honey bees are increasingly faced with periods of pollen scarcity, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies, especially of proteins and amino acids. These are essential for the proper functioning of the single organism and the colony. To understand how bees react to protein deficiency, under controlled conditions, we studied the effect of pollen deficiency on the main physiological parameters in two subspecies endemic of Algeria, Apis mellifera intermissa and Apismellifera sahariensis. Emerging workers of both subspecies were reared with two diets: one was pollen-fed, whereas the other pollen-deprived. Several physiological criteria were measured depending on the type of diet and subspecies: the survival of the bees, the amount of total protein in the hemolymph, hypopharyngeal glands development and the ovary development of workers. These last three parameters were assessed at three different ages (7, 14 and 21 days). At birth, sahariensis workers weighed more than intermissa. With the same protein diet, the average life expectancy of sahariensis was extended by 5.55 days compared to intermissa. Even if deprived of pollen, sahariensis lived longer than intermissa fed with pollen (p < 0.001). In the three age levels, the hypopharyngeal glands were more developed and less affected by pollen deficiency (p < 0.001) in sahariensis than in intermissa (p < 0.001). The total hemolymph protein was higher in intermissa than in sahariensis regardless of the diet, and was also higher in protein-fed than in deprived bees (p < 0.001). The ovaries developed more rapidly with a high proportion in intermissa than in sahariensis (p < 0.05) regardless of the diet, and was also higher in the bees fed with pollen than those deprived (p < 0.05). Pollen deficiency generates physiological alterations and modifications, the amplitude of which varied according to the subspecies of the bee studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassiba Khedidji
- Laboratory of Valorization and Conservation of Biological Resources, Faculty of Sciences, University M’hamed Bougara of Boumerdes, Boumerdes 35000, Algeria
| | - Khaled Abderrahmani
- National Centre for Research and Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture (CNRDPA), Boulevard Colonel Amirouche Bouismail, Tipaza 42415, Algeria
| | - Hakima Oulebsir-Mohandkaci
- Laboratory of Valorization and Conservation of Biological Resources, Faculty of Sciences, University M’hamed Bougara of Boumerdes, Boumerdes 35000, Algeria
| | - Kafia Ladjali-Mohammedi
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), El-Alia, Bab-Ezzouar, Algiers 16110, Algeria
| | - Arezki Mohammedi
- Laboratory of Valorization and Conservation of Biological Resources, Faculty of Sciences, University M’hamed Bougara of Boumerdes, Boumerdes 35000, Algeria
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Strachecka A, Olszewski K, Kuszewska K, Chobotow J, Wójcik Ł, Paleolog J, Woyciechowski M. Segmentation of the subcuticular fat body in Apis mellifera females with different reproductive potentials. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13887. [PMID: 34230567 PMCID: PMC8260796 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93357-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolution has created different castes of females in eusocial haplodiploids. The difference between them lies in their functions and vulnerability but above all in their reproductive potentials. Honeybee queens are highly fertile. On the other hand, the workers are facultatively sterile. However, rebel workers, i.e. workers that develop in a queenless colony, reproduce more often than normal workers. As a result, the fat body of these bees, which apart from acting as the energy reserve, is also the site of numerous metabolic processes, had to specialize in different functions perfected over millions of years of eusocial evolution. Assuming that the variety of functions manifests itself in the pleomorphic structure of the fat body cells, we predicted that also different parts of the fat body, e.g. from different segments of the abdomen, contain different sets of cells. Such differences could be expected between queens, rebels and normal workers, i.e. females with dramatically different reproductive potentials. We confirmed all these expectations. Although all bees had the same types of cells, their proportion and segmental character corresponded with the caste reproductive potential and physiological characteristics shaped in the evolutionary process. The females with an increased reproductive potential were characterized by the presence of oenocytes in the third tergite and high concentrations of compounds responsible for energy reserves, like glucose, glycogen and triglycerides. Queens had very large trophocytes, especially in the third tergite. Only in workers did we observe intercellular spaces in all the segments of the fat body, as well as high protein concentrations-especially in the sternite. As expected, the rebels combined many features of the queens and normal workers, what with other findings can help understand the ways that led to the origin of different castes in females of eusocial Hymenoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Strachecka
- Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Olszewski
- Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Karolina Kuszewska
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jacek Chobotow
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Łukasz Wójcik
- Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jerzy Paleolog
- Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Butolo NP, Azevedo P, de Alencar LD, Domingues CEC, Miotelo L, Malaspina O, Nocelli RCF. A high quality method for hemolymph collection from honeybee larvae. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234637. [PMID: 32555675 PMCID: PMC7302910 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The drastic decline of bees is associated with several factors, including the immune system suppression due to the increased exposure to pesticides. A widely used method to evaluate these effects on these insects' immune systems is the counting of circulating hemocytes in the hemolymph. However, the extraction of hemolymph from larvae is quite difficult, and the collected material is frequently contaminated with other tissues and gastrointestinal fluids, which complicates counting. Therefore, the present work established a high quality and easily reproducible method of extracting hemolymph from honeybee larvae (Apis mellifera), the extraction with ophthalmic scissors. Extraction methods with the following tools also were tested: 30G needle, fine-tipped forceps, hypodermic syringe, and capillaries tubes. The hemolymph was obtained via an incision on the larvae’s right side for all methods, except for the extraction with ophthalmic scissors, in which the hemolymph was extracted from the head region. To assess the purity of the collected material, turbidity analyses of the samples using a turbidimeter were proposed, tested, and evaluated. The results showed that the use of ophthalmic scissors provided the clearest samples and was free from contamination. A reference range between 22,432.35 and 24,504.87 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units) was established, in which the collected samples may be considered of high quality and free from contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Pavan Butolo
- Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais–CEIS, Instituto de Biociências–Programa de Pós Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Estadual Paulista ‘Júlio de Mesquita Filho’ (UNESP-SP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail: (NPB); (PA)
| | - Patricia Azevedo
- Grupo de Genética e Genômica da Conservação, Instituto de Biologia–Programa de Pós Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP-SP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail: (NPB); (PA)
| | - Luciano Delmondes de Alencar
- Grupo de Genética e Genômica da Conservação, Instituto de Biologia–Programa de Pós Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP-SP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Caio E. C. Domingues
- Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais–CEIS, Instituto de Biociências–Programa de Pós Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Estadual Paulista ‘Júlio de Mesquita Filho’ (UNESP-SP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas Miotelo
- Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais–CEIS, Instituto de Biociências–Programa de Pós Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Estadual Paulista ‘Júlio de Mesquita Filho’ (UNESP-SP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Osmar Malaspina
- Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais–CEIS, Instituto de Biociências–Programa de Pós Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Estadual Paulista ‘Júlio de Mesquita Filho’ (UNESP-SP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Roberta Cornélio Ferreira Nocelli
- Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais–CEIS, Instituto de Biociências–Programa de Pós Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Estadual Paulista ‘Júlio de Mesquita Filho’ (UNESP-SP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências da Natureza, Matemática e Educação, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar-SP), Araras, SP, Brazil
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Scudeler EL, Garcia ASG, Padovani CR, Dos Santos DC. Pest and natural enemy: how the fat bodies of both the southern armyworm Spodoptera eridania and the predator Ceraeochrysa claveri react to azadirachtin exposure. PROTOPLASMA 2019; 256:839-856. [PMID: 30643985 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-019-01347-5] [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: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The effects of biopesticides on insects can be demonstrated by morphological and ultrastructural tools in ecotoxicological analysis. Azadirachtin-based products are widely used as biopesticides, affecting numerous insect populations. Through morphological biomarkers, this study aimed to characterize the fat bodies of both the southern armyworm Spodoptera eridania and the predator Ceraeochrysa claveri after chronic exposure to azadirachtin. Larvae of S. eridania and C. claveri were fed with fresh purple lettuce leaves (Lactuca sativa) and egg clusters of Diatraea saccharalis treated with azadirachtin solution of 6 mg active ingredient (a.i.)/L and 18 mg a.i./L for 7 days, respectively. The biological data showed a significant reduction in survival and body mass in S. eridania and cytotoxic effects in the parietal and perivisceral fat bodies in both species. Ultrastructural cell damage was observed in the trophocytes of both species such as dilated cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and swollen mitochondria. Trophocytes of S. eridania and C. claveri of the parietal and perivisceral layers responded to those injuries by different cytoprotective and detoxification means such as an increase in the amount of cytoplasmic granules containing calcium, expression of heat shock protein (HSP)70/HSP90, and development of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Despite all the different means of cytoprotection and detoxification, they were not sufficient to recover from all the cellular damages. Azadirachtin exhibited an excellent performance for the control of S. eridania and a moderate selectivity for the predator C. claveri, which presents better biological and cytoprotective responses to chronic exposure to azadirachtin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elton Luiz Scudeler
- Laboratory of Insects, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Silvia Gimenes Garcia
- Laboratory of Insects, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Roberto Padovani
- Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniela Carvalho Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Insects, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Electron Microscopy Center, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Strachecka A, Chobotow J, Paleolog J, Łoś A, Schulz M, Teper D, Kucharczyk H, Grzybek M. Insights into the biochemical defence and methylation of the solitary bee Osmia rufa L: A foundation for examining eusociality development. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176539. [PMID: 28448564 PMCID: PMC5407852 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
We examined age-related biochemical and histological changes in the fat bodies and hemolymph of Osmia rufa males and females. We analysed solitary bees during diapause, in October and in April; as well as the flying insects following diapause, in May and June. The trophocyte sizes, as well as the numbers of lipid droplets were the greatest at the beginning of diapause. Subsequently, they decreased along with age. Triglyceride and glucose concentrations systematically decreased in fat body cells but increased in the hemolymph from October to June. Concentrations/activities of (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) antioxidant and proteolytic systems, as well as phenoloxidase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels were constant during the diapause, usually lower in the males than the females. Prior to the diapause/overwintering, the concentrations/activities of all the compounds were higher in the fat bodies than in the hemolymph. Later in the spring and in the summer, they increased in the hemolymph and on the body surfaces, while decreasing in the fat bodies. The global DNA methylation levels increased with age. Higher levels were always observed in the males than in the females. The study will promote better understanding of bee evolution and will be useful for the protection and management of solitary bees, with benefits to the environment and agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Strachecka
- Department of Biological Basis of Animal Production, Faculty of Biology, Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Chobotow
- Zoological Museum/Laboratory, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka 19, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jerzy Paleolog
- Department of Zoology, Animal Ecology & Wildlife Management, Faculty of Biology, Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, Lublin, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Łoś
- Department of Biological Basis of Animal Production, Faculty of Biology, Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, Lublin, Poland
| | - Michał Schulz
- Department of Biological Basis of Animal Production, Faculty of Biology, Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, Lublin, Poland
| | - Dariusz Teper
- Research Institute of Horticulture, Apicultural Division in Pulawy, Kazimierska 2, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Halina Kucharczyk
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka 19, Lublin, Poland
| | - Maciej Grzybek
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 12, Lublin, Poland
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Science in Jastrzebiec, Postepu 36A, Magdalenka, Poland
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Polykretis P, Delfino G, Petrocelli I, Cervo R, Tanteri G, Montori G, Perito B, Branca JJV, Morucci G, Gulisano M. Evidence of immunocompetence reduction induced by cadmium exposure in honey bees (Apis mellifera). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 218:826-834. [PMID: 27528187 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In the last decades a dramatic loss of Apis mellifera hives has been reported in both Europe and USA. Research in this field is oriented towards identifying a synergy of contributing factors, i.e. pathogens, pesticides, habitat loss and pollution to the weakening of the hive. Cadmium (Cd) is a hazardous anthropogenic pollutant whose effects are proving to be increasingly lethal. Among the multiple damages related to Cd contamination, some studies report that it causes immunosuppression in various animal species. The aim of this paper is to determine whether contamination by Cd, may have a similar effect on the honey bees' immunocompetence. Our results, obtained by immune challenge experiments and confirmed by structural and ultrastructural observations show that such metal causes a reduction in immunocompetence in 3 days Cd exposed bees. As further evidence of honey bee response to Cd treatment, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (X-EDS) has revealed the presence of zinc (Zn) in peculiar electron-dense granules in fat body cells. Zn is a characteristic component of metallothioneins (MTs), which are usually synthesized as anti-oxidant and scavenger tools against Cd contamination. Our findings suggest that honey bee colonies may have a weakened immune system in Cd polluted areas, resulting in a decreased ability in dealing with pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Polykretis
- Magnetic Resonance Center - CERM, University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.
| | - G Delfino
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via La Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - I Petrocelli
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - R Cervo
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - G Tanteri
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via La Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - G Montori
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via La Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - B Perito
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - J J V Branca
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - G Morucci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - M Gulisano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
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Poiani SB, Costa-Leonardo AM. Dehiscent organs used for defensive behavior of kamikaze termites of the genus Ruptitermes (Termitidae, Apicotermitinae) are not glands. Micron 2016; 82:63-73. [PMID: 26774748 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2015.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
During Isoptera evolution, the caste of soldiers disappeared in some Apicotermitinae termites as in the Neotropical Ruptitermes. Paired dorsolateral structures located between the metathorax and abdomen of foraging workers of Ruptitermes were previously denominated dehiscent glands, and are responsible for releasing an adhesive secretion that immobilizes enemies, causing their death. In this study, we investigated the morphology of dehiscent organs of workers of Ruptitermes reconditus, Ruptitermes xanthochiton, and Ruptitermes pitan and also second instar larvae of R. reconditus using light, laser scanning confocal, and transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, we performed a preliminary protein analysis using SDS-PAGE to further characterize the secretion of Ruptitermes dehiscent organs. Our results showed that the dehiscent organs do not exhibit the typical characteristics of the exocrine glandular cells class I, II or III of insects, suggesting that they constitute a new type of defensive organ. Thus, the denomination dehiscent gland was not used but dehiscent organ. Dehiscent organs in larvae are formed by fat body cells. In workers, dehiscent organs are composed by compact masses of cells that accumulate a defensive secretion and are poor in organelles related to the production of secretion. Since the dehiscent organs are not glands, we hypothesize that the dehiscent organs originate from larval fat body. The defensive secretion may have been produced at younger developmental stages of worker or the defensive compounds were absorbed from food and accumulated in the worker fat body. Histochemical techniques and SDS-PAGE revealed that the secretion of Ruptitermes dehiscent organs is constituted mainly by a protein of high molecular weight (200 kDa). In conclusion, the dehiscent organs are extremely different from the exocrine glands of termites and other insects described until now. In fact, they seem to be a specialized fat body that is peculiar and exclusive of Ruptitermes termites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana B Poiani
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Av. 24A, 1515, Bela Vista, 13.506-900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
| | - Ana M Costa-Leonardo
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Av. 24A, 1515, Bela Vista, 13.506-900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
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Santos DE, Azevedo DO, Campos LAO, Zanuncio JC, Serrão JE. Melipona quadrifasciata (Hymenoptera: Apidae) fat body persists through metamorphosis with a few apoptotic cells and an increased autophagy. PROTOPLASMA 2015; 252:619-627. [PMID: 25269629 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-014-0707-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Fat body, typically comprising trophocytes, provides energy during metamorphosis. The fat body can be renewed once the larval phase is complete or recycled and relocated to form the fat body of the adult insect. This study aims to identify the class of programmed cell death that occurs within the fat body cells during the metamorphosis of the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata. Using immunodetection techniques, the fat body of the post-defecating larvae and the white-, pink-, brown-, and black-eyed pupae were tested for cleaved caspase-3 and DNA integrity, followed by ultrastructural analysis and identification of autophagy using RT-PCR for the Atg1 gene. The fat body of M. quadrifasciata showed some apoptotic cells positive for cleaved caspase-3, although without DNA fragmentation. During development, the fat body cells revealed an increased number of mitochondria and free ribosomes, in addition to higher amounts of autophagy Atg1 mRNA, than that of the pupae. The fat body of M. quadrifasciata showed few cells which underwent apoptosis, but there was evidence of increased autophagy at the completion of the larval stage. All together, these data show that some fat body cells persist during metamorphosis in the stingless bee M. quadrifasciata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Elias Santos
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-000, Brazil
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Laranjo LT, Costa-Leonardo AM. Disappearance of fat body proteins during soldier differentiation in the neotropical termite Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-014-0241-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Nuclear Immunolocalization of Hexamerins in the Fat Body of Metamorphosing Honey Bees. INSECTS 2012; 3:1039-55. [PMID: 26466725 PMCID: PMC4553562 DOI: 10.3390/insects3041039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2012] [Revised: 10/09/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Hexamerins are storage proteins with primordial functions in insect metamorphosis. They are actively secreted by the larval fat body and stored in the hemolymph. During metamorphosis, they return to the fat body to be processed. For decades, these proteins were thought to exclusively function as an amino acid source for tissue reconstruction during the non-feeding pupal and pharate adult stages and, in some species, for egg production. Recently, new findings have linked the hexamerins to caste polyphenism and gonad development in social insects. To explore the roles of hexamerins during the honey bee metamorphosis, we used specific antibodies in expression analysis by western blot, in situ immunolocalization by confocal laser-scanning microscopy and in vivo injections to lower their endogenous levels. Our expression analysis highlighted the changing expression patterns in the fat body and hemolymph during development, which is consistent with the temporal dynamics of hexamerin secretion, storage and depletion. Confocal microscopy showed hexamerin expression in the cytoplasm of both types of fat body cells, trophocytes and oenocytes. Notably, hexamerin foci were also found in the nuclei of these cells, thus confirming our western blot analysis of fat body nuclear-enriched fractions. We also observed that the decrease in soluble hexamerins in antibody-treated pharate adults led to a precocious adult ecdysis, perhaps in response to the lack (or decrease) in hexamerin-derived amino acids. Taken together, these findings indicate that hexamerins have other functions in addition to their well-established role as amino acid sources for development.
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