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Kogan HV, Macleod SG, Rondeau NC, Raup-Collado J, Cordero VA, Rovnyak D, Marshalleck CA, Mallapan M, Flores ME, Snow JW. Transcriptional control of a metabolic switch regulating cellular methylation reactions is part of a common response to stress in divergent bee species. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246894. [PMID: 38736357 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246894] [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: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Recent global declines in bee health have elevated the need for a more complete understanding of the cellular stress mechanisms employed by diverse bee species. We recently uncovered the biomarker lethal (2) essential for life [l(2)efl] genes as part of a shared transcriptional program in response to a number of cell stressors in the western honey bee (Apis mellifera). Here, we describe another shared stress-responsive gene, glycine N-methyltransferase (Gnmt), which is known as a key metabolic switch controlling cellular methylation reactions. We observed Gnmt induction by both abiotic and biotic stressors. We also found increased levels of the GNMT reaction product sarcosine in the midgut after stress, linking metabolic changes with the observed changes in gene regulation. Prior to this study, Gnmt upregulation had not been associated with cellular stress responses in other organisms. To determine whether this novel stress-responsive gene would behave similarly in other bee species, we first characterized the cellular response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in lab-reared adults of the solitary alfalfa leafcutting bee (Megachile rotundata) and compared this with age-matched honey bees. The novel stress gene Gnmt was induced in addition to a number of canonical gene targets induced in both bee species upon unfolded protein response (UPR) activation, suggesting that stress-induced regulation of cellular methylation reactions is a common feature of bees. Therefore, this study suggests that the honey bee can serve as an important model for bee biology more broadly, although studies on diverse bee species will be required to fully understand global declines in bee populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen V Kogan
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - David Rovnyak
- Department of Chemistry, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
| | | | - Meghna Mallapan
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | | | - Jonathan W Snow
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA
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McAfee A, Chapman A, Bao G, Tarpy DR, Foster LJ. Investigating trade-offs between ovary activation and immune protein expression in bumble bee ( Bombus impatiens) workers and queens. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232463. [PMID: 38264776 PMCID: PMC10806398 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2463] [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: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Evidence for a trade-off between reproduction and immunity has manifested in many animal species, including social insects. However, investigations in social insect queens present a conundrum: new gynes of many social hymenopterans, such as bumble bees and ants, must first mate, then transition from being solitary to social as they establish their nests, thus experiencing confounding shifts in environmental conditions. Worker bumble bees offer an opportunity to investigate patterns of immune protein expression associated with ovary activation while minimizing extraneous environmental factors and genetic differences. Here, we use proteomics to interrogate the patterns of immune protein expression of female bumble bees (Bombus impatiens) by (i) sampling queens at different stages of their life cycle, then (ii) by sampling workers with different degrees of ovary activation. Patterns of immune protein expression in the haemolymph of queens are consistent with a reproduction-immunity trade-off, but equivalent samples from workers are not. This brings into question whether queen bumble bees really experience a reproduction-immunity trade-off, or if patterns of immune protein expression may actually be due to the selective pressure of the different environmental conditions they are exposed to during their life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison McAfee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T1Z4
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7617, USA
| | - Abigail Chapman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T1Z4
| | - Grace Bao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T1Z4
| | - David R. Tarpy
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7617, USA
| | - Leonard J. Foster
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T1Z4
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Abou-Shaara HF. The response of heat shock proteins in honey bees to abiotic and biotic stressors. J Therm Biol 2024; 119:103784. [PMID: 38232472 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2024.103784] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Honey bees, Apis mellifera, are the most important managed pollinators worldwide. They are highly impacted by various abiotic and biotic stressors, especially temperature extremes, which can lead to cellular damage and death. The induction of heat shock proteins (HSPs) has been recorded in honey bees as a response to various types of stressors. HSPs are classified into different gene families according to their molecular weights. HSPs play an important role in maintaining cellular protein homeostasis due to their contribution as molecular chaperones or co-chaperones. HSPs in honey bees have complex functions with induction even under normal colony conditions. Previous studies have suggested various functions of HSPs to protect cells from damage under exposure to environmental stressors, pollutants, and pathogens. Surprisingly, HSPs have also been found to play roles in larval development and age-related tasks. The expression of HSPs varies depending on tissue type, developmental stage, age, and stress period. This article reviews studies on HSPs (sHSPs, HSP40, HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90) in honey bees and highlights gaps in the available knowledge. This review is crucial for honey bee research, particularly in the face of climate change challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossam F Abou-Shaara
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour University, Damanhour, 22516, Egypt.
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Fine JD, Foster LJ, McAfee A. Indirect exposure to insect growth disruptors affects honey bee (Apis mellifera) reproductive behaviors and ovarian protein expression. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292176. [PMID: 37782633 PMCID: PMC10545116 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pesticide exposure and queen loss are considered to be major causes of honey bee colony mortality, yet little is known regarding the effects of regularly encountered agrochemicals on honey bee reproduction. Here, we present the results of a two-generational study using specialized cages to expose queens to commonly used insect growth disrupting pesticides (IGDs) via their retinue of worker bees. Under IGD exposure, we tracked queen performance and worker responses to queens, then the performance of the exposed queens' offspring was assessed to identify patterns that may contribute to the long-term health and stability of a social insect colony. The positive control, novaluron, resulted in deformed larvae hatching from eggs laid by exposed queens, and methoxyfenozide, diflubenzuron, and novaluron caused a slight decrease in daily egg laying rates, but this was not reflected in the total egg production over the course of the experiment. Curiously, eggs laid by queens exposed to pyriproxyfen exhibited increased hatching rates, and those larvae developed into worker progeny with increased responsiveness to their queens. Additionally, pyriproxyfen and novaluron exposure affected the queen ovarian protein expression, with the overwhelming majority of differentially expressed proteins coming from the pyriproxyfen exposure. We discuss these results and the potential implications for honey bee reproduction and colony health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia D. Fine
- Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Leonard J. Foster
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alison McAfee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
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Nazemi-Rafie J, Fatehi F, Hasrak S. A comparative transcriptome analysis of the head of 1 and 9 days old worker honeybees ( Apis mellifera). BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2023; 113:253-270. [PMID: 36511774 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485322000554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The role of bees in the environment, economic, biodiversity and pharmaceutical industries is due to its social behavior, which is oriented from the brain and hypopharyngeal gland that is the center of royal jelly (RJ) production. Limited studies have been performed on the head gene expression profile at the RJ production stage. The aim of this study was to compare the gene expressions in 9 and 1-day-old (DO) honeybee workers in order to achieve better understanding about head gene expression pattern. After sequencing of RNAs, transcriptome and their networks were compared. The head expression profile undergoes various changes. 1662 gene transcripts had differential expressions which 1125 and 537 were up and down regulated, respectively, in 9_DO compared with 1_DO honey bees. The day 1th had more significant role in the expression of genes related to RJ production as major RJ protein 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9 encoding genes, but their maximum secretion occurred at day 9th. All process related to hypopharyngeal glands activities as CYP450 gene, fatty acid synthase gene, vitamin B6 metabolism and some of genes involved in fatty acid elongation and degradation process had an upward trend from 1_DO and were age-dependent. By increasing the age, the activity of pathways related to immune system increased for keeping the health of bees against the chemical compound. The expression of aromatic amino acid genes involved in Phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis pathway are essential for early stage of life. In 9_DO honeybees, the energy supplying, reducing stress, protein production and export pathways have a crucial role for support the body development and the social duties. It can be stated that the activity of honeybee head is focused on energy supply instead of storage, while actively trying to improve the level of cell dynamics for increasing the immunity and reducing stress. Results of current study identified key genes of certain behaviors of honeybee workers. Deeper considering of some pathways will be evaluated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Nazemi-Rafie
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran
| | - Foad Fatehi
- Department of Agriculture, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shabnam Hasrak
- Genome Center, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
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Wu T, Cao DH, Liu Y, Yu H, Fu DY, Ye H, Xu J. Mating-Induced Common and Sex-Specific Behavioral, Transcriptional Changes in the Moth Fall Armyworm ( Spodoptera frugiperda, Noctuidae, Lepidoptera) in Laboratory. INSECTS 2023; 14:209. [PMID: 36835778 PMCID: PMC9964209 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The intermediate process between mating and postmating behavioral changes in insects is still poorly known. Here, we studied mating-induced common and sex-specific behavioral and transcriptional changes in both sexes of Spodoptera frugiperda and tested whether the transcriptional changes are linked to postmating behavioral changes in each sex. A behavioral study showed that mating caused a temporary suppression of female calling and male courting behavior, and females did not lay eggs until the next day after the first mating. The significant differences on daily fecundity under the presence of males or not, and the same or novel males, suggest that females may intentionally retain eggs to be fertilized by novel males or to be fertilized competitively by different males. RNA sequencing in females revealed that there are more reproduction related GO (gene ontology) terms and KEGG (Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes) pathways (mainly related to egg and zygote development) enriched to upregulated DEGs (differentially expressed genes) than to downregulated DEGs at 0 and 24 h postmating. In males, however, mating induced DEGs did not enrich any reproduction related terms/pathways, which may be because male reproductive bioinformatics is relatively limited in moths. Mating also induced upregulation on soma maintenance (such as immune activity and stress reaction) related processes in females at 0, 6 and 24 h postmating. In males, mating also induced upregulation on soma maintenance related processes at 0 h postmating, but induced downregulation on these processes at 6 and 24 h postmating. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that mating induced sex-specific postmating behavioral and transcriptional changes in both sexes of S. frugiperda and suggested that the transcriptional changes are correlated with postmating physiological and behavioral changes in each sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wu
- Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Da-Hu Cao
- Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Wetland Conservation, Restoration and Ecological Services, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Da-Ying Fu
- School of Life Science, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Hui Ye
- School of Ecology and Environment, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Wetland Conservation, Restoration and Ecological Services, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
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Bach DM, Holzman MA, Wague F, Miranda JL, Lopatkin AJ, Mansfield JH, Snow JW. Thermal stress induces tissue damage and a broad shift in regenerative signaling pathways in the honey bee digestive tract. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:272039. [PMID: 34477881 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Honey bee colonies in the USA have suffered from increased die-off in the last few years with a complex set of interacting stresses playing a key role. With changing climate, an increase in the frequency of severe weather events, such as heat waves, is anticipated. Understanding how these changes may contribute to stress in honey bees is crucial. Individual honey bees appear to have a high capacity to endure thermal stress. One reason for this high-level endurance is likely their robust heat shock response (HSR), which contributes to thermotolerance at the cellular level. However, less is known about other mechanisms of thermotolerance, especially those operating at the tissue level. To elucidate other determinants of resilience in this species, we used thermal stress coupled with RNAseq and identified broad transcriptional remodeling of a number of key signaling pathways in the honey bee, including those pathways known to be involved in digestive tract regeneration in the fruit fly such as the Hippo and JAK/STAT pathways. We also observed cell death and shedding of epithelial cells, which likely leads to induction of this regenerative transcriptional program. We found that thermal stress affects many of these pathways in other tissues, suggesting a shared program of damage response. This study provides important foundational characterization of the tissue damage response program in this key pollinating species. In addition, our data suggest that a robust regeneration program may also be a critical contributor to thermotolerance at the tissue level, a possibility which warrants further exploration in this and other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dunay M Bach
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | | | - Fatoumata Wague
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Jj L Miranda
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Allison J Lopatkin
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA.,Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.,Data Science Institute , Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | | | - Jonathan W Snow
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA
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Yu H, Shi MR, Xu J, Chen P, Liu JH. Mating-Induced Trade-Offs upon Egg Production versus Fertilization and Offspring's Survival in a Sawfly with Facultative Parthenogenesis. INSECTS 2021; 12:693. [PMID: 34442259 PMCID: PMC8396567 DOI: 10.3390/insects12080693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Investigation of mating-induced trade-offs between reproduction and survival is conducive to provide evolutionary insights into reproductive strategies and aging. Here, we used RNAseq and bioinformatics to reveal mating-induced changes of genes and pathways related to reproduction and survival in female Cephalcia chuxiongica, a pine defoliator with facultative parthenogenesis and long larval dormancy. Results showed that mating induced substantial downregulation on genes and pathways associated to immunity, stress response, and longevity. However, mating induced divergent reproductive response, with downregulation on genes and pathways related to egg production while upregulation on genes and pathways related to egg fertilization. Considering the nature of limited resources in adults, low fecundity, and egg protection behavior in C. chuxiongica, we suggest that mating triggers trade-offs between reproduction and survival in this insect and females of this species may have evolved specific strategies to adapt to the environmental and hosts' conditions, e.g., restrict whole fecundity to ensure higher fertilization and offspring's survival. Moreover, mating induced significant responses on genes and pathways that play important roles in vertebrate reproduction while their function in insects are unclear, such as the progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation pathway; the significant regulation after mating suggests that their function may be evolutionarily conserved in animal kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yu
- Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (H.Y.); (M.-R.S.)
| | - Min-Rui Shi
- Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (H.Y.); (M.-R.S.)
| | - Jin Xu
- Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (H.Y.); (M.-R.S.)
- Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Yunnan Academy of Forestry and Grassland, Kunming 650201, China;
| | - Jian-Hong Liu
- Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (H.Y.); (M.-R.S.)
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