1
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Chapman A, McAfee A, Tarpy DR, Fine J, Rempel Z, Peters K, Currie R, Foster LJ. Common viral infections inhibit egg laying in honey bee queens and are linked to premature supersedure. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17285. [PMID: 39068210 PMCID: PMC11283550 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66286-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
With their long lives and extreme reproductive output, social insect queens have escaped the classic trade-off between fecundity and lifespan, but evidence for a trade-off between fecundity and immunity has been inconclusive. This is in part because pathogenic effects are seldom decoupled from effects of immune induction. We conducted parallel, blind virus infection experiments in the laboratory and in the field to interrogate the idea of a reproductive immunity trade-off in honey bee (Apis mellifera) queens and to better understand how these ubiquitous stressors affect honey bee queen health. We found that queens injected with infectious virus had smaller ovaries and were less likely to recommence egg-laying than controls, while queens injected with UV-inactivated virus displayed an intermediate phenotype. In the field, heavily infected queens had smaller ovaries and infection was a meaningful predictor of whether supersedure cells were observed in the colony. Immune responses in queens receiving live virus were similar to queens receiving inactivated virus, and several of the same immune proteins were negatively associated with ovary mass in the field. This work supports the hypothesized relationship between virus infection and symptoms associated with queen failure and suggests that a reproductive-immunity trade-off is partially, but not wholly responsible for these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Chapman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Alison McAfee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - David R Tarpy
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Julia Fine
- Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Zoe Rempel
- Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Kira Peters
- Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Rob Currie
- Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Leonard J Foster
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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2
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Zanni V, Frizzera D, Marroni F, Seffin E, Annoscia D, Nazzi F. Age-related response to mite parasitization and viral infection in the honey bee suggests a trade-off between growth and immunity. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288821. [PMID: 37459342 PMCID: PMC10351714 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288821] [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: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Host age at parasites' exposure is often neglected in studies on host-parasite interactions despite the important implications for epidemiology. Here we compared the impact of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, and the associated pathogenic virus DWV on different life stages of their host, the western honey bee Apis mellifera. The pre-imaginal stages of the honey bee proved to be more susceptible to mite parasitization and viral infection than adults. The higher viral load in mite-infested bees and DWV genotype do not appear to be the drivers of the observed difference which, instead, seems to be related to the immune-competence of the host. These results support the existence of a trade-off between immunity and growth, making the pupa, which is involved in the highly energy-demanding process of metamorphosis, more susceptible to parasites and pathogens. This may have important implications for the evolution of the parasite's virulence and in turn for honey bee health. Our results highlight the important role of host's age and life stage at exposure in epidemiological modelling. Furthermore, our study could unravel new aspects of the complex honey bee-Varroa relationship to be addressed for a sustainable management of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Zanni
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali (DI4A), Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Davide Frizzera
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali (DI4A), Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Fabio Marroni
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali (DI4A), Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Elisa Seffin
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali (DI4A), Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Desiderato Annoscia
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali (DI4A), Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Francesco Nazzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali (DI4A), Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
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3
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Huang WF. Editorial: Obstacles, advantages, and recent progress in honey bee virus research. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 3:878344. [PMID: 38469481 PMCID: PMC10926364 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.878344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Fone Huang
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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4
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Molecular Detection and Differentiation of Arthropod, Fungal, Protozoan, Bacterial and Viral Pathogens of Honeybees. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9050221. [PMID: 35622749 PMCID: PMC9145064 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9050221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The honeybee Apis mellifera is highly appreciated worldwide because of its products, but also as it is a pollinator of crops and wild plants. The beehive is vulnerable to infections due to arthropods, fungi, protozoa, bacteria and/or viruses that manage to by-pass the individual and social immune mechanisms of bees. Due to the close proximity of bees in the beehive and their foraging habits, infections easily spread within and between beehives. Moreover, international trade of bees has caused the global spread of infections, several of which result in significant losses for apiculture. Only in a few cases can infections be diagnosed with the naked eye, by direct observation of the pathogen in the case of some arthropods, or by pathogen-associated distinctive traits. Development of molecular methods based on the amplification and analysis of one or more genes or genomic segments has brought significant progress to the study of bee pathogens, allowing for: (i) the precise and sensitive identification of the infectious agent; (ii) the analysis of co-infections; (iii) the description of novel species; (iv) associations between geno- and pheno-types and (v) population structure studies. Sequencing of bee pathogen genomes has allowed for the identification of new molecular targets and the development of specific genotypification strategies.
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5
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Transcriptomic Responses of the Honey Bee Brain to Infection with Deformed Wing Virus. Viruses 2021; 13:v13020287. [PMID: 33673139 PMCID: PMC7918736 DOI: 10.3390/v13020287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Managed colonies of European honey bees (Apis mellifera) are under threat from Varroa destructor mite infestation and infection with viruses vectored by mites. In particular, deformed wing virus (DWV) is a common viral pathogen infecting honey bees worldwide that has been shown to induce behavioral changes including precocious foraging and reduced associative learning. We investigated how DWV infection of bees affects the transcriptomic response of the brain. The transcriptomes of individual brains were analyzed using RNA-Seq after experimental infection of newly emerged adult bees with DWV. Two analytical methods were used to identify differentially expressed genes from the ~15,000 genes in the Apis mellifera genome. The 269 genes that had increased expression in DWV infected brains included genes involved in innate immunity such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), Ago2, and Dicer. Single bee brain NMR metabolomics methodology was developed for this work and indicates that proline is strongly elevated in DWV infected brains, consistent with the increased presence of the AMPs abaecin and apidaecin. The 1361 genes with reduced expression levels includes genes involved in cellular communication including G-protein coupled, tyrosine kinase, and ion-channel regulated signaling pathways. The number and function of the downregulated genes suggest that DWV has a major impact on neuron signaling that could explain DWV related behavioral changes.
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6
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Dong J, Wu J, Han L, Huang J, Wang D. Novel Characteristics of Immune Responsive Protein IRP30 in the Bumble Bee Bombus lantschouensis (Hymenoptera: Apidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2020; 20:5812898. [PMID: 32219449 PMCID: PMC7136008 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieaa017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Immune responsive protein 30 (IRP30) is a Hymenoptera-specific protein first identified from honey bee hemolymph in response to bacterial infection. However, its function remains elusive. Here, we cloned the full-length IRP30 gene and clarified its expression pattern in the bumble bee Bombus lantschouensis (Vogt). The full-length IRP30 gene measures 1443 bp and contains two exons and one intron. The length of the cDNA is 1082 bp, including a 36-bp 5'-UTR and a 218-bp 3'-UTR, and it encodes a putative protein of 275 amino acids. As expected, the sequence of the B. lantschouensis IRP30 protein was clustered with the bumble bee group, which appeared as a single clade next to honey bees. The family shared similar conserved protein domains. Moreover, bumble bee IRP30 belongs to a recently diverged clade that has four leucine-rich repeat (LRR) conserved domains. IRP30 is highly expressed in the worker caste, during pupal developmental stages, and in the head and thorax tissues. Interestingly, its expression increases 20- to 90-fold when female bumble bees (B. lantschouensis) and honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) begin laying eggs. Overall, based on the expression of IRP30 during development and egg laying in female bumble bees, this protein not only responds to immune challenge but also may play an important role in metamorphosis and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Dong
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jie Wu
- Key Laboratory for Insect-Pollinator Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Lei Han
- Key Laboratory for Insect-Pollinator Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Jiaxing Huang
- Key Laboratory for Insect-Pollinator Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Deqian Wang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, P.R. China
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
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7
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Gisder S, Möckel N, Eisenhardt D, Genersch E. In vivo evolution of viral virulence: switching of deformed wing virus between hosts results in virulence changes and sequence shifts. Environ Microbiol 2018; 20:4612-4628. [PMID: 30452113 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The health of the Western honey bee is threatened by a global epidemic of deformed wing virus (DWV) infections driven by the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor acting as mechanical and biological virus vector. Three different variants of DWV, DWV-A, -B and -C exist. Virulence differences between these variants and their relation to V. destructor are still controversially discussed. We performed laboratory experiments to analyze the virulence of DWV directly isolated from crippled bees (DWVP0 ) or after one additional passage in bee pupae (DWVP1 ). We demonstrated that DWVP0 was more virulent than DWVP1 for pupae, when pupal mortality was taken as virulence marker, and for adult bees, when neurotropism and cognitive impairment were taken as virulence markers. Phylogenetic analysis supported that DWV exists as quasispecies and showed that DWVP0 clustered with DWV-B and DWVP1 with DWV-A when the phylogeny was based on the master sequences of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase but not so when it was based on the VP3 region master sequences. We propose that switching of DWV between the bee and the mite host is accompanied by changes in viral sequence, tissue tropism and virulence and that the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is involved in determining host range and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Gisder
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Institute for Bee Research, Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
| | - Nadine Möckel
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Institute for Bee Research, Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
| | - Dorothea Eisenhardt
- Institute of Biology/Neurobiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elke Genersch
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Institute for Bee Research, Hohen Neuendorf, Germany.,Institut für Mikrobiologie und Tierseuchen, Fachbereich Veterinärmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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8
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Locke B, Semberg E, Forsgren E, de Miranda JR. Persistence of subclinical deformed wing virus infections in honeybees following Varroa mite removal and a bee population turnover. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180910. [PMID: 28686725 PMCID: PMC5501613 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a lethal virus of honeybees (Apis mellifera) implicated in elevated colony mortality rates worldwide and facilitated through vector transmission by the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor. Clinical, symptomatic DWV infections are almost exclusively associated with high virus titres during pupal development, usually acquired through feeding by Varroa mites when reproducing on bee pupae. Control of the mite population, generally through acaricide treatment, is essential for breaking the DWV epidemic and minimizing colony losses. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of remedial mite control on clearing DWV from a colony. DWV titres in adult bees and pupae were monitored at 2 week intervals through summer and autumn in acaricide-treated and untreated colonies. The DWV titres in Apistan treated colonies was reduced 1000-fold relative to untreated colonies, which coincided with both the removal of mites and also a turnover of the bee population in the colony. This adult bee population turnover is probably more critical than previously realized for effective clearing of DWV infections. After this initial reduction, subclinical DWV titres persisted and even increased again gradually during autumn, demonstrating that alternative non-Varroa transmission routes can maintain the DWV titres at significant subclinical levels even after mite removal. The implications of these results for practical recommendations to mitigate deleterious subclinical DWV infections and improving honeybee health management are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Locke
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Emilia Semberg
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eva Forsgren
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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9
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Benaets K, Van Geystelen A, Cardoen D, De Smet L, de Graaf DC, Schoofs L, Larmuseau MHD, Brettell LE, Martin SJ, Wenseleers T. Covert deformed wing virus infections have long-term deleterious effects on honeybee foraging and survival. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 284:20162149. [PMID: 28148747 PMCID: PMC5310602 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have suggested that covert stressors can contribute to bee colony declines. Here we provide a novel case study and show using radiofrequency identification tracking technology that covert deformed wing virus (DWV) infections in adult honeybee workers seriously impact long-term foraging and survival under natural foraging conditions. In particular, our experiments show that adult workers injected with low doses of DWV experienced increased mortality rates, that DWV caused workers to start foraging at a premature age, and that the virus reduced the workers' total activity span as foragers. Altogether, these results demonstrate that covert DWV infections have strongly deleterious effects on honeybee foraging and survival. These results are consistent with previous studies that suggested DWV to be an important contributor to the ongoing bee declines in Europe and the USA. Overall, our study underlines the strong impact that covert pathogen infections can have on individual and group-level performance in bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristof Benaets
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Laboratory of Socio-ecology and Social Evolution, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anneleen Van Geystelen
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Laboratory of Socio-ecology and Social Evolution, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dries Cardoen
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Laboratory of Socio-ecology and Social Evolution, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lina De Smet
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UGent, Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Gent, Belgium
| | - Dirk C de Graaf
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UGent, Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Gent, Belgium
| | - Liliane Schoofs
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Research group of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maarten H D Larmuseau
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Laboratory of Socio-ecology and Social Evolution, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Forensic Genetics and Molecular Archaeology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Forensic Medicine, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura E Brettell
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, The University of Salford, Manchester, UK
| | - Stephen J Martin
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, The University of Salford, Manchester, UK
| | - Tom Wenseleers
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Laboratory of Socio-ecology and Social Evolution, Leuven, Belgium
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10
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Yuan H, Xu P, Yang X, Graham RI, Wilson K, Wu K. Characterization of a novel member of genus Iflavirus in Helicoverpa armigera. J Invertebr Pathol 2017; 144:65-73. [PMID: 28163012 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2017.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, is one of the most important agricultural pests of many economic crops worldwide. Herein, we found a novel single-strand RNA virus by RNA-Seq and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method in H. armigera named Helicoverpa armigera iflavirus (HaIV), which possessed a genome with 10,017 nucleotides in length and contained a single large open reading frame (ORF) encoding a putative polyprotein of 3021 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 344.16kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point (pI) of 6.45. The deduced amino acid sequence showed highest similarity (61.0%) with the protein of Lymantria dispar Iflavirus 1. Phylogenetic analysis with putative RdRp amino acid sequences indicated that the virus clustered with members of the genus Iflavirus. The virus was mainly distributed in the fat body of its host and was found to be capable of both horizontal and vertical transmission. The efficiency of perorally horizontal transmission was dose dependent (100% infection rate with a viral dose of 108copies/μl) while vertical transmission efficiency was found to be relatively low (<28.57%). These results suggest that we have found a novel member of genus Iflavirus in H. armigera.
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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 100193, PR China
| | - Pengjun Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China; Tobacco Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao, PR China
| | - Xianming Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Robert I Graham
- Crop and Environment Sciences, Harper Adams University, Edgmond, Shropshire TF10 8NB, UK
| | - Kenneth Wilson
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Kongming Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China.
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11
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Lamp B, Url A, Seitz K, Eichhorn J, Riedel C, Sinn LJ, Indik S, Köglberger H, Rümenapf T. Construction and Rescue of a Molecular Clone of Deformed Wing Virus (DWV). PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164639. [PMID: 27828961 PMCID: PMC5102418 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
European honey bees are highly important in crop pollination, increasing the value of global agricultural production by billions of dollars. Current knowledge about virulence and pathogenicity of Deformed wing virus (DWV), a major factor in honey bee colony mortality, is limited. With this study, we close the gap between field research and laboratory investigations by establishing a complete in vitro model for DWV pathogenesis. Infectious DWV was rescued from a molecular clone of a DWV-A genome that induces DWV symptoms such as crippled wings and discoloration. The expression of DWV proteins, production of infectious virus progeny, and DWV host cell tropism could be confirmed using newly generated anti-DWV monoclonal antibodies. The recombinant RNA fulfills Koch’s postulates circumventing the need of virus isolation and propagation of pure virus cultures. In conclusion, we describe the development and application of a reverse genetics system for the study of DWV pathogenesis.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Base Sequence
- Bees/virology
- Blotting, Western
- Capsid Proteins/immunology
- Genome, Viral/genetics
- Host-Pathogen Interactions
- Immunohistochemistry
- Insect Viruses/genetics
- Insect Viruses/metabolism
- Insect Viruses/physiology
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
- Phylogeny
- Picornaviridae/classification
- Picornaviridae/genetics
- Picornaviridae/metabolism
- Polyproteins/genetics
- Polyproteins/metabolism
- Pupa/virology
- RNA Viruses/genetics
- RNA Viruses/metabolism
- RNA Viruses/ultrastructure
- RNA, Viral/genetics
- RNA, Viral/isolation & purification
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
- Viral Proteins/metabolism
- Wings, Animal/virology
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Lamp
- Institute of Virology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
| | - Angelika Url
- Institute of Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kerstin Seitz
- Institute of Virology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jürgen Eichhorn
- Institute of Virology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christiane Riedel
- Institute of Virology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Leonie Janina Sinn
- Institute of Virology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stanislav Indik
- Institute of Virology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hemma Köglberger
- Institute for Apiculture, Agricultural Inspection Service and Research Centre Vienna, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety and Federal Office for Food Safety, Vienna, Austria
| | - Till Rümenapf
- Institute of Virology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
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12
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Wang H, Meeus I, Smagghe G. Israeli acute paralysis virus associated paralysis symptoms, viral tissue distribution and Dicer-2 induction in bumblebee workers (Bombus terrestris). J Gen Virol 2016; 97:1981-1989. [PMID: 27230225 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although it is known that Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) can cause bee mortality, the symptoms of paralysis and the distribution of the virus in different body tissues and their potential to respond with an increase of the siRNA antiviral immune system have not been studied. In this project we worked with Bombus terrestris, which is one of the most numerous bumblebee species in Europe and an important pollinator for wild flowers and many crops in agriculture. Besides the classic symptoms of paralysis and trembling prior to death, we report a new IAPV-related symptom, crippled/immobilized forelegs. Reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR showed that IAPV accumulates in different body tissues (midgut, fat body, brain and ovary). The highest levels of IAPV were observed in the fat body. With fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) we detected IAPV in the Kenyon cells of mushroom bodies and neuropils from both antennal and optic lobes of the brain in IAPV-infected workers. Finally, we observed an induction of Dicer-2, a core gene of the RNAi antiviral immune response, in the IAPV-infected tissues of B. terrestris workers. According to our results, tissue tropism and the induction strength of Dicer-2 could not be correlated with virus-related paralysis symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidong Wang
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ivan Meeus
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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13
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Mondet F, Alaux C, Severac D, Rohmer M, Mercer AR, Le Conte Y. Antennae hold a key to Varroa-sensitive hygiene behaviour in honey bees. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10454. [PMID: 26000641 PMCID: PMC4441115 DOI: 10.1038/srep10454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In honey bees, Varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH) behaviour, which involves the detection and removal of brood parasitised by the mite Varroa destructor, can actively participate in the survival of colonies facing Varroa outbreaks. This study investigated the mechanisms of VSH behaviour, by comparing the antennal transcriptomes of bees that do and do not perform VSH behaviour. Results indicate that antennae likely play a key role in the expression of VSH behaviour. Comparisons with the antennal transcriptome of nurse and forager bees suggest that VSH profile is more similar to that of nurse bees than foragers. Enhanced detection of certain odorants in VSH bees may be predicted from transcriptional patterns, as well as a higher metabolism and antennal motor activity. Interestingly, Deformed wing virus/Varroa destructor virus infections were detected in the antennae, with higher level in non-VSH bees; a putative negative impact of viral infection on bees' ability to display VSH behaviour is proposed. These results bring new perspectives to the understanding of VSH behaviour and the evolution of collective defence by focusing attention on the importance of the peripheral nervous system. In addition, such data might be useful for promoting marker-assisted selection of honey bees that can survive Varroa infestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Mondet
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, 84914 Avignon Cedex 09, France
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
- AgroParisTech, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Cédric Alaux
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, 84914 Avignon Cedex 09, France
| | - Dany Severac
- MGX – Montpellier GenomiX, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34094, Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Marine Rohmer
- MGX – Montpellier GenomiX, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34094, Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Alison R. Mercer
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Yves Le Conte
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, 84914 Avignon Cedex 09, France
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14
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Flenniken ML, Andino R. Non-specific dsRNA-mediated antiviral response in the honey bee. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77263. [PMID: 24130869 PMCID: PMC3795074 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bees are essential pollinators of numerous agricultural crops. Since 2006, honey bee populations have suffered considerable annual losses that are partially attributed to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). CCD is an unexplained phenomenon that correlates with elevated incidence of pathogens, including RNA viruses. Honey bees are eusocial insects that live in colonies of genetically related individuals that work in concert to gather and store nutrients. Their social organization provides numerous benefits, but also facilitates pathogen transmission between individuals. To investigate honey bee antiviral defense mechanisms, we developed an RNA virus infection model and discovered that administration of dsRNA, regardless of sequence, reduced virus infection. Our results suggest that dsRNA, a viral pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP), triggers an antiviral response that controls virus infection in honey bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L. Flenniken
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MLF); (RA)
| | - Raul Andino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MLF); (RA)
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15
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Wang H, Xie J, Shreeve TG, Ma J, Pallett DW, King LA, Possee RD. Sequence recombination and conservation of Varroa destructor virus-1 and deformed wing virus in field collected honey bees (Apis mellifera). PLoS One 2013; 8:e74508. [PMID: 24058580 PMCID: PMC3776811 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We sequenced small (s) RNAs from field collected honeybees (Apis mellifera) and bumblebees (Bombuspascuorum) using the Illumina technology. The sRNA reads were assembled and resulting contigs were used to search for virus homologues in GenBank. Matches with Varroadestructor virus-1 (VDV1) and Deformed wing virus (DWV) genomic sequences were obtained for A. mellifera but not B. pascuorum. Further analyses suggested that the prevalent virus population was composed of VDV-1 and a chimera of 5’-DWV-VDV1-DWV-3’. The recombination junctions in the chimera genomes were confirmed by using RT-PCR, cDNA cloning and Sanger sequencing. We then focused on conserved short fragments (CSF, size > 25 nt) in the virus genomes by using GenBank sequences and the deep sequencing data obtained in this study. The majority of CSF sites confirmed conservation at both between-species (GenBank sequences) and within-population (dataset of this study) levels. However, conserved nucleotide positions in the GenBank sequences might be variable at the within-population level. High mutation rates (Pi>10%) were observed at a number of sites using the deep sequencing data, suggesting that sequence conservation might not always be maintained at the population level. Virus-host interactions and strategies for developing RNAi treatments against VDV1/DWV infections are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Natural Environmental Research Council, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Jiazheng Xie
- Beijing Genome Institute, Yantian District, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tim G. Shreeve
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brooks University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jinmin Ma
- Beijing Genome Institute, Yantian District, Shenzhen, China
| | - Denise W. Pallett
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Natural Environmental Research Council, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Linda A. King
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brooks University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert D. Possee
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Natural Environmental Research Council, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
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16
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Nunes FMF, Aleixo AC, Barchuk AR, Bomtorin AD, Grozinger CM, Simões ZLP. Non-Target Effects of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)-Derived Double-Stranded RNA (dsRNA-GFP) Used in Honey Bee RNA Interference (RNAi) Assays. INSECTS 2013; 4:90-103. [PMID: 26466797 PMCID: PMC4553431 DOI: 10.3390/insects4010090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2012] [Revised: 12/10/2012] [Accepted: 12/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference has been frequently applied to modulate gene function in organisms where the production and maintenance of mutants is challenging, as in our model of study, the honey bee, Apis mellifera. A green fluorescent protein (GFP)-derived double-stranded RNA (dsRNA-GFP) is currently commonly used as control in honey bee RNAi experiments, since its gene does not exist in the A. mellifera genome. Although dsRNA-GFP is not expected to trigger RNAi responses in treated bees, undesirable effects on gene expression, pigmentation or developmental timing are often observed. Here, we performed three independent experiments using microarrays to examine the effect of dsRNA-GFP treatment (introduced by feeding) on global gene expression patterns in developing worker bees. Our data revealed that the expression of nearly 1,400 genes was altered in response to dsRNA-GFP, representing around 10% of known honey bee genes. Expression changes appear to be the result of both direct off-target effects and indirect downstream secondary effects; indeed, there were several instances of sequence similarity between putative siRNAs generated from the dsRNA-GFP construct and genes whose expression levels were altered. In general, the affected genes are involved in important developmental and metabolic processes associated with RNA processing and transport, hormone metabolism, immunity, response to external stimulus and to stress. These results suggest that multiple dsRNA controls should be employed in RNAi studies in honey bees. Furthermore, any RNAi studies involving these genes affected by dsRNA-GFP in our studies should use a different dsRNA control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis M F Nunes
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil.
| | - Aline C Aleixo
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil.
| | - Angel R Barchuk
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Tecidual e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, 37130-000, Brazil.
| | - Ana D Bomtorin
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil.
| | - Christina M Grozinger
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Zilá L P Simões
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14040-901, Brazil.
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17
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Cardoen D, Ernst UR, Boerjan B, Bogaerts A, Formesyn E, de Graaf DC, Wenseleers T, Schoofs L, Verleyen P. Worker Honeybee Sterility: A Proteomic Analysis of Suppressed Ovary Activation. J Proteome Res 2012; 11:2838-50. [DOI: 10.1021/pr201222s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dries Cardoen
- Research group of Functional
Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Entomology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ulrich R. Ernst
- Research group of Functional
Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Entomology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Boerjan
- Research group of Functional
Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annelies Bogaerts
- Research group of Functional
Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Liliane Schoofs
- Research group of Functional
Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Verleyen
- Research group of Functional
Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Belgium
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18
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Albert Š, Gätschenberger H, Azzami K, Gimple O, Grimmer G, Sumner S, Fujiyuki T, Tautz J, Mueller MJ. Evidence of a novel immune responsive protein in the Hymenoptera. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 41:968-981. [PMID: 22001069 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2011] [Revised: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 09/27/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Honeybee populations are severely threatened by parasites and diseases. Recent outbreaks of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has caused loss of more than 35% of bee colonies in the USA, and this is thought to at least in part be due to parasites and/or disease. Interestingly, the honeybee possesses of a limited set of immune genes compared to other insects. Non-canonical immune genes of honeybee are of interest because they may provide greater insights into the peculiar nature of the immune system of this social insect. Previous analyses of bee haemolymph upon bacterial challenge identified a novel leucine-rich repeat protein termed IRP30. Here we show that IRP30 behaves as a typical secreted immune protein. It is expressed simultaneously with carboxylesterase upon treatment with bacteria or other elicitors of immune response. Furthermore we characterize the gene and the mRNA encoding this protein and the IRP30 protein itself. Its regulation and evolution reveal that IRP30 belongs to a protein family, distributed broadly among Hymenoptera, suggesting its ancient function in immune response. We document an interesting case of a recent IRP30 loss in the ant Atta cephalotes and hypothesize that a putative IRP30 homolog of Nasonia emerged by convergent evolution rather than diverged from a common ancestor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Štefan Albert
- BEEgroup, Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.
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19
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Cardoen D, Ernst UR, Van Vaerenbergh M, Boerjan B, de Graaf DC, Wenseleers T, Schoofs L, Verleyen P. Differential proteomics in dequeened honeybee colonies reveals lower viral load in hemolymph of fertile worker bees. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20043. [PMID: 21698281 PMCID: PMC3115943 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2011] [Accepted: 04/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The eusocial societies of honeybees, where the queen is the only fertile female among tens of thousands sterile worker bees, have intrigued scientists for centuries. The proximate factors, which cause the inhibition of worker bee ovaries, remain largely unknown; as are the factors which cause the activation of worker ovaries upon the loss of queen and brood in the colony. In an attempt to reveal key players in the regulatory network, we made a proteomic comparison of hemolymph profiles of workers with completely activated ovaries vs. rudimentary ovaries. An unexpected finding of this study is the correlation between age matched worker sterility and the enrichment of Picorna-like virus proteins. Fertile workers, on the other hand, show the upregulation of potential components of the immune system. It remains to be investigated whether viral infections contribute to worker sterility directly or are the result of a weaker immune system of sterile workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dries Cardoen
- Research Group of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, K.U.Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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20
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Gauthier L, Ravallec M, Tournaire M, Cousserans F, Bergoin M, Dainat B, de Miranda JR. Viruses associated with ovarian degeneration in Apis mellifera L. queens. PLoS One 2011; 6:e16217. [PMID: 21283547 PMCID: PMC3026828 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2010] [Accepted: 12/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Queen fecundity is a critical issue for the health of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies, as she is the only reproductive female in the colony and responsible for the constant renewal of the worker bee population. Any factor affecting the queen's fecundity will stagnate colony development, increasing its susceptibility to opportunistic pathogens. We discovered a pathology affecting the ovaries, characterized by a yellow discoloration concentrated in the apex of the ovaries resulting from degenerative lesions in the follicles. In extreme cases, marked by intense discoloration, the majority of the ovarioles were affected and these cases were universally associated with egg-laying deficiencies in the queens. Microscopic examination of the degenerated follicles showed extensive paracrystal lattices of 30 nm icosahedral viral particles. A cDNA library from degenerated ovaries contained a high frequency of deformed wing virus (DWV) and Varroa destructor virus 1 (VDV-1) sequences, two common and closely related honeybee Iflaviruses. These could also be identified by in situ hybridization in various parts of the ovary. A large-scale survey for 10 distinct honeybee viruses showed that DWV and VDV-1 were by far the most prevalent honeybee viruses in queen populations, with distinctly higher prevalence in mated queens (100% and 67%, respectively for DWV and VDV-1) than in virgin queens (37% and 0%, respectively). Since very high viral titres could be recorded in the ovaries and abdomens of both functional and deficient queens, no significant correlation could be made between viral titre and ovarian degeneration or egg-laying deficiency among the wider population of queens. Although our data suggest that DWV and VDV-1 have a role in extreme cases of ovarian degeneration, infection of the ovaries by these viruses does not necessarily result in ovarian degeneration, even at high titres, and additional factors are likely to be involved in this pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Gauthier
- Swiss Bee Research Centre, Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux Research Station ALP, Bern, Switzerland.
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