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IRP30 promotes worker egg-laying in bumblebee, Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Gene 2021; 776:145446. [PMID: 33484761 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Bumblebees are important pollinators that have evolved between solitary and advanced eusocial insects. Compared with advanced honeybees, workers of social bumblebee species are prone to laying eggs during the competition phase, which leads to the end of the colony. Therefore, worker reproductive behavior has become a popular research topic for exploring various biological phenomena. Here, we demonstrate a novel reproduction-related function of an immune response protein-encoding gene (Immune Responsive Protein 30, IRP30) in Bombus terrestris by employing RNA interference (RNAi) and a transgenic Drosophila melanogaster system. The results show that worker egg-laying was significantly affected by IRP30 expression levels (P < 0.01). Compared with those in the dsGFP-treated groups, the first egg-laying time was delayed by 3.7 d and the egg number was decreased by 41% in the dsIRP30-treated group. In addition, the average size of the largest oocyte and the relative mRNA expression levels of Vg (vitellogenin) were significantly reduced in the dsIRP30-treated group (P < 0.05). Cellular localization by immunofluorescence demonstrated that IRP30 has important functions in the germ cells of workers' ovarioles. Overexpression of IRP30 was confirmed to increase the reproductive capability of the transgenic D. melanogaster. In conclusion, IRP30 regulates worker egg-laying by affecting the expression of Vg, the size of the ovary and the formation of the oocyte. These findings provide essential information for understanding the mechanisms underlying worker reproductive regulation.
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2
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Galbraith DA, Ma R, Grozinger CM. Tissue-specific transcription patterns support the kinship theory of intragenomic conflict in honey bees (Apis mellifera). Mol Ecol 2021; 30:1029-1041. [PMID: 33326651 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Kin selection may act differently on genes inherited from parents (matrigenes and patrigenes), resulting in intragenomic conflict. This conflict can be observed as differential expression of matrigenes and patrigenes, or parent-specific gene expression (PSGE). In honey bees (Apis mellifera), intragenomic conflict is hypothesized to occur in multiple social contexts. Previously, we found that patrigene-biased expression in reproductive tissues was associated with increased reproductive potential in worker honey bees, consistent with the prediction that patrigenes are selected to promote selfish behaviour in this context. Here, we examined brain gene expression patterns to determine if PSGE is also found in other tissues. As before, the number of transcripts showing patrigene expression bias was significantly greater in the brains of reproductive vs. sterile workers, while the number of matrigene-biased transcripts was not significantly different. Twelve transcripts out of the 374 showing PSGE in either tissue showed PSGE in both brain and reproductive tissues; this overlap was significantly greater than expected by chance. However, the majority of transcripts show PSGE only in one tissue, suggesting the epigenetic mechanisms mediating PSGE exhibit plasticity between tissues. There was no significant overlap between transcripts that showed PSGE and transcripts that were significantly differentially expressed. Weighted gene correlation network analysis identified modules which were significantly enriched in both types of transcripts, suggesting that these genes may influence each other through gene networks. Our results provide further support for the kin selection theory of intragenomic conflict, and provide valuable insights into the mechanisms which may mediate this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Galbraith
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Rong Ma
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Christina M Grozinger
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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Altaye SZ, Meng L, Lu Y, Li J. The Emerging Proteomic Research Facilitates in-Depth Understanding of the Biology of Honeybees. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20174252. [PMID: 31480282 PMCID: PMC6747239 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in instrumentation and computational analysis in proteomics have opened new doors for honeybee biological research at the molecular and biochemical levels. Proteomics has greatly expanded the understanding of honeybee biology since its introduction in 2005, through which key signaling pathways and proteins that drive honeybee development and behavioral physiology have been identified. This is critical for downstream mechanistic investigation by knocking a gene down/out or overexpressing it and being able to attribute a specific phenotype/biochemical change to that gene. Here, we review how emerging proteome research has contributed to the new understanding of honeybee biology. A systematic and comprehensive analysis of global scientific progress in honeybee proteome research is essential for a better understanding of research topics and trends, and is potentially useful for future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Zewdu Altaye
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Lifeng Meng
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yao Lu
- Agricultural Information Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jianke Li
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
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4
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Hora ZA, Altaye SZ, Wubie AJ, Li J. Proteomics Improves the New Understanding of Honeybee Biology. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2018; 66:3605-3615. [PMID: 29558123 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b00772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The honeybee is one of the most valuable insect pollinators, playing a key role in pollinating wild vegetation and agricultural crops, with significant contribution to the world's food production. Although honeybees have long been studied as model for social evolution, honeybee biology at the molecular level remained poorly understood until the year 2006. With the availability of the honeybee genome sequence and technological advancements in protein separation, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics, aspects of honeybee biology such as developmental biology, physiology, behavior, neurobiology, and immunology have been explored to new depths at molecular and biochemical levels. This Review comprehensively summarizes the recent progress in honeybee biology using proteomics to study developmental physiology, task transition, and physiological changes in some of the organs, tissues, and cells based on achievements from the authors' laboratory in this field. The research advances of honeybee proteomics provide new insights for understanding of honeybee biology and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zewdu Ararso Hora
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture , Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100081 , China
| | - Solomon Zewdu Altaye
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture , Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100081 , China
| | - Abebe Jemberie Wubie
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture , Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100081 , China
| | - Jianke Li
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture , Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100081 , China
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5
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Wilfert L, Long G, Leggett HC, Schmid-Hempel P, Butlin R, Martin SJM, Boots M. Deformed wing virus is a recent global epidemic in honeybees driven by Varroa mites. Science 2016; 351:594-7. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aac9976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 297] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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6
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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: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [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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7
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Mullen EK, Daley M, Backx AG, Thompson GJ. Gene co-citation networks associated with worker sterility in honey bees. BMC SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2014; 8:38. [PMID: 24669853 PMCID: PMC4030028 DOI: 10.1186/1752-0509-8-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evolution of reproductive self-sacrifice is well understood from kin theory, yet our understanding of how actual genes influence the expression of reproductive altruism is only beginning to take shape. As a model in the molecular study of social behaviour, the honey bee Apis mellifera has yielded hundreds of genes associated in their expression with differences in reproductive status of females, including genes directly associated with sterility, yet there has not been an attempt to link these candidates into functional networks that explain how workers regulate sterility in the presence of queen pheromone. In this study we use available microarray data and a co-citation analysis to describe what gene interactions might regulate a worker's response to ovary suppressing queen pheromone. RESULTS We reconstructed a total of nine gene networks that vary in size and gene composition, but that are significantly enriched for genes of reproductive function. The networks identify, for the first time, which candidate microarray genes are of functional importance, as evidenced by their degree of connectivity to other genes within each of the inferred networks. Our study identifies single genes of interest related to oogenesis, including eggless, and further implicates pathways related to insulin, ecdysteroid, and dopamine signaling as potentially important to reproductive decision making in honey bees. CONCLUSIONS The networks derived here appear to be variable in gene composition, hub gene identity, and the overall interactions they describe. One interpretation is that workers use different networks to control personal reproduction via ovary activation, perhaps as a function of age or environmental circumstance. Alternatively, the multiple networks inferred here may represent segments of the larger, single network that remains unknown in its entirety. The networks generated here are provisional but do offer a new multi-gene framework for understanding how honey bees regulate personal reproduction within their highly social breeding system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Kate Mullen
- The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Mark Daley
- The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Alanna Gabrielle Backx
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 411 Gordon Street, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Graham James Thompson
- The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
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8
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Formesyn EM, Cardoen D, Ernst UR, Danneels EL, Van Vaerenbergh M, De Koker D, Verleyen P, Wenseleers T, Schoofs L, de Graaf DC. Reproduction of honeybee workers is regulated by epidermal growth factor receptor signaling. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2014; 197:1-4. [PMID: 24333651 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2013.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Revised: 11/28/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Eusocial insect societies display a remarkable reproductive division of labor between a single fertile queen and thousands of largely sterile workers. In most species, however, the workers retain the capacity to reproduce, particularly in queenless colonies where typically many workers lay eggs. As yet, the molecular determinants that initiate this shift in worker fertility are still poorly documented. By using RNA interference we here demonstrate that the knockdown of epidermal growth factor receptor, a gene which was previously shown to be involved in queen-worker caste differentiation, also induces reproduction in worker honeybees (Apis mellifera). These data show that worker fertility and queen-worker caste determination partly rely on the same gene regulatory networks, thereby providing a major breakthrough in our understanding of the molecular determinants of the social insects' spectacular reproductive division of labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M Formesyn
- Laboratory of Zoophysiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dries Cardoen
- Laboratory of Socio-ecology and Social Evolution, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ulrich R Ernst
- Research Group of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ellen L Danneels
- Laboratory of Zoophysiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Dieter De Koker
- Laboratory of Zoophysiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Verleyen
- Research Group of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom Wenseleers
- Laboratory of Socio-ecology and Social Evolution, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liliane Schoofs
- Research Group of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk C de Graaf
- Laboratory of Zoophysiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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9
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Woltedji D, Fang Y, Han B, Feng M, Li R, Lu X, Li J. Proteome Analysis of Hemolymph Changes during the Larval to Pupal Development Stages of Honeybee Workers (Apis mellifera ligustica). J Proteome Res 2013; 12:5189-98. [DOI: 10.1021/pr400519d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dereje Woltedji
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Key Laboratory of
Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Yu Fang
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Key Laboratory of
Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Bin Han
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Key Laboratory of
Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Mao Feng
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Key Laboratory of
Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Rongli Li
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Key Laboratory of
Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Xiaoshan Lu
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Key Laboratory of
Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Jianke Li
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Key Laboratory of
Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100093, China
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10
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The hemolymph proteome of fed and starved Drosophila larvae. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67208. [PMID: 23840627 PMCID: PMC3688620 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The co-operation of specialized organ systems in complex multicellular organisms depends on effective chemical communication. Thus, body fluids (like blood, lymph or intraspinal fluid) contain myriads of signaling mediators apart from metabolites. Moreover, these fluids are also of crucial importance for immune and wound responses. Compositional analyses of human body fluids are therefore of paramount diagnostic importance. Further improving their comprehensiveness should increase our understanding of inter-organ communication. In arthropods, which have trachea for gas exchange and an open circulatory system, the single dominating interstitial fluid is the hemolymph. Accordingly, a detailed analysis of hemolymph composition should provide an especially comprehensive picture of chemical communication and defense in animals. Therefore we used an extensive protein fractionation workflow in combination with a discovery-driven proteomic approach to map out the detectable protein composition of hemolymph isolated from Drosophila larvae. Combined mass spectrometric analysis revealed more than 700 proteins extending far beyond the previously known Drosophila hemolymph proteome. Moreover, by comparing hemolymph isolated from either fed or starved larvae, we provide initial provisional insights concerning compositional changes in response to nutritional state. Storage proteins in particular were observed to be strongly reduced by starvation. Our hemolymph proteome catalog provides a rich basis for data mining, as exemplified by our identification of potential novel cytokines, as well as for future quantitative analyses by targeted proteomics.
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11
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Han B, Zhang L, Feng M, Fang Y, Li J. An Integrated Proteomics Reveals Pathological Mechanism of Honeybee (Apis cerena) Sacbrood Disease. J Proteome Res 2013; 12:1881-97. [DOI: 10.1021/pr301226d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Han
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of
Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of
Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Mao Feng
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of
Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Fang
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of
Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Jianke Li
- Institute of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of
Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
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12
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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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13
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Boerjan B, Cardoen D, Verdonck R, Caers J, Schoofs L. Insect omics research coming of age1This review is part of a virtual symposium on recent advances in understanding a variety of complex regulatory processes in insect physiology and endocrinology, including development, metabolism, cold hardiness, food intake and digestion, and diuresis, through the use of omics technologies in the postgenomic era. CAN J ZOOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1139/z2012-010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As more and more insect genomes are fully sequenced and annotated, omics technologies, including transcriptomic, proteomic, peptidomics, and metobolomic profiling, as well as bioinformatics, can be used to exploit this huge amount of sequence information for the study of different biological aspects of insect model organisms. Omics experiments are an elegant way to deliver candidate genes, the function of which can be further explored by genetic tools for functional inactivation or overexpression of the genes of interest. Such tools include mainly RNA interference and are currently being developed in diverse insect species. In this manuscript, we have reviewed how omics technologies were integrated and applied in insect biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Boerjan
- Research Group of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dries Cardoen
- Research Group of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Entomology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rik Verdonck
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jelle Caers
- Research Group of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liliane Schoofs
- Research Group of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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