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Svobodová K, Krištůfek V, Kubásek J, Krejčí A. Alcohol extract of the gypsy mushroom (Cortinarius caperatus) inhibits the development of Deformed wing virus infection in western honey bee (Apis mellifera). JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 152:104583. [PMID: 37979771 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Deformed wing virus (DWV) transmitted by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor is one of the most significant factors contributing to massive losses of managed colonies of western honey bee (Apis mellifera) subspecies of European origin reported worldwide in recent decades. Despite this fact, no antiviral treatment against honey bee viruses is currently available for practical applications and the level of viral infection can only be controlled indirectly by reducing the number of Varroa mites in honey bee colonies. In this study, we investigated the antiviral potential of the gypsy mushroom (Cortinarius caperatus) to reduce DWV infection in honey bees. Our results indicate that the alcohol extract of C. caperatus prevented the development of DWV infection in cage experiments as well as after direct application to honey bee colonies in a field experiment. The applied doses did not shorten the lifespan of honey bees. The reduced levels of DWV in C. caperatus-treated honey bees in cage experiments were accompanied by significant changes in the gene expression of Tep7, Bap1, and Vago. The C. caperatus treatment was not effective against the trypanosomatid Lotmaria passim. No residues of C.caperatus were found in honey harvested in the spring from colonies supplemented with the mushroom extract for their winter feeding. These findings suggest that C. caperatus alcohol extract could be a potential natural remedy to treat DWV infection in honey bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolína Svobodová
- University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Václav Krištůfek
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Biology Centre, Institute of Soil Biology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Kubásek
- University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Krejčí
- University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Czech Academy of Sciences, Biology Centre, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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Crude Extracts of Talaromyces Strains (Ascomycota) Affect Honey Bee ( Apis mellifera) Resistance to Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020343. [PMID: 36851556 PMCID: PMC9958978 DOI: 10.3390/v15020343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses contribute significantly to the global decline of honey bee populations. One way to limit the impact of such viruses is the introduction of natural antiviral compounds from fungi as a component of honey bee diets. Therefore, we examined the effect of crude organic extracts from seven strains of the fungal genus Talaromyces in honey bee diets under laboratory conditions. The strains were isolated from bee bread prepared by honey bees infected with chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV). The antiviral effect of the extracts was also quantified in vitro using mammalian cells as a model system. We found that three extracts (from strains B13, B18 and B30) mitigated CBPV infections and increased the survival rate of bees, whereas other extracts had no effect (B11 and B49) or were independently toxic (B69 and B195). Extract B18 inhibited the replication of feline calicivirus and feline coronavirus (FCoV) in mammalian cells, whereas extracts B18 and B195 reduced the infectivity of FCoV by ~90% and 99%, respectively. Our results show that nonpathogenic fungi (and their products in food stores) offer an underexplored source of compounds that promote disease resistance in honey bees.
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Zhang Y, Li Z, Wang ZL, Zhang LZ, Zeng ZJ. A Comparison of RNA Interference via Injection and Feeding in Honey Bees. INSECTS 2022; 13:928. [PMID: 36292876 PMCID: PMC9604379 DOI: 10.3390/insects13100928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) has been used successfully to reduce target gene expression and induce specific phenotypes in several species. It has proved useful as a tool to investigate gene function and has the potential to manage pest populations and reduce disease pathogens. However, it is not known whether different administration methods are equally effective at interfering with genes in bees. Therefore, we compared the effects of feeding and injection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) on the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of alpha-aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH7A1), 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). Both feeding and injection of siRNA successfully knocked down the gene but feeding required more siRNA than the injection. Our results suggest that both feeding and injection of siRNA effectively interfere with brain genes in bees. The appropriateness of each method would depend on the situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhang
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Zi-Long Wang
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Li-Zhen Zhang
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Zhi-Jiang Zeng
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping, Nanchang 330045, China
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Sacbrood Virus: A Growing Threat to Honeybees and Wild Pollinators. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091871. [PMID: 36146677 PMCID: PMC9505205 DOI: 10.3390/v14091871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sacbrood virus (SBV) is one of the many viruses that infect both the Western honeybee (Apis mellifera) and the Eastern honeybee (Apis cerana). Recently, the interspecies transmission of SBV has been discovered, especially among wild pollinators. This newly discovered evolutionary occurrence regarding SBV indicates a much wider host range than previously believed, causing further concern about the future sustainability of agriculture and the resilience of ecosystems. Over the past few decades, vast numbers of studies have been undertaken concerning SBV infection in honeybees, and remarkable progress has been made in our understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, transmission, and manifestations of SBV infection in honeybees and other pollinators. Meanwhile, some methods, including Chinese medicine, have been established to control and prevent sacbrood disease in A. cerana in Asian countries. In this review, we summarize the existing knowledge of SBV and address the gaps in the knowledge within the existing literature in the hope of providing future directions for the research and development of management strategies for controlling the spread of this deadly disease.
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Yang S, Deng Y, Zhang L, Wang X, Deng S, Dai P, Hou C. Recovery and genetic characterization of black queen cell virus. J Gen Virol 2022; 103. [PMID: 35947094 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Black queen cell virus (BQCV) is a severe threat to the honeybee (Apis mellifera) worldwide. Although several BQCV strains have been reported in China, the molecular basis for BQCV pathogenicity has not been well understood. Thus, a reverse genetic system of BQCV is required for studying viral replication and its pathogenic mechanism. Here, the complete genome sequence of BQCV was obtained from honeybees using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), namely a BQCV China-GS1 strain (KY741959). Then, a phylogenetic tree was built to analyse the genetic relationships among BQCV strains from different regions. Our results showed that the BQCV China-GS1 contained two ORFs, consistent with the known reference strains, except for the BQCV China-JL1 strain (KP119603). Furthermore, the infectious clone of BQCV was constructed based on BQCV China-GS1 using a low copy vector pACYC177 and gene recombination. Due to the lack of culture cells for bee viruses, we infected the healthy bees with infectious clone of BQCV, and the rescued BQCV resulted in the recovery of recombinant virus, which induced higher mortality than those of the control group. Immune response after inoculated with BQCV further confirmed that the infectious clone of BQCV caused the cellular and humoral immune response of honeybee (A. mellifera). In conclusion, the full nucleotide sequence of BQCV China-GS1 strain was determined, and the infectious clone of BQCV was constructed in this study. These data will improve the understanding of pathogenesis and the host immune responses to viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sa Yang
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, PR China.,Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Yanchun Deng
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, PR China
| | - Li Zhang
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xinling Wang
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, PR China
| | - Shuai Deng
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, PR China
| | - Pingli Dai
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, PR China
| | - Chunsheng Hou
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, PR China
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Recent Advances in the Biocontrol of Nosemosis in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.). J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050424. [PMID: 35628680 PMCID: PMC9145624 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosemosis is a disease triggered by the single-celled spore-forming fungi Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae, which can cause extensive colony losses in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). Fumagillin is an effective antibiotic treatment to control nosemosis, but due to its toxicity, it is currently banned in many countries. Accordingly, in the beekeeping sector, there is a strong demand for alternative ecological methods that can be used for the prevention and therapeutic control of nosemosis in honey bee colonies. Numerous studies have shown that plant extracts, RNA interference (RNAi) and beneficial microbes could provide viable non-antibiotic alternatives. In this article, recent scientific advances in the biocontrol of nosemosis are summarized.
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Overview of Bee Pollination and Its Economic Value for Crop Production. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12080688. [PMID: 34442255 PMCID: PMC8396518 DOI: 10.3390/insects12080688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary There is a rising demand for food security in the face of threats posed by a growing human population. Bees as an insect play a crucial role in crop pollination alongside other animal pollinators such as bats, birds, beetles, moths, hoverflies, wasps, thrips, and butterflies and other vectors such as wind and water. Bees contribute to the global food supply via pollinating a wide range of crops, including fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, legumes, etc. The economic benefit of bees to food production per year was reported including the cash crops, i.e., coffee, cocoa, almond and soybean, compared to self-pollination. Bee pollination improves the quality and quantity of fruits, nuts, and oils. Bee colonies are faced with many challenges that influence their growth, reproduction, and sustainability, particularly climate change, pesticides, land use, and management strength, so it is important to highlight these factors for the sake of gainful pollination. Abstract Pollination plays a significant role in the agriculture sector and serves as a basic pillar for crop production. Plants depend on vectors to move pollen, which can include water, wind, and animal pollinators like bats, moths, hoverflies, birds, bees, butterflies, wasps, thrips, and beetles. Cultivated plants are typically pollinated by animals. Animal-based pollination contributes to 30% of global food production, and bee-pollinated crops contribute to approximately one-third of the total human dietary supply. Bees are considered significant pollinators due to their effectiveness and wide availability. Bee pollination provides excellent value to crop quality and quantity, improving global economic and dietary outcomes. This review highlights the role played by bee pollination, which influences the economy, and enlists the different types of bees and other insects associated with pollination.
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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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Grozinger CM, Zayed A. Improving bee health through genomics. Nat Rev Genet 2020; 21:277-291. [DOI: 10.1038/s41576-020-0216-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Leonard SP, Powell JE, Perutka J, Geng P, Heckmann LC, Horak RD, Davies BW, Ellington AD, Barrick JE, Moran NA. Engineered symbionts activate honey bee immunity and limit pathogens. Science 2020; 367:573-576. [PMID: 32001655 DOI: 10.1126/science.aax9039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees are essential pollinators threatened by colony losses linked to the spread of parasites and pathogens. Here, we report a new approach for manipulating bee gene expression and protecting bee health. We engineered a symbiotic bee gut bacterium, Snodgrassella alvi, to induce eukaryotic RNA interference (RNAi) immune responses. We show that engineered S. alvi can stably recolonize bees and produce double-stranded RNA to activate RNAi and repress host gene expression, thereby altering bee physiology, behavior, and growth. We used this approach to improve bee survival after a viral challenge, and we show that engineered S. alvi can kill parasitic Varroa mites by triggering the mite RNAi response. This symbiont-mediated RNAi approach is a tool for studying bee functional genomics and potentially for safeguarding bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean P Leonard
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.,Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - J Elijah Powell
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Jiri Perutka
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Peng Geng
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Luke C Heckmann
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Richard D Horak
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Bryan W Davies
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Andrew D Ellington
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Jeffrey E Barrick
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | - Nancy A Moran
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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