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Zhang Y, Xu H, Wang Z, Jie H, Gao F, Cai M, Wang K, Chen D, Guo R, Lin Z, Niu Q, Ji T. A key gene for the climatic adaptation of Apis cerana populations in China according to selective sweep analysis. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:100. [PMID: 36879226 PMCID: PMC9987060 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09167-x] [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: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apis cerana is widely distributed in China and, prior to the introduction of western honeybees, was the only bee species kept in China. During the long-term natural evolutionary process, many unique phenotypic variations have occurred among A. cerana populations in different geographical regions under varied climates. Understanding the molecular genetic basis and the effects of climate change on the adaptive evolution of A. cerana can promote A. cerana conservation in face of climate change and allow for the effective utilization of its genetic resources. RESULT To investigate the genetic basis of phenotypic variations and the impact of climate change on adaptive evolution, A. cerana workers from 100 colonies located at similar geographical latitudes or longitudes were analyzed. Our results revealed an important relationship between climate types and the genetic variation of A. cerana in China, and a greater influence of latitude compared with longitude was observed. Upon selection and morphometry analyses combination for populations under different climate types, we identified a key gene RAPTOR, which was deeply involved in developmental processes and influenced the body size. CONCLUSION The selection of RAPTOR at the genomic level during adaptive evolution could allow A. cerana to actively regulate its metabolism, thereby fine-tuning body sizes in response to harsh conditions caused by climate change, such as food shortages and extreme temperatures, which may partially elucidate the size differences of A. cerana populations. This study provides crucial support for the molecular genetic basis of the expansion and evolution of naturally distributed honeybee populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Sericultural Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Science, Hefei, 230061, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- Apiculture Science Institute of Jilin Province, Jilin, 132108, China
| | - Haoliang Jie
- Jinzhong Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau, Jinzhong, 030601, China
| | - Fuchao Gao
- Mudanjiang Branch of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mudanjiang, 157043, China
| | - Minqi Cai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Kang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Dafu Chen
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Rui Guo
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Zheguang Lin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Qingsheng Niu
- Apiculture Science Institute of Jilin Province, Jilin, 132108, China.
| | - Ting Ji
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
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Zhao X, Liu Y. Current Knowledge on Bee Innate Immunity Based on Genomics and Transcriptomics. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214278. [PMID: 36430757 PMCID: PMC9692672 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
As important pollinators, bees play a critical role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem and improving the yield and quality of crops. However, in recent years, the bee population has significantly declined due to various pathogens and environmental stressors including viruses, bacteria, parasites, and increased pesticide application. The above threats trigger or suppress the innate immunity of bees, their only immune defense system, which is essential to maintaining individual health and that of the colony. In addition, bees can be divided into solitary and eusocial bees based on their life traits, and eusocial bees possess special social immunities, such as grooming behavior, which cooperate with innate immunity to maintain the health of the colony. The omics approach gives us an opportunity to recognize the distinctive innate immunity of bees. In this regard, we summarize innate bee immunity from a genomic and transcriptomic perspective. The genetic characteristics of innate immunity were revealed by the multiple genomes of bees with different kinds of sociality, including honeybees, bumblebees, wasps, leaf-cutter bees, and so on. Further substantial transcriptomic data of different tissues from diverse bees directly present the activation or suppression of immune genes under the infestation of pathogens or toxicity of pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomeng Zhao
- College of Engineering, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, China
| | - Yanjie Liu
- Key Laboratory for Insect-Pollinator Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
- Correspondence:
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