Vitellogenin receptor (VgR) is a low-density lipoprotein receptor responsible for the mediated endocytosis of vitellogenin (Vg) during egg formation in insects. The maturing oocyte is enveloped by a follicular epithelium, which has large intercellular spaces during Vg accumulation (patency). However, Vg has been reported in the cytoplasm of follicular cells, indicating that there may be a transcellular route for its transport. This study verified the presence of VgR in the follicular cells of the ovaries of the honeybee Apis mellifera and the wasp Polistes simillimus in order to evaluate if Vg is transported via transcytosis in these insects. Antibodies specific for vitellogenin receptor (anti-VgR), vitellogenin (anti-Vg), and clathrin (anti-Clt) were used for immunolocalization. The results showed the presence of VgR on the apical and basal plasma membranes of follicular cells of the vitellogenic follicles in both species, indicating that VgR may have been transported from the basal to the apical cell domain, followed by its release into the perivitelline space, evidenced by the presence of apical plasma membrane projections containing VgR. Co-localization proved that Vg bind to VgR and that the transport of this protein is mediated by clathrin. These data suggest that, in these social insects, Vg is transported via clathrin-mediated VgR transcytosis in follicular cells.

Vitellogenin is the main yolk precursor protein in insect oocytes. It is synthesized in the fat body and released into the hemolymph. To reach the oocyte surface, vitellogenin must cross a single layer of follicular epithelium cells. The transport of vitellogenin across the follicular epithelium has been suggested to occur through the enlarged intercellular spaces (patency) by a paracellular route or by endocytosis by follicular cells and release onto oocyte surface in a transcelluar route. In this study, we investigated whether vitellogenin transport in the meroistic telotrophic ovary of Podisus nigrispinus (Hemiptera) occurs via a paracellular or transcellular route. Light and transmission electron microscopies showed that short cell–cell contacts with well-developed occluding septate junctions were present in follicular cells with patency. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed the presence of vitellogenin receptors in the plasma membrane and of vitellogenin in the cytoplasm of follicular cells. Data suggest that cell–cell contacts serve as a barrier to large vitellogenin molecules and that this protein is transported via a transcellular route of receptor-mediated endocytosis.

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The antennal sensilla are sensory organs formed by a group of neurons and accessory cells, which allow perception of environmental cues, which play a role as mechanoreceptors and chemoreceptors. This study describes the post-embryonic development of the antennal sensilla of the stingless Tetragonisca angustula (Hymenoptera: Meliponini) workers. The development of the antennal sensilla begins in the transition stage of the pre-pupae to white-eyed pupae. The sensilla are completely developed at the black-eyed pupae stage, but they are covered by the old cuticle. The sensilla are exposed to the environment only in newly emerged workers of T. angustula, but it is possible that environmental stimuli can be recognized due to the pores in the old cuticle.Keywords: placoid sensilla, trichodea sensilla, stingless bee, pupal development.Desenvolvimento das sensilas antenais de Tetragonisca angustula latreille, 1811 (Hymenoptera: Meliponini) durante a pupação ResumoAs sensilas antenais são órgãos sensoriais formados por um conjunto de neurônios que captam estímulos ambientais e células acessórias, desempenhando as funções de mecanorreceptores e quimiorrecepterores. Este trabalho descreve o desenvolvimento pós-embrionário das sensilas antenais de operárias das abelhas sem ferrão Tetragonisca angustula (Hymenoptera: Meliponini). O desenvolvimento das sensilas tem início na transição de pré-pupa para pupa de olho branco e estão completamente desenvolvidas no estágio de pupa de olho preto, mas ainda estão cobertas pela cutícula velha. As sensilas estão completamente expostas em operárias recém-emergidas de T. angustula, mas é possível que estímulos ambientais sejam percebidos em estágios anteriores devido aos poros presentes na cutícula velha.Palavras-chave: sensila placoide, sensila tricoide, abelha sem ferrão, desenvolvimento pupal.