Abscisic acid enhances cold tolerance in honeybee larvae

Abstract

The natural composition of nutrients present in food is a key factor determining the immune function and stress responses in the honeybee (Apis mellifera). We previously demonstrated that a supplement of abscisic acid (ABA), a natural component of nectar, pollen, and honey, increases honeybee colony survival overwinter. Here we further explored the role of ABA in in vitro-reared larvae exposed to low temperatures. Four-day-old larvae (L4) exposed to 258C for 3 days showed lower survival rates and delayed development compared to individuals growing at a standard temperature (348C). Cold-stressed larvae maintained higher levels of ABA for longer than do larvae reared at 348C, suggesting a biological significance for ABA. Larvae fed with an ABA-supplemented diet completely prevent the low survival rate due to cold stress and accelerate adult emergence. ABA modulates the expression of genes involved in metabolic adjustments and stress responses: Hexamerin 70b, Insulin Receptor Substrate, Vitellogenin, and Heat Shock Proteins 70. AmLANCL2, the honeybee ABA receptor, is also regulated by cold stress and ABA. These results support a role for ABA increasing the tolerance of honeybee larvae to low temperatures through priming effects.

Comprehensive and Durable Modulation of Growth, Development, Lifespan and Fecundity in Anopheles stephensi Following Larval Treatment With the Stress Signaling Molecule and Novel Antimalarial Abscisic Acid

“…In addition, ABA injection appeared to act negatively on 20E signaling by delaying the peak of 20E by 16 h (De Man et al, 1981). ABA from nectar and pollen ingested by honeybees (Apis mellifera) can be detected in honey (Lipp, 1990) and ingestion of ABA by honeybee larvae can increase cold tolerance and cellular immunity (Negri et al, 2017;Ramirez et al, 2017).…”

Dietary Supplementation of Honey Bee Larvae with Arginine and Abscisic Acid Enhances Nitric Oxide and Granulocyte Immune Responses after Trauma

“…Abscisic acid (ABA) is a phytohormone that regulates fundamental physiological functions in plants [ 11 ] and whose presence has been unambiguously demonstrated in nectar and honey [ 12 , 13 , 14 ] as well as in adult honey bees [ 12 , 15 , 16 ]. In the last decade, evidence has been accumulated demonstrating that ABA operates as a cytokine in animal cells by stimulating innate immune defences such as cell migration and phagocytosis and by inducing NO and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production [ 17 ].…”

“… ABA supplementation enhanced phenoloxidase activity in adult bees [ 15 ]. ABA supplementation enhanced colony survival through winter in field approaches [ 15 ] and recently we have reported that ABA enhances cold tolerance in honeybee larvae [ 16 ]. …”

Characterization of Sugar and Polyphenolic Diversity in Floral Nectar of Different ‘Oblačinska’ Sour Cherry Clones

“…This group of authors showed that bees, supplemented with ABA (which increases the catalase activity of worker bees), tolerated almost twice the concentration of some organic pesticides. Besides that, results of Ramirez et al [40] supported a role for ABA increasing the tolerance of honeybee larvae to low temperatures through priming effects. In our study cis, trans-ABA varied from 0.005 (clone XIV/5) to 0.331 lg/ml (clone IX/P).…”