Expression and Localization of Olfactory Receptor AcerOr1 from Chinese Honey Bee, Apis cerana cerana (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Abstract

Olfactory receptors are essential for recognition and detection of odor in honeybees. Although we have cloned and characterized the sequence of olfactory receptor AcerOr1 before, the tissue distribution and location of this gene in the nurse and the forager worker Apis cerana cerana were not very clear. To further investigate this information of AcerOr1 gene, we analyzed its expression and localization. The results showed that AcerOr1 mRNA was predominantly expressed in the antennae of nurse and forager bees, while the AcerOr1 protein was predominant in thorax, and its expression in antennae was higher in forager than in nurse. IHC revealed that AcerOr1 mainly localized in the olfactory neurons of the antennae. In addition, the staining intensity of AcerOr1 protein by IHC was consistent with the results of qRT-PCR and western blotting. The expression of AcerOr1 in non-olfactory tissues implied that, in addition to olfaction, it may involve in other physiological processes. The localization of AcerOr1 in antennae further suggests that it is involved in the olfactory system. Our research suggest that AcerOr1 may participated in perceive pheromone and odours of floral in nurse and forager bees, and also critical for the behavior of collecting, defending, cleaning between the nurse and the forager worker bees.