Properties of acetylcholinesterase from Apis mellifera heads

Histochemistry of classical neurotransmitters in antennal lobes and mushroom bodies of the honeybee

“…The current understanding of the organization of nicotinic cholinergic pathways in the bee has mainly been derived from acetylcholinesterase histochemistry combined with immunocytochemical localization of nicotinic AChR (Kreissl and Bicker, 1989) and the autoradiographic mapping of ␣-bungarotoxin binding (Scheidler et al, 1990). By using specific inhibitors such as iso-OMPA, BW284C51, and eserine, the biochemical analysis and the histochemical staining on cryosections confirm true AChE activity in the brain of the honeybee (Belzunces et al, 1988;Kreissl and Bicker, 1989).…”

“…The majority of AChE-staining appears to be of neuronal origin (Kreissl and Bicker, 1989; but see Belzunces et al, 1988). Using molecular markers against glial-derived ectracellular matrix and a glial specific gene product, the detailed distribution and development of glial cells in the central brain are meanwhile known (Hä hnlein et al, 1996;Hä hnlein and Bicker, 1997).…”

Toxicity of Cypermethrin and Fenitrothion on the Hemolymph Carbohydrates, Head Acetylcholinesterase, and Thoracic Muscle Na+, K+-ATPase of Emerging Honeybees (Apis mellifera mellifera. L)

“…This assay was made as described by Belzunces et al (1988). Emerging honeybees were CO -anesthetized and heads were severed from the rest of the body.…”

“…All assays were carried out at 43C. The heads were immediately homogenized in a glass Potter homogenizer (Kontex) using a high salt bu!er containing 1% Lubrol-PX, a nonionic detergent which o!ers the advantage of a high level of solubilization without denaturation (Belzunces et al, 1988). The homogenate was "ltered through cheesecloth and centrifuged for 3 min at 10,000 g. The postmitochondrial supernatant was collected and centrifuged twice as above; the second supernatant was pooled and centrifuged for 1 h at 100,000 g. Then the last supernatant was removed and saved for analysis.…”

The Activity of Cholinesterases in Diapausing and Flying Red Mason Bees <I>Osmia bicornis</I> (Megachilidae)

“…In extracts of flying red mason bees, the activity of AChE was several dozen times higher than in extracts of Aphis gossypii, Sitobion avennae and Rhopalpsiphum padi (SHANG et al 2012;LU & GAO 2013). It was also higher than in crude extracts of the heads of honey bees and Drosophila melanogaster from which acetylcholinesterases were isolated (GNA-GEY et al 1987;BELZUNCES et al 1988). Cholinesterase activity in O. bicornis is indicative of the enzyme's high efficiency, which could be associated with cholinesterase's reduced sensitivity to insecticides (CHARPENTIER et al 2000).…”