Regulatory Steps in Caste Development of Eusocial Bees

Hartfelder, Klaus

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-74490-7_11

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…As mentioned above, the primary mechanism underlying caste development in Melipona is thought to be genetic, yet modulated by larval food conditions. The endocrine system then constitutes the integrating element between genetic/trophic starting conditions and the tissue-specific differentiation responses (for review see Hartfelder, 1990). Most of the physiological and even more so the molecular mechanisms involved in Melipona caste-development, however, are still poorly understood.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They comprise over 300 species scattered over several genera and subgenera (Camargo and Pedro, 1992), so that they are much more diverse than the honey bees, which have only 10 recognized species. The neotropical genus Melipona is of special interest for comparative studies since it deviates in many respects from the developmental pattern established for the honey bee and also from those observed in other stingless bee genera (Hartfelder, 1990;Pinto et al, 2002). First of all, caste development in the genus Melipona is supposedly governed by a genetic mechanism (Kerr, 1950(Kerr, , 1987.…”

Section: Rna Extractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Caste-specific gene expression in the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata ? Are there common patterns in highly eusocial bees?

2004

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Caste polyphenism is a multifaceted phenomenon, most evident in the marked differences in reproductive capacity and longevity between queens and workers. The mechanisms underlying caste differentiation and division of labor are mainly addressed in the honey bee, and recently have been studied at the molecular level. Yet, generalizations drawn from studies on this model organism require validation by comparative studies. We choose Melipona quadrifasciata, a sister-group species to honey bees, to investigate differences in gene expression between newly emerged adult queens and workers. RNA extracts were subjected to a differential display protocol (DDRT-PCR). The putative differentially expressed genes, for which annotation was available, were validated by RT-PCR and hybridization. Differential expression was observed for myosin, projectin, kettin, cytochrome P450, Rab11 and Sas10. Except for kettin, all of these were overexpressed in the worker caste. Projectin and kettin could play roles in caste-specific flight muscle organization. The putative Rab11 and Sas10 homolog genes could be involved in fertility-related cell signaling and in longevity-related gene silencing, respectively. Cytochrome P450 overexpression in Melipona workers corroborates similar findings in the honey bee, thus indicating a common function in the social insect caste syndrome.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Rna Extractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caste-specific gene expression in the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata ? Are there common patterns in highly eusocial bees?

2004

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“…In many polyphenic insects, including the social bees, morph differentiation is integrated into metamorphosis and has come under the control of these morphogenetic hormones (Hardie and Lees, 1985;Hartfelder, 1990). JH has become well established as a prime effector in caste differentiation of the honey bee (Goewie and Beetsma, 1976;Rembold et al, 1974), and a caste-specific modulation of JH synthesis has been demonstrated in the last larval instar Hartfelder, 1990, 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Structure and function of the prothoracic gland in honey bee (Apis melliferaL.) development

Hartfelder¹

1993

Invertebrate Reproduction & Development

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The prothoracic gland of honey bee larvae was identified, and its developmental characteristics were assessed by a combination of histological and physiological methods. The reticulate gland is attached to the intestinal tract at the junction of the esophagus and midgut. Ultrastructurally prothoracic gland cells show the typical characteristics of ecdysteroid-producing cells, i.e., a deep plasma membrane reticular system and extensive smooth as well as rough endoplasmic reticulum. Small lipid vacuoles bounded by flattened SER sacs were found in considerable numbers shortly before commencement of ecdysteroid synthesis. An element apparently unique to prothoracic gland cells of honey bees are tracheoles, which penetrate deeply into the gland. Ecdysteroid production of isolated glands was monitored in vitro by RIA analysis of released products. Developmental profiles for hormone production in prothoracic glands of queen and worker larvae showed a high correlation to caste-specific differences in hemolymph ecdysteroid titer. Control tissue did not liberate significant amounts of RIA-active material during decisive developmental phases.

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“…It determines the development of young larvae hatched from a fertilized egg into a queen. It is also responsible for the high reproductive ability of the honeybee queen [3,[11][12][13]. The composition of RJ varies with seasonal and regional conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A family of major royal jelly proteins of the honeybee Apis mellifera L.

Schmitzová¹,

Klaudiny²,

Albert³

et al. 1998

CMLS, Cell. Mol. Life Sci.

284

337

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The characterization of major proteins of honeybee larval jelly (49-87 kDa) was performed by the sequencing of new complementary DNAs (cDNAs) obtained from a honeybee head cDNA library, by the determination of N-terminal sequences of the proteins, and by analyses of the newly obtained and known sequence data concerning the proteins. It was found that royal jelly (RJ) and worker jelly (WJ) contain identical major proteins and that all the proteins belong to one protein family designated MRJP (from Major Royal Jelly Proteins). The family consists of five main members (MRJP1, MRJP2, MRJP3, MRJP4, MRJP5). The proteins MRJP3 and MRJP5 are polymorphic. MRJPs account for 82 to 90% of total larval jelly protein, and they contain a relatively high amount of essential amino acids. These findings support the idea that MRJPs play an important role in honeybee nutrition.

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Regulatory Steps in Caste Development of Eusocial Bees

Cited by 11 publications

References 64 publications

Caste-specific gene expression in the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata ? Are there common patterns in highly eusocial bees?

Caste-specific gene expression in the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata ? Are there common patterns in highly eusocial bees?

Structure and function of the prothoracic gland in honey bee (Apis melliferaL.) development

A family of major royal jelly proteins of the honeybee Apis mellifera L.

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