Transcriptional responses in eastern honeybees (Apis cerana) infected with mites, Varroa destructor

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The Varroa destructor mite has become the greatest threat to Apis mellifera health worldwide, but rarely causes serious damage to its native host Apis cerana. Understanding the resistance mechanisms of eastern bees against Varroa mites will help researchers determine how to protect other species from this organism. The A. cerana genome has not been previously sequenced; hence, here we sequenced the A. cerana nurse workers transcriptome and monitored the differential gene expression of A. cerana bees challenged by V. destructor. Using de novo transcriptome assembly, we obtained 91,172 unigenes (transcripts) for A. cerana. Differences in gene expression levels between the unchallenged (Con) and challenged (Con2) samples were estimated, and a total of 36,691 transcripts showed a 2-fold difference (at least) 8889©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 13 (4): 8888-8900 (2014) DEGs in Apis cerana infected with Varroa between the 2 libraries. A total of 272 differentially expressed genes showed differences greater than 15-fold, and 265 unigenes were present at higher levels in Con2 than in Con. Among the upregulated unigenes in the Con2 colony, genes related to skeletal muscle movement (troponin and calcium-transporting ATPase), olfactory sensitivity (odorant binding proteins, and Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule gene) and transcription factors (cyclic adenosine monophosphate-responsive element-binding protein and transcription factor mblk-1) appeared to be involved in Varroa resistance. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to validate these differentially expressed genes screened by the sequencing approach, and sufficient consistency was observed between the two methods. These findings strongly support that hygienic and grooming behaviors play important roles in Varroa resistance.

Genetic markers for the resistance of honey bee to Varroa destructor

“…Some candidate genes are associated with a general immune response (Le Conte et al, 2011;Jiang et al, 2016). Further study of some genes (Ji et al, 2014;Lattorff et al, 2015;Conlon et al, 2019), for example, genes for ecdysone biosynthesis, will help to shed light on the nature of the parasite-host relationship, in particular the Genetic markers for the resistance of honey bee to Varroa destructor question of why the mite in the original host reproduces more successfully on the drone brood. Do not forget that the mite is a parasite, and, like many parasites, some of its life support systems are reduced.…”

Genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics: enabling insights into social evolution and disease challenges for managed and wild bees

“…() observed a downregulation of structural proteins involved in synaptic plasticity; however, in A. cerana with high VSH , Ji et al . () observed upregulation of positive regulators for synaptic plasticity. A further discrepancy was observed regarding vesicle‐mediated transport – specifically, the vesicle‐associated membrane protein (VAMP).…”

“…) and A. cerana (Ji et al . ). It is thought that detection of airborne molecules associated with disease or dead bees is enhanced by OBPs, which carry odorants to the sensilla nerve and stimulate the odorant receptors (Guarna et al .…”

“…For A. cerana, the only study conducted was on nurse heads (Ji et al . ), whereas for A. mellifera, studies have investigated the roles of the nurse antenna (Guarna et al . ; Mondet et al .…”

Selection for barriers between honey bees and a devastating parasite

“…Is there a connection between this trait and the same pathway in the original Varroa host, A. cerana ? Interestingly, Mblk‐1 was identified as being upregulated in parasitized bees in this species (Ji et al, ). In A. cerana, Varroa mites only reproduce on pupae of haploid males, ignoring the more plentiful female workers.…”