Expression of two cytochrome P450 genes in appendages of Apis mellifera ligustica
Author of the article:ZHU Ya-Nan ZHANG Meng LI Qiu-Fang LIANG Li-Qiang LI Zheng-Han-Qing SU Song-Kun NIE Hong-Yi
Author's Workplace：College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350000, China; Jiangxi Apiculture Research Institute, Nanchang 330052, China
Key Words：Apis mellifera ligustica; cytochrome P450; tasks; foragers; nurses
Abstract：
[Objectives] To investigate the expression patterns of CYP6BD1 and CYP49A1 in workers (Apis
mellifera ligustica) of different ages,
and of the same age but with different tasks, in order to better understand the
role of the cytochrome P450 gene in
processing exogenous substances. [Methods] Experimental colonies were
constructed and quantitative real- time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR)
used to measure the expression of cytochrome P450 genes CYP6BD1and CYP49A1 was
measured in appendages (antennae, front legs, middle legs and hind legs) of
3-day-old workers, 10-day-old nurses, 21-day-old foragers and 21-day-old
nurses. [Results] CYP6BD1 was expressed in all
appendages regardless of age or task. Moreover, the expression profile of CYP6BD1 in each appendage was
significantly higher in foragers than in nurses of the same age. Expression of CYP49A1 was generally lower than that of CYP6BD1, although it was relatively
high in 3-day-old workers. [Conclusion] CYP6BD1 and CYP49A1 were most highly expressed in the appendages of foragers
and 3-day-old workers, respectively, suggesting that these genes may play an
important role in the degradation of exogenous substances. These results
provide new information on the role of these genes in hymenopteran insects.