Molecular characterization of circadian cycle elements in the development and senescence of Apis mellifera

• Grant number: 14/14194-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: November 01, 2014
• End date: March 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Zilá Luz Paulino Simões
• Grantee: Fabiano Carlos Pinto de Abreu
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/03171-5 - Causal analysis of Apis mellifera development: regulatory genes and hierachical networks of gene expression in the specification of tissue and organs, AP.TEM

Abstract

Circadian clock is a molecular system found in a large range of organisms which allows the coordination of various cyclic and temporal processes that occurs in tissues and cells. Social insects like honey bees have emerged as excellent models to investigate the ontogeny of circadian rhythms, due to its complex social behavior, age polietism, facility to manipulate its environment and its importance into the ecological context. The behavioral plasticity of honey bees allows them to adopt rhythmic and non-rhythmic activities, besides influencing the division of labor based in its age and the social context of colony. At molecular level, the circadian clock of Apis mellifera has some similarities and differences compared to others insects and studies suggest that it has proximity of mammals. Although studies involving Apis mellifera workers, not all the elements of circadian clock in honey bees have been characterized and there`s a paucity of data related to the function of biologic oscillators in post-embryonic development. In this context, we propose in this work to characterize the molecular elements of circadian clock in Apis mellifera, both in larval and adult development, using molecular tools to localize the "clock genes" period, clock, cycle, cryptochrome 2, timeout 2, par domain protein 1and vrille, analyze their gene expression patterns and study their function. Furthermore, we propose to identify microRNAs candidates that can be involved on post-transcriptional regulation of circadian clock elements, as well clock-controlled genes. The results obtained in this work will help us to unravel whether the clock genes are expressed in the larval development and how they coordinate biologic processes in larvae. Further, we hope to generate a better understanding in how the circadian clock interacts with various physiologic processes, like senescence, in honey bee workers. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ABREU, FABIANO C. P.; FREITAS, FLAVIA C. P.; SIMIOES, ZILA L. P.. Circadian clock genes are differentially modulated during the daily cycles and chronological age in the social honeybee (Apis mellifera). Apidologie, v. 49, n. 1, p. 71-83, FEB 2018. (14/14194-4)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

ABREU, Fabiano Carlos Pinto de. Molecular characterization of the circadian clock elements during the development and senecence of Apis mellifera. 2018. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.