Differential expression of antioxidant system genes in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) caste development mitigates ROS-mediated oxidative damage in queen larvae

Author(s)

Santos, Douglas Elias ^[1] ; Souza, Anderson de Oliveira ^[2] ; Tiberio, Gustavo Jacomini ^[1] ; Alberici, Luciane Carla ^[2] ; Hartfelder, Klaus ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol Celular & Mol & Bioagentes Patogen, Av Bandeirantes 3900, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut Ribeirao Preto, Dept Ciencias BioMol, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: GENETICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY; v. 43, n. 4 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The expression of morphological differences between the castes of social bees is triggered by dietary regimes that differentially activate nutrient-sensing pathways and the endocrine system, resulting in differential gene expression during larval development. In the honey bee, Apis mellifera, mitochondrial activity in the larval fat body has been postulated as a link that integrates nutrient-sensing via hypoxia signaling. To understand regulatory mechanisms in this link, we measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, oxidative damage to proteins, the cellular redox environment, and the expression of genes encoding antioxidant factors in the fat body of queen and worker larvae. Despite higher mean H2O2 levels in queens, there were no differences in ROS-mediated protein carboxylation levels between the two castes. This can be explained by their higher expression of antioxidant genes (MnSOD, CuZnSOD, catalase, and Gst1) and the lower ratio between reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG). In worker larvae, the GSG/GSSH ratio is elevated and antioxidant gene expression is delayed. Hence, the higher ROS production resulting from the higher respiratory metabolism in queen larvae is effectively counterbalanced by the up-regulation of antioxidant genes, avoiding oxidative damage. In contrast, the delay in antioxidant gene expression in worker larvae may explain their endogenous hypoxia response. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/24733-7 - Oxidative metabolism in caste differentiation in honeybees: number and structure of gene expression and mitochondrial functional indicators
• Grantee: Douglas Elias Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/26418-2 - AMPK signaling pathway: potential regulated targets and effects on gene expression during control of caste development in honeybees
• Grantee: Douglas Elias Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 17/09128-0 - Molecular basis of the disruption in the reproduction-longevity trade-off syndrome in the social insect model organism Apis mellifera
• Grantee: Klaus Hartmann Hartfelder
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/03171-5 - Causal analysis of Apis mellifera development: regulatory genes and hierachical networks of gene expression in the specification of tissue and organs
• Grantee: Zilá Luz Paulino Simões
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants