Zinc supplementation modifies brain tissue transcriptome of Apis mellifera honeybees

Author(s)

Camilli, Marcelo Polizel ; Kadri, Samir Moura ; Niz Alvarez, Marcus Vinicius ; Martins Ribolla, Paulo Eduardo ; Orsi, Ricardo Oliveira

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BMC Genomics; v. 23, n. 1, p. 13-pg., 2022-04-08.

Abstract

Background Bees are the most important group of pollinators worldwide and their populations are declining. In natural conditions, Apis mellifera depends exclusively on food from the field to meet its physiological demands. In the period of scarcity, available resources are insufficient and artificial supplementation becomes essential for maintaining the levels of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals of colonies. Among these minerals, zinc is essential in all living systems, particularly for the regulation of cell division and protein synthesis, and is a component of more than 200 metalloenzymes. Results The total RNA extracted from the brain tissue of nurse bees exposed to different sources and concentrations of zinc was sequenced. A total of 1,172 genes in the treatment that received an inorganic source of zinc and 502 genes that received an organic source of zinc were found to be differentially expressed among the control group. Gene ontology enrichment showed that zinc can modulate important biological processes such as nutrient metabolism and the molting process. Conclusions Our results indicate that zinc supplementation modulates the expression of many differentially expressed genes and plays an important role in the development of Apis mellifera bees. All the information obtained in this study can contribute to future research in the field of bee nutrigenomics. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/00511-9 - Effect of Zinc Supplementation (Organic and Inorganic) on Proteomic and Metalomic Royal Jelly Profile, Hypopharyngeal Gland Morphology and Transcriptome of Apis mellifera Honey Bees
• Grantee: Ricardo de Oliveira Orsi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants