Bacterial infection activates the immune system response and dysregulates microRNA expression in honey bees

Author(s)

Lourenco, Anete P. ^[1] ; Guidugli-Lazzarini, Karina R. ^[1] ; Freitas, Flavia C. P. ^[1] ; Bitondi, Marcia M. G. ^[2] ; Simoes, Zila L. P. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Genet, BR-14049900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol, BR-14049900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; v. 43, n. 5, p. 474-482, MAY 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 23

Abstract

In insects, a rapid and massive synthesis of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is activated through signaling pathways (Toll and Imd) to combat invading microbial pathogens. However, it is still unclear whether different types of bacteria provoke specific responses. Immune response mechanisms and the activation of specific genes were investigated by challenging Apis mellifera workers with the Gram-negative bacterium Serratia marcescens or the Gram-positive bacterium Micrococcus luteus. The immune system responded by activating most genes of the Toll and Imd pathways, particularly AMP genes. However, genes specifically regulated by M. luteus or S. marcescens were not detected, suggesting an interaction between the signaling pathways that lead to immune effectors synthesis. Despite this finding, kappaB motifs in the 5'-UTRs of selected genes suggest a pathway-specific control of AMP and transferrin-1 gene expression. Regulation by miRNAs was also investigated and revealed a number of candidates for the post-transcriptional regulation of immune genes in bees. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/08332-4 - Transcriptome analysis of embryonic development in Apis mellifera females
• Grantee: Flávia Cristina de Paula Freitas
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• 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
• FAPESP's process: 11/10133-2 - Expression patterns of miRNAs in adult workers Apis mellifera during biological processes of senescence, reproduction and stress
• Grantee: Karina Rosa Guidugli Lazzarini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral