蜜蜂体内王浆主蛋白基因mrjp9的转录表达研究

Transcription analysis of mrjp9in the honeybee Apis mellifera ligustica

蜜蜂体内有9种王浆蛋白基因(major royal jelly protein,MRJPs1～9),其中MRJPs1～5在蜂王浆中含量较高,是蜂王浆生物学功能的基础。MRJPs6～9在王浆中没有或含量极少,且功能未知。为研究非王浆蛋白组分的MRJP9的生物学功能,本研究用RT-PCR的方法对意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica Spinola不同组织,不同部位,不同级型样本中mrjp9的转录水平进行检测和定量。结果发现mrjp9在蜜蜂的幼虫、蛹和成年蜜蜂的各组织部位均广泛转录表达,但其在幼虫、蛹和刚出房的成年蜜蜂体内表达水平较低,而在成年采集蜂体内表达水平则较高,其表达与蜜蜂的发育时期有关。通过对在成年蜜蜂体内各组织部位的表达水平进行检测的结果显示该基因主要在蜜蜂的头、胸和王浆腺等组织部位的表达较高,其他组织部位表达较少。此外,该基因也在雄蜂和蜂王体内广泛表达,不受蜜蜂性别和级型的影响。这些结果说明mrjp9是一与蜜蜂发育有关的基因,可能与蜜蜂的行为发育和分工调控有关。

Nine major royal jelly proteins （MRJPsl-9） were identified in the honeybee genome. Among these, MRJPsl- 5 were the main components of royal jelly protein and the functional basis of royal jelly. MRJPs6-9 are either not present, or are less abundant, in royal jelly and their function remains unclear. To explore the possible function of MRJPg, Total RNA was isolated from different body parts of honeybees at different developmental stages, and the expression of mrjp9 determined by RT-PCR. The results show that mrjp9 was widely expressed in all parts of honeybee at all developmental stages. However, the level of mrjp9 expression was relatively low in larvae, pupae and early emerged adults, but relatively high in foraging honeybees. Expression of mrjp9 was therefore related to developmental stage. In foraging honeybees, expression of mrjp9 was particularly high in the head, thorax and hypopharyngeal gland, but less in other body parts or tissues. Furthermore, mrjp9 was also expressed in multiple tissues of drone and queen honeybees and was not related to sex or caste. The profile of mrjp9 expression coincided with honeybee behavioral development; expression was high in the head and thorax which are the body parts directly related to foraging activity. Therefore, mrjp9 may be involved in the behavioral development and division of labor in the honeybee.