Hemolymph proteome changes during worker brood development match the biological divergences between western honey bees (Apis mellifera) and eastern honey bees (Apis cerana)

Abstract

BackgroundHemolymph plays key roles in honey bee molecule transport, immune defense, and in monitoring the physiological condition. There is a lack of knowledge regarding how the proteome achieves these biological missions for both the western and eastern honey bees (Apis mellifera and Apis cerana). A time-resolved proteome was compared using two-dimensional electrophoresis-based proteomics to reveal the mechanistic differences by analysis of hemolymph proteome changes between the worker bees of two bee species during the larval to pupal stages.ResultsThe brood body weight of Apis mellifera was significantly heavier than that of Apis cerana at each developmental stage. Significantly, different protein expression patterns and metabolic pathways were observed in 74 proteins (166 spots) that were differentially abundant between the two bee species. The function of hemolymph in energy storage, odor communication, and antioxidation is of equal importance for the western and eastern bees, indicated by the enhanced expression of different protein species. However, stronger expression of protein folding, cytoskeletal and developmental proteins, and more highly activated energy producing pathways in western bees suggests that the different bee species have developed unique strategies to match their specific physiology using hemolymph to deliver nutrients and in immune defense.ConclusionsOur disparate findings constitute a proof-of-concept of molecular details that the ecologically shaped different physiological conditions of different bee species match with the hemolymph proteome during the brood stage. This also provides a starting point for future research on the specific hemolymph proteins or pathways related to the differential phenotypes or physiology.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-563) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Detailed proteome mapping of newly emerged honeybee worker hemolymph and comparison with the red-eye pupal stage

“…Feng et al (2014) found Idgf4 to be up-regulated in the hemolymph of both A. mellifera and A. cerana from the larval to the pupal stage (Feng et al 2014). Relatively strong spots of Idgf4 were identified in winter (Erban et al 2013) and summer (Bogaerts et al 2009) honeybee hemolymph.…”

“…While the abundance of OBPs was similar in both stages, CSP3 increased at the time of emergence. Furthermore, Feng et al (2014) detected Obp13, Obp14, and CSP3 in hemolymph of A. mellifera and A. cerana bees. Zheng et al (2011) detected Obp13 and 14 during A. mellifera pupal head development.…”

“…Idgf4 is considered a developmental protein in A. mellifera larva (Li et al 2010;Feng et al 2014). Feng et al (2014) found Idgf4 to be up-regulated in the hemolymph of both A. mellifera and A. cerana from the larval to the pupal stage (Feng et al 2014).…”

“…Since the protein composition of the honeybee hemolymph varies between developmental stages, hemolymph proteins can be used to investigate caste differences and developmental changes (Chan et al 2006;Chan and Foster 2008). Changes in the hemolymph protein composition from larval to pupal development stages of A. mellifera ligustica were studied by Woltedji et al (2013), and a proteomic approach has been used to study hemolymph proteome changes comparing A. mellifera and A. cerana during worker brood development, including pupae (Feng et al 2014). We previously described the hemolymph Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13592-016-0437-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.…”

2D-DIGE proteomic analysis reveals changes in haemolymph proteome of 1-day-old honey bee (Apis mellifera) workers in response to infection with Varroa destructor mites

“…Honey bee haemolymph plays a role in immune defence and is also vital for daily life functions, such as transport of nutrients and signalling molecules (Erban et al 2016). Several proteomic approaches have been used to investigate caste differences (Chan et al 2006;Ararso et al 2018) and developmental changes in honey bee haemolymph (Bogaerts et al 2009;Erban et al 2014Erban et al , 2016Feng et al 2014). Proteome analysis of larvae as well as of the haemolymph, mushroom body, head tissues and antenna provides novel insights into honey bee resistance against Varroa infestation (Parker et al 2012;Ji et al 2015;Hu et al 2016).…”