Role of AccMGST1 in oxidative stress resistance in Apis cerana cerana

Abstract

As detoxification enzymes, proteins in the glutathione S-transferase (GST) superfamily are reported to participate in oxidative stress resistance. Nevertheless, microsomal GSTs (MGSTs), a unique subclass of the GST superfamily associated with membranes, are rarely studied in insects. Here, we isolated an MGST gene in Apis cerana cerana (AccMGST1) and verified its role in oxidative stress response. We found higher expression of AccMGST1 in protective or defensive tissue, that is, the epidermis, which indicated its role in stress resistance. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that AccMGST1 was upregulated by oxidative stresses at the transcriptional level. In contrast, AccMGST1 expression was inhibited when the antioxidant vitamin C (VC) was fed to experimental bees. Through western blotting, we found that the protein level of AccMGST1 under oxidative stress corresponded to the transcript level. Disc diffusion and mixed-function oxidation (MFO) assays suggested that AccMGST1 can protect not only cells but also DNA against oxidative damage. Furthermore, we discovered that the expression patterns of known antioxidant genes were changed in A. cerana cerana after AccMGST1 was silenced by RNA interference (RNAi). Thus, we concluded that the gene AccMGST1 exerts a significant role in the antioxidant mechanism.

Identification of an Apis cerana zinc finger protein 41 gene and its involvement in the oxidative stress response

“…In many animals, changes in the antioxidant and metabolic systems after exposure to temperature stress have been demonstrated. In this study, honeybees were exposed to low and high temperatures, which differentially induced the expression of AcZFP41 in their bodies (Figure 4a,b), suggesting that cold and high temperature induce intracellular oxidative stress through different pathways (Zhao et al, 2019). In addition, UV light, which is the most harmful and mutagenic part of the solar spectrum, causes oxidative stress and induces damage to proteins and plasma membranes (Cadet et al, 2005; Ravanat et al, 2001).…”

Identification of an MGST2 gene and analysis of its function in antioxidant processes in Apis cerana cerana

“…Furthermore, to analyze the effects of AccMGST2 silencing on ROS levels in A. cerana cerana , we examined the expression of antioxidant genes, including AccSOD2 (Jia et al, 2014), AccGSTS4 (Yu et al, 2012), AccTpx3 (Yao et al, 2013), AccP450 (Zhu et al, 2016), AccGSTD (Yan et al, 2013), AccTrxr1 (Yang et al, 2010) and AccMGST1 (Zhao et al, 2019), in A. cerana cerana after AccMGST2 silencing. The results showed that the expression levels of most genes were downregulated to varying degrees, suggesting that AccMGST2 silencing may affect the antioxidant system in A. cerana cerana .…”