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A Transmissible RNA Pathway in Honey Bees.
Eyal Maori1, Yael Garbian2, Vered Kunik3
1Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK.
Cell Reports
|May 7, 2019
Summary
Honey bees share RNA through their diets, like worker and royal jelly. This horizontal RNA transfer impacts gene expression in larvae and adults, suggesting a role in social immunity and communication.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Entomology
- Genetics
Background:
- Systemic RNA interference (RNAi) via environmental double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) uptake is known in invertebrates like honey bees.
- The adaptive advantage or mechanism for environmental RNA uptake in organisms has been poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms and implications of horizontal RNA transfer among honey bees.
- To determine if RNA is transmitted through honey bee diets and its biological activity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of RNA populations within worker and royal jelly.
- Feeding experiments with dsRNA-laced jelly to honey bee larvae.
- Assessment of gene knockdown and its persistence into adulthood.
Main Results:
- Honey bee diets (worker and royal jelly) contain diverse RNA populations, including those targeting honey bee genes, transposable elements, and non-coding RNAs.
- Secreted dsRNA in jelly is biologically active, leading to gene knockdown in larvae that persists into adulthood.
- Differential RNA profiles were observed between worker and royal jellies.
Conclusions:
- Honey bees possess an inherent capability for horizontal RNA flow via secreted diets.
- This RNA sharing pathway plays a significant role in inter-individual and inter-generational communication and potentially in social immunity.
- Jelly-mediated RNA transfer influences gene expression across developmental stages.
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