Expression and Functional Analysis of the Smo Protein in Apis mellifera
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Smoothened (Smo) protein influences bee olfactory receptors. Inhibiting Smo reduced responses to odors, while activating it enhanced responses to specific floral scents, impacting bee olfaction.
Area Of Science
- Zoology
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background
- The Hedgehog signaling pathway, regulated by Smoothened (Smo), plays a crucial role in development and cellular function.
- The specific role of Smo in modulating olfactory recognition in bees (Apis mellifera) has not been previously established.
- Olfactory recognition is vital for bee foraging, communication, and survival.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the role of Smoothened (Smo) in the olfactory system of the honey bee, Apis mellifera.
- To determine the effect of Smo modulation on the expression of olfactory receptors and olfactory behavior in bees.
Main Methods
- Amplification and sequencing of the Apis mellifera Smo gene.
- Quantitative analysis of Smo and olfactory receptor (OR) gene expression in response to Smo agonists and antagonists.
- Electrophysiological recordings (electroantennography) to assess olfactory responses.
- Behavioral assays to evaluate odor attraction and selection rates.
Main Results
- Smo was highly expressed in the bee antennae.
- Cyclopamine (Smo inhibitor) decreased Smo and OR152/OR2 expression, while purmorphamine (Smo agonist) increased Smo and OR152 expression.
- Cyclopamine exposure reduced electroantennography responses to neral and decreased attraction to neral, VUAA1, linalool, and methyl heptenone.
- Purmorphamine exposure increased the selection of linalool and methyl heptenone.
Conclusions
- Smoothened (Smo) is implicated in the modulation of olfactory receptor expression and function in honey bees.
- Modulation of Smo signaling pathway affects bee responses to various olfactory cues, including floral volatiles.
- These findings suggest Smo as a potential target for understanding and manipulating bee olfaction.
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