Multi-organ proteome reveals different nursing ability between two honeybee srocks

Area of Science:

• * Insect physiology and molecular biology.
• * Honey bee (Apis mellifera) reproductive strategies.
• * Social insect behavior and communication.

Background:

• * High royal jelly production in honey bees is a complex reproductive investment syndrome.
• * The multi-organ biological basis for this enhanced nursing ability remains largely unknown.
• * Previous research often focused on individual organs rather than systemic interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To compare the proteomes of 11 organs between high royal jelly producing bees (RJBs) and Italian bees (ITBs).
• * To elucidate the multi-organ mechanisms underlying enhanced royal jelly secretion in RJBs.
• * To understand the interplay of nutrition, metabolism, and hormonal regulation in nursing behavior.

Main Methods:

• * Proteomic analysis of 11 organs from RJBs and ITBs.
• * Comparative analysis of protein expression profiles.
• * Investigating differences in metabolic activity, protein/lipid synthesis, and hormone-related proteins.

Main Results:

• * Significant protein expression differences were found in the brain, fat body, mandibular gland, and Malpighian tubule.
• * RJBs exhibit increased energy turnover, protein, and lipid synthesis compared to ITBs.
• * Elevated levels of major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs), hexamerins, and vitellogenin were observed in RJBs.
• * Higher vitellogenin and juvenile hormone esterase in RJBs may suppress juvenile hormones, enhancing pheromone sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• * Coordinated multi-organ function, particularly in the brain, fat body, mandibular gland, and Malpighian tubule, regulates high royal jelly production.
• * Enhanced metabolic activity and specific protein synthesis are crucial for RJBs' superior royal jelly secretion.
• * Nutrition influences hormonal levels and sensory abilities, optimizing royal jelly production and larval care in honey bees.