Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026

RNAi-mediated Double Gene Knockdown and Gustatory Perception Measurement in Honey Bees Apis mellifera
Published on: July 25, 2013
MicroRNA Novel-m0027-3p Negatively Regulates Jhamt Gene and Affects Juvenile Hormone Biosynthesis in Apis mellifera
Ning Wang1, Si-Jia Deng1, Chuan-Lian Zhang2
1College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
Abstract:
Juvenile hormone (JH) is a key regulator of larval development in honeybees. Its biosynthesis involves multiple enzymatic steps and is modulated by a complex regulatory network that includes microRNAs (miRNAs). Juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase (JHAMT) catalyzes the final step in JH synthesis. This study demonstrates that the miRNA novel-m0027-3p negatively regulates the expression of the Jhamt gene in Apis mellifera larvae (AmJhamt), thereby mediating JH biosynthesis. Bioinformatics predictions indicate that novel-m0027-3p potentially targets six hormone-related genes (22 mRNAs), including AmJhamt. Dual-luciferase reporter assays and mimics/inhibitor-miRNA feeding confirmed that novel-m0027-3p significantly suppresses the expression of the target gene AmJhamt. In vivo experiments showed that larvae fed with the mimics of novel-m0027-3p exhibited decreased JH titers and significantly downregulated expression of JH signaling downstream genes AmHex70b and AmKr-h1. Conversely, larvae fed with the inhibitors of novel-m0027-3p displayed significantly elevated JH titers and markedly upregulated expression of AmHex70b and AmKr-h1. Our findings provide experimental evidence for the coupling between miRNAs and hormonal pathways in honeybees.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
MicroRNAs
RNA Interference
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
MicroRNAs
Experimental RNAi
MicroRNAs

