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Liu J, Zhang R, Tang R, Zhang Y, Guo R, Xu G, Chen D, Huang ZY, Chen Y, Han R, Li W. The Role of Honey Bee Derived Aliphatic Esters in the Host-Finding Behavior of Varroa destructor. INSECTS 2022; 14:24. [PMID: 36661952 PMCID: PMC9863403 DOI: 10.3390/insects14010024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Varroa destructor is an obligate ectoparasite of honey bees and shifted from its original host Apis cerana to the new host Apis mellifera in the first half of the twentieth century. The host shift has resulted in a great threat to the health and survival of A. mellifera colonies worldwide. Chemical signals play a crucial role in all aspects of the Varroa life cycle, including host finding. However, the chemical cues that affect the host finding behavior of Varroa mites are still not fully understood. In this study, we systematically profiled the headspace volatiles of both worker and drone larvae of the two honey bee species by using solid phase micro-extraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS), and then used electrophysiological recording and Y-tube olfactometer bioassay to study the potential roles of the selected compounds. The chemical profiling showed that there were four aliphatic esters, ethyl myristate (EM), methyl palmitate (MP), ethyl palmitate (EP), and ethyl oleate (EO) commonly detected from all four types of larval hosts. Among them, EM was a new substance identified from honey bee headspace volatiles. Results from electrophysiological recordings indicated that all the aliphatic esters could elicit significant responses of Varroa pit organs on its forelegs. Moreover, behavioral analyses revealed that EM could significantly attract V. destructor at a medium dosage (10 µg), while MP had no observable effect on the mites and both EP and EO were able to repel the parasites. Our findings suggest an important role of host-derived aliphatic esters in Varroa host finding, and provide new chemicals for Varroa monitoring and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamei Liu
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Ruonan Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Rui Tang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicinal Resource, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Yunfu 527527, China
| | - Rui Guo
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Guojun Xu
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Dafu Chen
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Zachary Y. Huang
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Yanping Chen
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Richou Han
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Wenfeng Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
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Eliash N, Suenaga M, Mikheyev AS. Vector-virus interaction affects viral loads and co-occurrence. BMC Biol 2022; 20:284. [PMID: 36527054 PMCID: PMC9758805 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01463-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vector-borne viral diseases threaten human and wildlife worldwide. Vectors are often viewed as a passive syringe injecting the virus. However, to survive, replicate and spread, viruses must manipulate vector biology. While most vector-borne viral research focuses on vectors transmitting a single virus, in reality, vectors often carry diverse viruses. Yet how viruses affect the vectors remains poorly understood. Here, we focused on the varroa mite (Varroa destructor), an emergent parasite that can carry over 20 honey bee viruses, and has been responsible for colony collapses worldwide, as well as changes in global viral populations. Co-evolution of the varroa and the viral community makes it possible to investigate whether viruses affect vector gene expression and whether these interactions affect viral epidemiology. RESULTS Using a large set of available varroa transcriptomes, we identified how abundances of individual viruses affect the vector's transcriptional network. We found no evidence of competition between viruses, but rather that some virus abundances are positively correlated. Furthermore, viruses that are found together interact with the vector's gene co-expression modules in similar ways, suggesting that interactions with the vector affect viral epidemiology. We experimentally validated this observation by silencing candidate genes using RNAi and found that the reduction in varroa gene expression was accompanied by a change in viral load. CONCLUSIONS Combined, the meta-transcriptomic analysis and experimental results shed light on the mechanism by which viruses interact with each other and with their vector to shape the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurit Eliash
- grid.18098.380000 0004 1937 0562Shamir Research Institute, University of Haifa, Katzrin, Israel ,grid.250464.10000 0000 9805 2626Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495 Japan
| | - Miyuki Suenaga
- grid.250464.10000 0000 9805 2626Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495 Japan
| | - Alexander S. Mikheyev
- grid.250464.10000 0000 9805 2626Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495 Japan ,grid.1001.00000 0001 2180 7477Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600 Australia
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Nganso BT, Pines G, Soroker V. Insights into gene manipulation techniques for Acari functional genomics. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 143:103705. [PMID: 35134533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Functional genomics is an essential tool for elucidating the structure and function of genes in any living organism. Here, we review the use of different gene manipulation techniques in functional genomics of Acari (mites and ticks). Some of these Acari species inflict severe economic losses to managed crops and health problems to humans, wild and domestic animals, but many also provide important ecosystem services worldwide. Currently, RNA interference (RNAi) is the leading gene expression manipulation tool followed by gene editing via the bacterial type II Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and associated protein 9 system (CRISPR-Cas9). Whilst RNAi, via siRNA, does not always lead to expected outcomes, the exploitations of the CRISPR systems in Acari are still in their infancy and are limited only to CRISP/Cas9 to date. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of RNAi and CRISPR-Cas9 and the technical challenges associated with their exploitations. We also compare the biochemical machinery of RNAi and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies. We highlight some potential solutions for experimental optimization of each mechanism in gene function studies. The potential benefits of adopting various CRISPR-Cas9 systems for expanding on functional genomics experiments in Acari are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice T Nganso
- Department of Entomology, Chemistry and Nematology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Centre, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
| | - Gur Pines
- Department of Entomology, Chemistry and Nematology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Centre, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
| | - Victoria Soroker
- Department of Entomology, Chemistry and Nematology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Centre, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
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Nganso BT, Mani K, Eliash N, Rafaeli A, Soroker V. Towards disrupting Varroa -honey bee chemosensing: A focus on a Niemann-Pick type C2 transcript. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 30:519-531. [PMID: 34216416 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We focused our study on the 12 recently identified putative odorant carrier proteins in the ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor. Here we show, via an exclusion of the chemosensory appendages (forelegs and gnathosoma) that transcripts of five of the 12 genes were significantly lower, suggesting that they are likely involved in carrying host volatiles. Specifically, three transcripts were found to be foreleg-specific while the other two transcripts were expressed in both the forelegs and gnathosoma. We focused on one of the highly expressed and foreleg-specific transcript Vd40090, which encodes a Niemann-Pick disease protein type C2 (NPC2) protein. Effects of dsRNA-mediated silencing of Vd40090 were first measured by quantifying the transcript levels of genes that encode other putative odorant carrier proteins as well as reproduction related proteins. In addition, the impact of silencing on mites behaviour and survival was tested. Silencing of Vd40090 effectively disrupted Varroa host selection, acceptance and feeding and significantly impaired the expression of genes that regulate its reproduction in brood cells, resulting in reduced reproduction and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- B T Nganso
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - K Mani
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - N Eliash
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - A Rafaeli
- Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Centre, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - V Soroker
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
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Vilarem C, Piou V, Vogelweith F, Vétillard A. Varroa destructor from the Laboratory to the Field: Control, Biocontrol and IPM Perspectives-A Review. INSECTS 2021; 12:800. [PMID: 34564240 PMCID: PMC8465918 DOI: 10.3390/insects12090800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Varroa destructor is a real challenger for beekeepers and scientists: fragile out of the hive, tenacious inside a bee colony. From all the research done on the topic, we have learned that a better understanding of this organism in its relationship with the bee but also for itself is necessary. Its biology relies mostly on semiochemicals for reproduction, nutrition, or orientation. Many treatments have been developed over the years based on hard or soft acaricides or even on biocontrol techniques. To date, no real sustainable solution exists to reduce the pressure of the mite without creating resistances or harming honeybees. Consequently, the development of alternative disruptive tools against the parasitic life cycle remains open. It requires the combination of both laboratory and field results through a holistic approach based on health biomarkers. Here, we advocate for a more integrative vision of V. destructor research, where in vitro and field studies are more systematically compared and compiled. Therefore, after a brief state-of-the-art about the mite's life cycle, we discuss what has been done and what can be done from the laboratory to the field against V. destructor through an integrative approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Vilarem
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, UMR5174, CNRS-Université de Toulouse III-IRD, INU Jean-François Champollion, Université Paul Sabatier, 31077 Toulouse, France; (C.V.); (V.P.)
- M2i Biocontrol–Entreprise SAS, 46140 Parnac, France;
| | - Vincent Piou
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, UMR5174, CNRS-Université de Toulouse III-IRD, INU Jean-François Champollion, Université Paul Sabatier, 31077 Toulouse, France; (C.V.); (V.P.)
| | | | - Angélique Vétillard
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, UMR5174, CNRS-Université de Toulouse III-IRD, INU Jean-François Champollion, Université Paul Sabatier, 31077 Toulouse, France; (C.V.); (V.P.)
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6
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Guo D, Zhao G, Li G, Wang C, Wang H, Liu Z, Xu B, Guo X. Identification of a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (AccMKK4) from Apis cerana cerana and its involvement in various stress responses. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 30:325-339. [PMID: 33538052 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade pathway is a ubiquitous signal transduction pathway in eukaryotes that regulates a variety of immune responses. This study accomplished the first isolation of an AccMKK4 gene from Apis cerana cerana and explored its function. Yeast two-hybrid experiments proved that AccMKK4 can interact with Accp38b, and the silencing of AccMKK4 in honeybees downregulated the expression level of Accp38b, which suggests that AccMKK4 might participate in the oxidative stress response through the p38 MAPK pathway. Tissue-specific expression levels of AccMKK4 analysis showed that AccMKK4 in the thorax, particularly muscle tissue, was higher than that in other tissues. The qRT-PCR results from different conditions demonstrated that AccMKK4 responds to various environmental stresses. After AccMKK4 silencing, the transcription level of some antioxidant genes and the activity of antioxidant-related enzymes are reduced, which indicated that AccMKK4 plays an important role in resistance against oxidative stress caused by external stimuli. In summary, our findings indicate that AccMKK4 probably plays an indispensable role in the response of honeybees to environmental stress and might aid for further research on the role of the MAPK cascade pathway in the antioxidant defence mechanisms of insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, PR China
| | - G Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, PR China
| | - G Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, PR China
| | - C Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, PR China
| | - H Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, PR China
| | - Z Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, PR China
| | - B Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, PR China
| | - X Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, PR China
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7
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Light M, Shutler D, Cutler GC, Hillier NK. Electrotarsogram responses to synthetic odorants by Varroa destructor, a primary parasite of western honey bees (Apis mellifera). EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 81:515-530. [PMID: 32671510 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00525-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Olfaction is a key sensory modality for many arthropods and could be used as a tool in pest management through manipulation of pest behavior. Management of Varroa destructor, important parasitic mites of honey bees, could be improved through better understanding of the chemical ecology of this host-parasite relationship. We refined techniques of mounting mites to obtain electrophysiological recordings (electrotarsograms) of their responses to synthetic odor stimuli. Results of 271 electrotarsogram recordings from V. destructor revealed responses to 10 odorants relative to solvent controls. Electrotarsogram responses to methyl palmitate, ethyl palmitate, and 2-heptanol were highest at the lowest stimulus loading (10 ng) we tested, suggesting that V. destructor may have acute sensitivity to low concentrations of some odors. Results suggest that odorant origin (e.g., methyl oleate from honey bee larvae, geraniol from adult honey bee alarm pheromone, and α-terpineol, a plant secondary metabolite) can influence the degree of electrophysiological response. Varroa destructor tended to be more responsive to known attractants and repellents relative to previously unexplored odorants and some repellent terpenes. Electrotarsograms offer the potential for screening odors to determine their importance in V. destructor host detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Light
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, B4P 2R6, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada.
| | - Dave Shutler
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, B4P 2R6, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - G Christopher Cutler
- Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Dalhousie University, PO Box 550, B2N 5E3, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - N Kirk Hillier
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, B4P 2R6, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
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8
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Nganso BT, Mani K, Altman Y, Rafaeli A, Soroker V. How Crucial is the Functional Pit Organ for the Varroa Mite? INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11060395. [PMID: 32604887 PMCID: PMC7349574 DOI: 10.3390/insects11060395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Olfaction as well as gustation, are essential for animal survival, allowing behavioral modulation according to environmental input. We focused our study on an obligate ecto-parasitic mite of honey bees, the Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Parasitiformes, Mesostigmata, Varroidae). By mechanically blocking the main olfactory organ on Varroa forelegs by varnishing with nail polish, we were able to show that other sensory organs cannot significantly compensate chemosensory abilities required for mite’s host selection, identification as well as reproduction. In fact, we found that mites with blocked forelegs had a significantly lower ability to reach a host bee than those with varnished idiosoma and unvarnished control. Furthermore, fewer foreleg blocked mites were feeding on the nurse bees and their reproduction in the brood cells was significantly impaired. The inhibition of reproduction was also reflected in altered expression levels of vitellogenin and vitellogenin receptor genes in foreleg-blocked mites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice T. Nganso
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O.B 15159, Rishon leZion 7505101, Israel; (B.T.N.); (K.M.); (Y.A.); (A.R.)
| | - Kannan Mani
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O.B 15159, Rishon leZion 7505101, Israel; (B.T.N.); (K.M.); (Y.A.); (A.R.)
| | - Yam Altman
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O.B 15159, Rishon leZion 7505101, Israel; (B.T.N.); (K.M.); (Y.A.); (A.R.)
- Mina and Aberhard Gudman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Ada Rafaeli
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O.B 15159, Rishon leZion 7505101, Israel; (B.T.N.); (K.M.); (Y.A.); (A.R.)
| | - Victoria Soroker
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O.B 15159, Rishon leZion 7505101, Israel; (B.T.N.); (K.M.); (Y.A.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence:
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9
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Yang R, Niu D, Zhao Y, Gong X, Hu L, Ai L. Function of heat shock protein 70 in the thermal stress response of Dermatophagoides farinae and establishment of an RNA interference method. Gene 2019; 705:82-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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10
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Eliash N, Thangarajan S, Goldenberg I, Sela N, Kupervaser M, Barlev J, Altman Y, Knyazer A, Kamer Y, Zaidman I, Rafaeli A, Soroker V. Varroa chemosensory proteins: some are conserved across Arthropoda but others are arachnid specific. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 28:321-341. [PMID: 30444567 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The tight synchronization between the life cycle of the obligatory parasitic mite Varroa destructor (Varroa) and its host, the honeybee, is mediated by honeybee chemical stimuli. These stimuli are mainly perceived by a pit organ located on the distal part of the mite's foreleg. In the present study, we searched for Varroa chemosensory molecular components by comparing transcriptomic and proteomic profiles between forelegs from different physiological stages, and rear legs. In general, a comparative transcriptomic analysis showed a clear separation of the expression profiles between the rear legs and the three groups of forelegs (phoretic, reproductive and tray-collected mites). Most of the differentially expressed transcripts and proteins in the mite's foreleg were previously uncharacterized. Using a conserved domain approach, we identified 45 transcripts with known chemosensory domains belonging to seven chemosensory protein families, of which 14 were significantly upregulated in the mite's forelegs when compared to rear legs. These are soluble and membrane bound proteins, including the somewhat ignored receptors of degenerin/epithelial Na+ channels and transient receptor potentials. Phylogenetic clustering and expression profiles of the putative chemosensory proteins suggest their role in chemosensation and shed light on the evolution of these proteins in Chelicerata.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Eliash
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
- Institute of Agroecology and Plant Health, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - S Thangarajan
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - I Goldenberg
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - N Sela
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - M Kupervaser
- The De Botton Protein Profiling institute of the Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - J Barlev
- The De Botton Protein Profiling institute of the Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Y Altman
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - A Knyazer
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Y Kamer
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - I Zaidman
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - A Rafaeli
- Department of Food Quality and Safety, Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - V Soroker
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
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11
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Evans JD, Cook SC. Genetics and physiology of Varroa mites. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2018; 26:130-135. [PMID: 29764652 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Varroa destructor is the primary biological threat to domesticated honey bee colonies in much of the world, impacting host fitness both directly and by transmitting RNA viruses. Genomic, proteomic, and functional-genetic resources provide a framework for Varroa biology. When coupled with physiological analyses of development, host finding, and reproduction, these resources reveal general traits of arthropods and offer new strategies for mite control. Efforts to develop novel controls are focused on efficacy, efficient delivery, and the avoidance of both host impacts and the swift evolution of resistance by mites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay D Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Lab, BARC-E Bldg. 306 Center Road, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
| | - Steven C Cook
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Lab, BARC-E Bldg. 306 Center Road, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
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12
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Eliash N, Singh NK, Thangarajan S, Sela N, Leshkowitz D, Kamer Y, Zaidman I, Rafaeli A, Soroker V. Chemosensing of honeybee parasite, Varroa destructor: Transcriptomic analysis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13091. [PMID: 29026097 PMCID: PMC5638865 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13167-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemosensing is a primary sense in nature, however little is known about its mechanism in Chelicerata. As a model organism we used the mite Varroa destructor, a key parasite of honeybees. Here we describe a transcriptomic analysis of two physiological stages for the Varroa foreleg, the site of primary olfactory organ. The transcriptomic analysis revealed transcripts of chemosensory related genes belonging to several groups. These include Niemann-Pick disease protein, type C2 (NPC2), gustatory receptors (GRs), ionotropic receptors (IRs), sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs) and odorant binding proteins (OBP). However, no insect odorant receptors (ORs) and odorant co-receptors (ORcos) were found. In addition, we identified a homolog of the most ancient IR co-receptor, IR25a, in Varroa as well as in other members of Acari. High expression of this transcript in the mite's forelegs, while not detectable in the other pairs of legs, suggests a function for this IR25a-like in Varroa chemosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurit Eliash
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
- Institute of Agroecology and Plant Health, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nitin K Singh
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Starlin Thangarajan
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Noa Sela
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Dena Leshkowitz
- Department of Biological Services, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yosi Kamer
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Ilia Zaidman
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Ada Rafaeli
- Department of Food Quality and Safety, Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Victoria Soroker
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
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Cabrera AR, Shirk PD, Teal PEA. A feeding protocol for delivery of agents to assess development in Varroa mites. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176097. [PMID: 28448606 PMCID: PMC5407785 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel feeding protocol for delivery of bio-active agents to Varroa mites was developed by providing mites with honey bee larva hemolymph supplemented with cultured insect cells and selected materials delivered on a fibrous cotton substrate. Mites were starved, fed on treated hemolymph to deliver selected agents and then returned to bee larvae. Transcript levels of two reference genes, actin and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), as well as for nine selected genes involved in reproductive processes showed that the starvation and feeding protocol periods did not pose a high level of stress to the mites as transcript levels remained comparable between phoretic mites and those completing the protocol. The feeding protocol was used to deliver molecules such as hormone analogs or plasmids. Mites fed with Tebufenozide, an ecdysone analog, had higher transcript levels of shade than untreated or solvent treated mites. In order to extend this feeding protocol, cultured insect cells were incorporated to a final ratio of 1 part cells and 2 parts hemolymph. Although supplementation with Bombyx mori Bm5 cells increased the amount of hemolymph consumed per mite, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of mites that fed and survived. On the other hand, Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells reduced significantly the percentage of mites that fed and survived as well as the amount of hemolymph consumed. The feeding protocol provides a dynamic platform with which to challenge the Varroa mite to establish efficacy of control agents for this devastating honey bee pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana R. Cabrera
- University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Paul D. Shirk
- USDA-ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Peter E. A. Teal
- USDA-ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
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