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Muchoney ND, Watanabe AM, Teglas MB, Smilanich AM. Dose-dependent dynamics of densovirus infection in two nymphalid butterfly species utilizing native or exotic host plants. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 206:108176. [PMID: 39159850 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
Insects are attacked by a diverse range of microbial pathogens in the wild. In herbivorous species, larval host plants frequently play a critical role in mediating susceptibility to infection. Characterizing such plant-mediated effects on herbivore-pathogen interactions can provide insight into patterns of infection across wild populations. In this study, we investigated the effects of host plant use by two North American butterflies, Euphydryas phaeton (Nymphalidae) and Anartia jatrophae (Nymphalidae), on entomopathogen infection across a range of three doses. Both of these herbivores recently incorporated the same exotic plant, Plantago lanceolata (Plantaginaceae), into their host range and are naturally infected by the same entomopathogen, Junonia coenia densovirus (Parvoviridae), in wild populations. We performed two factorial experiments in which E. phaeton and A. jatrophae were reared on either P. lanceolata or a native host plant [Chelone glabra (Plantaginaceae) for E. phaeton; Bacopa monnieri (Plantaginaceae) for A. jatrophae] and inoculated with either a low, medium, or high dose of the virus. In E. phaeton, the outcomes of infection were highly dose-dependent, with inoculation with higher viral doses resulting in faster time to death and greater mortality. However, neither survival nor postmortem viral burdens varied depending upon the host plant that was consumed. In contrast, host plant use had a strong effect on viral burdens in A. jatrophae, with consumption of the exotic plant appearing to enhance host resistance to infection. Together, these results illustrate the variable influences of host plant use on herbivore resistance to infection, highlighting the importance of investigating plant-herbivore relationships within a tritrophic framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadya D Muchoney
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno 1664 N. Virginia Street MS 0314, Reno, NV, 89557, USA; Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno 1664 N. Virginia Street MS 0314, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
| | - Amy M Watanabe
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno 1664 N. Virginia Street MS 0314, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
| | - Mike B Teglas
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno 1664 N. Virginia Street MS 0314, Reno, NV, 89557, USA; Department of Agriculture, Veterinary and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno 1664 N. Virginia Street MS 0202, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
| | - Angela M Smilanich
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno 1664 N. Virginia Street MS 0314, Reno, NV, 89557, USA; Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno 1664 N. Virginia Street MS 0314, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
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2
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Liu Y, Jia S, Wu Y, Zhou N, Xie Y, Wei R, Huang Z, Chen Y, Hu F, Zheng H. Tetracycline-induced gut community dysbiosis and Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus infection synergistically negatively affect honeybees. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 282:116706. [PMID: 38996647 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotics are frequently employed to control bacterial diseases in honeybees, but their broad-spectrum action can disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome, leading to dysbiosis. This imbalance in the gut microbiota of honeybees adversely affects their physiological health and weakens their resistance to pathogens, including viruses that significantly threaten honeybee health. In this study, we investigated whether tetracycline-induced gut microbiome dysbiosis promotes the replication of Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), a key virus associated with colony losses and whether IAPV infection exacerbates gut microbiome dysbiosis. Our results demonstrated that tetracycline-induced gut microbiome dysbiosis increases the susceptibility of honeybees to IAPV infection. The viral titer in worker bees with antibiotic-induced gut microbiome dysbiosis prior to IAPV inoculation was significantly higher than in those merely inoculated with IAPV. Furthermore, we observed a synergistic effect between tetracycline and IAPV on the disruption of the honeybee gut microbiome balance. The progression of IAPV replication could, in turn, exacerbate antibiotic-induced gut microbiome dysbiosis in honeybees. Our research provides novel insights into the role of the gut microbiota in host-virus interactions, emphasizing the complex interplay between antibiotic use, gut microbiome health, and viral susceptibility in honeybees. We highlight the crucial role of a balanced gut microbiota in honey bees for their immune response against pathogens and emphasize the importance of careful, safe antibiotic use in beekeeping to protect these beneficial microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Liu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shuo Jia
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yuqi Wu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Nihong Zhou
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yanling Xie
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ruike Wei
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhichu Huang
- Jinhua Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinhua 321017, China
| | - Yanping Chen
- Bee Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Fuliang Hu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Huoqing Zheng
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Kwon M, Nilufar Zakhidovna R, Boymaxmat Abdiazizovich K, Jung C, Kil EJ. First metagenomic analysis of virome in Uzbekistan honey bee (Apis mellifera): Investigating basic information on honey bee viruses. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 206:108171. [PMID: 39084550 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Honey bees are economically important insects. However, they face multiple biotic and abiotic stresses, such as diseases, pesticides, climate change, and pests, which cause the loss of honey bee colonies worldwide. Among these factors, viruses have been identified as the major cause of colony loss. Research on honey bee viruses in Uzbekistan is limited. This study investigated the viruses affecting honey bees in Uzbekistan. Virome analysis was conducted for each sample using high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics. Nine honey bee viruses have been identified: the acute bee paralysis virus, aphid lethal paralysis virus, Apis rhabdovirus 1 and 2, black queen cell virus, deformed wing virus, Lake Sinai virus 10, sacbrood virus, and Hubei partiti-like virus 34. Additionally, 15 plant viruses were identified, 7 of which were novel. This study is the first virome analysis of Uzbekistan honey bees and provides a foundation for understanding the viruses affecting honey bees and plants in Uzbekistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhyeok Kwon
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Republic of Korea; Agriculture Science and Technology Research Institute, Andong National University, Andong, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Chuleui Jung
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Republic of Korea; Agriculture Science and Technology Research Institute, Andong National University, Andong, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eui-Joon Kil
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Republic of Korea; Agriculture Science and Technology Research Institute, Andong National University, Andong, Republic of Korea.
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de Castro Lippi IC, da Luz Scheffer J, de Lima YS, Lunardi JS, Astolfi A, Kadri SM, Alvarez MVN, de Oliveira Orsi R. Intake of imidacloprid in lethal and sublethal doses alters gene expression in Apis mellifera bees. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 940:173393. [PMID: 38795984 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Bees are important pollinators for ecosystems and agriculture; however, populations have suffered a decline that may be associated with several factors, including habitat loss, climate change, increased vulnerability to diseases and parasites and use of pesticides. The extensive use of neonicotinoids, including imidacloprid, as agricultural pesticides, leads to their persistence in the environment and accumulation in bees, pollen, nectar, and honey, thereby inducing deleterious effects. Forager honey bees face significant exposure to pesticide residues while searching for resources outside the hive, particularly systemic pesticides like imidacloprid. In this study, 360 Apis mellifera bees, twenty-one days old (supposed to be in the forager phase) previously marked were fed syrup (honey and water, 1:1 m/v) containing a lethal dose (0.081 μg/bee) or sublethal dose (0.00081 μg/bee) of imidacloprid. The syrup was provided in plastic troughs, with 250 μL added per trough onto each plastic Petri dish containing 5 bees (50 μL per bee). The bees were kept in the plastic Petri dishes inside an incubator, and after 1 and 4 h of ingestion, the bees were euthanised and stored in an ultra-freezer (-80 °C) for transcriptome analysis. Following the 1-h ingestion of imidacloprid, 1516 genes (73 from lethal dose; 1509 from sublethal dose) showed differential expression compared to the control, while after 4 h, 758 genes (733 from lethal dose; 25 from sublethal) exhibited differential expression compared to the control. All differentially expressed genes found in the brain tissue transcripts of forager bees were categorised based on gene ontology into functional groups encompassing biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components. These analyses revealed that sublethal doses might be capable of altering more genes than lethal doses, potentially associated with a phenomenon known as insecticide-induced hormesis. Alterations in genes related to areas such as the immune system, nutritional metabolism, detoxification system, circadian rhythm, odour detection, foraging activity, and memory in bees were present after exposure to the pesticide. These findings underscore the detrimental effects of both lethal and sublethal doses of imidacloprid, thereby providing valuable insights for establishing public policies regarding the use of neonicotinoids, which are directly implicated in the compromised health of Apis mellifera bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Cristina de Castro Lippi
- Centre of Education, Science and Technology in Rational Beekeeping (NECTAR), Department of Animal Production and Medicine Veterinary Preventive, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Jaine da Luz Scheffer
- Centre of Education, Science and Technology in Rational Beekeeping (NECTAR), Department of Animal Production and Medicine Veterinary Preventive, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Yan Souza de Lima
- Centre of Education, Science and Technology in Rational Beekeeping (NECTAR), Department of Animal Production and Medicine Veterinary Preventive, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Juliana Sartori Lunardi
- Centre of Education, Science and Technology in Rational Beekeeping (NECTAR), Department of Animal Production and Medicine Veterinary Preventive, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Aline Astolfi
- Centre of Education, Science and Technology in Rational Beekeeping (NECTAR), Department of Animal Production and Medicine Veterinary Preventive, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Samir Moura Kadri
- Centre of Education, Science and Technology in Rational Beekeeping (NECTAR), Department of Animal Production and Medicine Veterinary Preventive, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo de Oliveira Orsi
- Centre of Education, Science and Technology in Rational Beekeeping (NECTAR), Department of Animal Production and Medicine Veterinary Preventive, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, Brazil.
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Akpinar R, Ozan E, Celik S, Bayram Y, Akman A, Kalayci G, Cagirgan AA, Kadi H, Kucukkalem OF, Oz ME, Yilmazer RE, Bozdeveci A, Kucukoglu B, Guven G, Yaldiz M, Karaoglu SA. Prevalence and molecular analysis of some important viruses in honey bee colonies in Türkiye: the status of multiple infections. Arch Virol 2024; 169:173. [PMID: 39105883 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-024-06103-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
In this study, seven bee viruses of significant importance for bee health in Türkiye were investigated using one-step RT-PCR. For this purpose, larvae from 1183 hives and adult bees from 1196 hives were sampled from 400 apiaries in 40 provinces. The prevalence of viral infections in hives was as follows: acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), 6.4%; black queen cell virus (BQCV), 77%; chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), 3.2%; deformed wing virus (DWV), 63.8%; Israel acute bee paralysis virus (IAPV), 7%; Kashmir bee virus (KBV), 2.7%; sacbrood virus (SBV), 49.7%. Moreover, 50 different combinations of viral infections were identified in the hives. While dual infections (36.1%) were the most common in hives, triple infections with BQCV, DWV, and SBV were found to have the highest prevalence (22.1%). At least one viral infection was detected in all of the apiaries tested. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolates from this study generally exhibited the highest similarity to previously reported Turkish isolates. When similarity ratios and the locations and types of amino acid mutations were analyzed, it was observed that the isolates from our study exhibited high similarity to isolates from various countries, including China, the United Kingdom, Syria, and Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahsan Akpinar
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Atakum, 55200, Samsun, Türkiye.
| | - Emre Ozan
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Atakum, 55139, Samsun, Türkiye.
| | - Semanur Celik
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Atakum, 55200, Samsun, Türkiye
| | - Yunus Bayram
- General Directorate of Food and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Ayhan Akman
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Atakum, 55200, Samsun, Türkiye
| | - Gulnur Kalayci
- Bornova Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Izmir, Türkiye
| | | | - Hamza Kadi
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Atakum, 55200, Samsun, Türkiye
| | - Omer Faruk Kucukkalem
- Erzurum Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Erzurum, Türkiye
| | - Mustafa Emin Oz
- Konya Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Konya, Türkiye
| | - Resul Emre Yilmazer
- Konya Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Konya, Türkiye
| | - Arif Bozdeveci
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Rize, Türkiye
| | - Bilal Kucukoglu
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Atakum, 55200, Samsun, Türkiye
| | - Gokhan Guven
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Atakum, 55200, Samsun, Türkiye
| | - Murat Yaldiz
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Atakum, 55200, Samsun, Türkiye
| | - Sengul Alpay Karaoglu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Rize, Türkiye
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Gonzalez FN, Raticelli F, Ferrufino C, Fagúndez G, Rodriguez G, Miño S, Dus Santos MJ. Detection and characterization of Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) in apiaries with stationary and migratory management in the province of Entre Ríos, Argentina. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16747. [PMID: 39033233 PMCID: PMC11271310 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67264-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
In Argentina, migratory activity in search of floral diversity has become a common approach to maximizing honey production. The Entre Ríos province possesses a floral diversity that allows beekeepers to perform migratory or stationary management. Beyond the impact caused by transhumance, migratory colonies in this province start and end the season in monoculture areas. To study the effect of these practices on viral infection, we assayed for the presence, abundance and genetic characterization of the Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) in honey bees from apiaries with both types of management. In migratory apiaries, DWV was detectable in 86.2% of the colonies at the beginning of the season (September 2018), and 66% at the end of the season (March 2019). On the other hand, DWV was detected in 44.11% and 53.12% of stationary samples, at the beginning and the end of the season, respectively. Sequence analysis from migratory and stationary colonies revealed that all samples belonged to DWV-A type. The highest viral loads were detected in migratory samples collected in September. Higher DWV presence and abundance were associated with migratory management and the sampling time. Based on our findings we propose that the benefit of migration to wild flowering areas can be dissipated when the bee colonies end the season with monoculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- F N Gonzalez
- Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas (IVIT), CICVyA, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. De las Cabañas y De los Reseros s/n, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - F Raticelli
- Laboratorio de Especialidades Productivas de Maciá (LEPMA), Ecología y Medio Ambiente, Secretaría de Producción, Municipio de Gobernador Maciá, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - C Ferrufino
- Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas (IVIT), CICVyA, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. De las Cabañas y De los Reseros s/n, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G Fagúndez
- Laboratorio de Actuopalinología, CICYTTP (CONICET - UADER), Diamante, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - G Rodriguez
- EEA Hilario Ascasubi, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Ruta Nacional 3, Km 794, Hilario Ascasubi, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - S Miño
- EEA Cerro Azul, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Ruta Nacional 14, Km 836, Cerro Azul, Misiones, Argentina
| | - M J Dus Santos
- Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas (IVIT), CICVyA, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. De las Cabañas y De los Reseros s/n, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Tuono De Manfouo R, Louokdom JS, Chetcha BC, Bakam Magoua LM, Nya PCB, Pieme CA, Tayou Tagny C. Involvement of haptoglobin in disease development. World J Hematol 2024; 11:94171. [DOI: 10.5315/wjh.v11.i2.94171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Haptoglobin (HP) is a liver glycoprotein that is actively synthesized during inflammatory and hemolytic processes. It also has pro-oxidant and proinflammatory properties, which are a function of its genotype. The genetic polymorphism of the chains leads to synthesis of three phenotypes/proteins, which are related to the number and type of chains and their molecular weight, namely HP1-1, HP1-2 and HP2-2. Patients with HP2-2 have more vascular complications, while those with HP1-1 have fewer. HP is involved in the worsening of diseases, such as HP2-2 in aggravation of vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease, and worsening of the pathophysiology of other diseases. In contrast, HP1-1 confers better protection against diseases. All of this suggests that further studies should be conducted, including experimental and analytical studies focused on demonstrating the influence of different HP genotypes on individual clinical and hematological data. This would help in understanding the role played by this genetic polymorphism in the pathophysiology of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romaric Tuono De Manfouo
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology, Hematology, and Infectious Diseases, Hematology Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé 296, Cameroon
| | - Josué Simo Louokdom
- Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, Bangangté 296, Cameroon
| | - Bernard Claude Chetcha
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology, Hematology, and Infectious Diseases, Hematology Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé 296, Cameroon
| | - Larissa Michelle Bakam Magoua
- Public Health and Biotechnology Research Laboratory (LAPHER-Biotech), Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé 296, Cameroon
| | | | - Constant Anatole Pieme
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé 296, Cameroon
| | - Claude Tayou Tagny
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology, Hematology, and Infectious Diseases, Hematology Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé 296, Cameroon
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Lopes AR, Low M, Martín-Hernández R, de Miranda JR, Pinto MA. Varroa destructor shapes the unique viral landscapes of the honey bee populations of the Azores archipelago. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012337. [PMID: 38959190 PMCID: PMC11221739 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The worldwide dispersal of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor from its Asian origins has fundamentally transformed the relationship of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) with several of its viruses, via changes in transmission and/or host immunosuppression. The extent to which honey bee-virus relationships change after Varroa invasion is poorly understood for most viruses, in part because there are few places in the world with several geographically close but completely isolated honey bee populations that either have, or have not, been exposed long-term to Varroa, allowing for separate ecological, epidemiological, and adaptive relationships to develop between honey bees and their viruses, in relation to the mite's presence or absence. The Azores is one such place, as it contains islands with and without the mite. Here, we combined qPCR with meta-amplicon deep sequencing to uncover the relationship between Varroa presence, and the prevalence, load, diversity, and phylogeographic structure of eight honey bee viruses screened across the archipelago. Four viruses were not detected on any island (ABPV-Acute bee paralysis virus, KBV-Kashmir bee virus, IAPV-Israeli acute bee paralysis virus, BeeMLV-Bee macula-like virus); one (SBV-Sacbrood virus) was detected only on mite-infested islands; one (CBPV-Chronic bee paralysis virus) occurred on some islands, and two (BQCV-Black queen cell virus, LSV-Lake Sinai virus,) were present on every single island. This multi-virus screening builds upon a parallel survey of Deformed wing virus (DWV) strains that uncovered a remarkably heterogeneous viral landscape featuring Varroa-infested islands dominated by DWV-A and -B, Varroa-free islands naïve to DWV, and a refuge of the rare DWV-C dominating the easternmost Varroa-free islands. While all four detected viruses investigated here were affected by Varroa for one or two parameters (usually prevalence and/or the Richness component of ASV diversity), the strongest effect was observed for the multi-strain LSV. Varroa unambiguously led to elevated prevalence, load, and diversity (Richness and Shannon Index) of LSV, with these results largely shaped by LSV-2, a major LSV strain. Unprecedented insights into the mite-virus relationship were further gained from implementing a phylogeographic approach. In addition to enabling the identification of a novel LSV strain that dominated the unique viral landscape of the easternmost islands, this approach, in combination with the recovered diversity patterns, strongly suggests that Varroa is driving the evolutionary change of LSV in the Azores. This study greatly advances the current understanding of the effect of Varroa on the epidemiology and adaptive evolution of these less-studied viruses, whose relationship with Varroa has thus far been poorly defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana R. Lopes
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, Bragança, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, Bragança, Portugal
- REQUIMTE-LAQV, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, Porto, Portugal
| | - Matthew Low
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), IRIAF, Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Marchamalo, Spain
| | | | - M. Alice Pinto
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, Bragança, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, Bragança, Portugal
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9
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Szymański S, Baracchi D, Dingle L, Bowman AS, Manfredini F. Learning performance and GABAergic pathway link to deformed wing virus in the mushroom bodies of naturally infected honey bees. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246766. [PMID: 38894668 PMCID: PMC11418184 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Viral infections can be detrimental to the foraging ability of the western honey bee, Apis mellifera. The deformed wing virus (DWV) is the most common honey bee virus and has been proposed as a possible cause of learning and memory impairment. However, evidence for this phenomenon so far has come from artificially infected bees, while less is known about the implications of natural infections with the virus. Using the proboscis extension reflex (PER), we uncovered no significant association between a simple associative learning task and natural DWV load. However, when assessed through a reversal associative learning assay, bees with higher DWV load performed better in the reversal learning phase. DWV is able to replicate in the honey bee mushroom bodies, where the GABAergic signalling pathway has an antagonistic effect on associative learning but is crucial for reversal learning. Hence, we assessed the pattern of expression of several GABA-related genes in bees with different learning responses. Intriguingly, mushroom body expression of selected genes was positively correlated with DWV load, but only for bees with good reversal learning performance. We hypothesise that DWV might improve olfactory learning performance by enhancing the GABAergic inhibition of responses to unrewarded stimuli, which is consistent with the behavioural patterns that we observed. However, at higher disease burdens, which might be induced by an artificial infection or by a severe, natural Varroa infestation, this DWV-associated increase in GABA signalling could impair associative learning as previously reported by other studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szymon Szymański
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Zoology Building, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
| | - David Baracchi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Lauren Dingle
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Zoology Building, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
| | - Alan S. Bowman
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Zoology Building, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
| | - Fabio Manfredini
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Zoology Building, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
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10
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Foster LJ, Tsvetkov N, McAfee A. Mechanisms of Pathogen and Pesticide Resistance in Honey Bees. Physiology (Bethesda) 2024; 39:0. [PMID: 38411571 PMCID: PMC11368521 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00033.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bees are the most important insect pollinators of the crops humans grow, and Apis mellifera, the Western honey bee, is the most commonly managed species for this purpose. In addition to providing agricultural services, the complex biology of honey bees has been the subject of scientific study since the 18th century, and the intricate behaviors of honey bees and ants, fellow hymenopterans, inspired much sociobiological inquest. Unfortunately, honey bees are constantly exposed to parasites, pathogens, and xenobiotics, all of which pose threats to their health. Despite our curiosity about and dependence on honey bees, defining the molecular mechanisms underlying their interactions with biotic and abiotic stressors has been challenging. The very aspects of their physiology and behavior that make them so important to agriculture also make them challenging to study, relative to canonical model organisms. However, because we rely on A. mellifera so much for pollination, we must continue our efforts to understand what ails them. Here, we review major advancements in our knowledge of honey bee physiology, focusing on immunity and detoxification, and highlight some challenges that remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard J Foster
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Michael Smith LaboratoriesUniversity of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nadejda Tsvetkov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Michael Smith LaboratoriesUniversity of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alison McAfee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Michael Smith LaboratoriesUniversity of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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11
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Guo D, Wang Y, Li Z, Zhang DX, Wang C, Wang H, Liu Z, Liu F, Guo X, Wang N, Xu B, Gao Z. Effects of abamectin nanocapsules on bees through host physiology, immune function, and gut microbiome. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 930:172738. [PMID: 38670362 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Pesticide usage is a common practice to increase crop yields. Nevertheless, the existence of pesticide residues in the surrounding environment presents a significant hazard to pollinators, specifically the potential undisclosed dangers related to emerging nanopesticides. This study examines the impact of abamectin nanocapsules (AbaNCs), created through electrostatic self-assembly, as an insecticide on honey bees. It was determined that AbaNCs upregulated detoxification genes, including CYP450, as well as antioxidant and immune genes in honey bees. Furthermore, AbaNCs affected the activity of crucial enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD). Although no apparent damage was observed in bee gut tissue, AbaNCs significantly decreased digestive enzyme activity. Microbiome sequencing revealed that AbaNCs disrupted gut microbiome, resulting in a reduction of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Additionally, these changes in the gut microbiome were associated with decreased activity of digestive enzymes, including lipase. This study enhances our understanding of the impact of nanopesticides on pollinating insects. Through the revelation of the consequences arising from the utilization of abamectin nanocapsules, we have identified potential stress factors faced by these pollinators, enabling the implementation of improved protective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dezheng Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongyu Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Da-Xia Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongfang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenguo Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingqi Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Ningxin Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China.
| | - Baohua Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zheng Gao
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Jobart B, Delatte H, Lebreton G, Cazanove N, Esnault O, Clémencet J, Blot N. Parasite and virus dynamics in the honeybee Apis mellifera unicolor on a tropical island recently invaded by Varroa destructor. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 204:108125. [PMID: 38705353 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
In La Réunion, the established honeybee subspecies Apis mellifera unicolor, an endemic subspecies of African lineage, is facing considerable challenges. Since the introduction of the Varroa destructor mite in 2017 high colony losses have been recorded. We investigated the dynamics of V. destructor and two viruses, the Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), known to be transmitted by the mite, and the Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV), in A. m. unicolor. Colonies from two apiaries located at 300 and 900 m a.s.l were monitored twice for one year without any acaricide treatment. The brood area, V. destructor infestation rates, DWV and CBPV prevalence and load were recorded monthly. A. m. unicolor maintained brood rearing throughout the year. Varroa destructor infestation resulted in high colony mortality (up to 85 %) and high phoretic mite rates (up to 52 mites per hundred bees). The establishment of DWV in colonies occurred after that of V. destructor and the mite infestation rate had a significant effect on the virus prevalence and load. CBPV appeared only transiently throughout the surveys. The data showed that, in tropical colonies with permanent brood rearing, V. destructor and DWV can reach high levels, but are still subject to seasonal variations that appear to be influenced by environmental conditions. This suggests that beekeeping practices could be adapted by favouring sites and periods for transhumance or acaricide treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Jobart
- CIRAD, UMR PVBMT, F-97410 Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France; Université de La Réunion, UMR PVBMT, F-97400 Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Hélène Delatte
- CIRAD, UMR PVBMT, F-97410 Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France
| | | | | | - Olivier Esnault
- Université de La Réunion, UMR PVBMT, F-97400 Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Johanna Clémencet
- Université de La Réunion, UMR PVBMT, F-97400 Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Nicolas Blot
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Laboratoire "Microorganismes: Génome Et Environnement, Clermont-Ferrand, France; UMR PVBMT, F-97410 Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France.
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13
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Sun K, Fu K, Hu T, Shentu X, Yu X. Leveraging insect viruses and genetic manipulation for sustainable agricultural pest control. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:2515-2527. [PMID: 37948321 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The potential of insect viruses in the biological control of agricultural pests is well-recognized, yet their practical application faces obstacles such as host specificity, variable virulence, and resource scarcity. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies have significantly advanced our capabilities in discovering and identifying new insect viruses, thereby enriching the arsenal for pest management. Concurrently, progress in reverse genetics has facilitated the development of versatile viral expression vectors. These vectors have enhanced the specificity and effectiveness of insect viruses in targeting specific pests, offering a more precise approach to pest control. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the methodologies employed in the identification of insect viruses using HTS. Additionally, it explores the domain of genetically modified insect viruses and their associated challenges in pest management. The adoption of these cutting-edge approaches holds great promise for developing environmentally sustainable and effective pest control solutions. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Sun
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection & Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kang Fu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection & Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tao Hu
- Zhejinag Seed Industry Group Xinchuang Bio-breeding Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuping Shentu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection & Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoping Yu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection & Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
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14
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Rossi F, Del Matto I, Ricchiuti L, Marino L. Selection and Multiplexing of Reverse Transcription-Quantitative PCR Tests Targeting Relevant Honeybee Viral Pathogens. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1105. [PMID: 38930487 PMCID: PMC11205706 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Verifying the inclusivity of molecular detection methods gives indications about the reliability of viral infection diagnosis because of the tendency of viral pathogens to undergo sequence variation. This study was aimed at selecting inclusive probes based on reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays for the diagnosis of the most widespread and detrimental viruses infecting honeybees, namely the acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), the black queen cell virus (BQCV), the chronic paralysis bee virus (CBPV), the deformed wing virus variants A (DWVA) and B (DWVB), and the sacbrood virus (SBV). Therefore, previously described detection methods were re-evaluated in silico for their specificity and inclusivity. Based on this evaluation, selected methods were modified, or new ones were designed and tested in duplex RT-qPCR reactions. The limits of detection (LODs), effect of multiplexing on sensitivity and the viral RNA quantification potential in bees and hive debris were assessed. This study made available diagnostic assays able to detect an increased number of virus variants compared with previously described tests and two viral pathogens in a single PCR reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franca Rossi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (I.D.M.); (L.R.); (L.M.)
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15
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Lorenzo-López J, Juan-Llácer L. Propagation Analysis of an RFID System in the UHF Band in the Honeycomb Frame of a Beehive. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:3356. [PMID: 38894147 PMCID: PMC11174498 DOI: 10.3390/s24113356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, communication systems, including RFID, have been used in intelligent beehives for beekeeping. RFID systems in the UHF frequency band offer reading distances of tens of centimetres, allowing the localisation and identification of the queen bee inside the hive. With this purpose, this work proposes an analysis of an environment of propagation that consists of a honeycomb frame, where the reader is placed within the frame, and the tag is placed in different positions over it. A honeycomb frame consists of a wooden box containing a honey wax panel, supported by metallic wires. The environment is modelled theoretically using its S-parameters and simulated in CST Studio. An analysis of these results and empirical measurements is performed. The results show that a periodicity in the received power of the tag is found with respect to the distance to the reader when the tag is located in a direction parallel to the wire, where local maximum and minimum values are found. Additionally, when the tag is placed over a wire of the frame, a higher received power is obtained compared to the case where the tag is placed between two wires. Furthermore, it has been observed that the reading range has increased with respect to free space, covering the full frame.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leandro Juan-Llácer
- Department of Information and Communications Technology, Polytechnic University of Cartagena, 30202 Cartagena, Spain;
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16
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Carlini DB, Winslow SK, Cloppenborg-Schmidt K, Baines JF. Quantitative microbiome profiling of honey bee (Apis mellifera) guts is predictive of winter colony loss in northern Virginia (USA). Sci Rep 2024; 14:11021. [PMID: 38744972 PMCID: PMC11094147 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61199-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
For the past 15 years, the proportion of honey bee hives that fail to survive winter has averaged ~ 30% in the United States. Winter hive loss has significant negative impacts on agriculture, the economy, and ecosystems. Compared to other factors, the role of honey bee gut microbial communities in driving winter hive loss has received little attention. We investigate the relationship between winter survival and honey bee gut microbiome composition of 168 honey bees from 23 hives, nine of which failed to survive through winter 2022. We found that there was a substantial difference in the abundance and community composition of honey bee gut microbiomes based on hive condition, i.e., winter survival or failure. The overall microbial abundance, as assessed using Quantitative Microbiome Profiling (QMP), was significantly greater in hives that survived winter 2022 than in those that failed, and the average overall abundance of each of ten bacterial genera was also greater in surviving hives. There were no significant differences in alpha diversity based on hive condition, but there was a highly significant difference in beta diversity. The bacterial genera Commensalibacter and Snodgrassella were positively associated with winter hive survival. Logistic regression and random forest machine learning models on pooled ASV counts for the genus data were highly predictive of winter outcome, although model performance decreased when samples from the location with no hive failures were excluded from analysis. As a whole, our results show that the abundance and community composition of honey bee gut microbiota is associated with winter hive loss, and can potentially be used as a diagnostic tool in evaluating hive health prior to the onset of winter. Future work on the functional characterization of the honey bee gut microbiome's role in winter survival is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Carlini
- Department of Biology, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20016, USA.
| | - Sundre K Winslow
- Department of Biology, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20016, USA
| | - Katja Cloppenborg-Schmidt
- Section of Evolutionary Medicine, Institute for Experimental Medicine, Kiel University, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - John F Baines
- Section of Evolutionary Medicine, Institute for Experimental Medicine, Kiel University, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105, Kiel, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, 24306, Plön, Germany.
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17
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Shamjana U, Vasu DA, Hembrom PS, Nayak K, Grace T. The role of insect gut microbiota in host fitness, detoxification and nutrient supplementation. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2024; 117:71. [PMID: 38668783 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-024-01970-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Insects are incredibly diverse, ubiquitous and have successfully flourished out of the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of evolutionary processes. The resident microbiome has accompanied the physical and biological adaptations that enable their continued survival and proliferation in a wide array of environments. The host insect and microbiome's bidirectional relationship exhibits their capability to influence each other's physiology, behavior and characteristics. Insects are reported to rely directly on the microbial community to break down complex food, adapt to nutrient-deficit environments, protect themselves from natural adversaries and control the expression of social behavior. High-throughput metagenomic approaches have enhanced the potential for determining the abundance, composition, diversity and functional activities of microbial fauna associated with insect hosts, enabling in-depth investigation into insect-microbe interactions. We undertook a review of some of the major advances in the field of metagenomics, focusing on insect-microbe interaction, diversity and composition of resident microbiota, the functional capability of endosymbionts and discussions on different symbiotic relationships. The review aims to be a valuable resource on insect gut symbiotic microbiota by providing a comprehensive understanding of how insect gut symbionts systematically perform a range of functions, viz., insecticide degradation, nutritional support and immune fitness. A thorough understanding of manipulating specific gut symbionts may aid in developing advanced insect-associated research to attain health and design strategies for pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Shamjana
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Deepa Azhchath Vasu
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Preety Sweta Hembrom
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Karunakar Nayak
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Tony Grace
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India.
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18
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Copeland DC, Ricigliano VA, Mott BM, Kortenkamp OL, Erickson RJ, Gorrochategui-Ortega J, Anderson KE. A longitudinal study of queen health in honey bees reveals tissue specific response to seasonal changes and pathogen pressure. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8963. [PMID: 38637564 PMCID: PMC11026438 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58883-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The health of honey bee queens is crucial for colony success, particularly during stressful periods like overwintering. To accompany a previous longitudinal study of colony and worker health, we explored niche-specific gut microbiota, host gene expression, and pathogen prevalence in honey bee queens overwintering in a warm southern climate. We found differential gene expression and bacterial abundance with respect to various pathogens throughout the season. Biologically older queens had larger microbiotas, particularly enriched in Bombella and Bifidobacterium. Both Deformed Wing Virus A and B subtypes were highest in the fat body tissue in January, correlating with colony Varroa levels, and Deformed Wing Virus titers in workers. High viral titers in queens were associated with decreased vitellogenin expression, suggesting a potential trade-off between immune function and reproductive capacity. Additionally, we found a complex and dynamic relationship between these viral loads and immune gene expression, indicating a possible breakdown in the coordinated immune response as the season progressed. Our study also revealed a potential link between Nosema and Melissococcus plutonius infections in queens, demonstrating that seasonal opportunism is not confined to just workers. Overall, our findings highlight the intricate interplay between pathogens, metabolic state, and immune response in honey bee queens. Combined with worker and colony-level metrics from the same colonies, our findings illustrate the social aspect of queen health and resilience over the winter dearth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duan C Copeland
- USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, 2000 E. Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA.
| | - Vincent A Ricigliano
- USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA, 70820, USA
| | - Brendon M Mott
- USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, 2000 E. Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| | - Oliver L Kortenkamp
- USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, 2000 E. Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
- Department of Entomology and Center for Insect Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Robert J Erickson
- USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, 2000 E. Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| | - June Gorrochategui-Ortega
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena S/N, 48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - Kirk E Anderson
- USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, 2000 E. Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA.
- Department of Entomology and Center for Insect Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
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19
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Yang C, Hu J, Su Q, Zhang Z, Du Y, Wang J, Sun H, Han B, Tang J, Guo L, Li H, Cai W, Zheng H, Zhou X, Zhang X. A review on recent taxonomic updates of gut bacteria associated with social bees, with a curated genomic reference database. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38594229 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Honeybees and bumblebees play a crucial role as essential pollinators. The special gut microbiome of social bees is a key factor in determining the overall fitness and health of the host. Although bees harbor relatively simple microbial communities at the genus level, recent studies have unveiled significant genetic divergence and variations in gene content within each bacterial genus. However, a comprehensive and refined genomics-based taxonomic database specific to social bee gut microbiomes remains lacking. Here, we first provided an overview of the current knowledge on the distribution and function of social bee gut bacteria, as well as the factors that influence the gut population dynamics. We then consolidated all available genomes of the gut bacteria of social bees and refined the species-level taxonomy, by constructing a maximum-likelihood core genome phylogeny and calculating genome-wide pairwise average nucleotide identity. On the basis of the refined species taxonomy, we constructed a curated genomic reference database, named the bee gut microbe genome sequence database (BGM-GDb). To evaluate the species-profiling performance of the curated BGM-GDb, we retrieved a series of bee gut metagenomic data and inferred the species-level composition using metagenomic intra-species diversity analysis system (MIDAS), and then compared the results with those obtained from a prebuilt MIDAS database. We found that compared with the default database, the BGM-GDb excelled in aligned read counts and bacterial richness. Overall, this high-resolution and precise genomic reference database will facilitate research in understanding the gut community structure of social bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengfeng Yang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Hainan Province, China
| | - Jiawei Hu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qinzhi Su
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Department of Geriatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - Zijing Zhang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yating Du
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jieni Wang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Huihui Sun
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Hainan Province, China
| | - Benfeng Han
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Junbo Tang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Lizhen Guo
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hu Li
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wanzhi Cai
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Zheng
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Hainan Province, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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20
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Rajagopalan K, DeGrandi-Hoffman G, Pruett M, Jones VP, Corby-Harris V, Pireaud J, Curry R, Hopkins B, Northfield TD. Warmer autumns and winters could reduce honey bee overwintering survival with potential risks for pollination services. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5410. [PMID: 38528007 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55327-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Honey bees and other pollinators are critical for food production and nutritional security but face multiple survival challenges. The effect of climate change on honey bee colony losses is only recently being explored. While correlations between higher winter temperatures and greater colony losses have been noted, the impacts of warmer autumn and winter temperatures on colony population dynamics and age structure as an underlying cause of reduced colony survival have not been examined. Focusing on the Pacific Northwest US, our objectives were to (a) quantify the effect of warmer autumns and winters on honey bee foraging activity, the age structure of the overwintering cluster, and spring colony losses, and (b) evaluate indoor cold storage as a management strategy to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. We perform simulations using the VARROAPOP population dynamics model driven by future climate projections to address these objectives. Results indicate that expanding geographic areas will have warmer autumns and winters extending honey bee flight times. Our simulations support the hypothesis that late-season flight alters the overwintering colony age structure, skews the population towards older bees, and leads to greater risks of colony failure in the spring. Management intervention by moving colonies to cold storage facilities for overwintering has the potential to reduce honey bee colony losses. However, critical gaps remain in how to optimize winter management strategies to improve the survival of overwintering colonies in different locations and conditions. It is imperative that we bridge the gaps to sustain honey bees and the beekeeping industry and ensure food and nutritional security.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman
- United States Department of Agriculture ARS, Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, Tucson, AZ, USA.
| | | | - Vincent P Jones
- Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA, USA
| | - Vanessa Corby-Harris
- United States Department of Agriculture ARS, Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | | | | | - Tobin D Northfield
- Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA, USA
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21
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Aguado-López D, Urbieta Magro A, Higes M, Rodríguez JM, Martín-Hernández R. Influence of Age of Infection on the Gut Microbiota in Worker Honey Bees ( Apis mellifera iberiensis) Experimentally Infected with Nosema ceranae. Microorganisms 2024; 12:635. [PMID: 38674580 PMCID: PMC11051791 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota of honey bees has received increasing interest in the past decades due to its crucial role in their health, and can be disrupted by pathogen infection. Nosema ceranae is an intracellular parasite that affects the epithelial cells of the midgut, altering gut homeostasis and representing a major threat to honey bees. Previous studies indicated that younger worker bees are more susceptible to experimental infection by this parasite, although the impact of infection and of age on the gut bacterial communities remains unclear. To address this, honey bees were experimentally infected with a consistent number of N. ceranae spores at various ages post-emergence (p.e.) and the gut bacteria 7 days post-infection (p.i.) were analysed using real-time quantitative PCR, with the results compared to non-infected controls. Infected bees had a significantly higher proportion and load of Gilliamella apicola. In respect to the age of infection, the bees infected just after emergence had elevated loads of G. apicola, Bifidobacterium asteroides, Bombilactobacillus spp., Lactobacillus spp., Bartonella apis, and Bombella apis. Moreover, the G. apicola load was higher in bees infected at nearly all ages, whereas older non-infected bees had higher loads of Bifidobacterium asteroides, Bombilactobacillus spp., Lactobacillus spp., Ba. apis, and Bo apis. These findings suggest that N. ceranae infection and, in particular, the age of bees at infection modulate the gut bacterial community, with G. apicola being the most severely affected species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Aguado-López
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Camino de San Martín s/n, 19180 Marchamalo, Spain; (A.U.M.); (M.H.)
| | - Almudena Urbieta Magro
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Camino de San Martín s/n, 19180 Marchamalo, Spain; (A.U.M.); (M.H.)
| | - Mariano Higes
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Camino de San Martín s/n, 19180 Marchamalo, Spain; (A.U.M.); (M.H.)
| | - Juan Miguel Rodríguez
- Departamento de Nutrición y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Camino de San Martín s/n, 19180 Marchamalo, Spain; (A.U.M.); (M.H.)
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22
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Motta EVS, Moran NA. The honeybee microbiota and its impact on health and disease. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:122-137. [PMID: 38049554 PMCID: PMC10998682 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00990-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are key pollinators that support global agriculture and are long-established models for developmental and behavioural research. Recently, they have emerged as models for studying gut microbial communities. Earlier research established that hindguts of adult worker bees harbour a conserved set of host-restricted bacterial species, each showing extensive strain variation. These bacteria can be cultured axenically and introduced to gnotobiotic hosts, and some have basic genetic tools available. In this Review, we explore the most recent research showing how the microbiota establishes itself in the gut and impacts bee biology and health. Microbiota members occupy specific niches within the gut where they interact with each other and the host. They engage in cross-feeding and antagonistic interactions, which likely contribute to the stability of the community and prevent pathogen invasion. An intact gut microbiota provides protection against diverse pathogens and parasites and contributes to the processing of refractory components of the pollen coat and dietary toxins. Absence or disruption of the microbiota results in altered expression of genes that underlie immunity, metabolism, behaviour and development. In the field, such disruption by agrochemicals may negatively impact bees. These findings demonstrate a key developmental and protective role of the microbiota, with broad implications for bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick V S Motta
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Nancy A Moran
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA.
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23
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Oliveira Orsi R, Zaluski R, de Barros LC, Barraviera B, Pimenta DC, Ferreira Junior RS. Standardized guidelines for Africanized honeybee venom production needed for development of new apilic antivenom. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2024; 27:73-90. [PMID: 38247328 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2023.2300786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Africanized bees have spread across the Americas since 1956 and consequently resulted in human and animal deaths attributed to massive attacks related to exposure from Argentina to the USA. In Brazil, more than 100,000 accidents were registered in the last 5 years with a total of 303 deaths. To treat such massive attacks, Brazilian researchers developed the first specific antivenom against Africanized honey bee sting exposure. This unique product, the first of its kind in the world, has been safely tested in 20 patients during a Phase 2 clinical trial. To develop the antivenom, a standardized process was undertaken to extract primary venom antigens from the Africanized bees for immunization of serum-producing horses. This process involved extracting, purifying, fractionating, characterizing, and identifying the venom (apitoxin) employing mass spectrometry to generate standardized antigen for hyperimmunization of horses using the major toxins (melittin and its isoforms and phospholipase A2). The current guide describes standardization of the entire production chain of venom antigens in compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMP) required by regulatory agencies. Emphasis is placed upon the welfare of bees and horses during this process, as well as the development of a new biopharmaceutical to ultimately save lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Oliveira Orsi
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (FMVZ), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Animal Sciences (FMVZ), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Zaluski
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Luciana Curtolo de Barros
- Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Benedito Barraviera
- Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School (FMB), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Clinical Research, Botucatu Medical School (FMB) and CEVAP, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Daniel Carvalho Pimenta
- Graduate Program in Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School (FMB), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Butantan Institute (BI), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rui Seabra Ferreira Junior
- Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School (FMB), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Clinical Research, Botucatu Medical School (FMB) and CEVAP, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
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24
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Lamas ZS, Chen Y, Evans JD. Case Report: Emerging Losses of Managed Honey Bee Colonies. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:117. [PMID: 38392335 PMCID: PMC10887003 DOI: 10.3390/biology13020117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
United States commercial beekeepers prepare honey bee colonies for almond pollination in California each year in late January to early February. This represents the largest managed pollination event in the world and involves more than half of all U.S. honey bee colonies. In winter 2023, numerous colonies in Florida, which were graded as suitable for almonds (larger than ten frames of bees), dwindled suddenly or altogether died within several weeks, just prior to movement for almonds. The timing of these losses and the resulting morbidity caused severe economic harm to affected operations. This study reports interviews with affected stakeholders, their economic harm, and analyses of pathogens and parasites found in their colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary S Lamas
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Lab, BARC-East Bldg. 306, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Yanping Chen
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Lab, BARC-East Bldg. 306, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Jay D Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Lab, BARC-East Bldg. 306, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
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25
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Nguyen JB, Marshall CW, Cook CN. The buzz within: the role of the gut microbiome in honeybee social behavior. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246400. [PMID: 38344873 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Gut symbionts influence the physiology and behavior of their host, but the extent to which these effects scale to social behaviors is an emerging area of research. The use of the western honeybee (Apis mellifera) as a model enables researchers to investigate the gut microbiome and behavior at several levels of social organization. Insight into gut microbial effects at the societal level is critical for our understanding of how involved microbial symbionts are in host biology. In this Commentary, we discuss recent findings in honeybee gut microbiome research and synthesize these with knowledge of the physiology and behavior of other model organisms to hypothesize how host-microbe interactions at the individual level could shape societal dynamics and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
| | - C W Marshall
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
| | - C N Cook
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
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26
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Sukkar D, Laval-Gilly P, Kanso A, Azoury S, Bonnefoy A, Falla-Angel J. A potential trade-off between offense and defense in honeybee innate immunity: Reduced phagocytosis in honeybee hemocytes correlates with a protective response after exposure to imidacloprid and amitraz. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 199:105772. [PMID: 38458665 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.105772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Phagocytosis "offense" is a crucial process to protect the organism from diseases and the effects of foreign particles. Insects rely on the innate immune system and thus any hindrance to phagocytosis may greatly affect their resistance to diseases and response to pathogens. The European honeybee, a valuable species due to its economic and environmental contribution, is being challenged by colony collapse disorder leading to its decline. Exposure to multiple factors including pesticides like imidacloprid and amitraz may negatively alter their immune response and ultimately make them more susceptible to diseases. In this study, we compare the effect of different concentrations and mixtures of imidacloprid and amitraz with different concentrations of the immune stimulant, zymosan A. Results show that imidacloprid and amitraz have a synergistic negative effect on phagocytosis. The lowered phagocytosis induces significantly higher hemocyte viability suggesting a negatively correlated protective mechanism "defense" from pesticide-associated damage but may not be protective from pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dani Sukkar
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, LSE, F-54000 Nancy, France; Université de Lorraine, IUT Thionville-Yutz, Plateforme de Recherche, Transfert de Technologie et Innovation (PRTI), 57970 Yutz, France; Lebanese University, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences I, Hadath, Lebanon.
| | | | - Ali Kanso
- Lebanese University, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences I, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Sabine Azoury
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, LSE, F-54000 Nancy, France; Lebanese University, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences I, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Antoine Bonnefoy
- Université de Lorraine, IUT Thionville-Yutz, Plateforme de Recherche, Transfert de Technologie et Innovation (PRTI), 57970 Yutz, France
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27
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Maigoro AY, Lee JH, Kim H, Frunze O, Kwon HW. Gut Microbiota of Apis mellifera at Selected Ontogenetic Stages and Their Immunogenic Potential during Summer. Pathogens 2024; 13:122. [PMID: 38392860 PMCID: PMC10893431 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are pollinating agents of economic importance. The role of the gut microbiome in honeybee health has become increasingly evident due to its relationship with immune function, growth, and development. Although their dynamics at various developmental stages have been documented, their dynamics during the era of colony collapse disorder and immunogenic potential, which are connected to the antagonistic immune response against pathogens, need to be elucidated. Using 16S rRNA gene Illumina sequencing, the results indicated changes in the gut microbiota with the developmental stage. The bacterial diversity of fifth stage larva was significantly different among the other age groups, in which Fructobacillus, Escherichia-Shigella, Bombella, and Tyzzerella were unique bacteria. In addition, the diversity of the worker bee microbiome was distinct from that of the younger microbiome. Lactobacillus and Gilliamella remained conserved throughout the developmental stages, while Bifidobacterium colonized only worker bees. Using an in silico approach, the production potential of lipopolysaccharide-endotoxin was predicted. Forager bees tend to have a higher abundance rate of Gram-negative bacteria. Our results revealed the evolutionary importance of some microbiome from the larval stage to the adult stage, providing insight into the potential dynamics of disease response and susceptibility. This finding provides a theoretical foundation for furthering the understanding of the function of the gut microbiota at various developmental stages related to probiotic development and immunogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulkadir Yusif Maigoro
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea (H.K.)
| | - Jeong-Hyeon Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hyunjee Kim
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea (H.K.)
| | - Olga Frunze
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea (H.K.)
| | - Hyung-Wook Kwon
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea (H.K.)
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea;
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28
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Han B, Wu J, Wei Q, Liu F, Cui L, Rueppell O, Xu S. Life-history stage determines the diet of ectoparasitic mites on their honey bee hosts. Nat Commun 2024; 15:725. [PMID: 38272866 PMCID: PMC10811344 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44915-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Ectoparasitic mites of the genera Varroa and Tropilaelaps have evolved to exclusively exploit honey bees as food sources during alternating dispersal and reproductive life history stages. Here we show that the primary food source utilized by Varroa destructor depends on the host life history stage. While feeding on adult bees, dispersing V. destructor feed on the abdominal membranes to access to the fat body as reported previously. However, when V. destructor feed on honey bee pupae during their reproductive stage, they primarily consume hemolymph, indicated by wound analysis, preferential transfer of biostains, and a proteomic comparison between parasite and host tissues. Biostaining and proteomic results were paralleled by corresponding findings in Tropilaelaps mercedesae, a mite that only feeds on brood and has a strongly reduced dispersal stage. Metabolomic profiling of V. destructor corroborates differences between the diet of the dispersing adults and reproductive foundresses. The proteome and metabolome differences between reproductive and dispersing V. destructor suggest that the hemolymph diet coincides with amino acid metabolism and protein synthesis in the foundresses while the metabolism of non-reproductive adults is tuned to lipid metabolism. Thus, we demonstrate within-host dietary specialization of ectoparasitic mites that coincides with life history of hosts and parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Han
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jiangli Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qiaohong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Fengying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lihong Cui
- Cell Biology Facility, Center of Biomedical Analysis, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Olav Rueppell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G2L3, Canada.
| | - Shufa Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
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29
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Anderson KE, Allen NO, Copeland DC, Kortenkamp OL, Erickson R, Mott BM, Oliver R. A longitudinal field study of commercial honey bees shows that non-native probiotics do not rescue antibiotic treatment, and are generally not beneficial. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1954. [PMID: 38263184 PMCID: PMC10806037 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52118-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Probiotics are widely used in agriculture including commercial beekeeping, but there is little evidence supporting their effectiveness. Antibiotic treatments can greatly distort the gut microbiome, reducing its protective abilities and facilitating the growth of antibiotic resistant pathogens. Commercial beekeepers regularly apply antibiotics to combat bacterial infections, often followed by an application of non-native probiotics advertised to ease the impact of antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis. We tested whether probiotics affect the gut microbiome or disease prevalence, or rescue the negative effects of antibiotic induced gut dysbiosis. We found no difference in the gut microbiome or disease markers by probiotic application or antibiotic recovery associated with probiotic treatment. A colony-level application of the antibiotics oxytetracycline and tylosin produced an immediate decrease in gut microbiome size, and over the longer-term, very different and persistent dysbiotic effects on the composition and membership of the hindgut microbiome. Our results demonstrate the lack of probiotic effect or antibiotic rescue, detail the duration and character of dysbiotic states resulting from different antibiotics, and highlight the importance of the gut microbiome for honeybee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirk E Anderson
- USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, 2000 E. Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA.
| | - Nathan O Allen
- Department of Entomology and Center for Insect Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Duan C Copeland
- USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, 2000 E. Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| | - Oliver L Kortenkamp
- Department of Entomology and Center for Insect Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Robert Erickson
- USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, 2000 E. Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| | - Brendon M Mott
- USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, 2000 E. Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
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30
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Taylor LN, Dolezal AG. The effect of Israeli acute paralysis virus infection on honey bee brood care behavior. Sci Rep 2024; 14:991. [PMID: 38200122 PMCID: PMC10781695 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50585-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
To protect themselves from communicable diseases, social insects utilize social immunity-behavioral, physiological, and organizational means to combat disease transmission and severity. Within a honey bee colony, larvae are visited thousands of times by nurse bees, representing a prime environment for pathogen transmission. We investigated a potential social immune response to Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) infection in brood care, testing the hypotheses that bees will respond with behaviors that result in reduced brood care, or that infection results in elevated brood care as a virus-driven mechanism to increase transmission. We tested for group-level effects by comparing three different social environments in which 0%, 50%, or 100% of nurse bees were experimentally infected with IAPV. We investigated individual-level effects by comparing exposed bees to unexposed bees within the mixed-exposure treatment group. We found no evidence for a social immune response at the group level; however, individually, exposed bees interacted with the larva more frequently than their unexposed nestmates. While this could increase virus transmission from adults to larvae, it could also represent a hygienic response to increase grooming when an infection is detected. Together, our findings underline the complexity of disease dynamics in complex social animal systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lincoln N Taylor
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Adam G Dolezal
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
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31
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Smutin D, Taldaev A, Lebedev E, Adonin L. Shotgun Metagenomics Reveals Minor Micro" bee"omes Diversity Defining Differences between Larvae and Pupae Brood Combs. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:741. [PMID: 38255816 PMCID: PMC10815634 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Bees represent not only a valuable asset in agriculture, but also serve as a model organism within contemporary microbiology. The metagenomic composition of the bee superorganism has been substantially characterized. Nevertheless, traditional cultural methods served as the approach to studying brood combs in the past. Indeed, the comb microbiome may contribute to determining larval caste differentiation and hive immunity. To further this understanding, we conducted a shotgun sequencing analysis of the brood comb microbiome. While we found certain similarities regarding species diversity, it exhibits significant differentiation from all previously described hive metagenomes. Many microbiome members maintain a relatively constant ratio, yet taxa with the highest abundance level tend to be ephemeral. More than 90% of classified metagenomes were Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli and Actinobacteria genetic signatures. Jaccard dissimilarity between samples based on bacteria genus classifications hesitate from 0.63 to 0.77, which for shotgun sequencing indicates a high consistency in bacterial composition. Concurrently, we identified antagonistic relationships between certain bacterial clusters. The presence of genes related to antibiotic synthesis and antibiotic resistance suggests potential mechanisms underlying the stability of comb microbiomes. Differences between pupal and larval combs emerge in the total metagenome, while taxa with the highest abundance remained consistent. All this suggests that a key role in the functioning of the comb microbiome is played by minor biodiversity, the function of which remains to be established experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniil Smutin
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, Tyumen 625003, Russia
- Faculty of Information Technology and Programming, ITMO University, St. Petersburg 197101, Russia
| | - Amir Taldaev
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, Tyumen 625003, Russia
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow 119121, Russia
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny 141700, Russia
| | - Egor Lebedev
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, Tyumen 625003, Russia
| | - Leonid Adonin
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, Tyumen 625003, Russia
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow 119121, Russia
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32
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Hill MS, Gilbert JA. Microbiology of the built environment: harnessing human-associated built environment research to inform the study and design of animal nests and enclosures. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2023; 87:e0012121. [PMID: 38047636 PMCID: PMC10732082 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00121-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYOver the past decade, hundreds of studies have characterized the microbial communities found in human-associated built environments (BEs). These have focused primarily on how the design and use of our built spaces have shaped human-microbe interactions and how the differential selection of certain taxa or genetic traits has influenced health outcomes. It is now known that the more removed humans are from the natural environment, the greater the risk for the development of autoimmune and allergic diseases, and that indoor spaces can be harsh, selective environments that can increase the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant and virulent phenotypes in surface-bound communities. However, despite the abundance of research that now points to the importance of BEs in determining human-microbe interactions, only a fraction of non-human animal structures have been comparatively explored. It is here, in the context of human-associated BE research, that we consider the microbial ecology of animal-built natural nests and burrows, as well as artificial enclosures, and point to areas of primary interest for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan S. Hill
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jack A. Gilbert
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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MacInnis CI, Luong LT, Pernal SF. A tale of two parasites: Responses of honey bees infected with Nosema ceranae and Lotmaria passim. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22515. [PMID: 38110440 PMCID: PMC10728187 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49189-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Nosema ceranae and Lotmaria passim are two commonly encountered digestive tract parasites of the honey bee that have been associated with colony losses in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Though honey bees can be co-infected with these parasites, we still lack basic information regarding how they impact bee health at the individual and colony level. Using locally-isolated parasite strains, we investigated the effect of single and co-infections of these parasites on individual honey bee survival, and their responsiveness to sucrose. Results showed that a single N. ceranae infection is more virulent than both single L. passim infections and co-infections. Honey bees singly infected with N. ceranae reached < 50% survival eight days earlier than those inoculated with L. passim alone, and four days earlier than those inoculated with both parasites. Honey bees infected with either one, or both, parasites had increased responsiveness to sucrose compared to uninfected bees, which could correspond to higher levels of hunger and increased energetic stress. Together, these findings suggest that N. ceranae and L. passim pose threats to bee health, and that the beekeeping industry should monitor for both parasites in an effort correlate pathogen status with changes in colony-level productivity and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney I MacInnis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada.
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, P.O. Box 29, Beaverlodge, AB, T0H 0C0, Canada.
| | - Lien T Luong
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Stephen F Pernal
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, P.O. Box 29, Beaverlodge, AB, T0H 0C0, Canada.
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Uhlen M, Quake SR. Sequential sequencing by synthesis and the next-generation sequencing revolution. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1565-1572. [PMID: 37482467 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
The impact of next-generation sequencing (NGS) cannot be overestimated. The technology has transformed the field of life science, contributing to a dramatic expansion in our understanding of human health and disease and our understanding of biology and ecology. The vast majority of the major NGS systems today are based on the concept of 'sequencing by synthesis' (SBS) with sequential detection of nucleotide incorporation using an engineered DNA polymerase. Based on this strategy, various alternative platforms have been developed, including the use of either native nucleotides or reversible terminators and different strategies for the attachment of DNA to a solid support. In this review, some of the key concepts leading to this remarkable development are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Uhlen
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Stephen R Quake
- Departments of Bioengineering and Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Redwood City, California, USA, Stanford, CA, USA
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Deng Y, Yang X, Chen J, Yang S, Chi H, Chen C, Yang X, Hou C. Jute ( Corchorus olitorius L.) Nanocrystalline Cellulose Inhibits Insect Virus via Gut Microbiota and Metabolism. ACS NANO 2023; 17:21662-21677. [PMID: 37906569 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c06824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Natural plant nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), exhibiting a number of exceptional performance characteristics, is widely used in food fields. However, little is known about the relationship between NCC and the antiviral effect in animals. Here, we tested the function of NCC in antiviral methods utilizing honey bees as the model organism employing Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), a typical RNA virus of honey bees. In both the lab and the field, we fed the IAPV-infected bees various doses of jute NCC (JNCC) under carefully controlled conditions. We found that JNCC can reduce IAPV proliferation and improve gut health. The metagenome profiling suggested that IAPV infection significantly decreased the abundance of gut core bacteria, while JNCC therapy considerably increased the abundance of the gut core bacteria Snodgrassella alvi and Lactobacillus Firm-4. Subsequent metabolome analysis further revealed that JNCC promoted the biosynthesis of fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids, accelerated the purine metabolism, and then increased the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and the genes involved in the Wnt and apoptosis signaling pathways against IAPV infection. Our results highlighted that JNCC could be considered as a prospective candidate agent against a viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchun Deng
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, P. R. China
| | - Xiai Yang
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, P. R. China
| | - Jiquan Chen
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, P. R. China
| | - Sa Yang
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, P. R. China
- Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, P. R. China
| | - Haiyang Chi
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, P. R. China
| | - Chenxiao Chen
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, P. R. China
| | - Xiushi Yang
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, P. R. China
| | - Chunsheng Hou
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, P. R. China
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Zhang Y, Liu A, Kang Huang S, Evans JD, Cook SC, Palmer-Young E, Corona M, Alburaki M, Liu G, Chou Han R, Feng Li W, Hao Y, Lian Li J, Gilligan TM, Smith-Pardo AH, Banmeke O, Posada-Florez FJ, Hui Gao Y, DeGrandi-Hoffman G, Chun Xie H, Sadzewicz AM, Hamilton M, Ping Chen Y. Mediating a host cell signaling pathway linked to overwinter mortality offers a promising therapeutic approach for improving bee health. J Adv Res 2023; 53:99-114. [PMID: 36564001 PMCID: PMC10658305 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Honey bees provides valuable pollination services for world food crops and wild flowering plants which are habitats of many animal species and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. Nevertheless, the honey bee population has been declining and the majority of colony losses occur during the winter. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to understand the mechanisms underlying overwinter colony losses and develop novel therapeutic strategies for improving bee health. METHODS First, pathogen prevalence in overwintering bees were screened between 2015 and 2018. Second, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) for transcriptional profiling of overwintering honey bees was conducted and qRT-PCR was performed to confirm the results of the differential expression of selected genes. Lastly, laboratory bioassays were conducted to measure the effects of cold challenges on bee survivorship and stress responses and to assess the effect of a novel medication for alleviating cold stress in honey bees. RESULTS We identified that sirtuin signaling pathway is the most significantly enriched pathway among the down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in overwintering diseased bees. Moreover, we showed that the expression of SIRT1 gene, a major sirtuin that regulates energy and immune metabolism, was significantly downregulated in bees merely exposed to cold challenges, linking cold stress with altered gene expression of SIRT1. Furthermore, we demonstrated that activation of SIRT1 gene expression by SRT1720, an activator of SIRT1 expression, could improve the physiology and extend the lifespan of cold-stressed bees. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that increased energy consumption of overwintering bees for maintaining hive temperature reduces the allocation of energy toward immune functions, thus making the overwintering bees more susceptible to disease infections and leading to high winter colony losses. The novel information gained from this study provides a promising avenue for the development of therapeutic strategies for mitigating colony losses, both overwinter and annually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi 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, Guanzhou 510260, PR China; U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; School of Chinese Medicinal Resource, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Yunfu 527527, PR China
| | - Andrew Liu
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Shao Kang Huang
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; College of Animal Sciences (Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, PR China
| | - Jay D Evans
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Steve C Cook
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Evan Palmer-Young
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Miguel Corona
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Mohamed Alburaki
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Ge Liu
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Ri Chou 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, Guanzhou 510260, PR China
| | - Wen Feng Li
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Yue Hao
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100093, PR China
| | - Ji Lian Li
- Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100093, PR China
| | - Todd M Gilligan
- Identification Technology Program (ITP) Molecular Laboratory, USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Science & Technology (S&T), Fort Collins, CO 80526-1825, USA
| | - Allan H Smith-Pardo
- Identification Technology Program (ITP) Molecular Laboratory, USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Science & Technology (S&T), Fort Collins, CO 80526-1825, USA
| | - Olubukola Banmeke
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Francisco J Posada-Florez
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Ya Hui Gao
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | | | - Hui Chun Xie
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Animal and Plant Resources of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai Province, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810000, China
| | - Alex M Sadzewicz
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Michele Hamilton
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Yan Ping Chen
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
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Mills TJT, Nelson TM, Pearson LA, Neilan BA. Hive Transplantation Has Minimal Impact on the Core Gut Microbiome of the Australian Stingless Bee, Tetragonula carbonaria. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 86:2086-2096. [PMID: 37088849 PMCID: PMC10497653 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02222-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria residing in the guts of pollinating insects play a key role in nutrient acquisition, digestion, and resistance to pests and diseases. Imbalances in microbial flora in response to environmental change and stress can therefore impact insect health and resilience. This study is aimed at defining the core gut microbiome of the Australian native stingless bee, Tetragonula carbonaria, and exploring the impact of colony transplantation on gut health. The gut microbiomes of nine forager bees from natural (log) and manufactured (box) hives were examined via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Some differences were observed at the ASV level between the microbiomes of log and box hive bees. However, a core microbiome, dominated by Lactobacillus spp., unclassified Acetobacteraceae spp., and Bombella spp., was maintained. Further, the inferred functional potential of the microbiomes was consistent across all individuals. This study highlights that although hive transplantation has an impact on the overall diversity of stingless bee gut microbiomes, it is unlikely to have a significant negative impact on the overall health and resilience of the colony.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J T Mills
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - T M Nelson
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - L A Pearson
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - B A Neilan
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
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Li WL, Huang Q, Li JL, Wu P, Wei B, Li XJ, Tang QH, Dong ZX, Xiong J, Tang H, Zhang J, Zhao CH, Cao Z, Chen Y, Zhao WZ, Wang K, Guo J. Gut microbiota-driven regulation of queen bee ovarian metabolism. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0214523. [PMID: 37750696 PMCID: PMC10581225 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02145-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
With the global prevalence of Varroa mites, more and more beekeepers resort to confining the queen bee in a queen cage to control mite infestation or to breed superior and robust queen bees. However, the impact of such practices on the queen bee remains largely unknown. Therefore, we subjected the queen bees to a 21-day egg-laying restriction treatment (from the egg stage to the emergence of adult worker bees) and analyzed the queen bees' ovarian metabolites and gut microbiota after 21 days, aiming to assess the queen bees' quality and assist beekeepers in better hive management. Our findings revealed a significant reduction in the relative expression levels of Vg and Hex110 genes in the ovaries of egg laying-restricted queen bees compared to unrestricted egg-laying queens. The diversity of gut microbiota in the queen bee exhibited a notable decrease, accompanied by corresponding changes in the core bacteria of the microbial community, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium increased from 22.34% to 53.14% (P = 0.01) and from 0.053% to 0.580% (P = 0.04), respectively. The relative abundance of Bombella decreased from 25.85% to 1.720% (P = 0.002). Following egg-laying restriction, the activity of the queen bee's ovaries decreased, while the metabolism of glycerophospholipids remained or stored more lipid molecules, awaiting environmental changes for the queen bee to resume egg laying promptly. Furthermore, we observed that Bombella in the queen bee's gut may regulate the queen's ovarian metabolism through tryptophan metabolism. These findings provide novel insights into the interplay among queen egg laying, gut microbiota, and ovarian metabolism. IMPORTANCE With Varroa mite infestation, beekeepers often confine the queen bee in cages for control or breeding. However, the impact on the queen bee is largely unknown. We evaluated queen bee quality by restricting egg laying and analyzing ovarian metabolites and gut microbiota. In this study, we provided a comprehensive explanation of the expression of ovarian genes, the diversity of gut microbiota, and changes in ovarian metabolism in the queen bee. Through integrated analysis of the queen bee's gut microbiota and ovarian metabolism, we discovered that the gut microbiota can regulate the queen bee's ovarian metabolism. These findings provide valuable insights into the interplay among egg laying, gut microbiota, and the reproductive health of the queen bee. Understanding these relationships can contribute to the development of better strategies for Varroa mite control and queen bee breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Li Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Jia-Li Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Ping Wu
- Nanchuan District Livestock, Veterinary and Fisheries Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Bangrong Wei
- Chongqing Nanchuan District Livestock, Veterinary and Fishery Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Xi-Jie Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Qi-He Tang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Zhi-Xiang Dong
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Jian Xiong
- Yunnan Zhongfeng Technology Development Co. Ltd., Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Hong Tang
- Chongqing Nanchuan Bee Breeding Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Chong-Hui Zhao
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Zhe Cao
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Pujia Life Technology (Fuzhou) Co., LTD, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wen-zheng Zhao
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Heilongtan, North Suburb, China
| | - Kai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Guo
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
- Yunnan Zhongfeng Technology Development Co. Ltd., Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Pobiega K, Kot AM, Przybył JL, Synowiec A, Gniewosz M. Comparison of the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Propolis from Urban Apiaries. Molecules 2023; 28:6744. [PMID: 37764522 PMCID: PMC10537721 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bee products from urban apiaries are increasingly used. They are mainly used to promote local apiaries and cities in which they are located. The aim of the study was to compare the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of propolis from 6 Polish apiaries located in cities (Legionowo, Torun, Cracow, Warsaw, Katowice, Lodz). The chemical composition was analyzed using liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) and the analysis of antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals (ABTS and DPPH) and FRAP. The obtained results showed the presence of 24 phenolic compounds in propolis extracts. The tested samples showed differentiation in terms of the content of individual chemical components, however, cinnamic acid and its derivatives were dominant. High antioxidant activity of the tested extracts was demonstrated (ABTS was in the range of 16.80-51.53 mg Te/mL, DPPH was in the range of 7.54-22.13 mg Te/mL, while FRAP reduction was in the range of 10.93-29.55 mg Te/mL). The obtained results compared with literature data on propolis from agricultural areas allow to conclude that propolis samples from both Poland types of areas are similar and can be classified as poplar propolis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Pobiega
- Department of Food Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences WULS-SGGW, 159C Nowoursynowska Street, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (A.M.K.); (A.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Anna M. Kot
- Department of Food Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences WULS-SGGW, 159C Nowoursynowska Street, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (A.M.K.); (A.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Jarosław L. Przybył
- Department of Vegetable and Medicinal Plants, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences WULS-SGGW, 159 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Alicja Synowiec
- Department of Food Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences WULS-SGGW, 159C Nowoursynowska Street, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (A.M.K.); (A.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Małgorzata Gniewosz
- Department of Food Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences WULS-SGGW, 159C Nowoursynowska Street, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (A.M.K.); (A.S.); (M.G.)
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40
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Sukkar D, Kanso A, Laval-Gilly P, Falla-Angel J. A clash on the Toll pathway: competitive action between pesticides and zymosan A on components of innate immunity in Apis mellifera. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1247582. [PMID: 37753094 PMCID: PMC10518393 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1247582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The immune system of honeybees includes multiple pathways that may be affected by pesticide exposure decreasing the immune competencies of bees and increasing their susceptibility to diseases like the fungal Nosema spp. infection, which is detected in collapsed colonies. Methods To better understand the effect of the co-presence of multiple pesticides that interact with bees like imidacloprid and amitraz, we evaluated the expression of immune-related genes in honeybee hemocytes. Results Imidacloprid, amitraz, and the immune activator, zymosan A, mainly affect the gene expression in the Toll pathway. Discussion Imidacloprid, amitraz, and zymosan A have a synergistic or an antagonistic relationship on gene expression depending on the level of immune signaling. The presence of multiple risk factors like pesticides and pathogens requires the assessment of their complex interaction, which has differential effects on the innate immunity of honeybees as seen in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dani Sukkar
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, LSE, F-54000 Nancy, France
- Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences I, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Ali Kanso
- Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences I, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
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Deutsch KR, Graham JR, Boncristiani HF, Bustamante T, Mortensen AN, Schmehl DR, Wedde AE, Lopez DL, Evans JD, Ellis JD. Widespread distribution of honey bee-associated pathogens in native bees and wasps: Trends in pathogen prevalence and co-occurrence. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 200:107973. [PMID: 37479057 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Pollinators have experienced significant declines in the past decade, in part due to emerging infectious diseases. Historically, studies have primarily focused on pathogens in the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera. However, recent work has demonstrated that these pathogens are shared by other pollinators and can negatively affect their health. Here, we surveyed honey bees and 15 native bee and wasp species for 13 pathogens traditionally associated with honey bees. The native bee and wasp species included 11 species not previously screened for pathogens. We found at least one honey bee-associated pathogen in 53% of native bee and wasp samples. The most widely distributed and commonly detected pathogens were the microsporidian Nosema ceranae, the bacterium Melissococcus plutonius, and the viruses deformed wing virus and black queen cell virus. The prevalence of viruses was generally higher in honey bees than in native bees and wasps. However, the prevalence of M. plutonius and the brood fungus Ascosphaera apis was significantly higher in some native bee species than in honey bees. The data also reveal novel trends in the association between co-occurring pathogens in honey bees and native bees and wasps at the pathogen community level. These results can inform the assessment of risks that native pollinator species face from pathogen stress, and indicate that many non-viral pathogens, notably M. plutonius and N. ceranae, are far more widely distributed and commonly found in native bees and wasps than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason R Graham
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Planet Bee Foundation, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Humberto F Boncristiani
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Inside The Hive Media, Consulting Inc., Odenton, MD 21113, USA
| | - Tomas Bustamante
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Independent Collaborator, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ashley N Mortensen
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Bisley Road, Hamilton 3214, New Zealand
| | - Daniel R Schmehl
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Bayer CropScience LP, 700 Chesterfield Pwky. W., Chesterfield, MO 63017, USA
| | - Ashlyn E Wedde
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Driscoll's Global R&D, Watsonville, CA, USA
| | - Dawn L Lopez
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Jay D Evans
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - James D Ellis
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Sweeny AR, Lemon H, Ibrahim A, Watt KA, Wilson K, Childs DZ, Nussey DH, Free A, McNally L. A mixed-model approach for estimating drivers of microbiota community composition and differential taxonomic abundance. mSystems 2023; 8:e0004023. [PMID: 37489890 PMCID: PMC10469806 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00040-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and metabarcoding approaches are increasingly applied to wild animal populations, but there is a disconnect between the widely applied generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) approaches commonly used to study phenotypic variation and the statistical toolkit from community ecology typically applied to metabarcoding data. Here, we describe the suitability of a novel GLMM-based approach for analyzing the taxon-specific sequence read counts derived from standard metabarcoding data. This approach allows decomposition of the contribution of different drivers to variation in community composition (e.g., age, season, individual) via interaction terms in the model random-effects structure. We provide guidance to implementing this approach and show how these models can identify how responsible specific taxonomic groups are for the effects attributed to different drivers. We applied this approach to two cross-sectional data sets from the Soay sheep population of St. Kilda. GLMMs showed agreement with dissimilarity-based approaches highlighting the substantial contribution of age and minimal contribution of season to microbiota community compositions, and simultaneously estimated the contribution of other technical and biological factors. We further used model predictions to show that age effects were principally due to increases in taxa of the phylum Bacteroidetes and declines in taxa of the phylum Firmicutes. This approach offers a powerful means for understanding the influence of drivers of community structure derived from metabarcoding data. We discuss how our approach could be readily adapted to allow researchers to estimate contributions of additional factors such as host or microbe phylogeny to answer emerging questions surrounding the ecological and evolutionary roles of within-host communities. IMPORTANCE NGS and fecal metabarcoding methods have provided powerful opportunities to study the wild gut microbiome. A wealth of data is, therefore, amassing across wild systems, generating the need for analytical approaches that can appropriately investigate simultaneous factors at the host and environmental scale that determine the composition of these communities. Here, we describe a generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) approach to analyze read count data from metabarcoding of the gut microbiota, allowing us to quantify the contributions of multiple host and environmental factors to within-host community structure. Our approach provides outputs that are familiar to a majority of field ecologists and can be run using any standard mixed-effects modeling packages. We illustrate this approach using two metabarcoding data sets from the Soay sheep population of St. Kilda investigating age and season effects as worked examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy R. Sweeny
- Institute of Ecology & Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Lemon
- Institute of Ecology & Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Anan Ibrahim
- Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute of Quantitative Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn A. Watt
- Institute of Ecology & Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Kenneth Wilson
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Dylan Z. Childs
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel H. Nussey
- Institute of Ecology & Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Free
- Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute of Quantitative Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Luke McNally
- Institute of Ecology & Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Fang X, Lu G, Deng Y, Yang S, Hou C, Gong P. Unusual substructure conformations observed in crystal structures of a dicistrovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase suggest contribution of the N-terminal extension in proper folding. Virol Sin 2023; 38:531-540. [PMID: 37156298 PMCID: PMC10436059 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The Dicistroviridae is a virus family that includes many insect pathogens. These viruses contain a positive-sense RNA genome that is replicated by the virally encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) also named 3Dpol. Compared with the Picornaviridae RdRPs such as poliovirus (PV) 3Dpol, the Dicistroviridae representative Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) 3Dpol has an additional N-terminal extension (NE) region that is about 40-residue in length. To date, both the structure and catalytic mechanism of the Dicistroviridae RdRP have remain elusive. Here we reported crystal structures of two truncated forms of IAPV 3Dpol, namely Δ85 and Δ40, both missing the NE region, and the 3Dpol protein in these structures exhibited three conformational states. The palm and thumb domains of these IAPV 3Dpol structures are largely consistent with those of the PV 3Dpol structures. However, in all structures, the RdRP fingers domain is partially disordered, while different conformations of RdRP substructures and interactions between them are also present. In particular, a large-scale conformational change occurred in the motif B-middle finger region in one protein chain of the Δ40 structure, while a previously documented alternative conformation of motif A was observed in all IAPV structures. These experimental data on one hand show intrinsic conformational variances of RdRP substructures, and on the other hand suggest possible contribution of the NE region in proper RdRP folding in IAPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Fang
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430207, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Guoliang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430207, China
| | - Yanchun Deng
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410205, China
| | - Sa Yang
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Chunsheng Hou
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410205, China.
| | - Peng Gong
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430207, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Wuhan, 430207, China.
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Cao X, Wang Z, Pang J, Sun L, Kondo H, Andika IB. Identification of a novel dicistro-like virus associated with the roots of tomato plants. Arch Virol 2023; 168:214. [PMID: 37523067 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05843-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Viruses belonging to the family Dicistroviridae have a monopartite positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome and infect a variety of arthropods. Using high-throughput sequencing, we detected a novel dicistro-like virus, tentatively named "tomato root-associated dicistro-like virus" (TRaDLV), in the roots of tomato plants showing yellow mosaic symptoms on the leaves. The diseased tomato plants were coinfected with multiple plant viruses, and TRaDLV was present in the roots but not in the leaves. The genome of TRaDLV is 8726 nucleotides in length, excluding the poly(A) tail, and contains two open reading frames (ORFs) separated by an intergenic region (IGR). The TRaDLV genome showed characteristics similar to those of dicistroviruses, including the presence of a 3C-like protease domain, repeated amino acid sequences representing multiple copies of viral genome-linked protein (VPg)-like sequences in the ORF1 polyprotein, and a series of stem-loop structures resembling an internal ribosome entry site in the IGR. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that TRaDLV clustered with unclassified dicistro-like viruses from invertebrates or identified in samples of plant-derived material. These findings indicate the existence of a novel dicistro-like virus that may associate with plant roots or a root-inhabiting organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinran Cao
- College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, 266109, Qingdao, China
- Shandong Agricultural University, 271018, Tai'an, China
- Shouguang International vegetable Sci-tech Fair Management Service Center, 262700, Shouguang, China
| | - Ziqi Wang
- College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, 266109, Qingdao, China
| | - Jianguo Pang
- University Library, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Xianyang, China
| | - Liying Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Xianyang, China
| | - Hideki Kondo
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, 710-0046, Kurashiki, Japan
| | - Ida Bagus Andika
- College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, 266109, Qingdao, China.
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Fellows CJ, Simone-Finstrom M, Anderson TD, Swale DR. Potassium ion channels as a molecular target to reduce virus infection and mortality of honey bee colonies. Virol J 2023; 20:134. [PMID: 37349817 PMCID: PMC10286336 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02104-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Declines in managed honey bee populations are multifactorial but closely associated with reduced virus immunocompetence and thus, mechanisms to enhance immune function are likely to reduce viral infection rates and increase colony viability. However, gaps in knowledge regarding physiological mechanisms or 'druggable' target sites to enhance bee immunocompetence has prevented therapeutics development to reduce virus infection. Our data bridge this knowledge gap by identifying ATP-sensitive inward rectifier potassium (KATP) channels as a pharmacologically tractable target for reducing virus-mediated mortality and viral replication in bees, as well as increasing an aspect of colony-level immunity. Bees infected with Israeli acute paralysis virus and provided KATP channel activators had similar mortality rates as uninfected bees. Furthermore, we show that generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and regulation of ROS concentrations through pharmacological activation of KATP channels can stimulate antiviral responses, highlighting a functional framework for physiological regulation of the bee immune system. Next, we tested the influence of pharmacological activation of KATP channels on infection of 6 viruses at the colony level in the field. Data strongly support that KATP channels are a field-relevant target site as colonies treated with pinacidil, a KATP channel activator, had reduced titers of seven bee-relevant viruses by up to 75-fold and reduced them to levels comparable to non-inoculated colonies. Together, these data indicate a functional linkage between KATP channels, ROS, and antiviral defense mechanisms in bees and define a toxicologically relevant pathway that can be used for novel therapeutics development to enhance bee health and colony sustainability in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Fellows
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Michael Simone-Finstrom
- USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA, 70820, USA
| | - Troy D Anderson
- Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
| | - Daniel R Swale
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, 2055 Mowry Road, PO Box 100009, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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Wang K, Cai M, Sun J, Chen H, Lin Z, Wang Z, Niu Q, Ji T. Atrazine exposure can dysregulate the immune system and increase the susceptibility against pathogens in honeybees in a dose-dependent manner. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 452:131179. [PMID: 36948121 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Recently, concerns regarding the impact of agrochemical pesticides on non-target organisms have increased. The effect of atrazine, the second-most widely used herbicide in commercial farming globally, on honeybees remains poorly understood. Here, we evaluated how atrazine impacts the survival of honeybees and pollen and sucrose consumption, investigating the morphology and mRNA expression levels of midgut tissue, along with bacterial composition (relative abundance) and load (absolute abundance) in the whole gut. Atrazine did not affect mortality, but high exposure (37.3 mg/L) reduced pollen and sucrose consumption, resulting in peritrophic membrane dysplasia. Sodium channels and chitin synthesis were considered potential atrazine targets, with the expression of various genes related to lipid metabolism, detoxification, immunity, and chemosensory activity being inhibited after atrazine exposure. Importantly, 37.3 mg/L atrazine exposure substantially altered the composition and size of the gut microbial community, clearly reducing both the absolute and relative abundance of three core gram-positive taxa, Lactobacillus Firm-5, Lactobacillus Firm-4, and Bifidobacterium asteroides. With altered microbiome composition and a weakened immune system following atrazine exposure, honeybees became more susceptible to infection by the opportunistic pathogen Serratia marcescens. Thus, considering its scale of use, atrazine could negatively impact honeybee populations worldwide, which may adversely affect global food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Minqi Cai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Heng Chen
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing, China
| | - Zheguang Lin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Bee Genetics and Breeding, Jilin Provincial Institute of Apicultural Sciences, Jilin, China
| | - Qingsheng Niu
- Key Laboratory for Bee Genetics and Breeding, Jilin Provincial Institute of Apicultural Sciences, Jilin, China
| | - Ting Ji
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China.
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Correa-Benítez A, Anguiano-Baez R, Heneidi-Zeckua A, Dávalos-Flores JL, Peña-Haaz NT, Pérez-Martínez EE, Carbajal-Rodríguez M, Vasquez-Valencia I, Almazán-Maldonado N, Petukhova T, Guzman-Novoa E. Prevalence of Adult Honey Bee ( Apis mellifera L.) Pests and Pathogens in the Five Beekeeping Regions of Mexico. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1734. [PMID: 37889652 PMCID: PMC10251999 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mexico is a major honey producer, but not much information exists about the health status of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) in the country. This study was conducted to determine the sanitary status of adult honey bees in Mexico's five beekeeping regions. Samples from 369 apiaries were diagnosed to identify pathogens such as Varroa destructor, which was quantified, Acarapis woodi, Nosema spp., and five viruses. Colonies were also inspected for the presence of the small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida. Varroa destructor was found in 83.5% of the apiaries, with the Pacific Coast region having the highest prevalence (>95%) and rates (4.5% ± 0.6). Acarapis woodi was detected in only one apiary from the Pacific Coast, whereas Nosema spp. were prevalent in 48.5% of the apiaries, with the highest and lowest frequencies in the Yucatan Peninsula and North regions (64.6% and 10.2%, respectively). For viruses, deformed wing virus (DWV) was detected in 26.1% of the apiaries, with the highest frequency in the Pacific Coast region (44.7%). Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) was diagnosed in 3.2% of the samples and sacbrood bee virus (SBV) in 23.3% of them, with the highest frequency in the High Plateau region (36.4%). Chronic bee paralysis and Kashmir bee viruses were not detected. SHB prevalence was 25.2% nationwide, with the highest frequency in the Yucatan Peninsula (39.2%). This study shows that the most common parasites of adult honey bees in Mexico are V. destructor and Nosema spp., and that the most prevalent virus is DWV, whereas SHB is highly prevalent in the Yucatan Peninsula. This information could be useful to design disease control strategies for honey bee colonies in different regions of Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Correa-Benítez
- Departamento de Medicina y Zootecnia de Abejas, FMVZ, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.C.-B.); (R.A.-B.); (N.T.P.-H.); (M.C.-R.); (I.V.-V.); (N.A.-M.)
| | - Ricardo Anguiano-Baez
- Departamento de Medicina y Zootecnia de Abejas, FMVZ, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.C.-B.); (R.A.-B.); (N.T.P.-H.); (M.C.-R.); (I.V.-V.); (N.A.-M.)
| | - Assad Heneidi-Zeckua
- Consultoría en Epidemiología y Análisis de Riesgo, Adolfo Prieto 1543, Mexico City 03100, Mexico;
| | - José L. Dávalos-Flores
- Departamento de Economía, Administración y Desarrollo Rural, FMVZ, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.L.D.-F.); (E.E.P.-M.)
| | - Nelly T. Peña-Haaz
- Departamento de Medicina y Zootecnia de Abejas, FMVZ, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.C.-B.); (R.A.-B.); (N.T.P.-H.); (M.C.-R.); (I.V.-V.); (N.A.-M.)
| | - Eduardo E. Pérez-Martínez
- Departamento de Economía, Administración y Desarrollo Rural, FMVZ, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.L.D.-F.); (E.E.P.-M.)
| | - Mariana Carbajal-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Medicina y Zootecnia de Abejas, FMVZ, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.C.-B.); (R.A.-B.); (N.T.P.-H.); (M.C.-R.); (I.V.-V.); (N.A.-M.)
| | - Itzel Vasquez-Valencia
- Departamento de Medicina y Zootecnia de Abejas, FMVZ, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.C.-B.); (R.A.-B.); (N.T.P.-H.); (M.C.-R.); (I.V.-V.); (N.A.-M.)
| | - Nayeli Almazán-Maldonado
- Departamento de Medicina y Zootecnia de Abejas, FMVZ, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.C.-B.); (R.A.-B.); (N.T.P.-H.); (M.C.-R.); (I.V.-V.); (N.A.-M.)
| | - Tatiana Petukhova
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Ernesto Guzman-Novoa
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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Durand T, Bonjour-Dalmon A, Dubois E. Viral Co-Infections and Antiviral Immunity in Honey Bees. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051217. [PMID: 37243302 DOI: 10.3390/v15051217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, honey bees have been facing an increasing number of stressors. Beyond individual stress factors, the synergies between them have been identified as a key factor in the observed increase in colony mortality. However, these interactions are numerous and complex and call for further research. Here, in line with our need for a systemic understanding of the threats that they pose to bee health, we review the interactions between honey bee viruses. As viruses are obligate parasites, the interactions between them not only depend on the viruses themselves but also on the immune responses of honey bees. Thus, we first summarise our current knowledge of the antiviral immunity of honey bees. We then review the interactions between specific pathogenic viruses and their interactions with their host. Finally, we draw hypotheses from the current literature and suggest directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Durand
- National Research Institute for Agriculture Food and Environement, INRAE, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Site Agroparc, 84914 Avignon, France
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety, ANSES, 06902 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Anne Bonjour-Dalmon
- National Research Institute for Agriculture Food and Environement, INRAE, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Site Agroparc, 84914 Avignon, France
| | - Eric Dubois
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety, ANSES, 06902 Sophia Antipolis, France
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Gu Y, Han W, Wang Y, Liang D, Gao J, Zhong Y, Zhao S, Wang S. Xylocopa caerulea and Xylocopa auripennis harbor a homologous gut microbiome related to that of eusocial bees. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1124964. [PMID: 37266019 PMCID: PMC10229870 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1124964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Eusocial bees, such as bumblebees and honey bees, harbor host-specific gut microbiota through their social behaviors. Conversely, the gut microbiota of solitary bees is erratic owing to their lack of eusocial activities. Carpenter bees (genus Xylocopa) are long-lived bees that do not exhibit advanced eusociality like honey bees. However, they often compete for nests to reproduce. Xylocopa caerulea and Xylocopa auripennis are important pollinators of wild plants on Hainan Island. Whether they have host-specific bacteria in their guts similar to eusocial bees remains unknown. Methods We targeted the bacterial 16S rRNA V3-V4 region to investigate the diversity of bacterial symbionts in the fore-midgut and hindgut of two carpenter bees, X. caerulea and X. auripennis. Results A maximum of 4,429 unique amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were detected from all samples, belonging to 10 different phyla. X. caerulea and X. auripennis shared similar bacterial community profiles, with Lactobacillaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, and Orbaceae being dominant in their entire guts. X. caerulea and X. auripennis harbor a highly conserved core set of bacteria, including the genera Candidatus Schmidhempelia and Bombiscardovia. These two bacterial taxa from carpenter bees are closely related to those isolated from bumblebees. The LEfSe analysis showed that Lactobacillaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, and the genus Bombilactobacillus were significantly enriched in the hindguts of both carpenter bees. Functional prediction suggested that the most enriched pathways were involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Conclusions Our results revealed the structure of the gut microbiota in two carpenter bees and confirmed the presence of some core bacterial taxa that were previously only found in the guts of social bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Gu
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, China
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wensu Han
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
- Bee Industry Technology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | - Yuquan Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Danlei Liang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinglin Gao
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
- Bee Industry Technology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | - Yihai Zhong
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
- Bee Industry Technology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | - Shan Zhao
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
- Bee Industry Technology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | - Shijie Wang
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
- Bee Industry Technology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
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Khan KA, Ganeshprasad DN, Sachin HR, Shouche YS, Ghramh HA, Sneharani AH. Gut microbial diversity in Apis cerana indica and Apis florea colonies: a comparative study. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1149876. [PMID: 37252382 PMCID: PMC10213700 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1149876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Honey bee gut microbiota have an important role in host health, nutrition, host-symbiont interaction, and interaction behavior with the surrounding environment. Recent discoveries of strain-level variation, characteristics of protective and nutritional capabilities, and reports of eco-physiological significance to the microbial community have emphasized the importance of honey bee gut microbiota. Many regions of Asia and Africa are inhabited by the dwarf honey bee, Apis florea. Studying its microflora and potential for pollination is therefore of foremost importance. Methods In the present investigation, we aimed to explore the gut bacteriobiome composition of two distinct honey bee species, Apis florea and Apis cerana indica using high throughput sequencing. Functional predictions of bee gut bacterial communities using PICRUSt2 was carried out. Results and discussion The phylum Proteobacteria dominated the bacterial community in both A. cerana indica (50.1%) and A. florea (86.7%), followed by Firmicutes (26.29 and 12.81%), Bacteroidetes (23.19 and 0.04%) and Actinobacteria (0.4 and 0.02%) respectively. The gut bacteria of A. cerana indica was more diverse than that of A. florea. The observed variations in bacterial genomic diversity among these critical pollinator species may have been influenced by the apiary management techniques, ecological adaptation factors or habitat size. These variations can have a significant effect in understanding host-symbiont interactions and functioning of gut microbiota highlighting the importance of metagenomic survey in understanding microbial community ecology and evolution. This is the first comparative study on variation in bacterial diversity between two Asian honey bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Ali Khan
- Applied College, Mahala Campus, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Unit of Bee Research and Honey Production, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - D. N. Ganeshprasad
- Department of Studies and Research in Biochemistry, Jnana Kaveri Post Graduate Centre, Mangalore University, Chikka Aluvara, Karnataka, India
| | - H. R. Sachin
- Department of Studies and Research in Biochemistry, Jnana Kaveri Post Graduate Centre, Mangalore University, Chikka Aluvara, Karnataka, India
| | - Yogesh S. Shouche
- National Centre for Microbial Resource, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India
| | - Hamed A. Ghramh
- Unit of Bee Research and Honey Production, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - A. H. Sneharani
- Department of Studies and Research in Biochemistry, Jnana Kaveri Post Graduate Centre, Mangalore University, Chikka Aluvara, Karnataka, India
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