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Fleischmann PN, Grob R, Rössler W. Magnetoreception in Hymenoptera: importance for navigation. Anim Cogn 2020; 23:1051-1061. [PMID: 32975654 PMCID: PMC7700068 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-020-01431-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The use of information provided by the geomagnetic field (GMF) for navigation is widespread across the animal kingdom. At the same time, the magnetic sense is one of the least understood senses. Here, we review evidence for magnetoreception in Hymenoptera. We focus on experiments aiming to shed light on the role of the GMF for navigation. Both honeybees and desert ants are well-studied experimental models for navigation, and both use the GMF for specific navigational tasks under certain conditions. Cataglyphis desert ants use the GMF as a compass cue for path integration during their initial learning walks to align their gaze directions towards the nest entrance. This represents the first example for the use of the GMF in an insect species for a genuine navigational task under natural conditions and with all other navigational cues available. We argue that the recently described magnetic compass in Cataglyphis opens up a new integrative approach to understand the mechanisms underlying magnetoreception in Hymenoptera on different biological levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline N Fleischmann
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology (Zoology II), Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Robin Grob
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology (Zoology II), Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Rössler
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology (Zoology II), Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
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2
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Dabour K, Al Naggar Y, Masry S, Naiem E, Giesy JP. Cellular alterations in midgut cells of honey bee workers (Apis millefera L.) exposed to sublethal concentrations of CdO or PbO nanoparticles or their binary mixture. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 651:1356-1367. [PMID: 30360267 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Beside many beneficial applications in industry, agriculture and medicine, nanoparticles (NPs) released into the environment might cause adverse effects. In the present study, effects of exposure to sublethal concentrations of PbO and CdO NPs, either separately or in combination on honey bee (A. mellifera) workers were assessed. Honey bee workers were fed sugar syrup contained (20% of LC50) of CdO (0.01 mg ml-1) and PbO (0.65 mg ml-1) NPs either separately or combined for nine days under laboratory conditions. Control bees were fed 1.5 M sucrose syrup without NPs. Effects on histological and cellular structure of mid gut cells were investigated using light and electron microscope. Percentages of incidence of apoptosis or/and necrosis in mid gut cells were also quantified by use of flow cytometry. Rapture of the peritrophic membrane (PM) was among the most observed histopathological alteration in bees fed sugar syrup contained CdO NPs separately or combined with PbO NPs. Common cytological alterations observed in epithelial cells were irregular distribution or/and condensation of nuclear chromatin, mitochondrial swelling and lysis, and rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) dilation, fragmentation, and vesiculation and were quite similar in all treated groups compared to control. The greatest incidence (%) of necrosis was observed in bees fed the diet that contained CdO NPs alone. The greatest % of both apoptosis and necrosis was observed in bees fed sugar syrup spiked with sublethal concentrations of both metal oxide NPs. Joint action of the binary mixture of Cd and Pb oxide NPs on honey bees was concluded to be antagonistic. Collectively, exposure of honey bees to these metal oxide NPs even at sublethal concentrations will adversely affect viability of the colony and further studies are still required to determine the effects of these metal oxide NPs on behavior and pollination ecology of honeybees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Dabour
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, 31527 Tanta, Egypt
| | - Yahya Al Naggar
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, 31527 Tanta, Egypt; Centre of Integrative Bee Research (CIBER), Entomology Department, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA 92507, USA.
| | - Saad Masry
- Department of Plant Protection and Molecular Diagnosis, Arid Lands Cultivation, Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), 21934 Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Elsaied Naiem
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, 31527 Tanta, Egypt
| | - John P Giesy
- Department of Biomedical Veterinary Sciences and Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SKS7N 5B3, Canada
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Shaw JA, Boyd A, House M, Cowin G, Baer B. Multi-modal imaging and analysis in the search for iron-based magnetoreceptors in the honeybee Apis mellifera. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:181163. [PMID: 30839746 PMCID: PMC6170574 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.181163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The honeybee Apis mellifera is one of many animal species for which empirical evidence of a magnetic sense has been provided. The underlying mechanisms postulated for magnetoreception in bees are varied, but most point towards the abdomen as the most likely anatomical region for its location, partly owing to the large accumulation of iron in trophocyte cells that comprise the honeybee fat body. Using a multi-modal imaging and analysis approach, we have investigated iron in the honeybee, with a particular focus on the abdomen and the utility of such techniques as applied to magnetoreception. Abdominal iron is shown to accumulate rapidly, reaching near maximum levels only 5 days after emerging from the comb and is associated with the accumulation of iron within the fat body. While fat body iron could be visualized, no regions of interest, other than perhaps the fat body itself, were identified as potential sites for magnetoreceptive cells. If an iron-based magnetoreceptor exists within the honeybee abdomen the large accumulation of iron in the fat body is likely to impede its discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy A. Shaw
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Alastair Boyd
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Michael House
- School of Physics, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Gary Cowin
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Boris Baer
- Centre for Integrative Bee Research, Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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4
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Lambinet V, Hayden ME, Reigl K, Gomis S, Gries G. Linking magnetite in the abdomen of honey bees to a magnetoreceptive function. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2016.2873. [PMID: 28330921 PMCID: PMC5378088 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies of magnetoreception in honey bees, Apis mellifera, focused on the identification of magnetic material, its formation, the location of the receptor and potential underlying sensory mechanisms, but never directly linked magnetic material to a magnetoreceptive function. In our study, we demonstrate that ferromagnetic material consistent with magnetite plays an integral role in the bees' magnetoreceptor. Subjecting lyophilized and pelletized bee tagmata to analyses by a superconducting quantum interference device generated a distinct hysteresis loop for the abdomen but not for the thorax or the head of bees, indicating the presence of ferromagnetic material in the bee abdomen. Magnetic remanence of abdomen pellets produced from bees that were, or were not, exposed to the 2.2-kOe field of a magnet while alive differed, indicating that magnet exposure altered the magnetization of this magnetite in live bees. In behavioural two-choice field experiments, bees briefly exposed to the same magnet, but not sham-treated control bees, failed to sense a custom-generated magnetic anomaly, indicating that magnet exposure had rendered the bees' magnetoreceptor dysfunctional. Our data support the conclusion that honey bees possess a magnetite-based magnetoreceptor located in the abdomen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Lambinet
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael E Hayden
- Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Katharina Reigl
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Surath Gomis
- Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Gerhard Gries
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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5
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Manning R. Artificial feeding of honeybees based on an understanding of nutritional principles. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/an15814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Artificial pollen substitutes were developed to improve productivity from honeybees during periods of nutrient scarcity. The history of pollen-substitute development is outlined. Although many attempts have been made, no substitute has the same nutritional value as bee-collected pollen. Following a review of honeybee nutrition, Black (2006) described the ingredient and nutrient specifications for a pollen substitute, including the need for attractiveness to honeybees. Protein isolates were recommended to avoid toxicity from carbohydrates found in many ingredients used in previous studies. Twenty-seven plant- and animal-derived oils and a rum supplement, mixed at 2% with a low-lipid irradiated pollen, were evaluated for attractiveness by measuring consumption and bee congregation when placed in dishes within beehives. Coconut, linseed oil and rum were preferred significantly (P < 0.05) to the pollen, whereas pollen was preferred to lavender and sage oils. Almond and evening primrose oils were also highly, but not significantly, preferred compared with pollen and were used in combinations with coconut and linseed oils in subsequent experiments. Eleven predominantly pure protein sources, either singly or in combination, were mixed with 2% or 5% attractive oils and evaluated for attractiveness. Soybean protein isolate was selected, because attractiveness was not significantly different from bee-collected pollen. It was then used with oils in an experiment to evaluate either powdered cellulose or milled oat hulls as a fibre source. There were no significant differences in attractiveness of substitutes with the two fibre sources or pollen, and powdered cellulose was selected for further use on the basis of availability. An experiment with ~1000 newly hatched bees with a fertile queen in cages was undertaken to evaluate the diets when given as the sole nutrient source. Consumption, bee longevity and estimated hypopharyngeal gland development using head weight were measured One artificial diet (PI-5) contained 30% soybean protein isolate, 10% cellulose, 42% icing sugar, 12.5% water, 4.5% mixed oils and 1.3% minerals and vitamin plus cholesterol. Diet (PI-10) was similar, but contained twice as much oil replacing icing sugar. Other treatments were redgum pollen (P), a commercial pollen substitute, Feedbee® and defatted soybean meal. Diet consumption, lifespan and head weights were significantly less for the PI diets than for P, while Feedbee® and defatted soybean-meal diets were generally intermediate. The PI diets were discovered to contain excess sodium, due to the manufacturing process. Bees consuming the PI diets had lower concentrations of magnesium, copper, iron, manganese and zinc in their bodies than did those offered P. The fatty acid content of bee bodies also varied with diet. A revised formulation is recommended with reduced sodium and modified mineral and fatty acid composition.
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6
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Magnetic Sensing through the Abdomen of the Honey bee. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23657. [PMID: 27005398 PMCID: PMC4804335 DOI: 10.1038/srep23657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bees have the ability to detect the Earth’s magnetic field, and the suspected magnetoreceptors are the iron granules in the abdomens of the bees. To identify the sensing route of honey bee magnetoreception, we conducted a classical conditioning experiment in which the responses of the proboscis extension reflex (PER) were monitored. Honey bees were successfully trained to associate the magnetic stimulus with a sucrose reward after two days of training. When the neural connection of the ventral nerve cord (VNC) between the abdomen and the thorax was cut, the honey bees no longer associated the magnetic stimulus with the sucrose reward but still responded to an olfactory PER task. The neural responses elicited in response to the change of magnetic field were also recorded at the VNC. Our results suggest that the honey bee is a new model animal for the investigation of magnetite-based magnetoreception.
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Evidence for the presence of biogenic magnetic particles in the nocturnal migratory brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. Sci Rep 2016; 6:18771. [PMID: 26727944 PMCID: PMC4700427 DOI: 10.1038/srep18771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Biogenic magnetic particles have been detected in some migratory insects, which implies the basis of magnetoreception mechanism for orientation and navigation. Here, the biogenic magnetic particles in the migratory brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens were qualitatively measured by SQUID magnetometry, and their characteristics were further determined by Prussian Blue staining, electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The results indicate that there were remarkable magnetic materials in the abdomens and not in the head or thorax of the 3rd–5th instar nymphs, and in macropterous and brachypterous female and male adults of BPH. The size of magnetic particles was shown to be between 50–450 nm with a shape factor estimate of between 0.8–1.0 for all the tested BPHs. Moreover, the amount of magnetic particles was associated with the developmental stage (the 3rd–5th instar), wing form (macropterous vs. brachypterous) and sex. The macropterous female adults had the largest amount of magnetic particles. Although the existence of magnetic particles in the abdomens of BPH provides sound basis for the assumption of magnetic orientation, further behavioral studies and complementary physical characterization experiments should be conducted to determine whether the orientation behavior of BPH is associated with the magnetic particles detected in this study.
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Shaw J, Boyd A, House M, Woodward R, Mathes F, Cowin G, Saunders M, Baer B. Magnetic particle-mediated magnetoreception. J R Soc Interface 2015; 12:0499. [PMID: 26333810 PMCID: PMC4614459 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2015.0499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioural studies underpin the weight of experimental evidence for the existence of a magnetic sense in animals. In contrast, studies aimed at understanding the mechanistic basis of magnetoreception by determining the anatomical location, structure and function of sensory cells have been inconclusive. In this review, studies attempting to demonstrate the existence of a magnetoreceptor based on the principles of the magnetite hypothesis are examined. Specific attention is given to the range of techniques, and main animal model systems that have been used in the search for magnetite particulates. Anatomical location/cell rarity and composition are identified as two key obstacles that must be addressed in order to make progress in locating and characterizing a magnetite-based magnetoreceptor cell. Avenues for further study are suggested, including the need for novel experimental, correlative, multimodal and multidisciplinary approaches. The aim of this review is to inspire new efforts towards understanding the cellular basis of magnetoreception in animals, which will in turn inform a new era of behavioural research based on first principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Shaw
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Alastair Boyd
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Michael House
- School of Physics, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Robert Woodward
- School of Physics, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Falko Mathes
- School of Earth and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Gary Cowin
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Martin Saunders
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Boris Baer
- Centre for Integrative Bee Research (CIBER), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
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9
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Hertlein G, Müller S, Garcia-Gonzalez E, Poppinga L, Süssmuth RD, Genersch E. Production of the catechol type siderophore bacillibactin by the honey bee pathogen Paenibacillus larvae. PLoS One 2014; 9:e108272. [PMID: 25237888 PMCID: PMC4169593 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-positive bacterium Paenibacillus larvae is the etiological agent of American Foulbrood. This bacterial infection of honey bee brood is a notifiable epizootic posing a serious threat to global honey bee health because not only individual larvae but also entire colonies succumb to the disease. In the recent past considerable progress has been made in elucidating molecular aspects of host pathogen interactions during pathogenesis of P. larvae infections. Especially the sequencing and annotation of the complete genome of P. larvae was a major step forward and revealed the existence of several giant gene clusters coding for non-ribosomal peptide synthetases which might act as putative virulence factors. We here present the detailed analysis of one of these clusters which we demonstrated to be responsible for the biosynthesis of bacillibactin, a P. larvae siderophore. We first established culture conditions allowing the growth of P. larvae under iron-limited conditions and triggering siderophore production by P. larvae. Using a gene disruption strategy we linked siderophore production to the expression of an uninterrupted bacillibactin gene cluster. In silico analysis predicted the structure of a trimeric trithreonyl lactone (DHB-Gly-Thr)3 similar to the structure of bacillibactin produced by several Bacillus species. Mass spectrometric analysis unambiguously confirmed that the siderophore produced by P. larvae is identical to bacillibactin. Exposure bioassays demonstrated that P. larvae bacillibactin is not required for full virulence of P. larvae in laboratory exposure bioassays. This observation is consistent with results obtained for bacillibactin in other pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Hertlein
- Institute for Bee Research, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
| | - Sebastian Müller
- Technische Universität Berlin, Institut für Chemie, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Garcia-Gonzalez
- Institute for Bee Research, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
| | - Lena Poppinga
- Institute for Bee Research, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
| | | | - Elke Genersch
- Institute for Bee Research, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Berlin, Germany
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10
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Furtado WCA, Azevedo DO, Martins GF, Zanuncio JC, Serrão JE. Histochemistry and ultrastructure of urocytes in the pupae of the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata (Hymenoptera: Meliponini). MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2013; 19:1502-1510. [PMID: 24016411 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927613013445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The main cell types of the adult bee fat body are trophocytes and oenocytes; however, in pupae of some newly emerged bees, trophocytes are modified into cells called urocytes, which possibly function as a substitute for Malpighian tubules during metamorphosis when larval tubules are not functional and/or storage of urate salts is required. This study evaluated the morphology of urocytes in the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata and the possibility of maintaining these cells in primary culture. The urocytes M. quadrifasciata are white spherical cells with an irregular surface as observed by stereomicroscopy. They may be found individually or in groups associated with tracheae. Urocytes have a single, small, and spherical nucleus and cytoplasm rich in neutral polysaccharides, lipid droplets, protein, and granules containing calcium and urate salts. Our findings suggest that urocytes play a role in storage of neutral polysaccharides and calcium in M. quadrifasciata pupae and that these cells can be cultured for 72 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waléria C A Furtado
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, 36570-000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
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11
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12
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Hsu CY, Ko FY, Li CW, Fann K, Lue JT. Magnetoreception system in honeybees (Apis mellifera). PLoS One 2007; 2:e395. [PMID: 17460762 PMCID: PMC1851986 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2006] [Accepted: 04/03/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Honeybees (Apis mellifera) undergo iron biomineralization, providing the basis for magnetoreception. We showed earlier the presence of superparamagnetic magnetite in iron granules formed in honeybees, and subscribed to the notion that external magnetic fields may cause expansion or contraction of the superparamagnetic particles in an orientation-specific manner, relaying the signal via cytoskeleton (Hsu and Li 1994). In this study, we established a size-density purification procedure, with which quantitative amount of iron granules was obtained from honey bee trophocytes and characterized; the density of iron granules was determined to be 1.25 g/cm3. While we confirmed the presence of superparamagnetic magnetite in the iron granules, we observed changes in the size of the magnetic granules in the trophycytes upon applying additional magnetic field to the cells. A concomitant release of calcium ion was observed by confocal microscope. This size fluctuation triggered the increase of intracellular Ca+2 , which was inhibited by colchicines and latrunculin B, known to be blockers for microtubule and microfilament syntheses, respectively. The associated cytoskeleton may thus relay the magnetosignal, initiating a neural response. A model for the mechanism of magnetoreception in honeybees is proposed, which may be applicable to most, if not all, magnetotactic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Yuan Hsu
- Department of Life Science, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
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13
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Desoil M, Gillis P, Gossuin Y, Pankhurst QA, Hautot D. Definitive identification of magnetite nanoparticles in the abdomen of the honeybeeApis mellifera. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/17/1/007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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14
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Keim CN, Cruz-Landim C, Carneiro FG, Farina M. Ferritin in iron containing granules from the fat body of the honeybees Apis mellifera and Scaptotrigona postica. Micron 2001; 33:53-9. [PMID: 11473814 DOI: 10.1016/s0968-4328(00)00071-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
It is already known that the behaviour of the honeybee Apis mellifera is influenced by the Earth's magnetic field. Recently it has been proposed that iron-rich granules found inside the fat body cells of this honeybee had small magnetite crystals that were responsible for this behaviour. In the present work, we studied the iron containing granules from queens of two species of honeybees (A. mellifera and Scaptotrigona postica) by electron microscopy methods in order to clarify this point. The granules were found inside rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis of granules from A. mellifera showed the presence of iron, phosphorus and calcium. The same analysis performed on the granules of S. postica also indicated the presence of these elements along with the additional element magnesium. The granules of A. mellifera were composed of apoferritin-like particles in the periphery while in the core, clusters of organised particles resembling holoferritin were seen. The larger and more mineralised granules of S. postica presented structures resembling ferritin cores in the periphery, and smaller electron dense particles inside the bulk. Electron spectroscopic images of the granules from A. mellifera showed that iron, oxygen and phosphorus were co-localised in the ferritin-like deposits. These results indicate that the iron-rich granules of these honeybees are formed by accumulation of ferritin and its degraded forms together with elements present inside the rough endoplasmic reticulum, such as phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. It is suggested that the high level of phosphate in the milieu would prevent the crystallisation of iron oxides in these structures, making very unlikely their participation in magnetoreception mechanisms. They are most probably involved in iron homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- C N Keim
- Departamento de Anatomia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590, RJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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15
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Dua HS, Singh A, Gomes JA, Laibson PR, Donoso LA, Tyagi S. Vortex or whorl formation of cultured human corneal epithelial cells induced by magnetic fields. Eye (Lond) 1996; 10 ( Pt 4):447-50. [PMID: 8944095 DOI: 10.1038/eye.1996.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The terms 'vortex keratopathy' and 'hurricane keratopathy' describe two similar conditions affecting the corneal surface. In the former, a vortex or whorl pattern is seen on the corneal surface and is due to the deposition of substances such as pigment, iron or drugs in the epithelial cells. In the latter, a similar pattern is presented by migrating epithelial cells but, unlike the former, the pattern is rendered more visible by fluorescein staining. Both represent the migratory pattern of normal epithelial cells which is otherwise not visible due to the slow rate of epithelial turnover and migration. The whorl pattern has a clockwise predisposition in the majority of cases and is hypothesised to be due to the influence of ocular electro-magnetic fields on the migrating epithelial cells. In this study we tested in vitro the effect of static magnetic fields on corneal epithelial cells. We were able to reproduce dramatic vortex or whorl patterns in response to magnetic fields, but without preferential migration towards the North or South Pole.
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Affiliation(s)
- H S Dua
- Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's Medical Centre, University Hospital, Nottingham, UK
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16
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Hsu CY, Li CW. Response
: Honeybees and Magnetoreception. Science 1995; 269:1890. [PMID: 17820245 DOI: 10.1126/science.269.5232.1890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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17
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Dua HS, Watson NJ, Mathur RM, Forrester JV. Corneal epithelial cell migration in humans: 'hurricane and blizzard keratopathy'. Eye (Lond) 1993; 7 ( Pt 1):53-8. [PMID: 8325424 DOI: 10.1038/eye.1993.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Replicative turnover of the corneal epithelium is believed to occur from a population of stem cells located at the corneo-scleral limbus. During the healing of corneal epithelial wounds, sheets of epithelial cells move centripetally from the limbus and circumferentially along the limbus to cover the defect. A whorled or vortex pattern, similar to that seen in cornea verticillata, has been reported to occur on the corneal surface as an effect of topical steroid medication, during the healing of grafted corneas. This condition has been termed 'hurricane keratopathy'. We have noted this appearance in 6 patients who did not have corneal grafts. In all our patients the whorled pattern was best visible on fluorescein staining. This feature differentiates 'hurricane keratopathy' from cornea verticillata secondary to deposition of substances in corneal epithelial cells. Further, in all our patients the vortex was clockwise. Examination of illustrations of 'hurricane keratopathy' and cornea verticillata reported in the literature reveals that the whorled pattern is almost always clockwise. We believe that this specific pattern is likely to be due to the effect of the electromagnetic fields of the eye on the migrating epithelial cells and present a theory to explain this phenomenon. In 3 eyes of 2 other patients with chronic epitheliopathies we observed a random distribution of cells that did not conform to any specific pattern. We have termed this condition 'blizzard keratopathy'.
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Affiliation(s)
- H S Dua
- Research Division, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107
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