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Lehman HK, Schulz DJ, Barron AB, Wraight L, Hardison C, Whitney S, Takeuchi H, Paul RK, Robinson GE. Division of labor in the honey bee (Apis mellifera): the role of tyramine β-hydroxylase. J Exp Biol 2006; 209:2774-84. [PMID: 16809468 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.02296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARY
The biogenic amine octopamine (OA) is involved in the regulation of honey bee behavioral development; brain levels are higher in foragers than bees working in the hive, especially in the antennal lobes, and treatment causes precocious foraging. We measured brain mRNA and protein activity of tyramineβ-hydroxylase (T βh), an enzyme vital for OA synthesis, in order to begin testing the hypothesis that this enzyme is responsible for the rising levels of OA during honey bee behavioral development. Brain OA levels were greater in forager bees than in bees engaged in brood care, as in previous studies, but T βh activity was not correlated with bee behavior. Tβh mRNA levels, however, did closely track OA levels during behavioral development, and T βh mRNA was localized to previously identified octopaminergic neurons in the bee brain. Our results show that the transcription of this neurotransmitter synthetic enzyme is associated with regulation of social behavior in honey bees, but other factors may be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman K Lehman
- Department of Biology, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY 13323, USA.
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Wraight L. Minor adjustments. Am Laund Dig 1983; 48:30-6. [PMID: 10260606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
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