Differential gene expression in the honeybee head after a bacterial challenge

Bidirectional interactions between the immune and nervous systems are well established in vertebrates. Insects show similar neuro-immune-behavioral interactions to those seen in vertebrates. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we present evidence that gene expression in the honeybee head is influenced...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Developmental and comparative immunology 2008, Vol.32 (8), p.883-889
Main Authors: Scharlaken, Bieke, de Graaf, Dirk C., Goossens, Karen, Peelman, Luc J., Jacobs, Frans J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Apis mellifera
Bacterial Infections - immunology
Bees - immunology
Bees - microbiology
Bees - physiology
Escherichia coli
Gene Expression Profiling
Gene Expression Regulation
Head
Honeybee
Immune System - physiology
Immune–neural interactions
Nervous System Physiological Phenomena
Neuro-immunity
Real-time PCR
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Summary:Bidirectional interactions between the immune and nervous systems are well established in vertebrates. Insects show similar neuro-immune-behavioral interactions to those seen in vertebrates. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we present evidence that gene expression in the honeybee head is influenced by activation of the immune system 8 h after a bacterial challenge with Escherichia coli. Seven genes were selected for quantitative analysis in order to cover both typical functions of the head such as exocrine secretion ( mrjp3 and mrjp4) and olfactory processes ( obp17) as well as more general processes such as structural functions (mlc2 and paramyosin), stress response ( ERp60) and energy housekeeping ( enolase). In this way, we show at the molecular level that the immune system functions as a sensory organ in insects—as it does in vertebrates—which signals to the head that a bacterial infection is present, and leads to regulation of expression of several genes in the head by a yet unidentified mechanism.
ISSN:0145-305X
1879-0089
DOI:10.1016/j.dci.2008.01.010