Open AccessExpression of AmGR10 of the Gustatory Receptor Family in Honey Bee Is Correlated with Nursing Behavior
Author(s) -
Yisilahaiti Paerhati,
Shinichi Ishiguro,
Risa Ueda-Matsuo,
Ping Yang,
Tetsuro Yamashita,
Ito K,
Hideaki Maekawa,
Hiroko Tani,
Koichi Suzuki
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0142917
Subject(s) - honey bee , biology , gene knockdown , gene , rna interference , brood , gene expression , genetics , zoology , rna
We investigated the association between the expression of a gene encoding gustatory receptor (G10) and division of labor in the honey bee, Apis mellifera . Among 10 GR genes encoding proteins 15% ~ 99% amino acid identity in the honey bee, we found that AmGR10 with 99% identity is involved in nursing or brood care. Expression of AmGR10 was restricted to organs of the hypopharyngeal gland, brain, and ovary in the nurse bee phase. Members of an extended nursing caste under natural conditions continued to express this gene. RNAi knockdown of AmGR10 accelerated the transition to foraging. Our findings demonstrate that this one gene has profound effects on the division of labor associated with the development and physiology of honeybee society.