Changes in Metabolic Activities and Gene Expression Associated with Gamma Irradiation of HoneybeeApis melliferaWorkers

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study was carried out to explore the possible stimulatory effect of a low dose of gamma irradiation on the expression profile of a number of genes and suspected metabolic mediators involved in honeybee (Apis mellifera) foraging activity. Honeybee workers were subjected to two gamma ray doses (0.2 and 2Gy) and the expression levels of Apis mellifera foraging gene (Amfor), juvenile hormone (JH), Octopamine receptor 1 (OctR1), heat shock protein- 70 (HSP- 70) and Troponin T (TpnT) mRNA levels were estimated using RT-PCR. In addition, the indicators of metabolic and flight rate changes such as citrate synthase (CS), pyruvate kinase (PK) and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) were estimated. The results revealed a marked increase in the expression of Amfor, JH, OctR1, HSP-70 and TpnT genes in the bees irradiated with the low dose of radiation (0.2Gy) as compared to the non-irradiated control workers and those irradiated with the higher dose (2Gy). In addition, CS, PK and ATPase activities were si...