Characterization and differentiation of pollen lipidomes and proteomes from different intrafloral stamens in heterantherous Senna bicapsularis.

Abstract

Numerous compounds in pollen can affect the foraging decision-making of bees. Clarification of phytochemical components and identification of key substances for bee foraging preference in pollen are essential steps for apiculture and developing a conservation strategy. Senna bicapsularis, a heterantherous plant that possesses three different stamen types in the same flower, among which bees forage selectively, provides us with an ideal research model for identification of potential substances of bee foraging preference. The lipid and protein compositions of pollen from the anthers of different stamens of S. bicapsularis were investigated and compared. The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs) were highest among lipid molecules in pollen from short (S) stamens than from long (L) and medium (M) stamens. This result is consistent with the FA content measurement, showing the highest FAs and UFAs content in S pollen, especially α-linolenic acid. We inferred that α-linolenic acid might be one of the key substances for bee foraging preference in pollen. Moreover, proteomic analysis showed that several differentially expressed proteins involved in lipid biosynthesis were highly accumulated in S pollen, such as choline kinase 2, 3-oxoacyl-ACP synthase-like protein and choline/ethanolamine phosphotransferase 1, in line with the highest FA content of S pollen. Additionally, DEPs involved in 'starch and sucrose metabolism', 'phenylpropanoid biosynthesis' and 'cyanoamino acid metabolism' were more represented in S compared with L and M pollen. The study suggests that differences in proteomic and lipidomic profiling among the three different stamen types might affect foraging decision-making of bumblebees.