Transcriptomic analysis reveals Apis mellifera adaptations to high temperature and high humidity

Abstract

Temperature and humidity are the most important factors affecting the growth, reproduction, and survival of bees. Apis mellifera are important pollinating bees that are widely used in agricultural systems. However, the higher temperatures and humidity in greenhouses are not conducive to the survival of bees. Although previous research has revealed the behavioral responses and physiological mechanisms of honeybees to adapt to high temperature and humidity, there are few data on the exact molecular mechanisms involved. In our study, we investigated gene expression in A. mellifera under different temperature and humidity treatments, using transcriptomic analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and relevant biological processes. Based on the transcriptomic results, we selected several genes with significant differences in expression, and detected the expression patterns of these genes at different temperatures or humidity or different treatment times by q-RT PCR. In the high temperature treatments, 434 DEGs were identified; in the high humidity treatments, 86 DEGs were identified; in the combined high temperature and humidity treatments, 266 DEGs were identified. Analysis results showed that DEGs were enriched in pathways related to amino acid and fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism under each treatment. In addition, heat shock proteins, zinc finger proteins, serine/threonine-protein kinases, and antioxidase were differentially expressed between the different treatments. The results of the q-RT PCR showed that the expression levels of these genes increased with increasing temperature and over treatment time. Our findings provide a general expression profile of the adaptive expression of heat-resistance genes responding to high temperature and high humidity in A. mellifera, including the expression patterns of several DEGs. Our data provide a basis for future research on the mechanisms underlying the adaptation of insects to high temperature and humidity.