Abstract
BackgroundWe conducted a large-scale transcriptomic profiling of selected regions of the central nervous system (CNS) across three species of honey bees, in foragers that were performing dance behavior to communicate to their nestmates the location, direction and profitability of an attractive floral resource. We used microarrays to measure gene expression in bees from Apis mellifera, dorsata and florea, species that share major traits unique to the genus and also show striking differences in biology and dance communication. The goals of this study were to determine the extent of regional specialization in gene expression and to explore the molecular basis of dance communication.Principal FindingsThis “snapshot” of the honey bee CNS during dance behavior provides strong evidence for both species-consistent and species-specific differences in gene expression. Gene expression profiles in the mushroom bodies consistently showed the biggest differences relative to the other CNS regions. There were strong similarities in gene expression between the central brain and the second thoracic ganglion across all three species; many of the genes were related to metabolism and energy production. We also obtained gene expression differences between CNS regions that varied by species: A. mellifera differed the most, while dorsata and florea tended to be more similar.SignificanceSpecies differences in gene expression perhaps mirror known differences in nesting habit, ecology and dance behavior between mellifera, florea and dorsata. Species-specific differences in gene expression in selected CNS regions that relate to synaptic activity and motor control provide particularly attractive candidate genes to explain the differences in dance behavior exhibited by these three honey bee species. Similarities between central brain and thoracic ganglion provide a unique perspective on the potential coupling of these two motor-related regions during dance behavior and perhaps provide a snapshot of the energy intensive process of dance output generation. Mushroom body results reflect known roles for this region in the regulation of learning, memory and rhythmic behavior.
Highlights
Animal brains are composed of anatomically distinct regions which are further made up of spatially and functionally coherent populations of neurons and glia
To carry out a transcriptomic profiling of selected regions of the honey bee brain to determine the extent of regional specialization in gene expression
A recent neuroanatomical analysis [15] of dance language [16], the famous communication system used by honey bee foragers to communicate to their nestmates the location, direction and profitability of an attractive food source they encounter in the environment, suggested that multiple brain regions are involved in the perception and production of dance communication, meaning that regional analysis of brain gene expression will be required to understand this remarkable system
Summary
Animal brains are composed of anatomically distinct regions which are further made up of spatially and functionally coherent populations of neurons and glia They specialize in processing different kinds of signal input from the animal’s internal and external environment and integrate the information to mount an appropriate physiological and behavioral response. Studies of mammals and Differences in gene expression between brain regions that are consistent across the three bee species should reflect intrinsic functional specialization within the Apis nervous system. To carry out a transcriptomic profiling of selected regions of the honey bee brain to determine the extent of regional specialization in gene expression. Across three species of honey bees, in foragers that were performing dance behavior to communicate to their nestmates the location, direction and profitability of an attractive floral resource. The goals of this study were to determine the extent of regional specialization in gene expression and to explore the molecular basis of dance communication
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