Abstract

GOMAA, SAS; BARAKAT, EMS; SALAMA, MS  and  GOHARY, EE El. Assessment of antibacterial genes of emerging queen Apis mellifera L. induced by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae larvae. AE [online]. 2022, vol.30, pp.1-5. ISSN 2224-8854.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2254-8854/2022/a13586.

This study evaluated the expression of antimicrobial abaecin and defensin genes in virgin honey-bee queens (Apis mellifera) following induction of 4th larval instar with the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae larvae (1.07 x 10² CFU/queen); to investigate whether the presence of bacteria affects the immune response as well as gene transcript levels for the immune proteins. The total body proteins of bacteria-treated queens showed a highly significant increase, and the appearance of new proteins patterns and/or disappearance of others. The gene expression profile of treated queens showed up-regulation equalled four-fold of the defensin gene, whereas no progression occurred in the abacien gene. This finding likewise greatly affects the diseases challenging this pollinator.

Keywords : Honey-bee queen; American foulbrood; antimicrobial peptides; abacien; defensin; RT-PCR.

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