RNA-sequencing elucidates the regulation of behavioural transitions associated with mating in honey bee queens

Fabio Manfredini (Corresponding Author), Mark J F Brown (Corresponding Author), Vanina Vergoz, Ben Oldroyd

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30 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Mating is a complex process, which is frequently associated with behavioural and physiological changes. However, understanding of the genetic underpinnings of these changes is limited. Honey bees are both a model system in behavioural genomics, and the dominant managed pollinator of human crops; consequently understanding the mating process has both pure and applied value. We used next-generation transcriptomics to probe changes in gene expression in the brains of honey bee queens, as they transition from virgin to mated reproductive status. In addition, we used CO 2 -narcosis, which induces oviposition without mating, to isolate the process of reproductive maturation.
Original languageEnglish
Article number563
Number of pages13
JournalBMC Genomics
Volume16
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Jul 2015

Keywords

  • Apis mellifera
  • Australian honey bees
  • Behaviour
  • Brain
  • Mating
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Double necrosis
  • Transcriptomics
  • RNAseq
  • Gene expression

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