Spatio-temporal expression analysis of two kinds of chemical communication-related proteins in the worker bee Apis cerana cerana Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Abstract

The spatio-temporal expressed profiles of two kinds of chemical communication-related protein genes, the odorant-binding protein of Ac-ASP2 and chemosensory protein of Ac-ASP3, were identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results obtained using the 2 -D DCt method showed that Ac-ASP2 was a gene coding antenna-specific protein that did not express in larvae and pupae, but had discontinuous high abundance periods at 1, 9, 15, 27 and 30 days. The expressing abundance at such periods was at least ten times higher than that at other periods. From the distribution ofAc-ASP3 mRNA observed in different tissues, the transcript levels seemed to be higher in the wings, abdomen and thorax (of order � 10 6 ), and lower in the legs, antennae and head (of order � 10 5 ). From highest to lowest, the original copy number was found in the various body parts in the following order: wings, abdomen, thorax, legs, antenna, and head. The results suggest that Ac-ASP3 has an intimate relation with the chemosensory behaviour of wings and abdomen in Apis cerana cerana.