Polyamine dynamics and transcriptomic changes in honey bees (Apis mellifera, L.) during aging

Abstract

Honey bees (Apis mellifera, L.) play an important role in ecosystems due to their pollination, which directly impacts biodiversity and agricultural production. Understanding the biological mechanisms that determine bee aging is important for conserving bee populations and the ecosystems they serve. This study explored the dynamics of polyamine level changes and transcriptomic alterations during the aging of summer and winter worker bees. The present study's results indicate that the polyamine content in summer bees decreased overall with age, while winter bees exhibited a biphasic pattern, with an initial decrease followed by an increase in older individuals. These differences likely reflect distinct physiological needs during summer (work-intensive) and winter (survival-focused) periods. Transcriptomic analyses identified age-related changes, with key driver gene analysis highlighting critical genes associated with cuticle formation, venom activity, and polyamine metabolism, indicating structural and metabolic adaptations with age. KEGG pathway analysis identified enrichments in pathways related to peroxisome function, lipid metabolism, glycan degradation, lysosomal activity, and others underscoring shifts in cellular maintenance and energy regulation. This study underscores the complexity of polyamine dynamics and molecular adaptations in honey bee aging and provides a foundation for conserving bee populations and better understanding longevity across species.