RNA-sequence analysis of gene expression from honeybees (Apis mellifera) infected with Nosema ceranae.

PloS one 2017

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Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are constantly subjected to many biotic stressors including parasites. This study examined honeybees infected with Nosema ceranae (N. ceranae). N. ceranae infection increases the bees energy requirements and may contribute to their decreased survival. RNA-seq was used to investigate gene expression at days 5, 10 and 15 Post Infection (P.I) with N. ceranae. The expression levels of genes, isoforms, alternative transcription start sites (TSS) and differential promoter usage revealed a complex pattern of transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation suggesting that bees use a range of tactics to cope with the stress of N. ceranae infection. N. ceranae infection may cause reduced immune function in the bees by: (i)disturbing the host amino acids metabolism (ii) down-regulating expression of antimicrobial peptides (iii) down-regulation of cuticle coatings and (iv) down-regulation of odorant binding proteins.

Citation

Bouabid Badaoui, André Fougeroux, Fabien Petit, Anna Anselmo, Chiara Gorni, Marco Cucurachi, Antonella Cersini, Anna Granato, Giusy Cardeti, Giovanni Formato, Franco Mutinelli, Elisabetta Giuffra, John L Williams, Sara Botti. RNA-sequence analysis of gene expression from honeybees (Apis mellifera) infected with Nosema ceranae. PloS one. 2017;12(3):e0173438