Transcriptomic analysis to elucidate the response of honeybees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) to amitraz treatment

PLoS One. 2020 Mar 6;15(3):e0228933. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228933. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Amitraz is an acaricide that is widely used in apiculture. Several studies have reported that in honeybees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus; Hymenoptera: Apidae), amitraz affects learning, memory, behavior, immunity, and various other physiological processes. Despite this, few studies have explored the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of amitraz on honeybees. Here, we investigated the transcriptome of honeybees after exposure to 9.4 mg/L amitraz for 10 d, a subchronic dose. Overall, 279 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified (237 upregulated, 42 downregulated). Several, including Pla2, LOC725381, LOC413324, LOC724386, LOC100577456, LOC551785, and P4504c3, were validated by quantitative PCR. According to gene ontology, DEGs were mainly involved in metabolism, biosynthesis, and translation. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses revealed that amitraz treatment affected the relaxin signaling pathway, platelet activation, and protein digestion and absorption.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bees / drug effects*
  • Bees / genetics
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Ontology
  • Gene Regulatory Networks / drug effects*
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Insect Proteins / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • Toluidines / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Insect Proteins
  • Toluidines
  • amitraz

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Earmarked Fund for China Agriculture Research System (No. CARS-45-KXJ10). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.