Differential expression of HR38 in the mushroom bodies of the honeybee brain depends on the caste and division of labor

FEBS Lett. 2006 May 15;580(11):2667-70. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2006.04.016. Epub 2006 Apr 21.

Abstract

We used a cDNA microarray to identify genes expressed in a caste (worker)- and division of labor (nurse bees or foragers)-dependent manner in the honeybee brain. Among the identified genes, one encoded a putative orphan receptor (HR38) homologue that mediates ecdysteroid-signaling. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction indicated that expression of this gene is higher in forager brains, as compared to nurse bees and queens. In the forager brain, expression was concentrated in a subset of the mushroom body neurons, suggesting that ecdysteroid-signaling in the mushroom bodies might be involved in the division of labor of the workers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bees / anatomy & histology
  • Bees / genetics*
  • Bees / physiology*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genome, Insect / genetics
  • Hierarchy, Social*
  • Insect Proteins / genetics*
  • Mushroom Bodies / metabolism*
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Transcription Factors