RNA-sequencing elucidates the regulation of behavioural transitions associated with mating in honey bee queens

ABSTRACT: Mating is a complex process, which is frequently associated with behavioural and physiological changes. However, understanding of the genetic underpinnings of these changes is limited. Honey bees are both a model system in behavioural genomics, and the dominant managed pollinator of human crops; consequently understanding the mating process has both pure and applied value. We used next-generation transcriptomics to probe changes in gene expression in the brains of honey bee queens, as they transition from virgin to mated reproductive status. In addition, we used CO2-narcosis, which induces oviposition without mating, as an experimental control for the mating process. Mating produced significant changes in the expression of vision, chemo-reception, metabolic, and immune-related genes. Diffe

ORGANISM(S): Apis mellifera

SUBMITTER: Fabio Manfredini 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-65833 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress