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Neurotransmitter Systems in the Honey Bee Brain: Functions in Learning and Memory

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Honeybee Neurobiology and Behavior

Abstract

Synaptic correlates of olfactory learning within the honey bee brain ­utilize several transmitters and receptors. Experiments unraveled distinct roles of these transmitter systems in cognitive processes. Cholinergic synaptic transmission is involved in acquisition and retrieval processes. At least two subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors exist in the honey bee brain, one involved in retrieval processes and another one linked to the formation of long-term memory. The electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of the underlying nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) are well described whereas muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) are physiologically unknown. The reward processing pathway largely depends on octopaminergic neuromodulation. Serotonin (5-HT) impairs the conditioned response during acquisition. Whether dopamine (DA) mediates aversive learning while octopamine (OA) mediates appetitive learning remains to be analyzed. Several studies indicated that GABA receptors play a role during odor learning, but the specific function of inhibition is not yet clear. Both inhibitory and excitatory glutamate receptors are required for certain forms of learning and for memory retrieval.

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Abbreviations

α-BGT:

α-Bungarotoxin

HA:

Histamine

5-HT:

Serotonin (5-hydroxy-tryptamine)

ACh:

Acetylcholine

AChE:

Acetylcholine esterase

AmTYR1:

Honey bee TA receptor

CR:

Conditioned response

CS:

Conditioned stimulus

DA:

Dopamine

GluCl:

Glutamate-gated chloride channel

mAChR:

Muscarinic ACh receptor (metabotropic G-protein-coupled receptors)

nAChR:

Nicotinic ACh receptor

OA:

Octopamine

PER:

Proboscis extension reflex

siRNA:

Small interfering RNA

TA:

Tyramine

US:

Unconditioned stimulus

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale – UMR CNRS 5169, Université de Toulouse III, 118 route de Narbonne, F-31062, Toulouse Cedex 9, France

    Monique Gauthier

  2. Institut für Bienenkunde, Fachbereich Biowissenschaften, Institut für Zellbiologie und Neurowissenschaften, Polytechnische Gesellschaft Frankfurt am Main, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Karl-von-Weg 2, D-61440, Oberursel, Germany

    Bernd Grünewald

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  1. Monique Gauthier
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Correspondence to Monique Gauthier .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Neurobiology, Universität Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, Konstanz, 78457, Germany

    C. Giovanni Galizia

  2. , Department of Neurobiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 28-30, Berlin, 14195, Germany

    Dorothea Eisenhardt

  3. , Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition An, CNRS - Université Paul Sabatier, Route de Narbonne 118, Toulouse Cedex 9, 31062, France

    Martin Giurfa

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Gauthier, M., Grünewald, B. (2012). Neurotransmitter Systems in the Honey Bee Brain: Functions in Learning and Memory. In: Galizia, C., Eisenhardt, D., Giurfa, M. (eds) Honeybee Neurobiology and Behavior. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2099-2_13

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