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Proliferation and cell death in the midgut of the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Apidae, Meliponini) during metamorphosis

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Abstract

This study quantitatively compared proliferation and cell death in the remodeling of the midgut epithelium in Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides during metamorphosis to elucidate the renewal mechanism of the midgut in bees during postembryonic development. An anti-phosphohistone H3 antibody was used to mark mitotic cells. An apoptotic cell marking kit was used (Apo-TRACE®) to identify cells undergoing the process of cell death. The ultrastructural aspects of cell death were also analyzed. The highest proliferative and apoptotic rates were observed in pink-eyed pupae. An increased number of cells and rebuilding of regenerative cell nests at the end of metamorphosis is a consequence of cell division in black-eyed pupae because cell division occurs at this stage in the absence of apoptosis. During metamorphosis, midgut epithelial cell death in M. quadrifasciata anthidioides occurs as a result of apoptosis and autophagy.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the Microscopy and Microanalysis Center of the Federal University of Viçosa, for technical assistance. This research was supported by Brazilian research agencies CAPES (PDSE–Proc. 4850-11-4), FAPEMIG, and CNPq.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-000, Brazil

    Lilian Cota Cruz, Maria do Carmo Queiroz Fialho, José Eduardo Serrão & Clóvis Andrade Neves

  2. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Campus de Rio Paranaíba, Rio Paranaíba, Minas Gerais, 38810-000, Brazil

    Vinícius Albano Araújo

Authors
  1. Lilian Cota Cruz
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  2. Vinícius Albano Araújo
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  3. Maria do Carmo Queiroz Fialho
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  4. José Eduardo Serrão
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  5. Clóvis Andrade Neves
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vinícius Albano Araújo.

Additional information

Manuscript editor: Klaus Hartfelder

Prolifération et mort cellulaire dans l’intestin moyen de l’abeille sans aiguillon Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Apidae, Meliponini) durant la métamorphose

Intestin moyen / cellule régénératrice / mort cellulaire / apoptose / métamorphose / Hymenoptera

Zellteilung und Zelltod im Mitteldarm der Stachellosen Biene Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Apidae, Meliponini) im Verlauf der Metamorphose

Mitteldarm / regenerative Zellen / Zelltod / Metamorphose / Hymenoptera

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Cruz, L.C., Araújo, V.A., do Carmo Queiroz Fialho, M. et al. Proliferation and cell death in the midgut of the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Apidae, Meliponini) during metamorphosis. Apidologie 44, 458–466 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-013-0196-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-013-0196-7

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