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Changes in neuronal acetylcholinesterase gene expression and division of labor in honey bee colonies

Journal of Molecular Neuroscience volume 17, pages 1–12 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Division of labor in honey bee colonies is highlighted by adult bees making a transition at 2–3 wk of age from working in the hive to foraging for nectar and pollen outside. This behavioral development involves acquisition of new tasks that may require advanced learning capabilities. Because acetylcholinesterase (AChE) hydrolyzes acetylcholine, a major neurotransmitter associated with learning in the insect brain, we searched for changes in AChE expression in the brain during bee behavioral development. Biochemical aspects of the AChE protein were similar in foragers and “nurse” bees that work in the hive tending brood. However, catalytic AChE activity was significantly lower in foragers. Cloning of bee AChE cDNA enabled mRNA analysis, which demonstrated that the forager-related decrease in AChE activity was associated with decreased AChE mRNA levels. This was particularly apparent in the mushroom bodies, a brain region known to be involved with olfactory and visual learning and memory. In addition, treatment with the AChE-inhibitor metrifonate improved performance in an olfactory-learning assay. These findings demonstrate long-term, naturally occurring developmental downregulation of AChE gene expression in the bee brain, and suggest that this genomic plasticity can contribute to facilitated learning capabilities in forager bees.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Chemistry, the Life Sciences Institute, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat Ram, 91904, Israel

    Michael Shapira & Hermona Soreq

  2. Howard Hughes Undergraduate Research Fellow, Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, 505 S. Goodwin Ave., 61801, Urbana, IL

    Christopher K. Thompson

  3. Department of Entomology and Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois, 505 S. Goodwin Ave., 61801, Urbana, IL

    Hermona Soreq

  4. Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Ave., 94305-5120, Stanford, CA

    Michael Shapira & Gene E. Robinson

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  1. Michael Shapira
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  2. Christopher K. Thompson
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  3. Hermona Soreq
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  4. Gene E. Robinson
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Correspondence to Hermona Soreq.

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Shapira, M., Thompson, C.K., Soreq, H. et al. Changes in neuronal acetylcholinesterase gene expression and division of labor in honey bee colonies. J Mol Neurosci 17, 1–12 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1385/JMN:17:1:1

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Index Entries

  • Honey bee
  • acetylcholinesterase
  • expression
  • behavioral development