Isolation of AccGalectin1 from Apis cerana cerana and its functions in development and adverse stress response. Issue 1 (21st August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Lijun; Wang, Chen; Li, Han; Yang, Xinxin; Wang, Ying; Guo, Xingqi; Xu, Baohua
• Is Part Of: Journal of cellular biochemistry. Volume 120:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 671
• Page End: 684
• Publication Date: 2018-08-21
• Subjects: Apis cerana cerana -- environmental stress -- galectin -- immunity -- oxidative resistance -- RNA interference (RNAi); Cytochemistry -- Periodicals; 572
• DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27424
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0730-2312

Abstract

Abstract: The galectins are a family of lectins that play important roles in development, immunity, and the regulation of cellular responses. Much research has focused on the functions of galectins in mammals, though less in insects. Here, we identified the AccGalectin1 gene in Apis cerana cerana for the first time and explored its functions. The open reading frame of AccGalectin1 is 1449 base pairs and encodes a 482‐amino‐acid protein. AccGalectin1 expression was high during the transition between developmental stages and was high in the head, thorax, and epidermis compared with its levels in other tissues. In addition, the expression of AccGalectin1 was induced by several adverse stresses, including both abiotic and biotic stresses. A disk diffusion assay of recombinant AccGalectin1 protein revealed possible roles in protecting cells from oxidative stress. Furthermore, the expression levels of multiple oxidative genes ( AccCAT, AccTpx1, AccTrx2, etc) were increased after AccGalectin1 was knocked down in Apis cerana cerana using RNA interference. We also observed that the malondialdehyde content in the AccGalectin1 ‐silenced bees was higher than that in the control bees, while the antioxidant enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase were lower. Considering these results, we suggest that AccGalectin1 may be indispensable for protecting honeybees from biotic and abiotic damage by participating in the oxidative resistance response and the immune response. These results may provide insight into the precise functions of galectins in mammals and other insects. Abstract : Our study aimed to investigate the function of AccGalectin1 in protecting honeybees from adverse abiotic and biotic stress. The results imply that AccGalectin1 may not only participate in immune response but is indispensable in enhancing the resistance of honeybees to oxidative damage.