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Conserved and unique protein expression patterns across reproductive stage transitions in social hymenopteran queens
  • +4
  • Alison McAfee,
  • Baptiste Martinet,
  • Kimberly Przybyla,
  • Felicien Degueldre,
  • Shelley Hoover,
  • Serge Aron,
  • Leonard Foster
Alison McAfee
The University of British Columbia - Vancouver Campus

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Baptiste Martinet
Université Libre de Bruxelles
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Kimberly Przybyla
Université de Mons
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Felicien Degueldre
Université Libre de Bruxelles
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Shelley Hoover
University of Lethbridge
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Serge Aron
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Leonard Foster
The University of British Columbia - Vancouver Campus
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Abstract

Hymenopteran queens are collectively highly fecund, often long-lived individuals that undergo dramatic physiological changes after they mate and establish a nest. However, the degree to which these changes are conserved among species with different life histories is not well-defined. We conducted a comparative proteomic study investigating differences between reproductive stages (virgins, mated, and established queens) of Apis mellifera, Bombus impatiens, B. terrestris, and Lasius niger. We identified conserved upregulation of proteins involved in anatomical and system development as queens transition to establishing a nest in all species except B. terrestris. We also identified conserved patterns of vitellogenin, vitellogenin receptor, and immune responsive protein (IRP)30, all of which are proteins typically associated with oviposition. However, expression patterns of other immune proteins, heat-shock proteins (HSPs), detoxification enzymes, and antioxidant enzymes were more dissimilar, with some species exhibiting similar trends and coregulation through reproductive stages, while others exhibited variable or opposite patterns. These conserved and unique profiles likely in part reflect similarities and differences in selective pressure on reproductive stages of each species and may indicate differing abilities to respond to emergent pathogens or environmental change.
31 May 2024Submitted to Molecular Ecology
07 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
28 Aug 20241st Revision Received
29 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
29 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
29 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
29 Aug 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
24 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
03 Oct 20242nd Revision Received
04 Oct 2024Submission Checks Completed
04 Oct 2024Assigned to Editor
04 Oct 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Oct 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
15 Oct 2024Editorial Decision: Accept