Detailed proteome mapping of newly emerged honeybee worker hemolymph and comparison with the red-eye pupal stage

Abstract

The honeybee, Apis mellifera, undergoes complete metamorphosis before transitioning to the adult stage. The newly emerged individual and the red-eye pupa stage are well defined and easily recognizable in the time life cycle honeybee and, therefore, very useful for studying physiological and developmental factors. We analyzed in detail the hemolymph proteome of newly emerged honeybee worker using 2D-E-MS/MS (pI 3-10 and 4-7). The comparison of identical hemolymph volumes (20 μL per 2D-E) for newly emerged bee and red-eye pupa revealed a dramatic decrease in the number of spots (qualitative changes) and overall protein quantity during the non-feeding stage. The results increase our knowledge about honeybee metamorphosis during the non-feeding period and clarify previous findings regarding particular proteins. The results will be useful for future comparative physiological, developmental, and host-pathogen studies on individual or population level.