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Biomolecules
Volume 14
Issue 1
10.3390/biom14010019
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Article

Monitoring Immune Modulation in Season Population: Identifying Effects and Markers Related to Apis mellifera ligustica Honey Bee Health

by
Olga Frunze
1,2,†,
Hyunjee Kim
1,2,†,
Byung-ju Kim
1,2,
Jeong-Hyeon Lee
1,2,
Mustafa Bilal
1,2 and
Hyung-Wook Kwon
1,2,*
1
Department of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
2
Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors (CRCIV), Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Biomolecules 2024, 14(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14010019
Submission received: 13 November 2023 / Revised: 15 December 2023 / Accepted: 20 December 2023 / Published: 22 December 2023
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Biomarkers)
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Abstract

Honey bees play a significant role in ecology, producing biologically active substances used to promote human health. However, unlike humans, the molecular markers indicating honey bee health remain unknown. Unfortunately, numerous reports of honey bee collapse have been documented. To identify health markers, we analyzed ten defense system genes in Apis mellifera ligustica honey bees from winter (Owb) and spring (Fb for foragers and Nb for newly emerged) populations sampled in February and late April 2023, respectively. We focused on colonies free from SBV and DWV viruses. Molecular profiling revealed five molecular markers of honey bee health. Of these, two seasonal molecular markers—domeless and spz genes—were significantly downregulated in Owb compared to Nb and Fb honey bees. One task-related marker gene, apid-1, was identified as being downregulated in Owb and Nb compared to Fb honey bees. Two recommended general health markers, SOD and defensin-2, were upregulated in honey bees. These markers require further testing across various honey bee subspecies in different climatic regions. They can diagnose bee health without colony intervention, especially during low-temperature months like winter. Beekeepers can use this information to make timely adjustments to nutrients or heating to prevent seasonal losses.
Keywords: honey bee; health markers; innate immunity; defense system; antioxidant system; ROS enzymes; Apis mellifera ligustica honey bee; health markers; innate immunity; defense system; antioxidant system; ROS enzymes; Apis mellifera ligustica

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MDPI and ACS Style

Frunze, O.; Kim, H.; Kim, B.-j.; Lee, J.-H.; Bilal, M.; Kwon, H.-W. Monitoring Immune Modulation in Season Population: Identifying Effects and Markers Related to Apis mellifera ligustica Honey Bee Health. Biomolecules 2024, 14, 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14010019

AMA Style

Frunze O, Kim H, Kim B-j, Lee J-H, Bilal M, Kwon H-W. Monitoring Immune Modulation in Season Population: Identifying Effects and Markers Related to Apis mellifera ligustica Honey Bee Health. Biomolecules. 2024; 14(1):19. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14010019

Chicago/Turabian Style

Frunze, Olga, Hyunjee Kim, Byung-ju Kim, Jeong-Hyeon Lee, Mustafa Bilal, and Hyung-Wook Kwon. 2024. "Monitoring Immune Modulation in Season Population: Identifying Effects and Markers Related to Apis mellifera ligustica Honey Bee Health" Biomolecules 14, no. 1: 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14010019

APA Style

Frunze, O., Kim, H., Kim, B.-j., Lee, J.-H., Bilal, M., & Kwon, H.-W. (2024). Monitoring Immune Modulation in Season Population: Identifying Effects and Markers Related to Apis mellifera ligustica Honey Bee Health. Biomolecules, 14(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14010019

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