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Electronic Supplementary Material - Ramirez et al.pdf from Abscisic acid enhances cold tolerance in honeybee larvae

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posted on 2017-03-21, 10:05 authored by Leonor Ramirez, Pedro Negri, Laura Sturla, Lucrezia Guida, Tiziana Vigliarolo, Matías Maggi, Martín Eguaras, Elena Zocchi, Lorenzo Lamattina
The natural composition of nutrients present in food is a key factor determining the immune function and stress responses in honeybee (Apis mellifera). We previously demonstrated that a supplement of abscisic acid (ABA), a natural component of nectar, pollen and honey, increases honeybee colony survival overwinter. Here we further explored the role of ABA in in vitro-reared larvae exposed to low temperatures. Four-days-old larvae (L4) exposed to 25°C for 3 days showed lower survival rates and delayed development compared to individuals growing at a standard temperature (34°C). Cold-stressed larvae maintained higher levels of ABA for longer than do larvae reared at 34°C, suggesting a biological significance for ABA. Larvae fed with ABA-supplemented diet completely prevent the low survival rate due to cold stress and accelerate the adult emergence. ABA modulates the expression of genes involved in metabolic adjustments and stress responses: Hexamerin 70b, Insulin Receptor Substrate, Vitellogenin and Heat Shock Proteins 70. AmLANCL2, the honeybee ABA receptor, is also regulated by cold stress and ABA. These results support a role for ABA increasing the tolerance of honeybee's larvae to low temperatures through priming effects.

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    Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

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