Abstract
Determining the functionality of CYP4G11, the only CYP4G in the genome of the western honey bee Apis mellifera, can provide insight into its reduced CYP4 inventory. Toward this objective, CYP4G11 transcripts were quantified, and CYP4G11 was expressed as a fusion protein with housefly CPR in Sf9 cells. Transcript levels varied with age, task, and tissue type in a manner consistent with the need for cuticular hydrocarbon production to prevent desiccation or with comb wax production. Young larvae, with minimal need for desiccation protection, expressed CYP4G11 at very low levels. Higher levels were observed in nurses, and even higher levels in wax producers and foragers, the latter of which risk desiccation upon leaving the hive. Recombinant CYP4G11 readily converted octadecanal to n-heptadecane in a time-dependent manner, demonstrating its functions as an oxidative decarbonylase. CYP4G11 expression levels are high in antennae; heterologously expressed CYP4G11 converted tetradecanal to n-tridecane, demonstrating that it metabolizes shorter-chain aldehydes. Together, these findings confirm the involvement of CYP4G11 in cuticular hydrocarbon production and suggest a possible role in clearing pheromonal and phytochemical compounds from antennae. This possible dual functionality of CYP4G11, i.e., cuticular hydrocarbon and comb wax production and antennal odorant clearance, may explain how honey bees function with a reduced CYP4G inventory.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 661-674 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Insect Molecular Biology |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Early online date | Jun 12 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 2018 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- Apoidea
- aldehyde oxidative decarbonylase
- cytochrome P450
- eusocial
- hydrocarbon biosynthesis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Insect Science
Cite this
Functional characterization of CYP4G11—a highly conserved enzyme in the western honey bee Apis mellifera. / Calla, B.; MacLean, M.; Liao, L. H.; Dhanjal, I.; Tittiger, C.; Blomquist, G. J.; Berenbaum, May R.
In: Insect Molecular Biology, Vol. 27, No. 5, 10.2018, p. 661-674.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Functional characterization of CYP4G11—a highly conserved enzyme in the western honey bee Apis mellifera
AU - Calla, B.
AU - MacLean, M.
AU - Liao, L. H.
AU - Dhanjal, I.
AU - Tittiger, C.
AU - Blomquist, G. J.
AU - Berenbaum, May R
PY - 2018/10
Y1 - 2018/10
N2 - Determining the functionality of CYP4G11, the only CYP4G in the genome of the western honey bee Apis mellifera, can provide insight into its reduced CYP4 inventory. Toward this objective, CYP4G11 transcripts were quantified, and CYP4G11 was expressed as a fusion protein with housefly CPR in Sf9 cells. Transcript levels varied with age, task, and tissue type in a manner consistent with the need for cuticular hydrocarbon production to prevent desiccation or with comb wax production. Young larvae, with minimal need for desiccation protection, expressed CYP4G11 at very low levels. Higher levels were observed in nurses, and even higher levels in wax producers and foragers, the latter of which risk desiccation upon leaving the hive. Recombinant CYP4G11 readily converted octadecanal to n-heptadecane in a time-dependent manner, demonstrating its functions as an oxidative decarbonylase. CYP4G11 expression levels are high in antennae; heterologously expressed CYP4G11 converted tetradecanal to n-tridecane, demonstrating that it metabolizes shorter-chain aldehydes. Together, these findings confirm the involvement of CYP4G11 in cuticular hydrocarbon production and suggest a possible role in clearing pheromonal and phytochemical compounds from antennae. This possible dual functionality of CYP4G11, i.e., cuticular hydrocarbon and comb wax production and antennal odorant clearance, may explain how honey bees function with a reduced CYP4G inventory.
AB - Determining the functionality of CYP4G11, the only CYP4G in the genome of the western honey bee Apis mellifera, can provide insight into its reduced CYP4 inventory. Toward this objective, CYP4G11 transcripts were quantified, and CYP4G11 was expressed as a fusion protein with housefly CPR in Sf9 cells. Transcript levels varied with age, task, and tissue type in a manner consistent with the need for cuticular hydrocarbon production to prevent desiccation or with comb wax production. Young larvae, with minimal need for desiccation protection, expressed CYP4G11 at very low levels. Higher levels were observed in nurses, and even higher levels in wax producers and foragers, the latter of which risk desiccation upon leaving the hive. Recombinant CYP4G11 readily converted octadecanal to n-heptadecane in a time-dependent manner, demonstrating its functions as an oxidative decarbonylase. CYP4G11 expression levels are high in antennae; heterologously expressed CYP4G11 converted tetradecanal to n-tridecane, demonstrating that it metabolizes shorter-chain aldehydes. Together, these findings confirm the involvement of CYP4G11 in cuticular hydrocarbon production and suggest a possible role in clearing pheromonal and phytochemical compounds from antennae. This possible dual functionality of CYP4G11, i.e., cuticular hydrocarbon and comb wax production and antennal odorant clearance, may explain how honey bees function with a reduced CYP4G inventory.
KW - Apoidea
KW - aldehyde oxidative decarbonylase
KW - cytochrome P450
KW - eusocial
KW - hydrocarbon biosynthesis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85053480379&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85053480379&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/imb.12516
DO - 10.1111/imb.12516
M3 - Article
C2 - 29896786
VL - 27
SP - 661
EP - 674
JO - Insect Molecular Biology
JF - Insect Molecular Biology
SN - 0962-1075
IS - 5
ER -