Abscisic acid improves cold-tolerance and acclimation in early developmental stages of honey bee

RAMIREZ L.; PEDRO N; STURLA L; GUIDA L; VIGLIAROLO T; MAGGI M; ZOCCHI E; EGUARAS M; LAMATTINA L.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. SERIES B: BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES.

ROYAL SOC

Año: 2017 vol. 284 p. 1 - 11

0962-8452

The natural composition of nutrients present in food is a key factor determiningthe immune function and stress responses in the honeybee (Apismellifera). We previously demonstrated that a supplement of abscisic acid(ABA), a natural component of nectar, pollen, and honey, increases honeybeecolony survival overwinter. Here we further explored the role of ABAin in vitro-reared larvae exposed to low temperatures. Four-day-old larvae(L4) exposed to 258C for 3 days showed lower survival rates and delayeddevelopment compared to individuals growing at a standard temperature(348C). Cold-stressed larvae maintained higher levels of ABA for longerthan do larvae reared at 348C, suggesting a biological significance forABA. Larvae fed with an ABA-supplemented diet completely prevent thelow survival rate due to cold stress and accelerate adult emergence. ABAmodulates the expression of genes involved in metabolic adjustments andstress responses: Hexamerin 70b, Insulin Receptor Substrate, Vitellogenin, andHeat Shock Proteins 70. AmLANCL2, the honeybee ABA receptor, is also regulatedby cold stress and ABA. These results support a role for ABA increasingthe tolerance of honeybee larvae to low temperatures through priming effects.