title: Neuropeptide Y-like signalling and nutritionally mediated gene expression and behaviour in the honey bee.
abstract: Previous research has led to the idea that derived traits can arise through the evolution of novel roles for conserved genes. We explored whether neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like signalling, a conserved pathway that regulates food-related behaviour, is involved in a derived, nutritionally-related trait, the division of labour in worker honey bees. Transcripts encoding two NPY-like peptides were expressed in separate populations of brain neurosecretory cells, consistent with endocrine functions. NPY-related genes were upregulated in the brains of older foragers compared with younger bees performing brood care ('nurses'). A subset of these changes can be attributed to nutrition, but neuropeptide F peptide treatments did not influence sugar intake. These results contrast with recent reports of more robust associations between division of labour and the related insulin-signalling pathway and suggest that some elements of molecular pathways associated with feeding behaviour may be more evolutionarily labile than others.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ament
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Velarde
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kolodkin
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moyse
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D015870:Gene Expression; D006722:Honey; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D012919:Social Behavior; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; C076101:neuropeptide F