title: Changes in follicular cells architecture during vitellogenin transport in the ovary of social Hymenoptera.
abstract: Vitellogenins are the major yolk proteins, synthesized in the fat body, released into the hemolymph and captured by the developing oocytes, but the mechanisms by which these proteins cross the follicular cell layer are still poorly understood. This study describes the actin distribution in follicular cells during vitellogenin transport to the oocyte in social Hymenoptera represented by bees Apis mellifera and Melipona quadrifasciata, the wasp Mischocyttarus cassununga and the ant Pachycondyla curvinodis. In oocytic chambers of vitellogenic follicles, vitellogenin was found within the follicular cells, perivitelline space and oocyte, indicating a transcellular route from the hemolymph to the perivitelline space. The cortical actin cytoskeleton in follicular cells underwent reorganization during transport of vitellogenin across this epithelium suggesting that in the ovary of social hymenopterans, vitellogenin delivery to oocytes requires a dynamic cytoskeletal rearrangement of actin filaments in the follicular cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.|Department of Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Palotina, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Milton
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ronnau
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.|Federal Insitute of Espírito Santo, Ibatiba, ES, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dihego Oliveira
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria do Carmo Queiroz
authors.initials: MDCQ
authors.lastname: Fialho
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Wagner Gonzaga
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Gonçlaves
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Cola
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Zanuncio
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil. jeserrao@ufv.br.
authors.forename: José Eduardo
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Serrão
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants; D001516:Bees; D005260:Female; D006927:Hymenoptera / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D021381:Protein Transport; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014863:Wasps
chemical_list: D014819:Vitellogenins
keywords: Actin; Ants; Bees; Cytoskeleton; Reproduction; Wasp; Yolk