title: Abscisic acid enhances cold tolerance in honeybee larvae.
abstract: The natural composition of nutrients present in food is a key factor determining the immune function and stress responses in the 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 inin vitro-reared larvae exposed to low temperatures. Four-day-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 an ABA-supplemented diet completely prevent the low survival rate due to cold stress and accelerate adult emergence. ABA modulates the expression of genes involved in metabolic adjustments and stress responses:Hexamerin 70b, Insulin Receptor Substrate, Vitellogenin, andHeat 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 larvae to low temperatures through priming effects.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), CC 1245, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina.
authors.forename: Leonor
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6313-7133
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), FCEyN, UNMdP, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9596-3739
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Negri
authors.affiliation: DIMES-Sezione Biochimica, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 116132 Genova, Italia.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sturla
authors.affiliation: DIMES-Sezione Biochimica, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 116132 Genova, Italia.
authors.forename: Lucrezia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guida
authors.affiliation: DIMES-Sezione Biochimica, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 116132 Genova, Italia.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vigliarolo
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), FCEyN, UNMdP, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina.
authors.forename: Matías
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), FCEyN, UNMdP, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina.
authors.forename: Martín
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eguaras
authors.affiliation: DIMES-Sezione Biochimica, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 116132 Genova, Italia.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zocchi
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), CC 1245, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina lolama@mdp.edu.ar.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lamattina
mesh_terms: D000040:Abscisic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000040:Abscisic Acid
keywords: Apis mellifera; abscisic acid; cold tolerance; compensatory growth