Functional Elucidation of <i>Vitellogenin receptor</i> Activity in <i>Apis mellifera</i> in Response to Abiotic Stress
Abiotic stressors threaten honeybee health, jeopardizing pollination services critical to agriculture and biodiversity. Here, we identified the <i>AmVgR</i> gene, which encodes a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family, and examined its function in the response of <i>...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/650 |
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| author | Li Lei Hongyu Song Zhenguo Liu Ge Zhang Ying Wang Baohua Xu |
| author_facet | Li Lei Hongyu Song Zhenguo Liu Ge Zhang Ying Wang Baohua Xu |
| author_sort | Li Lei |
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| description | Abiotic stressors threaten honeybee health, jeopardizing pollination services critical to agriculture and biodiversity. Here, we identified the <i>AmVgR</i> gene, which encodes a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family, and examined its function in the response of <i>Apis mellifera</i> to adverse abiotic stress. <i>AmVgR</i> exhibited peak expression in adult workers and was significantly upregulated under heat, cold, heavy metal, and pesticide exposure. RNAi-mediated knockdown of <i>AmVgR</i> suppressed antioxidant enzyme activities, elevated the levels of oxidative damage markers, and downregulated antioxidant gene expression. Crucially, <i>AmVgR</i> silencing reduced survival under H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-induced oxidative stress, indicating its essential role in stress resilience. Our findings highlight <i>AmVgR</i> as a key regulator of antioxidant defense during development and environmental adaptation in <i>Apis mellifera</i>. This study provides mechanistic insights into bee stress physiology and proposes <i>AmVgR</i> as a novel target for enhancing pollinator protection strategies. Further research should elucidate its molecular pathways and translational applications in mitigating abiotic stress impacts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ec4a5d793b2647bf94dccc3d0d457150 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj-art-ec4a5d793b2647bf94dccc3d0d4571502025-08-20T03:35:37ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-06-0116765010.3390/insects16070650Functional Elucidation of <i>Vitellogenin receptor</i> Activity in <i>Apis mellifera</i> in Response to Abiotic StressLi Lei0Hongyu Song1Zhenguo Liu2Ge Zhang3Ying Wang4Baohua Xu5College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, ChinaAbiotic stressors threaten honeybee health, jeopardizing pollination services critical to agriculture and biodiversity. Here, we identified the <i>AmVgR</i> gene, which encodes a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family, and examined its function in the response of <i>Apis mellifera</i> to adverse abiotic stress. <i>AmVgR</i> exhibited peak expression in adult workers and was significantly upregulated under heat, cold, heavy metal, and pesticide exposure. RNAi-mediated knockdown of <i>AmVgR</i> suppressed antioxidant enzyme activities, elevated the levels of oxidative damage markers, and downregulated antioxidant gene expression. Crucially, <i>AmVgR</i> silencing reduced survival under H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-induced oxidative stress, indicating its essential role in stress resilience. Our findings highlight <i>AmVgR</i> as a key regulator of antioxidant defense during development and environmental adaptation in <i>Apis mellifera</i>. This study provides mechanistic insights into bee stress physiology and proposes <i>AmVgR</i> as a novel target for enhancing pollinator protection strategies. Further research should elucidate its molecular pathways and translational applications in mitigating abiotic stress impacts.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/650<i>Apis mellifera</i><i>AmVgR</i>oxidative stressheavy metalpesticide stress |
| spellingShingle | Li Lei Hongyu Song Zhenguo Liu Ge Zhang Ying Wang Baohua Xu Functional Elucidation of <i>Vitellogenin receptor</i> Activity in <i>Apis mellifera</i> in Response to Abiotic Stress Insects <i>Apis mellifera</i> <i>AmVgR</i> oxidative stress heavy metal pesticide stress |
| title | Functional Elucidation of <i>Vitellogenin receptor</i> Activity in <i>Apis mellifera</i> in Response to Abiotic Stress |
| title_full | Functional Elucidation of <i>Vitellogenin receptor</i> Activity in <i>Apis mellifera</i> in Response to Abiotic Stress |
| title_fullStr | Functional Elucidation of <i>Vitellogenin receptor</i> Activity in <i>Apis mellifera</i> in Response to Abiotic Stress |
| title_full_unstemmed | Functional Elucidation of <i>Vitellogenin receptor</i> Activity in <i>Apis mellifera</i> in Response to Abiotic Stress |
| title_short | Functional Elucidation of <i>Vitellogenin receptor</i> Activity in <i>Apis mellifera</i> in Response to Abiotic Stress |
| title_sort | functional elucidation of i vitellogenin receptor i activity in i apis mellifera i in response to abiotic stress |
| topic | <i>Apis mellifera</i> <i>AmVgR</i> oxidative stress heavy metal pesticide stress |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/650 |
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