Volume: 1, 2022
1st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1.A002
Published online: 26 April 2022
ICDSUPL, 1, A002 (2022)
Phenoloxidase and lysozyme activities in hemolymph of Apis mellifera workers, rebels and queens
Maciej S. Bryś1*
1 Department of Invertebrate Ecophysiology and Experimental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Doświadczalna 50a, 20-280 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: maciej.brys@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
The phenoloxidase and lysozyme are important components of humoral immunity in insects. Phenoloxidase is a multicopper oxidase, which participates in melanin synthesis, necessary for defense against intruding microorganisms and parasites, wound healing and cuticle pigmentation. Lysozyme is an enzyme that hydrolyzes the β-1,4-glycosidic linkage of murein-peptidoglycan and therefore inhibits a broad spectrum of gram-positive bacteria and some fungi. Moreover, phenoloxidase mediates nodulation, encapsulation, that is, cellular immunity and lysozyme promotes the expression of other antimicrobial peptides. These compounds perform their functions in the bee’s hemolymph. Mechanisms of cellular and humoral defenses are depended juvenile hormone and vitellogenin and also coparticipate reproductive caste formation as well as for labor division in sterile workers. Divergent reaction of the same genotype yielding queens and worker castes led to shaping of the plasticity of reproductive or sterile workers. Rebels are reproductive workers and can lay eggs. Moreover, they perform tasks inside and outside the colony as normal workers. The aim of the study was determined the phenoloxidase and lysozyme activities in young workers, queens and rebels. Phenoloxidase and lysozyme activities were determined according to Ptaszyńska et al. (2016; doi: 10.1007/s00436-015-4761-z and 10.21521/mw.5534) methods. Activities of these compounds were the lowest in the queens. Rebels had values between queens and normal workers. This results are important for better understanding functioning of the division of labor in social insects
How to cite
M.S. Bryś, 2022. Phenoloxidase and lysozyme activities in hemolymph of Apis mellifera workers, rebels and queens. In: 1st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1/A002