Researchers report this week that they have found a surprising but reliable marker of Colony Collapse Disorder, a baffling malady that in 2007-2008 killed off more than a third of commercial honey bees in the U.S.
Entomologists at the University of Illinois believe they have identified a single, molecular marker of the disorder. Their new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, builds on their previous work mapping the honey bee genome.
Bees in CCD hives have unusually high levels of ribosomal fragments, a symptom of infection with multiple picorna-like viruses, the researchers found.
Photo: L. Brian Stauffer, University of Illinois News Bureau.
Using the genome and a genome-based tool, the microarray, researchers May Berenbaum and Gene Robinson looked for differences in gene expression in the guts of healthy honey bees, versus those afflicted with Colony Collapse Disorder.
During the analysis, Reed Johnson, a doctoral student and principal author of the study, noticed the microarrays were identifying large quantities of fragmented ribosomal RNA in the CCD-affected bees. Ribosomes are the factories in which proteins are made.
The loss of ribosomal function would explain many of the phenomena associated with CCD, Berenbaum said. "If your ribosome is compromised, then you can't respond to pesticides, you can't respond to fungal infections or bacteria or inadequate nutrition because the ribosome is central to the survival of any organism. You need proteins to survive," she said.
When the team looked at the pathogens of healthy bees as compared to the CCD-affected bees, they found that the CCD bees suffered a significantly higher incidence of infections with viruses that attack the ribosome. These viruses essentially hijack the ribosome, turning the cells into factories for viral proteins.
Recent Research on Colony Collapse Disorder:
- Study Shows CCD-Afflicted Bees Have Higher Pathogen Loads
- Researchers May Have Found the Cure for Dying Bees
- Honey Bees Are Disappearing - Is the Answer Right Under Our Noses?
Source: University of Illinois press release, via Eurekalert!
More Ways to Keep Up With About Insects
Have a bug question? Visit the Insects Forum
Sign up for my free newsletter
Follow me on Twitter: AboutInsects
Become a fan on facebook
Comments