Diversity and evolution of the repetitive element repertoire in two subspecies of honey bee Apis mellifera

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Abstract

The present study attempts to determine the contribution of repetitive DNA sequences to the formation of social structures in Apis mellifera honeybees. Despite progress in understanding the molecular basis of caste formation, particularly related to the Notch signaling pathway, the identification of genome-specific cis-regulatory elements remains incomplete. The present work focuses on characterizing the landscape of repetitive elements in the genomes of two honeybee subspecies, A. m. mellifera and A. m. ligustica. The study revealed that the increased copy number of mobile genetic elements in A. m. ligustica is a significant difference between the two subspecies. Furthermore, differentially expressed repetitive elements with the potential for cis-regulatory functions were identified. Concurrently, the analysis of the transcriptome showed minimal differences in the expression of mobile elements during caste differentiation, a fundamental process in the eusocial organisation of bees. Furthermore, the analysis of transposon divergence between subspecies indicated consistent changes in their repeat status correlating with time of origin. Taken together, the findings indicate a potential role of repetitive elements in the acquisition of new regulatory functions, which opens new perspectives for understanding the molecular mechanisms of honey bee social behaviour.

About the authors

E. E. Lebedev

Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal medical and biological agency

Email: mainsalta@gmail.com
Moscow, 119121 Russia

N. V. Panyushev

Bioinformatics Institute

Email: mainsalta@gmail.com
Saint Petersburg, 197342 Russia

L. S. Adonin

Bonch-Bruevich St. Petersburg State University of Telecommunications

Author for correspondence.
Email: leo.adonin@gmail.com
Saint Petersburg, 193232 Russia

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