Rhythm generation in honeybees: feeding cycle and period

本课题通过对中华蜜蜂周期基因结构和表达的研究，揭示蜜蜂田间行为活动时序划分的分子机制，为多物种共存环境下维持生物多样性提供依据。首先，利用个体工蜂和携带在Zootron中的蜂群研究了蜜蜂的昼夜节律特征。然后利用聚合酶链式反应技术克隆了周期基因，发现存在4种剪接变异体。为了探讨周期m-RNA变异形成的分子机制，在包括内含子在内的周期基因编码区分析了蜜蜂的基因组结构。进一步的RT-PCR实验显示了工蜂的组织特异性表达模式。这些结果表明，除了定位于大脑的主时钟外，还有一些从属的外周时钟。

In this project structure and expression of period gene in honeybees, Apis cerana japonica were investigated to reveal the molecular mechanism of temporal division of behavioral activity in the field, which is considered to be one of the basis of biodiversity maintenance in the multi-species coexistence. At first the characteristics of circadian rhythm in the honeybee were investigated using individual workers and a colony that was entrained in Zootron. Then period gene encoding cDNA was cloned by use of PCR strategy, and found fours kinds of spliced alternative variants exist. To investigate the molecular mechanism of formation of period m-RNA variants, genomic structure of the honeybee was analysed on the encoding period gene region including introns. Further RT-PCR experiments showed tissue specific expression patterns in worker bees. The results obtained suggested that there are some slave peripheral clocks in addition to the main clock localized in the brain.