不同日龄西方蜜蜂工蜂脑部多巴胺水平及相关基因表达的比较分析
Comparative analysis of dopamine levels and related gene expression in the brains of honeybee (Apis mellifera) workers of different ages
曾照阳** 张航宇** 普舒婷 武 尊 李临峰 陈 卓 苏松坤*** 许雪玲***
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DOI：10.7679/j.issn.2095-1353.2026.078
作者单位：福建农林大学蜂学学院，福州 350002
中文关键词：西方蜜蜂；多巴胺；日龄；合成；受体
英文关键词：Apis mellifera; dopamine; day-old; synthesis; receptor
中文摘要：【目的】 本研究旨在明确自然状态下西方蜜蜂Apis mellifera工蜂不同发育阶段脑部多巴胺含量及相关基因动态变化的水平。【方法】 采用高效液相色谱-电化学检测法测定正常蜂群1、5、10、15、20、25、30日龄工蜂脑部多巴胺含量，同时利用qRT-PCR技术检测上述样本中多巴胺合成基因Th、Ddc和多巴胺受体基因Amdop1、Amdop2、Amdop3的相对表达量，构建多巴胺含量与基因表达的时期图谱。【结果】 获得自然状态下西方蜜蜂1-30日龄工蜂脑部多巴胺系统的动态特征：多巴胺含量随日龄变化呈阶段性波动，整体表现为1日龄较高，随后下降，在工蜂转向采集行为的关键期20日龄显著升高（P < 0.001），之后再次降低；Th基因在1日龄工蜂脑部表达量最高，随后在其余日龄整体维持相对稳定；Amdop1、Amdop2、Amdop3基因在1日龄表达较低，并在后续发育阶段整体上调，其中Amdop2在10、15、20日龄表达较高。【结论】 本研究构建的西方蜜蜂工蜂脑部多巴胺含量及相关基因表达谱，揭示了多巴胺系统与工蜂行为发育、劳动分工的紧密关联。研究结果不仅为探究蜜蜂行为转变的影响因素提供关键数据，也为神经递质与社会性昆虫行为的关联提供了理论支撑。
英文摘要：[Aim] To clarify dynamic changes in the dopamine content, and related gene activity, in the brain of worker honeybees (Apis mellifera) of different ages under natural conditions. [Methods] High-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) was used to determine the dopamine content of the brains of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30-day-old, worker honeybees from normal colonies. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) technology was used to detect the relative expression levels of the dopamine synthesis genes (Th and Ddc) and the dopamine receptor genes (Amdop1, Amdop2, Amdop3), in order to construct an age-specific profile of dopamine content and gene expression. [Results] Dopamine levels in the brain underwent age-specific changes. Dopamine levels were relatively high in 1-day-old workers, after which they decreased before rising significantly (P < 0.001) in 20-day-old bees (the critical period when workers shift to foraging behavior), then declining again. The expression of the Th gene was highest in the brains of 1-day-old workers and remained relatively stable with age. The expression levels of Amdop1, Amdop2, and Amdop3 were low in 1-day-old workers and were generally upregulated during subsequent developmental stages. Amdop2 was relatively highly expressed in 10, 15, and 20 day-olds. [Conclusion] These results not only provide key data for investigating the factors influencing changes in honeybee behavior, but also provide theoretical support for the association between neurotransmitters and behavior in social insects.