Down-Regulation of Honey Bee *IRS* Gene Biases Behavior toward Food Rich in
Protein
http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pgen.1000896

Abstract

Food choice and eating behavior affect health and longevity. Large-scale
research efforts aim to understand the molecular and social/behavioral
mechanisms of energy homeostasis, body weight, and food intake. Honey bees (
*Apis mellifera*) could provide a model for these studies since individuals
vary in food-related behavior and social factors can be controlled. Here, we
examine a potential role of peripheral *insulin receptor substrate* (*IRS*)
expression in honey bee foraging behavior. *IRS* is central to cellular
nutrient sensing through transduction of insulin/insulin-like signals (IIS).
By reducing peripheral *IRS* gene expression and IRS protein amount with the
use of RNA interference (RNAi), we demonstrate that *IRS* influences
foraging choice in two standard strains selected for different food-hoarding
behavior. Compared with controls, *IRS* knockdowns bias their foraging
effort toward protein (pollen) rather than toward carbohydrate (nectar)
sources. Through control experiments, we establish that *IRS* does not
influence the bees' sucrose sensory response, a modality that is generally
associated with food-related behavior and specifically correlated with the
foraging preference of honey bees. These results reveal a new affector
pathway of honey bee social foraging, and suggest that *IRS* expressed in
peripheral tissue can modulate an insect's foraging choice between protein
and carbohydrate sources.

-- 
Juanse Barros J.
APIZUR S.A.
Carrera 695
Gorbea - CHILE
+56-45-271693
08-3613310
http://apiaraucania.blogspot.com/
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