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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Bee Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #323961
Title: Identification of MicroRNA-like small RNAs from fungus parasite Nosema ceranae

Author
item HUANG, QIANG - University Of Halle
item Evans, Jay

Submitted to: Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2016
Publication Date: 11/22/2016
Citation: Huang, Q., Evans, J.D. 2016. Identification of MicroRNA-like small RNAs from fungus parasite Nosema ceranae. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 133:107-109.

Interpretive Summary: Honey bees face numerous parasites and pathogens, and these are leading candidates for bee colony losses. Nosema disease is widespread but the impacts of this disease on honey bee health are poorly understood. Here we show a parasite trait, microRNA’s, that might help this parasite overcome honey bee defenses. These results will be useful for bee breeding for resistance and for determining how this parasite impacts bee health. The results have importance for bee breeders and for bee health management by the beekeeping community

Technical Abstract: We previously found transcripts encoding Dicer and Argonaute in the honey bee parasite Nosema ceranae. Since these proteins are involved in the production of regulatory microRNAs we carried out controlled infections and genetic screens in order to identify microRNAs in Nosema . We sequenced small RNAs from midgut tissues of infected honey bees at 24 hour intervals for 6 days post-infection, covering the complete reproduction cycle for this intracellular parasite. We predicted six microRNA-like small RNAs, all of which were confirmed via RT-qPCR assays. This is the first evidence for microRNA-like small RNAs generated by a microsporidian species, providing new insights into host-parasite interactions involving this widespread taxonomic group.