Growth-hormone Inducible Transmembrane Protein(GHITM) Expression in Different Developmental Stages of Honeybee(Apis cerana)

In honeybee colonies, the same genotype but distinctly different phenotype between queens and workers are caused by differential gene expression, epigenetics and nutritional control. GHITM gene is the ortholog of the pgdr gene, which plays a role in the regulation of molting and metamorphosis in silkworms. However, studies on honeybee development of GHITM gene have not been reported so far. In the present study, mRNA levels of GHITM gene in Apis cerana queen, worker pupae and young adult workers were investigated via real-time qPCR. The results showed that the gene expression level of the GHITM gene increased with the age of workers. In queen pupae, however, the mRNA level decreased from 0 to 2 instars, then it increased greatly afterwards. These findings provide a scientific basis for studying differential gene expression, molecular mechanism of caste differentiation and GHITM gene function in the two important honeybee species Apis mellifera and Apis cerana.