Varroa destructor is a parasitic mite that attacks the honey bee, and previous studies have suggested that parasitosis caused by this mite is accompanied by immunosuppresion in Custom Shape 2-Layer Wood Sign the host.In this study, the effect of mite infestation on the expression of the lysozyme-1 (lys-1) gene and lysozyme activity in Apis mellifera carnica was determined.The experiment was carried out on the five developmental stages of honey bee workers and drones.
Developmental and gender-related differences in gene expression and lysozyme activity were observed in a Varroa destructor-infested brood.The relative expression of the lys-1 gene increased in a infested worker brood and decreased in a drone brood except for P3 pupae.In the final stage of development, the lys-1 gene expression was significantly lower in infested newly emerged workers and drones.
Changes in the relative expression of the lys-1 gene in infested individuals was poorly manifested at the level of enzyme activity, whereas at the two final stages of development (P5 and I) there was a positive correlation between relative lys-1 expression and lysozyme activity in infested bees of both genders (r=0.988, r=0.999, respectively).
The results of this study indicate that V.destructor influences the lysozyme-linked immune Lunch Bag response in bees.