Ferritin RNA interference inhibits iron deposition in the iron deposition vesicles of honeybees (Apis mellifera)

• Main Authors: Hsiao Fan Lo, 羅曉帆
• Other Authors: C. Y. Hsu
• Format: Others
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/15998786847440498584

碩士 === 長庚大學 === 生物醫學研究所 === 97 === Among insects, due to their differential behavior with respect to the external magnetic field, iron deposition has been reported to occur in honeybees (Apis mellifera). Honeybees (Apis mellifera) undergo iron biomineralization, providing the basis for magnetoreception. In this study, we establish dsRNA interference to inhibit two iron deposition related proteins – ferritin 1 and ferritin 2. To verify ferritin RNAi effect of iron deposition vesicle in de-magnetite honeybees (Apis mellifera), we have confirmed ferritin mRNA and protein levels are decreased in honeybees (Apis mellifera) with microinjection ferritin dsRNA. Transmission electron microscopy also shows iron deposition is delayed in honeybees (Apis mellifera) with microinjection ferritin dsRNA. This study showed that we have already established a de- magnetite honeybee system. Furthermore, we investigated the homing behavior of demagnetite honeybees to verify the relationship of superparamagnetic magnetite and magnetoreception.