Chemosensory function of Varroa gnathosoma: transcriptomic and proteomic analyses.

In this study, we evaluated the role of the gnathosoma (mouthparts) in chemosensing of the most devastating honey bee parasite, Varroa destructor mite. Through transcriptomic analysis, we compared the expression of putative chemosensory genes between the body parts containing the main chemosensory organs (the forelegs), gnathosoma and the rest of the body devoid of these two body parts. Furthermore, we checked the presence of chemosensory-related transcripts in the proteome of the gnathosoma.

Bio-functional properties and phytochemical composition of selected honey from Africa.

Globally, the demand for natural remedies such as honey to manage ailments has increased. Yet, the health benefits and chemical composition of African honeys are not well understood. Therefore, this study aimed to characterise the bio-functional properties and the phytochemical composition of 18 honeys from Kenya, Uganda, and Cameroon in comparison to the popular and commercially available Manuka 5+ honey from New Zealand.

Insights into gene manipulation techniques for Acari functional genomics.

Functional genomics is an essential tool for elucidating the structure and function of genes in any living organism. Here, we review the use of different gene manipulation techniques in functional genomics of Acari (mites and ticks). Some of these Acari species inflict severe economic losses to managed crops and health problems to humans, wild and domestic animals, but many also provide important ecosystem services worldwide.

Towards disrupting Varroa -honey bee chemosensing: A focus on a Niemann-Pick type C2 transcript.

We focused our study on the 12 recently identified putative odorant carrier proteins in the ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor. Here we show, via an exclusion of the chemosensory appendages (forelegs and gnathosoma) that transcripts of five of the 12 genes were significantly lower, suggesting that they are likely involved in carrying host volatiles. Specifically, three transcripts were found to be foreleg-specific while the other two transcripts were expressed in both the forelegs and gnathosoma.