ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE AND CATALASE ACTIVITY AND EXPRESSION IN HONEY BEE

• Published in: Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology Vol. 90; no. 4; pp. 181 - 194
• Main Authors: Nikolic, Tatjana V, Purac, Jelena, Orcic, Snezana, Kojic, Danijela, Vujanovic, Dragana, Stanimirovic, Zoran, Grzetic, Ivan, Ilijevic, Konstantin, Sikoparija, Branko, Blagojevic, Dusko P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-12-2015; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Animals; Apis mellifera; Bees; Bees - enzymology; Bees - genetics; catalase; Catalase - analysis; Cities; Environmental effects; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Enzymatic activity; Female; Gene expression; Gene Expression Profiling; Honey; honey bee; Industrial areas; Industry; Lead; Lead - analysis; Oxidation; Oxidative Stress; pollution; Serbia; superoxide dismutase; Superoxide Dismutase - analysis; Urban areas; Zinc - analysis; Serbia; honey bee; pollution; superoxide dismutase; catalase; lead
• ISSN: 0739-4462; 1520-6327
• DOI: 10.1002/arch.21253

Understanding the cellular stress response in honey bees will significantly contribute to their conservation. The aim of this study was to analyze the response of the antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase in honey bees related to the presence of toxic metals in different habitats. Three locations were selected: (i) Tunovo on the mountain Golija, as control area, without industry and large human impact, (ii) Belgrade as urban area, and (iii) Zajača, as mining and industrial zone. Our results showed that the concentrations of lead (Pb) in whole body of bees vary according to habitat, but there was very significant increase of Pb in bees from investigated industrial area. Bees from urban and industrial area had increased expression of both Sod1 and Cat genes, suggesting adaptation to increased oxidative stress. However, in spite increased gene expression, the enzyme activity of catalase was lower in bees from industrial area suggesting inhibitory effect of Pb on catalase.