What is vitellogenin?
(one or more answers possible)
- It is a protein that slows down the “ageing” of worker bees?
- It modulates foraging behaviour by favouring pollen collection over nectar collection?
- It does not extend the lifespan of the queen?
- It is synthesised in the bee’s fat body?
- It does not stimulate the hypopharyngeal glands and the production of royal jelly?
- It is not involved in the immune mechanisms of bees?
- It modulates the social life of the entire colony?
View answer
Correct answers: 1, 2, 4 and 7
Vitellogenin is a protein that is highly abundant in winter bees and may play a role in stimulating their immune system. Studies show a correlation between vitellogenin levels and the winter survival chances of honey bee colonies.
This glycoprotein is the precursor protein of vitellus (yolk) and is common among oviparous animals. In honey bees, it is directly involved in the regulation of social life. It acts in interaction with juvenile hormone. Vitellogenin suppresses juvenile hormone and thus inhibits the transition from brood-related tasks to outside activities. This transition is therefore characterized by a decrease in vitellogenin and an increase in juvenile hormone.
The vitellogenin level in bees also determines their foraging strategy. High vitellogenin concentrations in young bees favour delayed foraging oriented toward pollen collection, whereas lower concentrations allow earlier foraging oriented toward nectar collection. In addition, vitellogenin can reduce oxidative stress in bees by scavenging free radicals, thereby extending the lifespan of both workers and the queen. This is one of the reasons for the longevity of winter bees, which store vitellogenin in their highly developed fat bodies.
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