Identification and characterization of globin gene from Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apocrita: Apidae)

Hemoglobins are mainly functional in the transport and storage of O2, and are present in aerobic, lung respiratory metazoans. Based on recent studies, it has been determined that globin-like proteins are also found in invertebrate groups which have tracheal respiratory systems. Thus, it has been claimed that the globin molecules may have housekeeping functions beyond their known functions. In this study, the presence of a hemoglobin gene was investigated in a natural pollinator, Bombus terrestris. Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombinae) is an ecologically and economically important species, it has a wide distribution in high and low altitude habitats, can live in different localities in terms of altitude and temperature. The expression of globin gene was determined using real time qPCR and RACE system, and confirmed by SRA data. The potential globin ORF sequence was 516 bp nucleotide and 171 bp amino acid long. This data was deposited in the GenBank database under accession number OP312897. On the other hand, expression profiles were investigated in different hypoxic conditions at different developmental stages (larva, pupae and adult) and in different tissue types (abdomen, thorax, head and legs). It was determined that the globin gene is transcribed in all developmental stages, but only in abdomen; and that globin expression decreases with decreasing amount of oxygen.