›› 2007, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (9): 878-882.doi:

• RESEARCH PAPERS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Sperm mediated egfp gene transfer in the Chinese honeybee, Apis cerana cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

  

  • Online:2007-09-20 Published:2007-10-10

Abstract: The Chinese honeybee, Apis cerana cerana is a eusocial insect and one of the most important economical insects in China. The objective of this study was to transfer the exogenous egfp gene through spermatozoa in A. cerana cerana. The drone sperms were mixed with foreign linearized DNA, which were then transferred into the oviducts of a virgin honeybee queen with the technique of artificial instrumental insemination. The descendants of the experimental colonies were analyzed. Green fluorescence was observed in 1-to 2-day-old larvae from a colony of the experimental group, and the positive rate was 0.01%-0.02%. PCR amplification of genomic DNA and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction confirmed the transfer and expression of egfp gene. The results indicate that sperm-mediated transformation can be applicable to transfer and express exogenous genes in A. cerana cerana.