Abstract: 【Aim】 This study aims to investigate the differentially expressed proteins between the newly emerged drones and the sexually mature drones of Apis mellifera ligustica through comparing the proteome profilings of drones at these two different stages, so as to provide the basis for further studies on the drone developmental biology. 【Methods】Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was used to establish the proteomic map of the two kinds of drones, and part of differentially expressed proteins were identified by mass spectrometry analysis and database searching. 【Results】 The results showed that 2 490 and 2 317 proteins were detected in the newly emerged drones and the sexually mature drones of A. mellifera ligustica, respectively,of which 157 differentially expressed protein spots were found. Furthermore, 102 and 55 proteins were significantly up-expressed in the newly emerged drones and the sexually mature drones, respectively. Eighteen of the differentially expressed proteins were identified by mass spectrometry analysis. Among them, the Troponin, SEC13 protein homolog and DJ protein were up-expressed in the newly emerged drones while the paramyosin, arginine kinase and cofilin/actin-depolymerizing factor homolog were up-expressed in the sexually mature drones.【Conclusion】 A large number of proteins in drones of A. mellifera ligustica show expression changes during maturing, which might be related to the development of cuticle, flight muscles and sperms.

Key words: Apis mellifera ligustica, drone, development, proteome, differentially expressed protein