Abstract: 【Aim】 To analyze the differential expression profiles of the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) during the developmental process of the larval gut of Apis mellifera ligustica workers and reveal the regulatory roles of differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in the larval gut development. 【Methods】 Based on the previously obtained transcriptome data from the 4-, 5- and 6-day-old larval gut of A. m. ligustica workers (Am4, Am5 and Am6, respectively), DElncRNAs in the Am4 vs Am5 comparison group and Am5 vs Am6 comparison group were screened using the relevant software, and the cis-acting effect of DElncRNAs and the shared up-regulated and down-regulated lncRNAs and the regulatory roles of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) were further investigated. The reliability of transcriptome data was verified through RT-qPCR. 【Results】 In the Am4 vs Am5 comparison group, 214 up-regulated and 251 down-regulated lncRNAs were screened, while 141 up-regulated and 332 down-regulated ones were screened in the Am5 vs Am6 comparison group. There were seven up-regulated and 16 down-regulated lncRNAs shared in the two comparison groups. DElncRNAs in the Am4 vs Am5 comparison group potentially regulated 250 neighboring genes, enriched in 28 GO terms such as cellular process as well as 58 KEGG pathways such as Wnt signaling pathway. DElncRNAs in the Am5 vs Am6 comparison group putatively regulated 295 neighboring genes enriched in 35 GO terms such as cell part as well as 73 KEGG pathways such as FoxO signaling pathway. The shared seven up-regulated lncRNAs in the above-mentioned two comparison groups potentially modulated 10 neighboring genes enriched in one GO term and seven KEGG pathways including metabolic pathways, glutathione metabolism and nucleocytoplasmic transport. The shared 16 down-regulated lncRNAs potentially modulated 27 neighboring genes, enriched in eight GO terms and 13 KEGG pathways including arginine biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism and metabolic pathways. Additionally, 49 DElncRNAs in the Am4 vs Am5 comparison group could target 16 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) and further target 122 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) enriched in 24 GO terms including metabolic process and 21 KEGG pathways including Wnt signaling pathway. In the Am5 vs Am6 comparison group, 38 DElncRNAs could target eight DEmiRNAs and further target 67 DEmRNAs enriched in 21 GO terms including catalytic activity and 10 KEGG pathways including FoxO signaling pathway. The shared down-regulated lncRNA MSTRG.10589.2 in the aforementioned two comparison groups could target ame-miR-6052 and miR-511-y, further targeting 29 DEmRNAs. RT-qPCR results showed that the relative expression levels of the seven randomly selected DElncRNAs were consistent with the sequencing data, confirming the reliability of the transcriptome data. 【Conclusion】 The developmental process of the larval gut of A. m. ligustica workers is accompanied with the dynamic and differential expression of lncRNAs, and DElncRNAs may participate in modulating larval gut development via cis-acting effect and ceRNA network, potentially playing significant regulatory roles in the development of the larval gut.

Key words: Apis mellifera ligustica, workers, larvae, long non-coding RNA, gut, development