ScienceDaily (June 5, 2009) — Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have sequenced the genome of a parasite that can kill honey bees. Nosema ceranae is one of many pathogens suspected of contributing to the current bee population decline, termed colony collapse disorder (CCD).

In 2006, CCD began devastating commercial beekeeping operations, with some beekeepers reporting losses of up to 90 percent, according to the USDA. Researchers believe CCD may be the result of a combination of pathogens, parasites and stress factors, but the cause remains elusive. At stake are honey bees that play a valuable part in a $15 billion industry of crop farming in the United States.

The microsporidian Nosema is a fungus-related microbe that produces spores that bees consume when they forage. Infection spreads from their digestive tract to other tissues. Within weeks, colonies are either wiped out or lose much of their strength. Nosema apis was the leading cause of microsporidia infections among domestic bee colonies until recently when N. ceranae jumped from Asian honey bees to the European honey bees used commercially in the United States.

The ARS scientists used genetic tools and microscopic analysis at the ARS Bee Research Laboratory (BRL) in Beltsville, Maryland to examine N. ceranae. They collaborated with colleagues at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, Columbia University, New York, New York, and 454 Life Sciences, of Branford, Connecticut.

Sequencing the genome should help scientists trace the parasite's migration patterns, determine how it became dominant, and help resolve the spread of infection by enabling the development of diagnostic tests and treatments.

ARS is a scientific research agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Supported by the USDA-ARS Administrator fund, (JDE, JC, JP), North America Pollinator Protection Campaign, (JE, JC), USDA-NRI grant # 2002-0256, (JE), Northeast Biodefense Center Grant # U54AI57158, (WIL), and Google.org Contract # 17-2008,  (WIL). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this paper is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the United States Department of Agriculture or the Agricultural Research Service of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.

ME, SH, and BD are employed by 454 Life Sciences/Roche Applied Sciences.

Story Source:

Adapted from materials provided by Public Library of Science, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Journal Reference:

1. Cornman et al. Genomic Analyses of the Microsporidian Nosema ceranae, an Emergent Pathogen of Honey Bees. PLoS Pathogens, 2009; 5 (6): e1000466 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000466

Agricultural Research Service scientists have sequenced the genome of the invasive parasite Nosema ceranae that can kill honey bees. (Credit: Photo courtesy of David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org.)

Related Stories

Cure For Honey Bee Colony Collapse? (Apr. 14, 2009) — For the first time, scientists have isolated a parasite from professional apiaries suffering from honey bee colony depopulation syndrome. They then went on to treat the infection with complete ...  > read more

Scientists Identify Pathogens That May Be Causing Global Honey-Bee Deaths (Apr. 26, 2007) — Researchers have identified potential culprits behind the wide-spread catastrophic death of honey bees around North America and Europe. A team of scientists from Edgewood Chemical Biological Center ...  > read more

Colony Collapse Disorder: Researchers Work To Control Varroa Mites, Increase Longevity Of Queen Bees (Feb. 16, 2008) — In response to a fast-spreading syndrome called colony collapse disorder (CCD) that's striking honey bees nationwide, scientists at Agricultural Research Service bee laboratories across the country ...  > read more

Genes May Tell A Lot About The Secret Lives Of Bees (Jan. 29, 2007) — Despite the fact that bees are one of the most beneficial insects in the world, much of their behavior remains a mystery -- even to the apiculturists who tend them. To better understand such ...  > read more

Bee Mites Suppress Bee Immunity, Open Door For Viruses And Bacteria (May 18, 2005) — A non-native bee mite is causing the dramatic and sudden collapse of bee colonies across the country, but Penn State researchers believe they have found the combination of factors that triggers ...  > read more

Search ScienceDaily

HoneyBee Decline