Comparative transcriptome investigation of Ascosphaera apis spore and mycelium

• 1、College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002

Abstract：Ascosphaera apis specifically infects honeybee larvae, resulting in chalkbrood disease, lead to a sharp decrease for colony population and productivity. In this work, mycelium sample (AaM) and spore sample (AaS) of A. apis pure culture under lab condition were respectively sequenced using strand-specific library-based RNA-seq technology. In total, 7 557 and 7 640 expressed genes were identified in Aam and AaS, respectively, and 7 362 genes were shared by both groups. These shared genes were associated with 44 functional terms including metabolic process and 21 pathways including overview of metabolism. There were 195 genes specific for AaM group, involving in 13 terms including catalytic activity and 51 pathways including metabolism; while 278 specific genes were identified in AaS group, involving in six terms including single tissue process and 55 pathways including meiosis. In AaM vs AaS comparison group, 977 up-regulated genes and 687 down-regulated genes. The DEGs were engaged in 36 functional terms such as metabolic process, cell part and catalytic activity; these were also significantly enriched in 113 pathways such as glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and fatty acid metabolism. The enrichment network analysis indicated KZZ98057.1, KZZ87090.1, KZZ90651.1, KZZ90058.1, KZZ90024.1, KZZ92664.1, KZZ98218.1 and KZZ92771.1 were simultaneously enriched in glycine, serine and threonine metabolism and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites; KZZ89869.1 was simultaneously enriched in biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and endocytosis; KZZ96974.1 was simultaneously enriched in endocytosis and MAPK signaling pathway. RT-qPCR result showed the differential expression trend of six DEGs was in accordance of that in sequencing result, confirming the authenticity of our sequencing data. These findings revealed that common genes, specific genes and DEGs may participate in growth, development and reproduction process of A. apis mycelium and spore through regulating several pivotal pathways such as cell activity, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, secondary metabolite synthesis, MAPK signaling pathway and endocytosis.

Keywords： Ascosphaera apis Long noncoding RNA Mycelium Spore Competing endogenous