Regulation of Honeybee Worker ( Apis mellifera ) Life Histories by Vitellogenin

Vitellogenin is an egg-yolk precursor protein common to all oviparous animals. This ancient protein is well conserved across taxa, but in the honeybee (Apis mellifera) it has evolved far beyond its reproductive function and now plays key roles in regulating social behavior, promoting longevity, protecting the organism from cellular stress, and defending the colony against pathogens. Here we outline some of the research that our group has been conducting on honeybees over the past decade.