Putative orthologues of genetically identified Drosophila melanogaster chitin producing and organising genes in Apis mellifera

The cuticle is a versatile coat allowing insects to survive in a variety of ecological situations. The polysaccharide chitin is a major cuticle component defining cuticle function. The key players of chitin synthesis and organisation, including chitin synthase-1 (CS-1), the chitin deacetylases vermiform (Verm) and serpentine (Serp), the extracellular obstructor-A (Obst-A) protein, the membrane-bound Knickkopf (Knk) and retroactive (Rtv) proteins, the cytoplasmic mummy (Mmy) protein and the transcription factor grainyhead (Grh) have been characterised genetically in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we report on the identification of putative orthologues of these factors in Apis mellifera and on their expression at different developmental stages. Overall, differences in gene organisation and expression pattern between these two species may compile different cuticle compositions that reflect their life style and ecology. Our data will serve to elucidate the honeybee-specific mechanisms of cuticle formation.