Transcriptomics of Royal Jelly Composition in Geotrigona acapulconis and Apis mellifera

The stingless G. acapulconis and A. mellifera bees have morphological differences and variations in protein composition of their Royal Jelly proteins (RJPs) and Yellow family proteins (YFPs). This study indirectly analyzed the protein composition of RJPs in both bees through transcriptome analysis of the RJP producers. The results showed differences in the proportion and types of RJPs and YFPs, which may be related to pigmentation, larval nutrition and development, defense against pathogens, and their different behaviors. The study showed the presence of transcripts coding for RJPs in both bees. These proteins belonging to the Major Royal Jelly proteins (MRJPs) only recorded in A. mellifera and YFPs, which were identified in both bees, but in different proportions.