RNA transmission between honeybees

RNA transmission has been documented between many different organisms. Recently, a transmissible RNA pathway was discovered in honeybees. The study aimed to characterise the transmission of RNA from adult worker bees to recipient larvae. To this end, honeybee mini-hives were fed with 4-thiouridine (s4U) for 10 consecutive days to metabolically label the RNA in the adult honeybees. On day 11, the s4U treatment was stopped and on day 12 new frames with naive brood from untreated hives were introduced. Over the course of the next 6 days, larvae were collected, and the RNA was extracted from their systemic tissues. The RNA was subsequently modified and sequenced according to the SLAMseq protocol. The submitted data and corresponding samples were generated by Dr Rob Gowland.