Multi-omics analysis identifies ALDH7A1 as a key regulator of the visual-olfactory bimodal learning in honeybee

Specific genes or encoded proteins are involved in regulating various learning models of different species through certain signaling pathways，but whether there are also regulatory genes during bimodal learning and memory is largely unknown. Using a multi-omics approach to examine gene expression changes in bees brain performed with three different learning assays, a general up-regulation of genes and proteins were observed in bimodal learning compared to controls. Protein-protein network predictions of differential proteins together with FISH assays suggest ALDH7A1 may be involved in regulation of bimodal learning and memory. Injecting siRNA-ALDH7A1 to the bee brain results in significant inhibition the expressions of ALDH7A1 and regucalcin, and increase β-alanine content. Interestingly, we found that loss of ALDH7A1 only affect visual-olfactory bimodal learning and memory, but not single visual or olfactory conditioned learning after ALDH7A1-RNAi in bees. Therefore, our data suggests that ALDH7A1 may affect bimodal learning and memory though controlling β-alanine related plasticity mechanisms.

特定基因及其编码的蛋白质可通过特定信号通路调控不同物种的多种学习模式，但目前对于双模态学习与记忆过程中是否存在此类调控基因，仍知之甚少。本研究采用多组学（multi-omics）方法，对经三种不同学习范式检测的蜜蜂大脑中的基因表达变化进行分析，结果发现相较于对照组，双模态学习组的基因与蛋白质普遍呈现上调表达。对差异蛋白质进行的蛋白质互作网络预测，结合荧光原位杂交（Fluorescence in situ hybridization, FISH）实验结果，提示ALDH7A1可能参与双模态学习与记忆的调控。向蜜蜂大脑注射siRNA-ALDH7A1后，ALDH7A1与regucalcin的表达受到显著抑制，同时β-丙氨酸含量升高。有趣的是，在蜜蜂体内实施ALDH7A1-RNAi干预后，我们发现ALDH7A1的缺失仅会影响视嗅双模态学习与记忆，而对单一视觉或嗅觉条件化学习并无显著影响。综上，本研究数据表明，ALDH7A1或可通过调控β-丙氨酸相关的可塑性机制，影响双模态学习与记忆过程。