Figure 2.

Reverse transcription analysis of putative transcripts. RT-PCR was performed on RNA obtained from European worker (EW), European drone (ED), and Africanized worker (AW) heads. Primers were designed to an exon in each transcript. The putative transcripts from 36L17.1 to 36L17.15, 36L17.EST1, and 36L17.EST2 were visualized after 20 cycles. Positive control primers to the Apis glutamate transporter (Am-EAAT +ve control) produced the expected size fragment of 525 bp. The negative control using Taq Polymerase (Am-EAAT-No RT control) confirmed the lack of DNA contamination. With the exception of 36L17.12 and 36L1714, all predictions, including the segments corresponding to the EST hits, generated single RT products of the expected sizes in Africanized and European workers. 36L17.12 and 36L17.14 produced multiple RT-PCR products of varying sizes, indicating a possible failure of the RT-PCR reaction, nonspecific reaction products, or an absence of expression of that particular transcript in the bee head. With the exception of 36L17.7, all products seen in European workers were seen in European drones. RT-PCR products from most transcripts appeared to be present at a lower level in drones in comparison with workers in several cases. In contrast, 36L17.1 appeared to have a slightly elevated level of transcript in the drone sample in comparison with that of the workers. All transcripts seen in European worker heads appear to be expressed in their Africanized counterparts at similar levels.