The Family of Major Royal Jelly Proteins and Its Evolution
- 1 August 1999
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of Molecular Evolution
- Vol. 49 (2) , 290-297
- https://doi.org/10.1007/pl00006551
Abstract
A cDNA encoding a new member of the gene family of major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs) from the honeybee, Apis mellifera, was isolated and sequenced. Royal jelly (RJ) is a secretion of the cephalic glands of nurse bees. The origin and biological function of the protein component (12.5%, w/w) of RJ is unknown. We show that the MRJP gene family encodes a group of closely related proteins that share a common evolutionary origin with the yellow protein of Drosophila melanogaster. Yellow protein functions in cuticle pigmentation in D. melanogaster. The MRJPs appear to have evolved a novel nutritional function in the honeybee.Keywords
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