Molecular cloning, characterisation and expression of methionine sulfoxide reductase A gene from Apis cerana cerana

Methionine sulfoxide reductases (Msrs) catalyse the reduction of methionine sulfoxide to methionine and play key roles in protein repair and reactive oxygen species scavenging. Here, an MsrA gene-designated AccMsrA was isolated from Apis cerana cerana for the first time. The full-length cDNA of AccMsrA is 1,540 bp, and it encodes a protein with 217 amino acids. Sequence alignment analysis showed that AccMsrA shares high similarity with other insect MsrAs. Analysis of the 5'-flanking region of AccMsrA revealed a group of transcription factor-binding sites that are associated with the regulation of development and responses to environmental stresses. Quantitative real-time PCR showed high expression levels of AccMsrA mRNA in prepupa and in the head of adult workers. Furthermore, the expression of AccMsrA was upregulated by multiple oxidative stresses, including ultraviolet light (30 mJ/cm(2)), heat (42 degrees C) and H2O2 (2 mM). These results indicate that AccMsrA might fulfill an important role in the regulation of insect development and in their responses to various environmental stresses. This report is the first description of the characteristics of the AccMsrA gene in the Chinese honeybee, and it establishes a primary foundation for further study.