Transcriptomic analysis of genes related to neuronal functions in Apis mellifera: expression dynamics during the progression of DWV-A infection

Abstract Deformed Wing Virus type A (DWV-A) is one of the primary threats to honeybees ( Apis mellifera ), significantly impacting their nervous system physiology and behavior. While its neurotropic nature is well-recognized, the temporal dynamics of the neuronal transcriptomic response following oral infection, the natural transmission route, remains poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed gene expression in the heads of worker bees orally inoculated with DWV-A over a 16-day time course (1, 4, 7, 10, 13, and 16 days post-inoculation). RNA-seq analysis at day 10 identified 147 differentially expressed genes, primarily associated with mitochondrial function, energy metabolism, and neuronal processes. RT-qPCR validation revealed a persistent downregulation of key genes related to glutamatergic system ( eaat-2, neto, and kainate ) and sensory perception related-genes in the antennae. Notably, the simultaneous co-expression of nurse-associated and forager-associated marker genes suggests that DWV-A infection induces an asynchrony in behavioral maturation. Our findings demonstrate that DWV-A disrupts neuronal homeostasis and peripheral sensory perception in a tissue-specific and time-dependent manner, providing a molecular framework to understand the behavioral impairment and the loss of coordination at the colony level.