Melittin synthesis in the venom system of the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.).

The amount of melittin (measured by a direct hemolytic assay) contained in the venom system of single honey bees (Apis mellifera), of known age, increases from the time of eclosion to an age of about 4 weeks when about 500 micrograms of melittin is present. In older bees (5-6 weeks) the melittin level falls to about 250 micrograms. Measurements of the incorporation of [3H]leucine (injected into the haemolymph) into melittin show that melittin synthesis is most active in bees aged between 1 and 2 weeks after eclosion. The melittin content of the venom system changes as the summer progresses. Melittin levels in a bee of any age greater than 1 week are lower in mid-August than in a bee of the same age in early June.

Phospholipase A2 in venom extracts from honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) of different ages.

We measured phospholipase A2 activity in the venom of worker honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) of known ages using chemical (titrimetric) and radioallergosorbent methods. The two techniques give similar results. Low levels of phospholipase A2 are present in the venom system at the time of eclosion. Phospholipase A2 activity in the venom increases steadily through the 10 days after eclosion. Maximal phospholipase A2 levels (about 40 micrograms phospholipase A2/venom sac) are maintained through the rest of the life of a worker bee in summer.