Expression of JH biosynthesis pathway genes in tissues from forager bees.

Genes are grouped according to the function of the corresponding enzymes: (A) basal mitochondrial metabolism; (B, C) mevalonate pathway; (D) JH-specific steps; (E) methyl moiety transfer. Total RNA extracted from corpora allata-corpora cardiaca complexes (CA-CC), brain, fat body (FB), and ovaries were used for transcript quantification by real time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR). Each column in the graphs represents transcript levels in a single sample of 20–25 pooled CA-CC complexes, and 10 pooled brains, fat bodies and ovaries. The highest expression value for each gene was converted to 1. In the insert (C) the highest expression level among fpps genes was converted to 1.