Disruption of yellow-e3 impairs both adult molting and cuticular melanization in the honeybee (Apis mellifera)
We propose that genetic compensation may conceal phenotypic defects in CRISPR-generated mutants. This study provides the first evidence that silencing yellow-e3 in A. mellifera disrupts molting, reduces the eclosion rate, and inhibits cuticular melanization.
Authors
- S. Kevin Zhou
- Qiufang Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0988-5795)
- S.W.N. Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2228-9330)
- Zhiguo Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9446-2091)
- Shuo Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6436-5566)
- Yu Lai
- Songkun Su
- Yunxi Fu
- Liqiang Liang
- Linyan Tian
- Yulu Yi
- Hongyi Nie
- Ping Zhao
Institutions
- Southwest University (CN)
- Shandong University (CN)
- Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CN)
- Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Zoology
- Published
- 2026-03-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-026-00606-5
- Primary Topic
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00