Energy Metabolism, Enzymatic Flux Capacities, and Metabolic Flux Rates in Flying Honeybees

Author

R. K. Suarez
J. R.B. Lighton
B. Joos
S. (Stephen) P. Roberts, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
J. F. Harrison

Abstract

Honeybees Rely Primarily on the Oxidation of Hexose Sugars to Provide the Energy Required for Flight. Measurement of VCO₂ (Equal to VO₂, Because VCO₂/VO₂ = 1.0 during Carbohydrate Oxidation) during Flight Allowed Estimation of Steady-State Flux Rates through Pathways of Flight Muscle Energy Metabolism. Comparison of V(_Max) Values for Flight Muscle Hexokinase, Phosphofructokinase, Citrate Synthase, and Cytochrome C Oxidase with Rates of Carbon and O₂ Flux during Flight Reveal that These Enzymes Operate Closer to V(Max) in the Flight Muscles of Flying Honeybees Than in Other Muscles Previously Studied. Possible Mechanistic and Evolutionary Implications of These Findings Are Discussed.

Recommended Citation

R. K. Suarez et al., "Energy Metabolism, Enzymatic Flux Capacities, and Metabolic Flux Rates in Flying Honeybees," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 93, no. 22, pp. 12616 - 12620, National Academy of Sciences, Oct 1996.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.93.22.12616

Department(s)

Biological Sciences

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0027-8424

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2023 National Academy of Sciences, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

29 Oct 1996

PubMed ID

8901631