Characterization of a mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase gene from Apis cerana cerana and its role in oxidative stress

[Display omitted] •Cloned a mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase gene, AccSOD2, from Apis cerana cerana.•Examined the expression profiles of AccSOD2 under a variety of oxidative stresses.•Evaluated the antioxidant activity of the recombinant AccSOD2 protein under oxidative stresses.•Measured the in vivo activities of AccSOD2 in response to oxidative conditions. Mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (mMnSOD) plays a vital role in the defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS) in eukaryotic mitochondria. In this study, we isolated and identified a mMnSOD gene from Apis cerana cerana, which we named AccSOD2. Several putative transcription factor-binding sites were identified within the 5′-flanking region of AccSOD2, which suggests that AccSOD2 may be involved in organismal development and/or environmental stress responses. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that AccSOD2 is highly expressed in larva and pupae during different developmental stages. In addition, the expression of AccSOD2 could be induced by cold (4°C), heat (42°C), H2O2, ultraviolet light (UV), HgCl2, and pesticide treatment. Using a disc diffusion assay, we provide evidence that recombinant AccSOD2 protein can play a functional role in protecting cells from oxidative stress. Finally, the in vivo activities of AccSOD2 were measured under a variety of stressful conditions. Taken together, our results indicate that AccSOD2 plays an important role in cellular stress responses and anti-oxidative processes and that it may be of critical importance to honeybee survival.