Specific Activity of Phosphofructokinase in Flight Muscle of Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.) in Winter, Summer, and in a Flight Room

Abstract

1. The maximal activity of phosphofructokinase (PFK) has been measured in flight muscle of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) in summer and winter. A flight room was also used to test PFK activity in flight muscle of winter bees kept on summer photoperiod and temperature. The activity of this enzyme was used to compare estimates of maximal rates of aerobic respiration in flight muscle under the conditions of the experiment. 2. PFK activity expressed per unit muscle tissue is not significantly different between summer, winter, and flight room bees. However, when reduced to per unit muscle protein, flight room bees have significantly less PFK activity than summer and winter bees. 3. There is no relationship between PFK and aging in bees since the specific activity of PFK remains the same in winter and summer seasons. The fact that the specific activity in flight room bees is lower than other bees tested indicates that these bees are different than summer or winter bees.