Is CCD the Consequence of Viral Infection of Ribosomes?

DNA clue to honey bee deaths is a BBC News article dated August 24, 2009. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is a mysterious malady afflicting honeybees. For some beekeepers losses in hives have been horrific. The article refers to a study, published in the scientific journal PNAS, based on research of cells obtained from bee guts. Whole genome microarrays were utilized for comparison purposes. The idea was to compare healthy bees to bees having the CCD disorder. 10,000 bee genes were involved in the comparisons.

Researchers tested for elevated expression of pesticide response genes but did not find this. Expression of genes involved in immune response also was analyzed without yielding information of significance. However, researchers did find that ribosome function of infected bees was likely compromised by viruses. The viruses were described as picorna-like. Apparently ribosomes of infected honeybees make viral proteins rather than honeybee proteins.

The lead scientist for the related study was identified as May Berenbaum from the University of Illinois.