[Objective] This study was to clone the GnRH （gonadotropin-releasing hormone）, and to investigate its expression in Apis cerana cerana. [Method] The cDNA sequence of GnRHR gene was amplified from Apis cerana cerana by using RT-PCR techniques. It was conducted with bioinformatics analysis and the in situ hybridization histochemistry of its expression products was studied. [Result] The sequence analy- sis showed that the full cDNA sequence was 1 050 bp with the open reading frame of 1 050 bp, and it encoded 349 amino acid residues. The deduced amino sequence included 7 transmembrane regions, and the predicted molecular mass and isoelectric point were 40.6 kD and 9.54, respectively. The cluster analysis showed that the GnRHR from ＇,4. cerana cerana had close relationship to the GnRHR II from other insects. In situ hybridization showed that Bee-GnRHR staining was specifically localized to the brain, intestine, fat body and testis. [Conclusion] The results indicated that the GnRHR provided molecular bond for the reproduction and metabolism for insects, and suggested a functional role for bee-GnRHR signaling in the coupling of reproduction activities and environment conditions.
