Potassium ion channels as a pharmacological target for regulation of the honey bee immune response

Managed honey bee (Apis mellifera) populations are in decline, with viral infections recognized as a major contributing factor. However, progress toward developing therapeutics has been limited by gaps in understanding the physiological mechanisms underlying bee antiviral immunity. Here, we identify ATP-sensitive inward rectifier potassium (KATP) channels as key regulators of antiviral defense in honey bees and demonstrate their potential as pharmacological targets to improve bee health and colony sustainability. This work not only reveals a novel functional linkage between KATP channels, ROS signaling, and antiviral defense but also offers a toxicologically relevant pathway for developing targeted therapeutics to enhance honey bee resilience and ensure long-term pollination services.