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Cao J, Tao C, Qin X, Wu K, Yang H, Liu C, Cheng T. PI3K-Akt-SGF1-Dimm pathway mediates the nutritional regulation of silk protein synthesis in Bombyx mori. Int J Biol Macromol 2024:134650. [PMID: 39128739 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
The efficient synthesis of silk protein is heavily reliant on the ingestion of massive nutrients during the peak growth phase in the silkworm. However, the molecular mechanism of nutritional regulation of silk protein synthesis remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the impact of nutrient deficiency on the synthesis of silk protein. Nutritional deficiency led to a reduction in silk yield, accompanied by decreased levels of silk proteins and fibroin heavy chain (FibH)-activating transcription factors SGF1 and Dimm. Furthermore, insulin enhanced the protein levels of SGF1 and Dimm, which can be attenuated by specific inhibitors of PI3K. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis showed that the nutrient pathway factor protein kinase B (Akt) could interact with SGF1 protein. Knockdown of Akt reduced the phosphorylation level of SGF1 and impedes its nuclear translocation. Further studies revealed that SGF1 was directly bound to Fkh site in the 22-43 region upstream of ATG of Dimm gene to activate its transcription. In conclusion, during the peak growth phase, nutrition promotes the massive synthesis of silk protein through the PI3K-Akt-SGF1-Dimm pathway. This study offers valuable insights into the efficient synthesis of silk proteins and establishes a theoretical foundation for improving silk yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Cuicui Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Xiaodan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Keli Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Hongguo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China.
| | - Tingcai Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China.
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2
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Wu ZF, Wang BJ, Ni JW, Sun ZN, Zhang XR, Xiong HM. Green Fluorescent Carbon Dots with Critically Controlled Surface States: Make Silk Shine via Feeding Silkworms. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:9675-9682. [PMID: 39058271 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c02426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Feeding silkworms with functional materials as additives to produce naturally modified silk is a facile, diverse, controllable, and environmentally friendly method with a low cost of time and investment. Among various additives, carbon dots (CDs) show unique advantages due to their excellent biocompatibility and fluorescence stability. Here, a new type of green fluorescent carbon dots (G-CDs) is synthesized with a high oil-water partition ratio of 147, a low isoelectric point of 5.16, an absolute quantum yield of 71%, and critically controlled surface states. After feeding with G-CDs, the silkworms weave light yellow cocoons whose green fluorescence is visible to the naked eye under UV light. The luminous silk is sewn onto the cloth to create striking patterns with beautiful fluorescence. Such G-CDs have no adverse effect on the survival rate and the life cycle of silkworms and enable their whole bodies to glow under UV light. Based on the strong fluorescence, chemical stability, and biological safety, G-CDs are found in the digestive tracts, silk glands, feces, cocoons, and even moth bodies. G-CDs accumulate in the posterior silk glands where fibroin protein is secreted, indicating its stronger combination with fibroin than sericin, which meets the requirements for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Fan Wu
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular and Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China
| | - Bao-Juan Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular and Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Wen Ni
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular and Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China
| | - Zhao-Nan Sun
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular and Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China
| | - Xi-Rong Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular and Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China
| | - Huan-Ming Xiong
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular and Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China
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3
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Tang X, Liu H, Chang L, Wang X, Liu Q, Tang Z, Xia Q, Zhao P. A strategy for improving silk yield and organ size in silk-producing insects. FEBS J 2024. [PMID: 38923388 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Insect silks possess excellent biodegradability, biocompatibility and mechanical properties, and have numerous applications in biomedicine and tissue engineering. However, the application of silk fiber is hindered by its limited supply, especially from non-domesticated insects. In the present study, the silk yield and organ size of Bombyx mori were significantly improved through genetic manipulation of the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) pathway components. Silk protein synthesis and silk gland size were decreased following rapamycin treatment, inhibiting the TORC1 signaling pathway both in vivo and ex vivo. The overexpression of posterior silk gland-specific Rheb and BmSLC7A5 improved silk protein synthesis and silk gland size by activating the TORC1 signaling pathway. Silk yield in BmSLC7A5-overexpression silkworms was significantly increased by approximately 25%. We have demonstrated that the TORC1 signaling pathway is involved in the transcription and translation of silk genes and transcriptional activators via phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase 1 and 4E-binding protein 1. Our findings present a strategy for increasing silk yield and organ size in silk-producing insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Tang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of the Innovative Chinese Materia Medica & Health Intervention, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, China
| | - Huawei Liu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Chang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Institute for Brain Science and Disease, Chongqing Medical University, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingsong Liu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhangchen Tang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
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4
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Shi R, Lu W, Yang J, Ma S, Wang A, Sun L, Xia Q, Zhao P. Ectopic expression of BmeryCA in Bombyx mori increases silk yield and mechanical properties by altering the pH of posterior silk gland. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 271:132695. [PMID: 38810858 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
The silk glands are the specialized tissue where silk protein synthesis, secretion, and conformational transitions take place, with pH playing a critical role in both silk protein synthesis and fiber formation. In the present study, we have identified erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase (BmeryCA) belonging to the α-CA class in the silk gland, which is a Zn2+ dependent metalloenzyme capable of efficiently and reversibly catalyzing the hydrated reaction of CO2 to HCO3-, thus participating in the regulation of acid-base balance. Multiple sequence alignments revealed that the active site of BmeryCA was highly conserved. Tissue expression profiling showed that BmeryCA had relatively high expression levels in hemolymph and epidermis but is barely expressed in the posterior silk gland (PSG). By specifically overexpressing BmeryCA in the PSG, we generated transgenic silkworms. Ion-selective microelectrode (ISM) measurements demonstrated that specifically overexpression of BmeryCA in the PSG led to a shift in pH from weakly alkaline to slightly neutral conditions. Moreover, the resultant PSG-specific BmeryCA overexpression mutant strain displayed a significant increase in both silk yield and silk fiber mechanical properties. Our research provided new insights into enhancing silk yield and improving the mechanical properties of silk fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Run Shi
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Sanyuan Ma
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Aoming Wang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Le Sun
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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5
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Li S, Lao J, Sun Y, Hua X, Lin P, Wang F, Shen G, Zhao P, Xia Q. CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Editing of BmEcKL1 Gene Sequence Affected Silk Gland Development of Silkworms ( Bombyx mori). Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1907. [PMID: 38339188 PMCID: PMC10856159 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The silkworm (Bombyx mori) has served humankind through silk protein production. However, traditional sericulture and the silk industry have encountered considerable bottlenecks and must rely on major technological breakthroughs to keep up with the current rapid developments. The adoption of gene editing technology has nevertheless brought new hope to traditional sericulture and the silk industry. The long period and low efficiency of traditional genetic breeding methods to obtain high silk-yielding silkworm strains have hindered the development of the sericulture industry; the use of gene editing technology to specifically control the expression of genes related to silk gland development or silk protein synthesis is beneficial for obtaining silkworm strains with excellent traits. In this study, BmEcKL1 was specifically knocked out in the middle (MSGs) and posterior (PSGs) silk glands using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and ΔBmEcKL1-MSG and ΔBmEcKL1-PSG strains with improved MSGs and PSGs and increased silk production were obtained. This work identifies and proves that BmEcKL1 directly or indirectly participates in silk gland development and silk protein synthesis, providing new perspectives for investigating silk gland development and silk protein synthesis mechanisms in silkworms, which is of great significance for selecting and breeding high silk-yielding silkworm varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimin Li
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (S.L.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (P.L.); (F.W.); (G.S.); (P.Z.)
| | - Junjie Lao
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (S.L.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (P.L.); (F.W.); (G.S.); (P.Z.)
| | - Yue Sun
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (S.L.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (P.L.); (F.W.); (G.S.); (P.Z.)
| | - Xiaoting Hua
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (S.L.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (P.L.); (F.W.); (G.S.); (P.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Ping Lin
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (S.L.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (P.L.); (F.W.); (G.S.); (P.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (S.L.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (P.L.); (F.W.); (G.S.); (P.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Guanwang Shen
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (S.L.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (P.L.); (F.W.); (G.S.); (P.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (S.L.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (P.L.); (F.W.); (G.S.); (P.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (S.L.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (P.L.); (F.W.); (G.S.); (P.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
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6
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Tang X, Liu H, Wang X, Chang L, Liu Q, Xia Q, Zhao P. BmSLC7A5 is essential for silk protein synthesis and larval development in Bombyx mori. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38284747 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Insects produce silk to form cocoons, nests, and webs, which are important for their survival and reproduction. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism of silk protein synthesis at the translation level. The solute carrier family 7 (SLC7) genes are involved in activating the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) signaling pathway and protein translation process, but the physiological roles of SLC7 genes in silk-producing insects have not been reported. Here, we found that amino acid signaling regulates silk protein synthesis and larval development via the L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1; also known as SLC7A5) in Bombyx mori. A total of 12 SLC7 homologs were identified in the silkworm genome, among which BmSLC7A5 was found to be a silk gland-enriched gene and may be involved in leucine transport. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that SLC7A5 displays high homology and a close phylogenetic relationship in silk-producing insects. Subsequently, we found that leucine treatment significantly increased silk protein synthesis by improving the transcription and protein levels of silk genes. Furthermore, systemic and silk gland-specific knockout of BmSLC7A5 led to decreased silk protein synthesis by inhibiting TORC1 signaling, and somatic mutation also resulted in arrested development from the 5th instar to the early pupal stage. Altogether, our study reveals that BmSLC7A5 is involved in regulating silk protein synthesis and larval development by affecting the TORC1 signaling pathway, which provides a new strategy and target for improving silk yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Tang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine & Health Science, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Huawei Liu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Chang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingsong Liu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
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Zhang J, Zhang X, Zhang H, Li J, Li W, Liu C. Overexpression of BmJHBPd2 Repressed Silk Synthesis by Inhibiting the JH/Kr-h1 Signaling Pathway in Bombyx mori. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12650. [PMID: 37628827 PMCID: PMC10454397 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The efficient production of silkworm silk is crucial to the silk industry. Silk protein synthesis is regulated by the juvenile hormone (JH) and 20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E). Therefore, the genetic regulation of silk production is a priority. JH binding protein (JHBP) transports JH from the hemolymph to target organs and cells and protects it. In a previous study, we identified 41 genes containing a JHBP domain in the Bombyx mori genome. Only one JHBP gene, BmJHBPd2, is highly expressed in the posterior silk gland (PSG), and its function remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the expression levels of BmJHBPd2 and the major silk protein genes in the high-silk-producing practical strain 872 (S872) and the low-silk-producing local strain Dazao. We found that BmJHBPd2 was more highly expressed in S872 than in the Dazao strain, which is consistent with the expression pattern of fibroin genes. A subcellular localization assay indicated that BmJHBPd2 is located in the cytoplasm. In vitro hormone induction experiments showed that BmJHBPd2 was upregulated by juvenile hormone analogue (JHA) treatment. BmKr-h1 upregulation was significantly inhibited by the overexpression of BmJHBPd2 (BmJHBPd2OE) at the cell level when induced by JHA. However, overexpression of BmJHBPd2 in the PSG by transgenic methods led to the inhibition of silk fibroin gene expression, resulting in a reduction in silk yield. Further investigation showed that in the transgenic BmJHBPd2OE silkworm, the key transcription factor of the JH signaling pathway, Krüppel homolog 1 (Kr-h1), was inhibited, and 20E signaling pathway genes, such as broad complex (Brc), E74A, and ultraspiracle protein (USP), were upregulated. Our results indicate that BmJHBPd2 plays an important role in the JH signaling pathway and is important for silk protein synthesis. Furthermore, our findings help to elucidate the mechanisms by which JH regulates silk protein synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jikailang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.Z.)
| | - Xia Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.Z.)
| | - Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.Z.)
| | - Jiaojiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.Z.)
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.Z.)
| | - Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.Z.)
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China
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8
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Yu Y, Li T, Guo M, Xiong R, Yan D, Chen P. Possible Regulation of Larval Juvenile Hormone Titers in Bombyx mori by BmFAMeT6. INSECTS 2023; 14:644. [PMID: 37504649 PMCID: PMC10380277 DOI: 10.3390/insects14070644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Juvenile hormone (JH) plays a vital role in the growth, development, and reproduction of insects and other arthropods. Previous experiments have suggested that BmFAMeT6 could affect the duration of the silk moth's larval stage. In this study, we established the BmFAMeT6 overexpression strain and BmFAMeT6 knockout strain using the GAL4/UAS binary hybrid system and CRISPR/Cas 9 system, respectively, and found that the larval stage of the overexpression strain was shorter, while the knockout strain was longer. Our results exhibited that both the JH titers and BmKr-h1 levels in the larvae of the third instar were reduced significantly by BmFAMeT6 overexpression, but were increased obviously by BmFAMeT6 knockout. In addition, injection of farnesoic acid induced changes in the JH I and JH II levels in the hemolymphs of larvae. This study is the first to directly reveal the role of BmFAMeT6 in the regulation of insect JH titers and the relationship between farnesoic acid and JH (JH I and JH II). This provides a new perspective on regulating the growth and development of insects such as Bombyx mori.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Tian Li
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646099, China
| | - Meiwei Guo
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Rong Xiong
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Dongshen Yan
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Ping Chen
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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9
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Wang W, Zhang F, Guo K, Xu J, Zhao P, Xia Q. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of the let-7 seed sequence improves silk yield in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Int J Biol Macromol 2023:124793. [PMID: 37182624 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Body size and silk protein synthesis ability are two crucial aspects of artificial selection in silkworm breeding; however, the role of genes in both pathways remains unknown. To determine whether let-7 microRNA could regulate larval development and silk gland growth simultaneously, we designed a guide RNA to edit let-7 using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The indels predominantly appeared in the let-7 seed region, and the vast majority of the mutations were small-fragment deletions. Loss of let-7 function prolonged the fifth larval period, and substantially increased body weight during the wandering stage, but it resulted in developmental arrest during the pupal-moth transition. let-7 systemic knock down promoted silk gland growth and increased silk yield by >50 %, with efficiency significantly higher than in tissue-specific edited individuals. Hormone signaling and cell cycle pathway genes were activated in different patterns in the body and silk gland, implying that let-7 may regulate different target genes to play role in tissue growth. In summary, we first report that conditional knock down let-7 promoting the simultaneous growth of body and silk gland, greatly improve silk yield in the silkworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Biological Science Research Center, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, 400715 Chongqing, PR China
| | - Fan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Kaiyu Guo
- Biological Science Research Center, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, 400715 Chongqing, PR China
| | - Jiahui Xu
- Biological Science Research Center, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, PR China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Biological Science Research Center, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, 400715 Chongqing, PR China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- Biological Science Research Center, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, 400715 Chongqing, PR China.
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10
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Qian W, Li H, Zhang X, Tang Y, Yuan D, Huang Z, Cheng D. Fzr regulates silk gland growth by promoting endoreplication and protein synthesis in the silkworm. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010602. [PMID: 36652497 PMCID: PMC9886304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Silkworm silk gland cells undergo endoreplicating cycle and rapid growth during the larval period, and synthesize massive silk proteins for silk production. In this study, we demonstrated that a binary transgenic CRISPR/Cas9 approach-mediated Fzr mutation in silkworm posterior silk gland (PSG) cells caused an arrest of silk gland growth and a decrease in silk production. Mechanistically, PSG-specific Fzr mutation blocked endoreplication progression by inducing an expression dysregulation of several cyclin proteins and DNA replication-related regulators. Moreover, based on label-free quantitative proteome analysis, we showed in PSG cells that Fzr mutation-induced decrease in the levels of cyclin proteins and silk proteins was likely due to an inhibition of the ribosome biogenesis pathway associated with mRNA translation, and/or an enhance of the ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation pathway. Rbin-1 inhibitor-mediated blocking of ribosomal biogenesis pathway decreased DNA replication in PSG cells and silk production. Altogether, our results reveal that Fzr positively regulates PSG growth and silk production in silkworm by promoting endoreplication and protein synthesis in PSG cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenliang Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Chongqing engineering and technology research center for novel silk materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- * E-mail: (WQ); (DC)
| | - Hao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Chongqing engineering and technology research center for novel silk materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Chongqing engineering and technology research center for novel silk materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yaohao Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Chongqing engineering and technology research center for novel silk materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dongqin Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Chongqing engineering and technology research center for novel silk materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhu Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Chongqing engineering and technology research center for novel silk materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Daojun Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Chongqing engineering and technology research center for novel silk materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- * E-mail: (WQ); (DC)
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11
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Qin S, Sun L, Zhang S, Sun X, Li M. BmAbl1 Regulates Silk Protein Synthesis via Glutathione Metabolism in Bombyx mori. INSECTS 2022; 13:967. [PMID: 36354792 PMCID: PMC9696079 DOI: 10.3390/insects13110967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Bombyx mori, domesticated from wild silkworms, is an economic insect that feeds on mulberry leaves and produces silk. In the current study, we demonstrated the contribution of BmAbl1 in silk protein synthesis. The inhibition and knockout of BmAbl1 can reduce the larva weight and CSW. The effect on CSW of BmAbl1 is not on the transcriptional level, but on the translational level. RNA-sequencing data suggested that amino acid synthesis and the metabolism process had a great difference between the BmAbl1- and Control strain, particularly glutathione metabolism. An abnormality in glutathione metabolism led to the reduction of free glycine and serine content, which are the main components of fibroin protein. Finally, fibroin protein synthesis has been reduced, including fibroin-heavy chain, fibroin-light chain, and p25 protein. This finding brought to light the role of BmAbl1 in the silk protein synthesis process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Qin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Lingling Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Xia Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Muwang Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang 212100, China
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12
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Xiao R, Yuan Y, Xia H, Ge Q, Chen L, Zhu F, Xu J, Wang X, Fan Y, Wang Q, Yang Y, Chen K. Comparative transcriptome and proteome reveal synergistic functions of differentially expressed genes and proteins implicated in an over-dominant silkworm heterosis of increased silk yield. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 31:551-567. [PMID: 35445454 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We previously observed an over-dominant silkworm heterosis of increased yield in a cross of Bombyx mori nuclear polyhydrosis virus-resistant strain NB with a susceptible strain 306. In the present study, we found that heterosis also exists in crosses of NB with other susceptible strains, indicating it is a more general phenomenon. We performed comparative transcriptome and proteome and identified 1624 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 298 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in silk glands between parents and F1 hybrids, of which 24 DEGs/DEPs showed consistent expression at mRNA and protein levels revealed by Venn joint analysis. Their expressions are completely non-additive, mainly transgressive and under low-parent, suggesting recombination of parental genomes may be the major genetic mechanism for the heterosis. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that they may function in generally similar but distinctive aspects of metabolisms and processes with signal transduction and translation being most affected. Notably, they may not only up-regulate biosynthesis and transport of silk proteins but also down-regulate other unrelated processes, synergistically and globally remodelling the silk gland to increase yield and cause the heterosis. Our findings contribute insights into the understanding of silkworm heterosis and silk gland development and provide targets for transgenic manipulation to further increase the silk yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xiao
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hengchuan Xia
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qi Ge
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liang Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feifei Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jia Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xueqi Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yixuan Fan
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanhua Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Keping Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
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13
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Enhanced Myc Expression in Silkworm Silk Gland Promotes DNA Replication and Silk Production. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12040361. [PMID: 33919579 PMCID: PMC8073660 DOI: 10.3390/insects12040361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Based on a transgenic approach, enhancing Myc expression in the silkworm posterior silk gland (PSG), which was driven by the promoter of the fibroin heavy chain (FibH) gene, was performed for investigating the biological functions of Myc in silk gland. Enhanced Myc expression elevated the cocoon size. This elevation might be resulted from the increasing of FibH expression and DNA content in the PSG cells by promoting the transcription of the genes that are involved in DNA replication. Abstract Silkworm is an economically important insect that synthetizes silk proteins for silk production in silk gland, and silk gland cells undergo endoreplication during larval period. Transcription factor Myc is essential for cell growth and proliferation. Although silkworm Myc gene has been identified previously, its biological functions in silkworm silk gland are still largely unknown. In this study, we examined whether enhanced Myc expression in silk gland could facilitate cell growth and silk production. Based on a transgenic approach, Myc was driven by the promoter of the fibroin heavy chain (FibH) gene to be successfully overexpressed in posterior silk gland. Enhanced Myc expression in the PSG elevated FibH expression by about 20% compared to the control, and also increased the weight and shell rate of the cocoon shell. Further investigation confirmed that Myc overexpression increased nucleus size and DNA content of the PSG cells by promoting the transcription of the genes involved in DNA replication. Therefore, we conclude that enhanced Myc expression promotes DNA replication and silk protein expression in endoreplicating silk gland cells, which subsequently raises silk yield.
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14
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Chen T, Sun Q, Ma Y, Zeng W, Liu R, Qu D, Huang L, Xu H. A transcriptome atlas of silkworm silk glands revealed by PacBio single-molecule long-read sequencing. Mol Genet Genomics 2020; 295:1227-1237. [PMID: 32524299 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-020-01691-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The silk gland of the silkworm Bombyx mori is a specialized organ where silk proteins are efficiently synthesized under precise regulation that largely determines the properties of silk fibers. To understand the genes involved in the regulation of silk protein synthesis, considerable research has focused on the transcripts expressed in silk glands; however, the complete transcriptome profile of this organ has yet to be elucidated. Here, we report a full-length silk gland transcriptome obtained by PacBio single-molecule long-read sequencing technology. In total, 11,697 non-redundant transcripts were identified in mixed samples of silk glands dissected from larvae at five developmental stages. When compared with the published reference, the full-length transcripts optimized the structures of 3002 known genes, and a total of 9061 novel transcripts with an average length of 2171 bp were detected. Among these, 1403 (15.5%) novel transcripts were computationally revealed to be lncRNAs, 8135 (89.8%) novel transcripts were annotated to different protein and nucleotide databases, and 5655 (62.4%) novel transcripts were predicted to have complete ORFs. Furthermore, we found 1867 alternative splicing events, 2529 alternative polyadenylation events, 784 fusion events and 6596 SSRs. This study provides a comprehensive set of reference transcripts and greatly revises and expands the available silkworm transcript data. In addition, these data will be very useful for studying the regulatory mechanisms of silk protein synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Chen
- College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
- The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 212018, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiwei Sun
- International Bioinformatics Center, BGI Genomics Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, 518083, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Wenhui Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Rongpeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Dawei Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Lihua Huang
- International Bioinformatics Center, BGI Genomics Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, 518083, Guangdong, China
| | - Hanfu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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15
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The AMPK-PP2A axis in insect fat body is activated by 20-hydroxyecdysone to antagonize insulin/IGF signaling and restrict growth rate. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:9292-9301. [PMID: 32277029 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2000963117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In insects, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) limits the growth period by triggering developmental transitions; 20E also modulates the growth rate by antagonizing insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS). Previous work has shown that 20E cross-talks with IIS, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we found that, in both the silkworm Bombyx mori and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, 20E antagonized IIS through the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) axis in the fat body and suppressed the growth rate. During Bombyx larval molt or Drosophila pupariation, high levels of 20E activate AMPK, a molecular sensor that maintains energy homeostasis in the insect fat body. In turn, AMPK activates PP2A, which further dephosphorylates insulin receptor and protein kinase B (AKT), thus inhibiting IIS. Activation of the AMPK-PP2A axis and inhibition of IIS in the Drosophila fat body reduced food consumption, resulting in the restriction of growth rate and body weight. Overall, our study revealed an important mechanism by which 20E antagonizes IIS in the insect fat body to restrict the larval growth rate, thereby expanding our understanding of the comprehensive regulatory mechanisms of final body size in animals.
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16
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Zhou QZ, Fu P, Li SS, Zhang CJ, Yu QY, Qiu CZ, Zhang HB, Zhang Z. A Comparison of Co-expression Networks in Silk Gland Reveals the Causes of Silk Yield Increase During Silkworm Domestication. Front Genet 2020; 11:225. [PMID: 32292415 PMCID: PMC7119365 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term domestication and selective breeding have increased the silk yield of the domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori) by several times the amount of the silk yield of its wild ancestor (Bombyx mandarina). However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms behind the increase in silk yield during domestication. Based on dynamic patterns of functional divergence in the silk gland between domestic and wild silkworms, we found that at early and intermediate stages of silk gland development, the up-regulated genes of the domestic silkworm were mainly involved in DNA integration, nucleic acid binding, and transporter activity, which are related to the division and growth of cells. This has led to the posterior silk gland (PSG) of the domestic silkworm having significantly more cells (“factories” of fibroin protein synthesis) than that of the wild silkworm. At the late stage of silk gland development, the up-regulated genes in the domestic silkworm was enriched in protein processing and ribosome pathways, suggesting protein synthesis efficiency is greatly improved during silkworm domestication. While there was an increase in fibroin protein synthesis, the production of sericin protein was simultaneously reduced in the silk gland of the domestic silkworm. This reflects that domestic and wild silkworms have been under different selection pressures. Importantly, we found that the network co-expressed with the silk-coding genes of the domestic silkworm was larger than that of the wild silkworm. Furthermore, many more genes co-expressed with silk-coding genes in the domestic silkworm were subjected to artificial selection than those in the wild silkworm. Our results revealed that the increase of silk yield during silkworm domestication is involved in improvement of a biological system which includes not only expansion of “factories” (cells of PSG) of protein synthesis, but also a high expression of silk-coding genes and silk production-related genes such as biological energy, transport, and ribosome pathway genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Zhong Zhou
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Fu
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,Postdoctoral Station of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shu-Shang Li
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chang-Jiang Zhang
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Quan-You Yu
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chuan-Zhen Qiu
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong-Bo Zhang
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ze Zhang
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
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17
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Wang W, Wang X, Luo C, Pu Q, Yin Q, Xu L, Peng X, Ma S, Xia Q, Liu S. Let-7 microRNA is a critical regulator in controlling the growth and function of silk gland in the silkworm. RNA Biol 2020; 17:703-717. [PMID: 32019402 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1726128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The silk gland is characterized by high protein synthesis. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling silk gland growth and silk protein synthesis remain undetermined. Here we demonstrated that CRISPR/Cas9-based knockdown of let-7 or the whole cluster promoted endoreduplication and enlargement of the silk gland, accompanied by changing silk yield, whereas transgenic overexpression of let-7 led to atrophy and degeneration of the silk gland. Mechanistically, let-7 controls cell growth in the silk gland through coordinating nutrient metabolism processes and energy signalling pathways. Transgenic overexpression of pyruvate carboxylase, a novel target of let-7, resulted in enlargement of the silk glands, which is consistent with the abnormal phenotype of the let-7 knockdown. Overall, our data reveal a previously unknown miRNA-mediated regulation of silk gland growth and physiology and shed light on involvement of let-7 as a critical stabilizer and booster in carbohydrate metabolism, which may have important implications for understanding of the molecular mechanism and physiological function of specialized organs in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xinran Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Chengyi Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Qian Pu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Quan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Lili Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xinyue Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Sanyuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Shiping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China.,College of Life Science, China West Normal University, Nanchong, PR China
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18
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Hou S, Sun Y, Wu Y, Cheng T, Liu C. Bmsage is involved in the determination of cell number in the silk gland of Bombyx mori. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 113:103205. [PMID: 31421207 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The number of cells in tissues is under strict genetic control, and research on the determination of cell number is of great importance to understand the growth and development of organs. Bmsage, a bHLH transcription factor, is involved in the development of the silk gland during the embryonic stage in Bombyx mori. However, the mechanism by which it influences silk gland development is unclear. In the present study, we determined via immunofluorescence staining during the embryonic stage of Bombyx mori that Bmsage is expressed in silk gland cells from the beginning of development of the silk gland until its complete formation. By comparing different silkworm strains, we found that Bmsage expression is positively correlated with the number of silk gland cells. Bmsage knockdown by RNAi resulted in shorter silk glands and lower cell numbers, especially in the posterior silk gland. The silk gland lumen also shriveled, and the silk protein content was significantly lower than that in the control. Further investigation revealed that all cyclins decreased after knock down of Bmsage, and cyclin B and cyclin 3 were significantly down-regulated. Bmsage may be involved in the regulation of the cyclin pathway to control silk gland development. Taken together, it can be concluded from our results that Bmsage is involved in the determination of cell number in silk glands. Our results help clarify the process of cell number determination in silk gland and identify a potential target for silkworm breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihan Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Biotechnology College, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Yangchun Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212018, China; The Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212018, China
| | - Tingcai Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.
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19
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Feng XB, Zheng ZW, Zhang X, Gu J, Feng QL, Huang LH. Discovering genes responsible for silk synthesis in Bombyx mori by piggyBac-based random insertional mutagenesis. INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 26:821-830. [PMID: 29645353 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Silkworm mutants are valuable resources for both transgenic breeding and gene discovery. PiggyBac-based random insertional mutagenesis has been widely used in gene functional studies. In order to discover genes involved in silk synthesis, a piggyBac-based random insertional library was constructed using Bombyx mori, and the mutants with abnormal cocoon were particularly screened. By this means, a "thin cocoon" mutant was identified. This mutant revealed thinner cocoon shell and shorter posterior silk gland (PSG) compared with the wild type. The messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of all the three fibroin genes, including Fib-H, Fib-L and P25, were significantly down-regulated in the PSG of mutants. Four piggyBac insertion sites were identified in Aquaporin (AQP), Longitudinals lacking protein-like (Lola), Glutamyl aminopeptidase-like (GluAP) and Loc101744460. The mRNA levels of all the four genes were significantly altered in the silk gland of mutants. In particular, the mRNA amount of AQP, a gene responsible for the regulation of osmotic pressure, decreased dramatically immediately prior to the spinning stage in the anterior silk gland of mutants. The identification of the genes disrupted in the "thin cocoon" mutant in this study provided useful information for understanding silk production and transgenic breeding of silkworms in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Bao Feng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zi-Wen Zheng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xian Zhang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Gu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi-Li Feng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Hua Huang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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20
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Insights into the regulatory characteristics of silkworm fibroin gene promoters using a modified Gal4/UAS system. Transgenic Res 2019; 28:627-636. [DOI: 10.1007/s11248-019-00175-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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21
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Hu W, Chen Y, Lin Y, Xia Q. Developmental and transcriptomic features characterize defects of silk gland growth and silk production in silkworm naked pupa mutant. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 111:103175. [PMID: 31150761 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The silkworm Bombyx mori is a well-characterized model organism for studying the silk gland development and silk production process. Using positional cloning and gene sequencing, we have previously reported that a truncated fibroin heavy chain was responsible for silkworm naked pupa (Nd) mutant. However, the mechanisms by which the mutant FibH causes developmental defects and secretion-deficiency of the silk gland remain to be fully elucidated. Here, silk gland's developmental features, histomorphology, and transcriptome analyses were used to characterize changes in its structure and gene expression patterns between Nd mutant and WT/Dazao. Whole larval stage investigation showed that Nd-PSG undergoes an arrested/delayed development, which eventually resulted in a gland degeneration. By using section staining and transmission electron microscope, a blockade in intracellular vesicle transport from endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi apparatus (secretion-deficiency) and an increased number of autophagosomes and lysosomes were found in Nd-PSG's cytoplasm. Next, by using RNA sequencing and comparative transcriptomic analysis, 2178 differentially expressed genes were identified between Nd-PSG and WT-PSG, among which most of the DEGs associated with cellular stress responses (autophagy, ubiquitin-proteasome system, and heat shock response) were significantly up-regulated in Nd-PSG, suggesting that mutant FibH perturbed cellular homeostasis and resulted in an activation of adaptive responses in PSG cells. These findings reveal the molecular mechanism of the Naked pupa (Nd) mutation and provide insights into silk gland development as well as silk protein production in silkworm Bombyx mori.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo Hu
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericulture Science, Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Beibei, Chongqing, 400716, PR China
| | - Yulin Chen
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericulture Science, Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Beibei, Chongqing, 400716, PR China
| | - Ying Lin
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericulture Science, Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Beibei, Chongqing, 400716, PR China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericulture Science, Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Novel Silk Materials, Beibei, Chongqing, 400716, PR China.
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22
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Zhao W, Ma L, Cai C, Gong X. Caffeine Inhibits NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Suppressing MAPK/NF-κB and A2aR Signaling in LPS-Induced THP-1 Macrophages. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15:1571-1581. [PMID: 31360100 PMCID: PMC6643212 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.34211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive inflammation induced by various risk factors is associated with the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Caffeine exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects as a clinical preventive medicine for BPD. Recently, NLRP3 inflammasome activation has been demonstrated to be essential for the pathogenesis of BPD. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of caffeine on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in LPS-induced THP-1 macrophages and to explore the underlying the detailed mechanism. We found that caffeine significantly reduced NLRP3 expression, ASC speck formation, and caspase 1 cleavage and therefore decreased IL-1β and IL-18 secretion in THP-1 macrophages. Caffeine also markedly decreased the phosphorylation levels of MAPK and NF-κB pathway members, further suppressing the translocation of NF-κB in THP-1 macrophages. Moreover, silencing of the caffeine-antagonized adenosine A2a receptor (A2aR) significantly decreased cleaved caspase 1 expression in THP-1 macrophages by reducing ROS production. Given these findings, we conclude that caffeine inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation by suppressing MAPK/NF-κB signaling and A2aR-associated ROS production in LPS-induced THP-1 macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiming Zhao
- Department of Neonatology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Neonatology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Cai
- Department of Neonatology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohui Gong
- Department of Neonatology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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23
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Liang Z, Lu Y, Qian Y, Zhu L, Kuang S, Chen F, Feng Y, Hu X, Cao G, Xue R, Gong C. Cultured cells and wing disc size of silkworm can be controlled by the Hippo pathway. Open Biol 2019; 8:rsob.180029. [PMID: 29973396 PMCID: PMC6070717 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.180029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hippo signalling represents a cell proliferation and organ-size control pathway. Yorki (Yki), a component of the Hippo pathway, induces the transcription of a number of targets that promote cell proliferation and survival. The functions of Yki have been characterized in Drosophila and mammals, while there are few reports on silkworm, Bombyx mori. In the present study, we found that BmYki3 facilitates cell migration and cell division, and enlarges the cultured cell and wing disc size. Co-immunoprecipitation results indicated that BmYki3 may interact with thymosin, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase ASK1, dedicator of cytokinesis protein 1, calcium-independent phospholipase A2 and beta-spectrin. RNA-seq results indicated that 4444 genes were upregulated and 10 291 genes were downregulated after BmYki3 was overexpressed in the cultured cells. GO annotation indicated that the up/downregulated genes were enriched in 268/382 GO terms (p < 0.01); KEGG analysis showed that the up/downregulated genes were enriched in 49/101 pathways. These findings provided novel information to understand the functions of BmYki3 in a cell proliferation and organ-size control pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Liang
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Science, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.,Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yahong Lu
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Science, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.,Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Ying Qian
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Science, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.,Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Liyuan Zhu
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Science, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.,Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Sulan Kuang
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Science, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.,Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Fei Chen
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Science, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.,Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yongjie Feng
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Science, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.,Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Xiaolong Hu
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Science, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.,National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Guangli Cao
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Science, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.,National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Renyu Xue
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Science, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China .,National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Chengliang Gong
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Science, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China .,National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.,Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecological Research Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
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24
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Wu N, Zhang S, Li X, Cao Y, Liu X, Wang Q, Liu Q, Liu H, Hu X, Zhou XJ, James AA, Zhang Z, Huang Y, Zhan S. Fall webworm genomes yield insights into rapid adaptation of invasive species. Nat Ecol Evol 2018; 3:105-115. [DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0746-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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25
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You Z, Ye X, Ye L, Qian Q, Wu M, Song J, Che J, Zhong B. Extraordinary Mechanical Properties of Composite Silk Through Hereditable Transgenic Silkworm Expressing Recombinant Major Ampullate Spidroin. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15956. [PMID: 30374029 PMCID: PMC6206087 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34150-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Spider dragline silk is a remarkable material that shows excellent mechanical properties, diverse applications, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Transgenic silkworm technology was used to obtain four types of chimeric silkworm/spider (termed composite) silk fibres, including different lengths of recombinant Major ampullate Spidroin1 (re-MaSp1) or recombinant Major ampullate Spidroin2 (re-MaSp2) from the black widow spider, Latrodectus hesperus. The results showed that the overall mechanical properties of composite silk fibres improved as the re-MaSp1 chain length increased, and there were significant linear relationships between the mechanical properties and the re-MaSp1 chain length (p < 0.01). Additionally, a stronger tensile strength was observed for the composite silk fibres that included re-MaSp1, which only contained one type of repetitive motif, (GA)n/An, to provide tensile strength, compared with the silk fibres that includedre-MaSp2, which has the same protein chain length as re-MaSp1 but contains multiple types of repetitive motifs, GPGXX and (GA)n/An. Therefore, the results indicated that the nature of various repetitive motifs in the primary structure played an important role in imparting excellent mechanical properties to the protein-based silk fibres. A silk protein with a single type of repetitive motif and sufficiently long chains was determined to be an additional indispensable factor. Thus, this study forms a foundation for designing and optimizing the structure of re-silk protein using a heterologous expression system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengying You
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Xiaogang Ye
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Lupeng Ye
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Qiujie Qian
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Meiyu Wu
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Jia Song
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Jiaqian Che
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Boxiong Zhong
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, P. R. China.
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26
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Zhou QZ, Fang SM, Zhang Q, Yu QY, Zhang Z. Identification and comparison of long non-coding RNAs in the silk gland between domestic and wild silkworms. INSECT SCIENCE 2018; 25:604-616. [PMID: 28111905 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Revised: 12/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Under long-term artificial selection, the domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori) has increased its silk yield tremendously in comparison with its wild progenitor, Bombyx mandarina. However, the molecular mechanism of silk yield increase is still unknown. Comparative analysis of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may provide some insights into understanding this phenotypic variation. In this study, using RNA sequencing technology data of silk gland in domestic and wild silkworms, we identified 599 lncRNAs in the silk gland of the silkworm. Compared with protein-coding genes, the silk gland lncRNA genes tend to have fewer exon numbers, shorter transcript length and lower GC-content. Moreover, we found that three lncRNA genes are significantly and differentially expressed between domestic and wild silkworms. The potential targets of two differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) (dw4sg_0040 and dw4sg_0483) and the expression-correlated genes with the two DELs are mainly enriched in the related processes of silk protein translation. This implies that these DELs may affect the phenotypic variation in silk yield between the domestic and wild silkworms through the post-transcriptional regulation of silk protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Zhong Zhou
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shou-Min Fang
- College of Life Science, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Quan-You Yu
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ze Zhang
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
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27
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Cui Y, Zhu Y, Lin Y, Chen L, Feng Q, Wang W, Xiang H. New insight into the mechanism underlying the silk gland biological process by knocking out fibroin heavy chain in the silkworm. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:215. [PMID: 29580211 PMCID: PMC5870212 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4602-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exploring whether and how mutation of silk protein contributes to subsequent re-allocation of nitrogen, and impacts on the timing of silk gland degradation, is important to understand silk gland biology. Rapid development and wide application of genome editing approach in the silkworm provide us an opportunity to address these issues. RESULTS Using CRISPR/Cas9 system, we successfully performed genome editing of Bmfib-H. The loss-of-function mutations caused naked pupa and thin cocoon mutant phenotypes. Compared with the wild type, the posterior silk gland of mutant showed obviously degraded into fragments in advance of programmed cell death of silk gland cells. Comparative transcriptomic analyses of silk gland at the fourth day of the fifth instar larval stage(L5D4)identified 1456 differential expressed genes (DEGs) between posterior silk gland (PSG) and mid silk gland (MSG) and 1388 DEGs between the mutant and the wild type. Hierarchical clustering of all the DEGs indicated a remarkable down-regulated and an up-regulated gene clade in the mutant silk glands, respectively. Down-regulated genes were overrepresented in the pathways involved in cancer, DNA replication and cell proliferation. Intriguingly, up-regulated DEGs are significantly enriched in the proteasome. By further comparison on the transcriptome of MSG and PSG between the wild type and the mutant, we consistently observed that up-regulated DEGs in the mutant PSG were enriched in protein degrading activity and proteasome. Meantime, we observed a series of up-regulated genes involved in autophagy. Since these protein degradation processes would be normally occur after the spinning time, the results suggesting that these progresses were activated remarkably ahead of schedule in the mutant. CONCLUSIONS Accumulation of abnormal fib-H protein might arouse the activation of proteasomes as well as autophagy process, to promote the rapid degradation of such abnormal proteins and the silk gland cells. Our study therefore proposes a subsequent process of protein and partial cellular degradation caused by mutation of silk protein, which might be helpful for understanding its impact of the silk gland biological process, and further exploration the re-allocation of nitrogen in the silkworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Cui
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Yanan Zhu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Yongjian Lin
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710129, China
| | - Qili Feng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Wen Wang
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710129, China.
| | - Hui Xiang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
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28
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Ju X, Ren M, Chen K, Wang Q. Overexpression of c-Myc enhances recombinant protein production in High Five cells after baculovirus infection. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 73:147-151. [PMID: 28753552 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2017-0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Due to their numerous advantages, baculovirus expression vector systems (BEVS) have been widely used to express recombinant proteins for different purposes. Different strategies have been adopted to increase recombinant protein production. In this study, we transiently or stably expressed mouse c-Myc in High Five cells using a commercial pIB/V5 vector. Under the control of the OpIE2 promoter, this vector could enhance recombinant protein production. We found that transient expression of c-Myc in High Five cells improved recombinant protein production. Furthermore, we established two stable cell lines, High Five-c-Myc #1 and High Five-c-Myc #2, that stably expressed mouse c-Myc. We further found that the expression level of the recombinant protein was increased in these stable cell lines compared to control cell lines. These data indicate that overexpressing c-Myc in cells is a promising way to improve recombinant protein production in BEVS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Ju
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Meijia Ren
- Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Keping Chen
- Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
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29
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Ma L, Li K, Guo Y, Sun X, Deng H, Li K, Feng Q, Li S. Ras-Raf-MAPK signaling promotes nuclear localization of FOXA transcription factor SGF1 via Ser91 phosphorylation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2018; 1865:560-571. [PMID: 29355586 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2018.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Ras-Raf-MAPK signaling promotes cell proliferation and cell survival. We previously reported that Ras1CA overexpression, specifically in the posterior silk glands (PSGs) of the silkworm Bombyx mori, increased fibroin synthesis and cell size, resulting in improved silk yields. In this study, we compared the iTRAQ-based phosphoproteomic profiles of PSGs from wild-type and Ras1CA-overexpressing silkworms. Silk gland factor 1 (SGF1), a FOXA transcription factor that plays a critical role in activating fibroin gene expression, was identified as a phosphoprotein harboring Ser91 as a potential MAPK phosphorylation site. Ser91 phosphorylation of SGF1 was enhanced by Ras1CA overexpression, and this finding was verified by selected reaction monitoring. Consistently, MAPK activity is well correlated with Ser91 phosphorylation of SGF1 and its nuclear localization in PSG cells during silkworm development. Ras1CA overexpression and treatment with inhibitors of Ras signaling promoted or inhibited SGF1 nuclear localization, respectively; mutation of Ser91 to Ala91 eliminated SGF1 nuclear localization. Moreover, MAPK binds to SGF1 and directly phosphorylates Ser91, demonstrating Ser91 as a MAPK phosphorylation site in SGF1. In conclusion, Ras-Raf-MAPK signaling promotes SGF1 nuclear localization for transactivation via Ser91 phosphorylation in silkworms, showing that FOXA transcription factors are regulated via MAPK phosphorylation in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; Department of Neonatology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China; Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Kang Li
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Yaxin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xiang Sun
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Huimin Deng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Kai Li
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Qili Feng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
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30
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Transgenic silkworms secrete the recombinant glycosylated MRJP1 protein of Chinese honeybee, Apis cerana cerana. Transgenic Res 2017; 26:653-663. [PMID: 28801873 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-017-0034-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Major royal jelly protein-1 (MRJP1) is the most abundant glycoprotein of royal jelly (RJ) and is considered a potential component of functional foods. In this study, we used silkworm transgenic technology to obtain five transgenic silkworm lineages expressing the exogenous recombinant Chinese honeybee, Apis cerana cerana, protein-1 (rAccMRJP1) under the control of a fibroin light chain (Fib-L) promoter in the posterior silk glands. The protein was successfully secreted into cocoons; specifically, the highest rAccMRJP1 protein content was 0.78% of the dried cocoons. Our results confirmed that the protein band of the exogenous rAccMRJP1 protein expressed in the transgenic silkworm lineages was a glycosylated protein. Therefore, this rAccMRJP1 protein could be used as an alternative standard protein sample to measure the freshness of RJ. Moreover, we also found that the overall trend between the expression of the endogenous and exogenous genes was that the expression level of the endogenous Fib-L gene declined as the expression of the exogenous rAccMRJP1 gene increased in the transgenic silkworm lineages. Thus, by employing genome editing technology to reduce silk protein expression levels, a silkworm bioreactor expression system could be developed as a highly successful system for producing various valuable heterologous proteins, potentially broadening the applications of the silkworm.
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31
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Montali A, Romanelli D, Cappellozza S, Grimaldi A, de Eguileor M, Tettamanti G. Timing of autophagy and apoptosis during posterior silk gland degeneration in Bombyx mori. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2017; 46:518-528. [PMID: 28549564 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Over the years, the silkworm, Bombyx mori, has been manipulated by means of chemical and genetic approaches to improve silk production both quantitatively and qualitatively. The silk is produced by the silk gland, which degenerates quickly once the larva has finished spinning the cocoon. Thus, interfering with this degeneration process could help develop new technologies aimed at ameliorating silk yield. To this end, in this work we studied the cell death processes that lead to the demise of the posterior silk gland of B. mori, directing in particular our attention to autophagy and apoptosis. We focused on this portion of the gland because it produces fibroin, the main component of the silk thread. By using multiple markers, we provide a morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization of the apoptotic and autophagic processes and define their timing in this biological setting. Our data demonstrate that the activation of both autophagy and apoptosis is preceded by a transcriptional rise in key regulatory genes. Moreover, while autophagy is maintained active for several days and progressively digests silk gland cells, apoptosis is only switched on at a very late stage of silk gland demise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Montali
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Davide Romanelli
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Silvia Cappellozza
- CREA - Honey Bee and Silkworm Research Unit, Padua Seat, 35143 Padova, Italy
| | - Annalisa Grimaldi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Magda de Eguileor
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Gianluca Tettamanti
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy.
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Zhang P, Liu S, Song HS, Zhang G, Jia Q, Li S. Yorkie CA overexpression in the posterior silk gland improves silk yield in Bombyx mori. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 100:93-99. [PMID: 28583832 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The traditional hybrid breeding techniques can no longer meet the increasing demands for silk production by the silkworm, Bombyx mori, and further improvement of the silk yield will depend on modern molecular breeding techniques. Here, we report improved silk yield in transgenic silkworms overexpressing the oncogene YorkieCA specifically in the posterior silk gland (PSG). The YorkieCA cDNA was ligated downstream of the hr3 enhancer and the fibroin L-chain (Fil) promoter, then inserted into a piggyBac vector for transgene. Overexpression of YorkieCA in the PSG significantly increased the weight of the PSG, and also increased the weight of the cocoon, larval body, and pupal body to decreasing degrees. Overexpression of YorkieCA up-regulated the Yorkie target genes resulting in increased cell size, endomitosis, the number of protein synthesis organelles, the expression of fibroin genes in the PSG, and eventually silk yield. Additionally, as we reported previously using the binary GAL4/UAS system, transgenic silkworms overexpressing Ras1CA with the hr3 enhancer and the Fil promoter also showed improved silk yield. Unfortunately, the hybrid progeny of YorkieCA-overexpressing silkworms and Ras1CA-overexpressing silkworms did not show overlapping improved silk yield due to the failure to increase expression of both Yorkie and Ras1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panli Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Shumin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hong-Sheng Song
- College of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Guozheng Zhang
- College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212018, China
| | - Qiangqiang Jia
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Sciences and School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.
| | - Sheng Li
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Sciences and School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.
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Li JY, Cai F, Ye XG, Liang JS, Li JK, Wu MY, Zhao D, Jiang ZD, You ZY, Zhong BX. Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Posterior Silk Glands of Wild and Domesticated Silkworms Reveals Functional Evolution during Domestication. J Proteome Res 2017; 16:2495-2507. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.7b00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jian-ying Li
- Institute
of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China
| | | | | | | | - Jian-ke Li
- Institute
of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
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Differentially expressed genes in the silk gland of silkworm ( Bombyx mori ) treated with TiO 2 NPs. Gene 2017; 611:21-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Ali A, Bovilla VR, Mysarla DK, Siripurapu P, Pathak RU, Basu B, Mamillapalli A, Bhattacharya S. Knockdown of Broad-Complex Gene Expression of Bombyx mori by Oligopyrrole Carboxamides Enhances Silk Production. Sci Rep 2017; 7:805. [PMID: 28400559 PMCID: PMC5429751 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00653-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Bombyx mori (B. mori) is important due to its major role in the silk production. Though DNA binding ligands often influence gene expression, no attempt has been made to exploit their use in sericulture. The telomeric heterochromatin of B. mori is enriched with 5'-TTAGG-3' sequences. These sequences were also found to be present in several genes in the euchromatic regions. We examined three synthetic oligopyrrole carboxamides that target 5'-TTAGG-3' sequences in controlling the gene expression in B. mori. The ligands did not show any defect or feeding difference in the larval stage, crucial for silk production. The ligands caused silencing of various isoforms of the broad-complex transcription factor and cuticle proteins which resulted in late pupal developmental defects. Furthermore, treatment with such drugs resulted in statistically enhanced cocoon weight, shell weight, and silk yield. This study shows for the first time use of oligopyrrole carboxamide drugs in controlling gene expression in B. mori and their long term use in enhancing silk production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asfa Ali
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560 012, India
| | - Venugopal Reddy Bovilla
- Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Science, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, 530 045, India
| | - Danti Kumari Mysarla
- Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Science, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, 530 045, India
| | - Prasanthi Siripurapu
- Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Science, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, 530 045, India
| | - Rashmi U Pathak
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, 500 007, India
| | - Bhakti Basu
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085, India
| | - Anitha Mamillapalli
- Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Science, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, 530 045, India
| | - Santanu Bhattacharya
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560 012, India. .,Director's Research Unit, and Technical Research Centre, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700 032, India.
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Yerra A, Mysarla DK, Siripurapu P, Jha A, Valluri SV, Mamillapalli A. Effect of polyamines on mechanical and structural properties of Bombyx mori silk. Biopolymers 2017; 107:20-27. [PMID: 27593708 DOI: 10.1002/bip.22980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Silkworm, Bombyx mori (B. mori) belongs to the Lepidoptera family. The silk produced from this insect, mulberry silk, gained lot of importance as a fabric. Silk is being exploited as a biomaterial due to its surprising strength and biocompatibility. Polyamines (PA) are important cell growth regulators. In the present work the effect of treatment of polyamines, putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm) on the quantity and quality of silk produced was assessed. Results showed that exogenous feeding of Spd at a concentration of 50 µM increased fiber length significantly. Analysis by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) on the properties of silk obtained from Spd treated silkworms revealed an increase in percentage of absorption with no difference in peak positions of amide I and amide III groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed an increase in diameter of silk. Further, analysis at molecular level showed an increase in fibroin expression in Spd treated silk glands. However, the Spd treatment showed no significant difference with respect to fibroin to sericin ratio per unit weight of cocoon, silk tenacity, and percent elongation. Thus, the present results show that polyamine treatment would influence silk quality at structural, mechanical, and molecular level in the Bombyx mori, which can be exploited in silk biomaterial production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Yerra
- Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Science, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Danti Kumari Mysarla
- Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Science, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Prasanthi Siripurapu
- Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Science, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Anjali Jha
- Department of Chemistry, GITAM Institute of Science, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Satyavathi V Valluri
- Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Scientist-Biocare, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Anitha Mamillapalli
- Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Science, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
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Rab11, a vesicular trafficking protein, affects endoreplication through Ras-mediated pathway in Drosophila melanogaster. Cell Tissue Res 2016; 367:269-282. [PMID: 27677270 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-016-2500-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Rab11, a small monomeric GTPase associated with recycling endosomes, is a key molecule in the regulation of vesicular trafficking and is involved in the development and differentiation of many Drosophila tissues through interaction with diverse signaling pathways. In this study, we report for the first time that Rab11 affects endoreplication through a Ras-mediated pathway. Suppression of Rab11 activity in salivary glands, an endoreplicating tissue, leads to reduction in size of salivary glands with cells having a small nucleus. Endoreplication-regulating proteins, CycE, E2f1 and Gem, are also down-regulated in Rab11 knocked-down salivary glands suggesting that Rab11 has a role in the process of endoreplication, possibly indirectly through other pathways that regulate cell cycle progression. Ras signaling plays an important role in cell cycle progression through G/S phase transition. Ectopic expression of activated Ras in salivary glands of Rab11 down-regulated individuals rescues the small-sized glands to intermediate size. Furthermore, we observed altered localization of Ras in Rab11 down-regulated salivary glands. It is likely that the low level of endoreplication in the Rab11 down-regulated condition is Ras-mediated.
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Li YF, Chen XY, Zhang CD, Tang XF, Wang L, Liu TH, Pan MH, Lu C. Effects of starvation and hormones on DNA synthesis in silk gland cells of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. INSECT SCIENCE 2016; 23:569-578. [PMID: 25558018 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Silk gland cells of silkworm larvae undergo multiple cycles of endomitosis for the synthesis of silk proteins during the spinning phase. In this paper, we analyzed the endomitotic DNA synthesis of silk gland cells during larval development, and found that it was a periodic fluctuation, increasing during the vigorous feeding phase and being gradually inhibited in the next molting phase. That means it might be activated by a self-regulating process after molting. The expression levels of cyclin E, cdt1 and pcna were consistent with these developmental changes. Moreover, we further examined whether these changes in endomitotic DNA synthesis resulted from feeding or hormonal stimulation. The results showed that DNA synthesis could be inhibited by starvation and re-activated by re-feeding, and therefore appears to be dependent on nutrition. DNA synthesis was suppressed by in vivo treatment with 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). However, there was no effect on DNA synthesis by in vitro 20E treatment or by either in vivo or in vitro juvenile hormone treatment. The levels of Akt and 4E-BP phosphorylation in the silk glands were also reduced by starvation and in vivo treatment with 20E. These results indicate that the activation of endomitotic DNA synthesis during the intermolt stages is related to feeding and DNA synthesis is inhibited indirectly by 20E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiang-Yun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chun-Dong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Fang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - La Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tai-Hang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Min-Hui Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Sericulture Functional Genomics and Biotechnology of Agricultural Ministry, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Cheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Sericulture Functional Genomics and Biotechnology of Agricultural Ministry, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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39
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Liu S, Zhang P, Song HS, Qi HS, Wei ZJ, Zhang G, Zhan S, Liu Z, Li S. Yorkie Facilitates Organ Growth and Metamorphosis in Bombyx. Int J Biol Sci 2016; 12:917-30. [PMID: 27489496 PMCID: PMC4971731 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.14872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway, which was identified from genetic screens in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has a major size-control function in animals. All key components of the Hippo pathway, including the transcriptional coactivator Yorkie that is the most critical substrate and downstream effector of the Hippo kinase cassette, are found in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. As revealed by microarray and quantitative real-time PCR, expression of Hippo pathway genes is particularly enriched in several mitotic tissues, including the ovary, testis, and wing disc. Developmental profiles of Hippo pathway genes are generally similar (with the exception of Yorkie) within each organ, but vary greatly in different tissues showing nearly opposing expression patterns in the wing disc and the posterior silk gland (PSG) on day 2 of the prepupal stage. Importantly, the reduction of Yorkie expression by RNAi downregulated Yorkie target genes in the ovary, decreased egg number, and delayed larval-pupal-adult metamorphosis. In contrast, baculovirus-mediated Yorkie(CA) overexpression upregulated Yorkie target genes in the PSG, increased PSG size, and accelerated larval-pupal metamorphosis. Together the results show that Yorkie potentially facilitates organ growth and metamorphosis, and suggest that the evolutionarily conserved Hippo pathway is critical for size control, particularly for PSG growth, in the silkworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumin Liu
- 1. Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Panli Zhang
- 1. Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; 2. College of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Hong-Sheng Song
- 2. College of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Hai-Sheng Qi
- 3. School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Zhao-Jun Wei
- 3. School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Guozheng Zhang
- 4. College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212018, China
| | - Shuai Zhan
- 1. Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhihong Liu
- 5. Epartment of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Sheng Li
- 1. Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
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40
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Li J, Qin S, Yu H, Zhang J, Liu N, Yu Y, Hou C, Li M. Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Different Silk Yields of Two Silkworm Strains. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155329. [PMID: 27159277 PMCID: PMC4861282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cocoon and silk yields are the most important characteristics of sericulture. However, few studies have examined the genes that modulate these features. Further studies of these genes will be useful for improving the products of sericulture. JingSong (JS) and Lan10 (L10) are two strains having significantly different cocoon and silk yields. In the current study, RNA-Seq and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were performed on both strains in order to determine divergence of the silk gland, which controls silk biosynthesis in silkworms. Compared with L10, JS had 1375 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 738 up-regulated genes and 673 down-regulated genes). Nine enriched gene ontology (GO) terms were identified by GO enrichment analysis based on these DEGs. KEGG enrichment analysis results showed that the DEGs were enriched in three pathways, which were mainly associated with the processing and biosynthesis of proteins. The representative genes in the enrichment pathways and ten significant DEGs were further verified by qPCR, the results of which were consistent with the RNA-Seq data. Our study has revealed differences in silk glands between the two silkworm strains and provides a perspective for understanding the molecular mechanisms determining silk yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212018, China
| | - Sheng Qin
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212018, China
- The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212018, China
| | - Huanjun Yu
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212018, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212018, China
| | - Na Liu
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212018, China
| | - Ye Yu
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212018, China
| | - Chengxiang Hou
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212018, China
- The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212018, China
| | - Muwang Li
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212018, China
- The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212018, China
- * E-mail:
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41
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Wang S, You Z, Feng M, Che J, Zhang Y, Qian Q, Komatsu S, Zhong B. Analyses of the Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Silk Production in Silkworm by iTRAQ-Based Proteomics and RNA-Sequencing-Based Transcriptomics. J Proteome Res 2015; 15:15-28. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b00821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shaohua Wang
- College
of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Zhengying You
- College
of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Mao Feng
- Institute
of Apicultural Research/Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology,
Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Jiaqian Che
- College
of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Yuyu Zhang
- College
of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Qiujie Qian
- College
of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Setsuko Komatsu
- National Institute of Crop Science, NARO, Tsukuba 305-8518, Japan
| | - Boxiong Zhong
- College
of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
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Wang H, Wang L, Wang Y, Tao H, Yin W, SiMa Y, Wang Y, Xu S. High yield exogenous protein HPL production in the Bombyx mori silk gland provides novel insight into recombinant expression systems. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13839. [PMID: 26370318 PMCID: PMC4570194 DOI: 10.1038/srep13839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The silk gland of Bombyx mori (BmSG) has gained significant attention by dint of superior synthesis and secretion of proteins. However, the application of BmSG bioreactor is still a controversial issue because of low yields of recombinant proteins. Here, a 3057 bp full-length coding sequence of Hpl was designed and transformed into the silkworm genome, and then the mutant (Hpl/Hpl) with specific expression of Hpl in posterior BmSG (BmPSG) was obtained. In the mutants, the transcription level of Fib-L and P25, and corresponding encoding proteins, did not decrease. However, the mRNA level of Fib-H was reduced by 71.1%, and Fib-H protein in the secreted fibroin was decreased from 91.86% to 71.01%. The mRNA level of Hpl was 0.73% and 0.74% of Fib-H and Fib-L, respectively, while HPL protein accounted for 18.85% of fibroin and 15.46% of the total amount of secreted silk protein. The exogenous protein was therefore very efficiently translated and secreted. Further analysis of differentially expressed gene (DEG) was carried out in the BmPSG cells and 891 DEGs were detected, of which 208 genes were related to protein metabolism. Reduced expression of endogenous silk proteins in the BmPSG could effectively improve the production efficiency of recombinant exogenous proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Wang
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Lu Wang
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yulong Wang
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Hui Tao
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Weimin Yin
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yanghu SiMa
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yujun Wang
- R&D Division, Okamoto Corporation, Nara 635-8550, Japan
| | - Shiqing Xu
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.,National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
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43
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Zabelina V, Klymenko V, Tamura T, Doroshenko K, Liang H, Sezutsu H, Sehnal F. Genome engineering and parthenocloning in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. J Biosci 2015; 40:645-55. [DOI: 10.1007/s12038-015-9548-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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44
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Li JY, Ye LP, Che JQ, Song J, You ZY, Yun KC, Wang SH, Zhong BX. Comparative proteomic analysis of the silkworm middle silk gland reveals the importance of ribosome biogenesis in silk protein production. J Proteomics 2015; 126:109-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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45
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Fang SM, Hu BL, Zhou QZ, Yu QY, Zhang Z. Comparative analysis of the silk gland transcriptomes between the domestic and wild silkworms. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:60. [PMID: 25887670 PMCID: PMC4328555 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1287-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bombyx mori was domesticated from the Chinese wild silkworm, Bombyx mandarina. Wild and domestic silkworms are good models in which to investigate genes related to silk protein synthesis that may be differentially expressed in silk glands, because their silk productions are very different. Here we used the mRNA deep sequencing (RNA-seq) approach to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the transcriptomes of the median/posterior silk glands of two domestic and two wild silkworms. Results The results indicated that about 58% of the total genes were expressed (reads per kilo bases per million reads (RPKM) ≥ 1) in each silkworm. Comparisons of the domestic and wild silkworm transcriptomes revealed 32 DEGs, of which 16 were up-regulated in the domestic silkworms compared with in the wild silkworms, and the other 16 were up-regulated in the wild silkworms compared with in the domestic silkworms. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed for 15 randomly selected DEGs in domestic versus wild silkworms. The qPCR results were mostly consistent with the expression levels determined from the RNA-seq data. Based on a Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and manual annotation, five of the up-regulated DEGs in the wild silkworms were predicted to be involved in immune response, and seven of the up-regulated DEGs were related to the GO term “oxidoreductase activity”, which is associated with antioxidant systems. In the domestic silkworms, the up-regulated DEGs were related mainly to tissue development, secretion of proteins and metabolism. Conclusions The up-regulated DEGs in the two domestic silkworms may be involved mainly in the highly efficient biosynthesis and secretion of silk proteins, while the up-regulated DEGs in the two wild silkworms may play more important roles in tolerance to pathogens and environment adaptation. Our results provide a foundation for understanding the molecular mechanisms of the silk production difference between domestic and wild silkworms. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1287-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shou-Min Fang
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China. .,College of Life Science, China West Normal University, Nanchong, 637002, China.
| | - Bi-Li Hu
- Key Sericultural Laboratory of Shaanxi, Ankang University, Ankang, 725000, China.
| | - Qiu-Zhong Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
| | - Quan-You Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
| | - Ze Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
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46
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Wang F, Wang R, Wang Y, Xu H, Yuan L, Ding H, Ma S, Zhou Y, Zhao P, Xia Q. Remobilizing deleted piggyBac vector post-integration for transgene stability in silkworm. Mol Genet Genomics 2015; 290:1181-9. [PMID: 25589404 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-014-0982-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Deletion of transposable elements post-genomic integration holds great promise for stability of the transgene in the host genome and has an essential role for the practical application of transgenic animals. In this study, a modified piggyBac vector that mediated deletion of the transposon sequence post-integration for transgene stability in the economically important silkworm Bombyx mori was constructed. The piggyBac vector architecture contains inversed terminal repeat sequences L1, L2 and R1, which can form L1/R1 and L2/R1 types of transposition cassettes. hsp70-PIG as the piggyBac transposase expression cassette for initial transposition, further remobilization and transgene stabilization test was transiently expressed in a helper vector or integrated into the modified vector to produce a transgenic silkworm. Shortening L2 increased the transformation frequency of L1/R1 into the silkworm genome compared to L2/R1. After the integration of L1/R1 into the genome, the remobilization of L2/R1 impaired the transposon structure and the resulting transgene linked with an impaired transposon was stable in the genome even in the presence of exogenously introduced transposase, whereas those flanked by the intact transposon were highly mobile in the genome. Our results demonstrated the feasibility of post-integration deletion of transposable elements to guarantee true transgene stabilization in silkworm. We suggest that the modified vector will be a useful resource for studies of transgenic silkworms and other piggyBac-transformed organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Tiansheng Road 216, Beibei, Chongqing, 400715, China
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The advances and perspectives of recombinant protein production in the silk gland of silkworm Bombyx mori. Transgenic Res 2014; 23:697-706. [PMID: 25113390 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-014-9826-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The silk gland of silkworm Bombyx mori, is one of the most important organs that has been fully studied and utilized so far. It contributes finest silk fibers to humankind. The silk gland has excellent ability of synthesizing silk proteins and is a kind tool to produce some useful recombinant proteins, which can be widely used in the biological, biotechnical and pharmaceutical application fields. It's a very active area to express recombinant proteins using the silk gland as a bioreactor, and great progress has been achieved recently. This review recapitulates the progress of producing recombinant proteins and silk-based biomaterials in the silk gland of silkworm in addition to the construction of expression systems. Current challenges and future trends in the production of valuable recombinant proteins using transgenic silkworms are also discussed.
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A molecular view of autophagy in Lepidoptera. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:902315. [PMID: 25143951 PMCID: PMC4124216 DOI: 10.1155/2014/902315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Revised: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Metamorphosis represents a critical phase in the development of holometabolous insects, during which the larval body is completely reorganized: in fact, most of the larval organs undergo remodeling or completely degenerate before the final structure of the adult insect is rebuilt. In the past, increasing evidence emerged concerning the intervention of autophagy and apoptosis in the cell death processes that occur in larval organs of Lepidoptera during metamorphosis, but a molecular characterization of these pathways was undertaken only in recent years. In addition to developmentally programmed autophagy, there is growing interest in starvation-induced autophagy. Therefore we are now entering a new era of research on autophagy that foreshadows clarification of the role and regulatory mechanisms underlying this self-digesting process in Lepidoptera. Given that some of the most important lepidopteran species of high economic importance, such as the silkworm, Bombyx mori, belong to this insect order, we expect that this information on autophagy will be fully exploited not only in basic research but also for practical applications.
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Jin S, Cheng T, Jiang L, Lin P, Yang Q, Xiao Y, Kusakabe T, Xia Q. Identification of a new Sprouty protein responsible for the inhibition of the Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus reproduction. PLoS One 2014; 9:e99200. [PMID: 24915434 PMCID: PMC4051654 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The rat sarcoma-extracellular signal regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinases pathway, one of the most ancient signaling pathways, is crucial for the defense against Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infection. Sprouty (Spry) proteins can inhibit the activity of this pathway by receptor tyrosine kinases. We cloned and identified a new B. mori gene with a Spry domain similar to the Spry proteins of other organisms, such as fruitfly, mouse, human, chicken, Xenopus and zebrafish, and named it BmSpry. The gene expression analysis showed that BmSpry was transcribed in all of the examined tissues and in all developmental stages from embryo to adult. BmSpry also induced expression of BmNPV in the cells. Our results indicated: (1) the knock-down of BmSpry led to increased BmNPV replication and silkworm larvae mortality; (2) over-expression of BmSpry led to reduced BmNPV replication; and (3) BmSpry regulated the activation of ERK and inhibited BmNPV replication. These results showed that BmSpry plays a crucial role in the antiviral defense of the silkworm both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengkai Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingcai Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiong Yang
- Sericulture and Farm Product Processing Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- Sericulture and Farm Product Processing Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Takahiro Kusakabe
- Laboratory of Silkworm Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Qingyou Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- * E-mail:
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Wang Y, Nakagaki M. Editing of the heavy chain gene of Bombyx mori using transcription activator like effector nucleases. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 450:184-8. [PMID: 24878533 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.05.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The silk gland of Bombyx mori represents an established in vivo system for producing recombinant proteins. However, low yields of recombinant proteins have limited the system's further development because endogenous silk proteins were present. Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) tool which work in pairs to bind and cleave DNA at specific sites, have recently been shown to be effective for genome editing in various organisms, including silkworms. To improve the yield of recombinant proteins synthesized in the silkworm by eliminated competition with endogenous fibroin synthesis, the heavy chain (H-chain) gene was knocked out using transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). A pair of TALENs that targets the 1st exon in the H-chain gene was synthesized and microinjected into silkworm embryos; the injected silkworms were screened for H-chain gene knock out (H-KO) based on their sericin cocoon-making characteristics. Sequence analysis revealed that the H-chain of the mutation was successfully edited. The TALENs was very efficient in editing the genome DNA of silkworm. By being eliminated competition with the H-chain, the production of recombinant proteins would be expected to increase markedly if this H-KO system is used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujun Wang
- R&D Division, Okamoto Corporation, Nara 635-8550, Japan.
| | - Masao Nakagaki
- Division of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan.
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