Isolation,characterization, and cDNA sequence of a carotenoid binding protein from the silk gland of Bombyx mori larvae

A carotenoid binding protein (CBP) has been isolated from the silk glands of Bombyx mori larvae. The protein has an apparent molecular mass of 33 kDa and binds carotenoids in a 1:1 molar ratio. Lutein accounts for 90% of the bound carotenoids, whereas alpha-carotene and beta-carotene are minor components. Immunological analysis demonstrated the presence of CBP only in the yellow-colored tissues of the silk gland, midgut, testis, and ovary. Several phenotypes of B. mori mutants linked to carotenoid transport have been utilized to characterize CBP. The Y (yellow hemolymph) gene controls uptake of carotenoids from the midgut lumen into the midgut epithelium, and larvae with the +(Y) gene lack this property. Immunoblotting analysis confirmed the presence of CBP in mutants with the dominant Y gene only. Immunohistochemistry verified the localization of CBP in the villi of the midgut epithelium, indicating that CBP might be involved in absorption of carotenoids. A cDNA clone for CBP encoding a protein of 297 amino acids has been isolated from the B. mori silk gland cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed that CBP is a novel member of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein family with its unique structural feature of a StAR-related lipid transfer domain, known to aid in lipid transfer and recognition. Lutein-binding capacity of the recombinant CBP (rCBP) determined by incubating rCBP with lutein followed by immunoprecipitation using anti-CBP IgG conjugated to protein A-Sepharose, demonstrated the formation of a lutein-rCBP complex. Sequence analyses coupled with binding specificity suggest that CBP is a new member of the StAR protein family that binds carotenoids rather than cholesterol.     

The basis for colorless hemolymph and cocoons in the Y-gene recessive Bombyx mori mutants: a defect in the cellular uptake of carotenoids

Bombyx mori is an excellent model for the study of carotenoid-binding proteins (CBP). In previous papers, we identified and molecularly characterized a CBP from the Y-gene dominant mutants. In the present study, we attempted to correlate and establish lipid metabolism and distribution in these mutants. When [3H]-triolein was fed to the mutants, typical patterns of uptake of labeled fatty acids from midgut to hemolymph and subsequent delivery to fat body and silk glands were obtained in all mutants. Further analysis of lipid and carotenoid profiles revealed that the yellow coloration in the hemolymph associated with lipophorin is not attributed to a difference in lipophorin concentrations among the mutants, nor to its lipid composition, but rather to its carotenoid content. Lipophorin of the Y+I mutant exhibited the highest concentration of total carotenoids of 55.8 microg/mg lipophorin compared to 3.1 microg/mg in the +Y+I mutant, 1.2 microg/mg in the YI mutant and 0.5 microg/mg in the +YI mutant. Characteristic retention time in HPLC of the different classes of carotenoids of lipophorin identified the presence of lutein as the major chromophore (62-77%), followed by beta-carotenes (22-38%). Although lutein and beta-carotene content of mutants' lipophorin differed significantly, the ratio of lutein to beta-carotene of 3:1 was not different among mutants. Similarly, lipid compositions of mutant silk glands were not significantly different, but carotenoid contents were. The significantly high concentration of lutein in the Y+I mutant silk gland represented more than 160-fold increase compared to +Y+I mutant (p<0.001). In this report, we conclude that lipid metabolism in the mutants is not defected and that the molecular basis for colorless hemolymph and cocoons is a defect in the cellular uptake of lutein associated with the Y-gene recessive mutants.     

Analysis of a silkworm F1 hybrid with yellow cocoon generated by crossing two white-cocoon strains: Further evidences for the roles of Cameo2 and CBP in formation of yellow cocoon

In this report, we examined the gene expression related to carotenoid transport for a silkworm F₁ hybrid with yellow cocoon generated by crossing two white-cocoon strains, Qiubai and 12-260. Our results showed that, in Qiubai, Cameo2, a transmembrane protein gene belonging to the CD36 family genes, was expressed normally in the silk gland, but no intact carotenoid-binding protein (CBP) mRNA (only the truncated CBP mRNA) was detected in the midgut. In 12-260, we detected the intact CBP mRNA expression in the midgut, but no Cameo2 expression in the silk gland. Regarding the F₁ hybrid from crossing Qiubai and 12-260, both Cameo2 and intact CBP mRNA expressed normally in the silk gland and midgut. HPLC detection confirmed that in the F₁ hybrid the carotenoids could be absorbed from dietary mulberry leaves through the midgut and transferred to silk gland via the hemolymph, which eventually colored cocoons into yellow. We also identified four CBP mRNA isoforms expressed in the midgut of the F₁ hybrid, subsequently named as variants 5–8. Our results provide further evidences for the roles of Cameo2 and CBP in the formation of yellow cocoon of silkworm.     

Combined Effect of Cameo2 and CBP on the Cellular Uptake of Lutein in the Silkworm,Bombyx mori

Formation of yellow-red color cocoons in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, occurs as the result of the selective delivery of carotenoids from the midgut to the silk gland via the hemolymph. This process of pigment transport is thought to be mediated by specific cellular carotenoids carrier proteins. Previous studies indicated that two proteins, Cameo2 and CBP, are associated with the selective transport of lutein from the midgut into the silk gland in Bombyx mori. However, the exact roles of Cameo2 and CBP during the uptake and transport of carotenoids are still unknown. In this study, we investigated the respective contributions of these two proteins to lutein and β-carotene transport in Bombyx mori as well as commercial cell-line. We found that tissues, expressed both Cameo2 and CBP, accumulate lutein. Cells, co-expressed Cameo2 and CBP, absorb 2 fold more lutein (P<0.01) than any other transfected cells, and the rate of cellular uptake of lutein was concentration-dependent and reached saturation. From immunofluorescence staining, confocal microscopy observation and western blot analysis, Cameo2 was localized at the membrane and CBP was expressed in the cytosol. What’s more, bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis showed that these two proteins directly interacted at cellular level. Therefore, Cameo2 and CBP are necessarily expressed in midguts and silk glands for lutein uptake in Bombyx mori. Cameo2 and CBP, as the membrane protein and the cytosol protein, respectively, have the combined effect to facilitate the cellular uptake of lutein.     

A carotenoid-binding protein (CBP) plays a crucial role in cocoon pigmentation of silkworm (Bombyx mori) larvae

We examined the role of carotenoid-binding protein (CBP) in yellow cocoon pigmentation. First, using yellow or white cocoon races, we investigated the linkage between the yellow pigmentation and CBP expression. CBP was expressed only in the silk gland of the yellow cocoon races, which utilize carotenoids for cocoon pigmentation. Furthermore, CBP expression in the silk glands of day 1-7 fifth instar larvae matched the period of carotenoid uptake into the silk gland. Finally, we gave double-stranded CBP RNA to Bombyx mori (B. mori) larvae to induce RNA interference. The significantly reduced expression of CBP in the silk gland of fifth instar larva was confirmed on day 4 and a decrease in yellow pigmentation was observed in the cocoon. We showed that CBP plays a key role in the yellow cocoon pigmentation caused by carotenoids.     

基于双元转基因CRISPR/Cas9系统的家蚕pax3基因功能分析

【目的】 本研究旨在以家蚕Bombyx mori为研究模型探索pax3基因在鳞翅目昆虫中的生物学功能。【方法】利用PCR扩增验证家蚕Bmpax3外显子序列;利用qRT-PCR检测Bmpax3在5龄第3天家蚕幼虫头、表皮、脂肪体、中肠、马氏管、前部丝腺、中部丝腺、后部丝腺和生殖腺(包括精巢和卵巢)中的表达谱;利用双元转基因CRISPR/Cas9系统构建Bmpax3敲除突变体,分析Bmpax3突变对家蚕幼虫存活、体节分化及性别差异的影响。【结果】Bmpax3在家蚕5龄第3天幼虫头、中肠和丝腺中均有表达,其中在前部丝腺表达量最高。Bmpax3突变体的卵孵化率约为90%,但约有80%的突变体在1龄幼虫期死亡,有将近10%的突变个体能幸存并发育到成虫阶段,并且存活成虫数存在性别差异,雄性显著多于雌性。在幸存的成虫中,约有将近1/2的个体腹部末端体节分节异常,表皮条纹混乱,腹节腹板部分缺失,生殖器官及其周围的其他辅助器官出现发育缺陷。【结论】Bmpax3发生突变后会对家蚕的生存及形态发育产生较大的影响,提示Bmpax3可能参与了家蚕的生长发育过程。     

琥珀蚕丝腺转录因子基因AaSGF-1的克隆、原核表达及组织表达分析

【目的】本研究旨在克隆琥珀蚕Antheraea assama丝腺转录因子基因AaSGF-1,分析其序列特征及表达模式并制备多克隆抗体,为探讨该基因的生理功能奠定基础。【方法】采用RT-PCR和RACE技术从琥珀蚕丝腺中克隆AaSGF-1的cDNA序列,并进行生物信息学分析;利用qPCR检测AaSGF-1在琥珀蚕5龄第4天幼虫不同组织(头、中肠、脂肪体、丝腺、血液、表皮)中的表达模式;构建原核表达质粒载体,在大肠杆菌Escherichia coli BL21中表达AaSGF-1,利用纯化的融合蛋白免疫新西兰兔子,获得高效的抗体。利用免疫荧光技术检测AaSGF-1在琥珀蚕蚁蚕丝腺和表皮及4龄幼虫丝腺中的表达情况。【结果】克隆了琥珀蚕AaSGF-1的cDNA序列(GenBank登录号： MK889510.1),开放阅读框(ORF)序列长1 050 bp,编码349个氨基酸残基,预测蛋白分子质量为38.8 kD,理论等电点(pI)为8.74。qPCR检测结果显示AaSGF-1在琥珀蚕5龄幼虫丝腺组织尤其是后部丝腺中高量表达,而在其他组织中几乎不表达。免疫荧光结果表明AaSGF-1在蚁蚕及4龄幼虫的丝腺中表达。【结论】本研究原核表达了琥珀蚕AaSGF-1,制备了多克隆抗体,证实了AaSGF-1在琥珀蚕幼虫的丝腺中高表达,为进一步研究该基因在琥珀蚕丝腺发育及丝蛋白合成中的作用奠定了基础。     

家蚕BmlncR2036调控P25基因启动子活性及参与中肠发育调控

【目的】长链非编码RNA(long non-coding RNA, lncRNA)对家蚕Bombyx mori发育具有重要调控作用。我们在前期研究中发现一个位于家蚕丝素蛋白基因P25附近的lncRNA BmlncR2036。本研究旨在进一步探索BmlncR2036调控家蚕P25基因表达的分子机制。【方法】qPCR检测BmlncR2036在5龄第3天家蚕幼虫不同组织(体壁、脑、神经、精巢、卵巢、丝腺、马氏管、血淋巴、脂肪体和中肠)中和不同发育阶段前丝腺、中丝腺和后丝腺中的表达谱。预测能够同时靶向P25和BmlncR2036的miRNA,利用荧光素酶检测法验证miRNA与P25互作关系。荧光素酶检测法测定BmlncR2036对P25基因启动子转录活性的影响。在家蚕5龄第3天幼虫中注射dsRNA敲低BmlncR2036的表达,观察丝腺及中肠表型的变化。【结果】qPCR结果显示,BmlncR2036在家蚕5龄第3天幼虫和5龄熟蚕的后丝腺中高表达,与P25基因呈现一致的表达趋势;BmlncR2036在家蚕5龄第3天幼虫的精巢和中肠中高表达,在其他组织中表达量较低,暗示其功能的多样性。miR-2739和miR-279a既能够与BmlncR2036匹配,也可能靶向P25基因的3′UTR。但荧光素酶检测法结果显示P25不是miR-2739和miR-279a的真实靶标。BmlncR2036负调控P25启动子活性,共转染pcDNA3.1(+)［BmlncR2036］和pGL3-Enhancer［P25-promoter］载体后,细胞荧光素酶活性极显著下降了52%。在家蚕5龄第3天幼虫中敲低BmlncR2036表达后出现体色变暗,中肠残留大量内容物,直至死亡的现象,表明BmlncR2036可能参与家蚕中肠的发育调控。【结论】发现lncRNA BmlncR2036可调控P25基因启动子活性,还可能参与调控家蚕中肠的发育。本研究为进一步探索家蚕lncRNA的功能提供了实验依据。     

A CD36-related Transmembrane Protein Is Coordinated with an Intracellular Lipid-binding Protein in Selective Carotenoid Transport for Cocoon Coloration

The transport pathway of specific dietary carotenoids from the midgut lumen to the silk gland in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, is a model system for selective carotenoid transport because several genetic mutants with defects in parts of this pathway have been identified that manifest altered cocoon pigmentation. In the wild-type silkworm, which has both genes, Yellow blood (Y) and Yellow cocoon (C), lutein is transferred selectively from the hemolymph lipoprotein to the silk gland cells where it is accumulated into the cocoon. The Y gene encodes an intracellular carotenoid-binding protein (CBP) containing a lipid-binding domain known as the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein-related lipid transfer domain. Positional cloning and transgenic rescue experiments revealed that the C gene encodes Cameo2, a transmembrane protein gene belonging to the CD36 family genes, some of which, such as the mammalian SR-BI and the fruit fly ninaD, are reported as lipoprotein receptors or implicated in carotenoid transport for visual system. In C mutant larvae, Cameo2 expression was strongly repressed in the silk gland in a specific manner, resulting in colorless silk glands and white cocoons. The developmental profile of Cameo2 expression, CBP expression, and lutein pigmentation in the silk gland of the yellow cocoon strain were correlated. We hypothesize that selective delivery of lutein to specific tissue requires the combination of two components: 1) CBP as a carotenoid transporter in cytosol and 2) Cameo2 as a transmembrane receptor on the surface of the cells.     

家蚕Wnt信号通路下游关键基因Pangolin转录剪接体X3的克隆和分析

【目的】克隆家蚕Bombyx mori Wnt信号通路下游关键基因Pangolin isoforms A/H/I/S转录剪接体X3 (Pangolin X3),分析其序列和表达特征。【方法】从NCBI数据库检索家蚕Pangolin X3,根据其编码序列(coding sequence, CDS)设计引物,利用PCR从家蚕幼虫中肠和血淋巴中进行克隆并测序验证。利用SilkDB 3.0, SMART, 多序列比对和系统发育树分析Pangolin X3的序列特征。利用qRT-PCR分析Pangolin X3在家蚕5龄第3 天幼虫不同组织(头、血淋巴、体壁、性腺、中肠、前部丝腺、中部丝腺、后部丝腺、脂肪体和马氏管)中的相对表达水平。【结果】从家蚕幼虫中肠和血淋巴克隆了Pangolin X3(GenBank登录号: XM_038020921)的CDS,其开放阅读框长1 560 bp,编码519个氨基酸残基,预测分子量为55.86 kD,预测等电点为7.53。Pangolin X3蛋白含有保守的β catenin结合位点和HMG结构域,其氨基酸序列在不同的昆虫中比较保守,特别是与DNA结合的HMG结构域,而与β-catenin结合的N末端CTNNB1结构域部分氨基酸残基发生变异。组织表达谱显示,Pangolin X3在家蚕5龄第3 天幼虫中肠、血淋巴和性腺中的相对表达水平较高,在头、体壁、前部丝腺、中部丝腺、后部丝腺、脂肪体和马氏管中的相对表达水平较低。【结论】本研究克隆了家蚕Pangolin X3,分析了其序列和表达特征,为深入研究家蚕Pangolin的生物学功能提供了基础。     

Tissue-specific regulation of juvenile hormone esterase gene expression by 20-hydroxyecdysone and juvenile hormone in Bombyx mori

Juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) is the primary juvenile hormone (JH) metabolic enzyme in insects and plays important roles in the regulation of molt and metamorphosis. We investigated its mRNA expression profiles and hormonal control in Bombyx mori larvae. JHE mRNA was expressed at the end of the 4th and 5th (last) larval instars in the midgut and in all the three (anterior, middle, posterior) parts of the silk gland. In the fat body, JHE expression peaked twice in the 5th instar, at wandering and before pupation, while it gradually decreased through the 4th instar. When 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) was injected into mid-5th instar larvae, JHE mRNA expression was induced in the anterior silk gland but suppressed in the fat body. Topical application of a juvenile hormone analog fenoxycarb to early-5th instar larvae induced JHE expression in both tissues. In the anterior silk gland, JHE expression was accelerated and strengthened by 20E plus fenoxycarb treatments compared with 20E or fenoxycarb single treatment, indicating positive interaction of 20E and JH. JHE mRNA is thus expressed in tissue-specific manners under the control of ecdysteroids and JH.     

Studies on the posterior silk gland of the silkworm Bombix mori. IV. Ultracentrifugal analyses of native silk proteins, especially fibroin extracted from the middle silk gland of the mature silkworm

Ultracentrifugal analyses of the native silk proteins extracted from the various parts of the middle silk gland of the mature silkworm have revealed that there exist four components with S°_20,w values of 10S, 9–10S, 9S, and 4S in the extract. It is suggested that the fastest 10S component is the native fibroin synthesized in the posterior silk gland and transferred to the middle silk gland to be stored there, while the slower three components probably correspond to inner, middle, and outer sericins which were synthesized in the posterior, middle, and anterior portion of the middle silk gland, respectively. Native fibroin solution was prepared from the most posterior part of the middle silk gland. Ultracentrifugal analyses have shown that the solution contains considerable amounts of aggregates in addition to the main 10S component. Treatment with lithium bromide (LiBr), urea, or guanidine hydrochloride solution up to 6 M all have failed to dissociate the 10S component. From the sedimentation equilibrium analyses and partial specific volume of 0.71₆, the molecular weight of the 10S component of the native fibroin solution was found to be between 3.2 – 4.2 x 10⁵, with a tendency to lie fairly close to 3.7 x 10⁵.     

家蚕V型ATP酶B亚基的克隆及表达特征

V型ATP酶(Vacuolar-type ATPase)是一种定位于细胞膜和细胞器膜上的氢离子转运酶。它利用ATP水解的能量将氢离子转运到液泡、囊泡或者胞外,从而维持细胞内正常的酸碱环境。V型ATP酶B亚基(V-ATPase B)作为ATP的催化位点,也有着非常重要的作用。为了探讨家蚕V-ATPase B(Bm V-ATPase B)的功能,首先从家蚕五龄幼虫的中肠c DNA中克隆了Bm V-ATPase B基因并构建原核表达载体进行原核表达,获得了重组蛋白,经质谱鉴定正确后,通过镍柱亲和层析的方法纯化了该蛋白并制备了多克隆抗体;最后分析了该蛋白在家蚕丝腺中的表达特征并利用免疫荧光对其在丝腺中的表达位置进行了定位。结果显示Bm V-ATPase B基因序列全长1 473 bp,预测蛋白分子量55 k Da,预测等电点5.3。通过Western blotting对家蚕5龄第3天和上蔟第1天幼虫丝腺的不同区段进行Bm V-ATPase B蛋白的表达特征分析,发现在两个时期该蛋白均在前部丝腺高量表达,而在中部丝腺和后部丝腺表达量相对较低。进一步对两个时期丝腺的不同区段进行免疫荧光定位,发现该蛋白在两个时期的前部丝腺、中部丝腺和后部丝腺均定位于细胞层。利用激光共聚焦显微镜对该蛋白进行进一步的定位,发现该蛋白主要在丝腺的细胞膜表达。研究结果明确了该蛋白在丝腺中的表达模式,为深入研究该蛋白在蚕丝纤维形成中的作用奠定了基础。     

LIM-homeodomain transcription factor Awh is a key component activating all three fibroin genes,fibH, fibL and fhx,in the silk gland of the silkworm,Bombyx mori

In the silkworm Bombyx mori, three fibroin genes, fibroin-heavy-chain (fibH), fibroin-light-chain (fibL) and fibrohexamerin (fhx), are coexpressed only in the posterior silk gland (PSG) cells, while the sericin genes encoding silk glue proteins are expressed in the middle silk gland (MSG) cells. Silk gland factor-2 (SGF-2) is a PSG-specific activator complex of fibH, composed of a LIM-homeodomain protein, Awh, and its cofactors, Ldb and Lcaf. We investigated whether SGF-2 can activate other fibroin genes using transgenic silkworms. The genes for Ldb and Lcaf were expressed ubiquitously in various tissues, while the gene for Awh was expressed strictly specific in PSG of the wild type silkworms. Misexpression of Awh in transgenic silkworms induced ectopic expression of fibL and fhx as well as fibH in MSG. Coincidently with the induction of fibL and fhx by Awh, binding of SGF-2 to the promoter of fibL and fhx was detected in vitro, and SGF-2 binds directly to the fhx core promoter. Ectopic expression of the fibroin genes was observed at high levels in the middle part of MSG. Moreover, fibL and fhx were induced in the anterior silk gland (ASG) of the transgenic silkworms, but fibH was not. These results indicate that Awh is a key activator of all three fibroin genes, and the activity is probably regulated in conjunction with additional factors.     

家蚕BmBrat基因的克隆与鉴定

NHL家族蛋白具有调控细胞增殖与分化的功能,在哺育动物中被广泛研究。本文克隆得到家蚕NHL蛋白家族成员BmBrat基因,通过RACE技术获得该基因cDNA全长序列为3 614 bp,其ORF为2 580 bp,编码859个氨基酸,预测其蛋白分子量为94.3 kDa,等电点为6.65。利用RT-PCR技术检测其在五龄3 d家蚕各组织表达情况,结果表明其在幼虫各组织均有表达,包括丝腺、中肠、脂肪体、马氏管等,且卵巢和头部表达量最高;胚胎时期表达谱分析显示其在胚胎发育第4天和第5天有高量表达。经原核表达、蛋白纯化及免疫小鼠后获得家蚕BmBrat多克隆抗体,且Western blotting及免疫荧光检测显示该抗体可以特异检测家蚕BmBrat蛋白;免疫荧光结果表明BmBrat蛋白定位于家蚕血细胞胞质中,为进一步研究BmBrat基因的生物学功能奠定了基础。     

Identification and characterization of a novel sericin gene expressed in the anterior middle silk gland of the silkworm Bombyx mori

Sericin is a group of proteins expressed in the middle silk gland that covers the surface of fibroin in the cocoon filament of Bombyx mori. Sericin consists of several serine-rich proteins with different molecular masses. Sericin A is one of the proteins and is produced in the anterior portion of the middle silk gland. To identify the gene coding for the protein, we determined the primary structures of its partial peptides, and the gene was searched using the silkworm genomic databases. Three contigs containing the corresponding nucleotide sequences were identified and categorized as one group. The gene structure covering the 5' flanking and the 3' end was determined by PCR fragments from genomic DNA, RT-PCR, and 5' and 3' RACE. The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence mainly consists of two serine-rich regions of 86-amino acid motif and 8-amino acid repeated sequence. The expression of the gene is limited to the anterior and middle parts of the middle silk gland. In addition, because the sericin gene appeared different from the sericin 1 and 2 genes reported earlier, we designated the newly discovered gene as sericin 3.