Structure and expression analysis of the cecropin-E gene from the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Cecropins belong to the antibacterial peptides family and are induced after injection of bacteria or their cell-wall components. By silkworm cDNA microarray analysis, a novel type of Cecropin family gene was identified as a cDNA up-regulated in early embryo, 1 day after oviposition. The cDNA isolated was 394 bp with 198 ORF translating 65 amino acids, encoding BmCecropin-E (BmCec-E). Using Southern hybridization and genome search analysis, the number of BmCec-E gene was estimated to be at least two per haploid, which consisted of two exons, as in other Cecropin family members. BmCec-E mRNA was expressed transiently 1 day after egg-laying (AEL, germ-band formation stage), and was specifically expressed in the degenerating intestine during the pre-pupal and pupal stages, unlike other Cecropin family genes. Immune challenge analysis showed that BmCec-E gene expression was more strongly induced by Escherichia coli (gram-negative) than by Micrococus luteus (gram-positive), and not by virus injection. By bacterial challenge, expression of BmCec-E mRNA was induced 12 h after injection, and was maintained for 24 h. Expression of BmCec-E after immune challenge was observed strongly in excretory organs, such as hindgut and malphigian, slightly in fat body, skin, and midgut.     

Structure of Bombyx mori densovirus 1, a silkworm pathogen

Bombyx mori densovirus 1 (BmDNV-1), a major pathogen of silkworms, causes significant losses to the silk industry. The structure of the recombinant BmDNV-1 virus-like particle has been determined at 3.1-? resolution using X-ray crystallography. It is the first near-atomic-resolution structure of a virus-like particle within the genus Iteravirus. The particles consist of 60 copies of the 55-kDa VP3 coat protein. The capsid protein has a β-barrel "jelly roll" fold similar to that found in many diverse icosahedral viruses, including archaeal, bacterial, plant, and animal viruses, as well as other parvoviruses. Most of the surface loops have little structural resemblance to other known parvovirus capsid proteins. In contrast to vertebrate parvoviruses, the N-terminal β-strand of BmDNV-1 VP3 is positioned relative to the neighboring 2-fold related subunit in a "domain-swapped" conformation, similar to findings for other invertebrate parvoviruses, suggesting domain swapping is an evolutionarily conserved structural feature of the Densovirinae.     

Serial analysis of gene expression in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

The silkworm Bombyx mori is one of the most economically important insects and serves as a model for Lepidoptera insects. We used serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) to derive profiles of expressed genes during the developmental life cycle of the silkworm and to create a reference for understanding silkworm metamorphosis. We generated four SAGE libraries, one from each of the four developmental stages of the silkworm. In total we obtained 257,964 SAGE tags, of which 39,485 were unique tags. Sorted by copy number, 14.1% of the unique tags were detected at a median to high level (five or more copies), 24.2% at lower levels (two to four copies), and 61.7% as single copies. Using a basic local alignment search tool on the EST database, 35% of the tags matched known silkworm expressed sequence tags. SAGE demonstrated that a number of the genes were up- or down-regulated during the four developmental phases of the egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Furthermore, we found that the generation of longer cDNA fragments from SAGE tags constituted the most efficient method of gene identification, which facilitated the analysis of a large number of unknown genes.     

家蚕细胞周期蛋白基因BmCcnl1的克隆及表达分析

家蚕Bombyx mori由受精卵到完成胚胎发育孵化的过程中, 细胞进行大量的分裂和分化, 然而滞育性卵的胚胎细胞分化至G2期便停滞在此阶段。为了探索这一发育阶段细胞内的分子调控, 本研究以人Homo sapiens的细胞周期蛋白基因cyclin L1为模板, 成功克隆了家蚕同源基因BmCcnl1（GenBank登录号: FJ889988）。BmCcnl1基因开放阅读框（open reading frame, ORF）全长1 254 bp, 编码417个氨基酸。利用Protean软件分析得出BmCcnl1蛋白预测分子量为49 kDa, 等电点为9.84。利用DNA重组技术构建了BmCcnl1基因的重组表达载体pET-21d-BmCcnl1, 对其进行原核表达, 其表达的蛋白以包涵体形式存在。利用RT-PCR技术分析了BmCcnl1基因在胚胎发育过程中的转录水平, BmCcnl1基因在非滞育性卵的胚胎发育阶段基本保持相对稳定的转录表达, 而滞育性卵从蛾体产下经过72 h后已经检测不到BmCcnl1基因的转录。结果提示, BmCcnl1基因与胚胎期滞育及非滞育性卵的发育调控相关。对该基因的克隆和表达分析为今后研究家蚕胚胎发育及细胞周期调控奠定了基础。     

家蚕基质金属蛋白酶基因Bm-MMP的克隆、序列分析及表达研究

基质金属蛋白酶（matrix metalloproteinases, MMPs）家族是一类蛋白水解酶, 能够降解基底膜和细胞外基质中大部分蛋白质。为了研究MMPs对家蚕Bombyx mori基本生理功能的影响, 本文利用RACE和RT-PCR方法, 首次从家蚕蛹中克隆了一个MMP基因的全长cDNA, 命名为Bm-MMP。序列分析表明, Bm-MMP的mRNA存在两个选择性剪切变体, 分别命名为Bm-MMP-V1和Bm-MMP-V2。其中Bm-MMP-V1 cDNA全长为2 257 bp, 包含一个1 686 bp的开放阅读框, 编码561个氨基酸, 预测蛋白质分子量约为62.3 kD; Bm-MMP-V2 cDNA全长为2 188 bp。同源性分析表明, Bm-MMP-V1和Bm-MMP-V2的氨基酸序列与蜡螟Galleria mellonella的Gm1-MMP的氨基酸序列同源性最高, 均为88.8%;与黑腹果蝇Drosophila melanogaster的Dm1-MMP的氨基酸序列同源性, 分别为61.2%和64.3%。将Bm-MMP-V1的编码区连接到表达载体pET28a(+)上, 并在大肠杆菌BL21中进行原核表达, SDS-PAGE和Western blot分析结果表明, 带有6×His标签的融合蛋白被成功表达。半定量RT-PCR分析表明, Bm-MMP-V1和Bm-MMP-V2在4龄眠蚕、熟蚕、吐丝后36及48 h、预蛹中的表达量比5龄中食期与化蛹后的表达量高, 推测该基因与家蚕幼虫蜕皮变态有关;LPS诱导5龄3 d的幼虫, 其Bm-MMP-V1和Bm-MMP-V2在血液中的表达量升高, 推测Bm-MMP可能与免疫相关。本研究为进一步研究Bm-MMP在家蚕体内的作用机制奠定了基础。     

家蚕3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶基因BmGpd的结构特征与表达谱分析

3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶（GPDH）是真核细胞的烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸依赖性酶,具有能量传递等重要功能。家蚕Bombyx mori是重要的变态和能量代谢研究模式动物,为了明确GPDH在家蚕中的作用,本研究根据果蝇lethal （2） k05713的蛋白质序列,从家蚕C108品种克隆了2个完整的mRNA转录体,长度分别为3 456 bp和2 979 bp（GenBank登录号为GQ865685和GQ865686）,具有相同的2 166 bp ORF,编码721个氨基酸。克隆拼接了548 bp的第9内含子后,参照大造品种的全基因组数据,推测出BmGpd基因全长27 983 bp（GenBank登录号为EF154335）,包含16个外显子和15个内含子。编码蛋白具跨膜螺旋结构,pI为8.22,分子量为80.5 kD,1~20 氨基酸区域为信号肽序列。分子同源进化和蛋白质基序分析表明,BmGPD是家蚕中一种新GPDH成员,能在大肠杆菌Escherichia coli中诱导大量表达。RT-PCR分析表明,BmGpd基因表达量在5龄中期最高,在3 d的蛹中明显下调,进入滞育时表达量更低;血液中较低,中肠、丝腺、生殖腺和脂肪体中有大量表达。芯片表达谱显示,5龄第3天幼虫头和体壁中表达丰度最高,脂肪体和马氏管中最低,性别差异不显著。EST表达谱显示,4龄第2天中肠中表达丰度最高。RNAi结果显示,家蚕体内存在BmGpd基因产物代谢补偿途径。本研究为深入研究家蚕GPDH的表达调控以及与变态和能量代谢的关系创造了条件。     

Sequence structure and expression pattern of a novel anionic defensin-like gene from silkworm (Bombyx mori)

A defensin-like gene, BmdefA, was rediscovered in the silkworm genome and expressed sequence tags databases. The open reading frame of BmdefA encodes a prepropeptide consisting of a 22-residue signal peptide, a 34-residue propeptide, and a 36-residue mature peptide with a molecular mass of 4.0 kDa. The mature peptide possesses the characteristic six-cysteine motif of insect defensins, and its predicted isoelectric point is 4.12, indicating it is a novel anionic defensin. An intron is present in BmdefA and several cis-regulatory elements are in the regulating region. It is transcribed constitutively at a high level in the hemocyte, silk gland, head, and ovary of the silkworm larvae, and in the fat body of early-stage pupae and moth. BmdefA is also strongly induced by immune challenge. These results suggest that BmdefA plays an important role in both immunity and metamorphosis. Hongxiu Wen and Xiqian Lan contributed equally to this work and should be considered co-first authors.     

Sperm-mediated gene transfer in the silkworm Bombyx mori

Plasmid DNA containing the CAT reporter gene was injected into the testis of V instar silkworm larvae. The persistence, expression, and transmission of the injected DNA were monitored in the injected individuals till eclosion as well as in the progeny. The DNA injected into the testis persisted extrachromosomally during the entire period of metamorphosis and was also transferred into the egg via sperm during fertilization. Injected plasmids were rescued from the moths that emerged from the injected larvae and also from the eggs laid by the moths that copulated with injected males. Positive signals for CAT assay in the experimental samples suggested that the injected DNA was internalized in the testicular cells and sperm. The persistence, expression, and transmission of the DNA injected into the testes indicate that sperm-mediated gene transfer is possible in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 37:168–177, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Characterization of a gene encoding prohibitin in silkworm, Bombyx mori

Background

Prohibitin (PHB) is an evolutionarily conserved multifunctional protein with ubiquitous expression. However, its molecular roles are largely unknown.

Methods

To better understand the function of prohibitin protein in silkworm (BmPHB), its coding sequence was isolated from a cDNA library of silkworm pupae. An His-tagged BmPHB fusion protein was expressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3) and purified with affinity and reversed-phase chromatography. Purified rBmPHB was used to generate anti-BmPHB polyclonal antibody. The subcellular localization of BmPHB was analysed by immunohistochemistry.

Results

BmPHB gene has an ORF of 825 bp, encoding a predicted peptide with 274 amino acid residues. Immunostaining indicate that prohibitin is expressed in nucleus and predominately in cytoplasm. Western blot analyses indicated that, in the fifth instar larva, BmPHB was expressed descendingly in gonad, malpighian tubule, trachea, fatty body, intestine, and head. However, no expression was detected in larva's silk gland and epidermis. In addition, BmPHB was expressed in the nascent egg, larva and pupa, but not in the moth.

Conclusions

The expression of BmPHB gene presents differential characteristic in different stage and tissues. It may play important roles in the development of silkworm.

General significance

Studies on prohibitin have been still restricted to a few specific insects and insect cell lines such as Drosophila, Acyrthosiphon pisum and mosquito cell lines, not yet in silkworm. This is a first characterization of prohibitin in silkworm, B. mori.     

Structure and expression of mRNA for a pupal cuticle protein of the silkworm,Bombyx mori

Electrophoretic and immunoblot analyses of proteins extracted from the salt-washed integuments of the silkworm Bombyx mori demonstrated that the pupal cuticle contains structural proteins distinct from those present in the larval cuticle. The cDNA clone encoding a pupal cuticle protein was isolated from the cDNA library constructed from epidermal mRNA of pharate pupae. Northern blot hybridization by use of a cDNA probe provided evidence that mRNA for the pupal cuticle protein accumulate in integument during larval-pupal transformation, though temporal rise of the mRNA level was also noticed at the stages of larval molting. Primary structure of the pupal cuticle protein was deduced from the nucleotide sequence of cDNA. The cloned mRNA sequence encodes a 27 kDa protein rich in alanine and proline, containing characteristic repeats of Ala-Pro-Ala-His-Gln-(Asp/Ser)-Trp-Asn sequence in the carboxyl-proximal domain. The sequence (Ile/Val)-(Leu/Ala)-(Asp/Glu)-Thr-Pro-Glu-Val-Ala-(Gln/Ala)-Ala-Arg-Ala-Ala-His-(Leu/Ile)-(Ala/Ser)-Ala-(Leu/His) occurs in three hydrophobic domains of the molecule.     

Microarray-based gene expression profiles in multiple tissues of the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori

We designed and constructed a genome-wide microarray with 22,987 70-mer oligonucleotides covering the presently known and predicted genes in the silkworm genome, and surveyed the gene expression in multiple silkworm tissues on day 3 of the fifth instar. Clusters of tissue-prevalent and tissue-specific genes and genes that are differentially expressed in different tissues were identified, and they reflect well major tissue-specific functions on the molecular level. The data presented in this study provide a new resource for annotating the silkworm genome.     

不同催青方式对二化性家蚕过氧化氢酶基因表达的影响

25℃明催青和15℃暗催青分别诱导二化性家蚕Bombyx mori 产滞育性卵和非滞育性卵。此前我们的研究表明, 上述催青处理的二化性家蚕H₂O₂水平存在显著差异。过氧化氢酶（catalase, CAT）是昆虫清除H₂O₂的关键酶。为了进一步明确家蚕滞育过程中H₂O₂代谢的调控机制, 用RT-PCR测定了上述两种催青处理对二化性家蚕CAT基因表达的影响。结果表明：25℃明催青显著提高了滞育诱导和决定阶段的CAT mRNA 水平和CAT活性。滞育性卵的CAT mRNA水平在产后24 h形成峰值, 在72 h后消失; CAT活性在96 h前上升, 120 h后保持于低水平。非滞育性卵的CAT mRNA水平和CAT活性都随着胚胎发育而上升。可见, 25℃明催青诱导二化性家蚕子代滞育可能是通过影响CAT基因表达来调节H₂O₂水平。