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- Title
Identification and Functions of JHE 6 Specifically Expressed in Bombyx mori Silk Gland.
- Authors
Zhang, Xia; Zhang, Jikailang; Wu, Keli; Yang, Hongguo; Cheng, Tingcai; Liu, Chun
- Abstract
Simple Summary: The regulation of insect growth and development is intricately governed by the levels of juvenile hormone and 20-hydroxyecdysone. Juvenile hormone esterase is a key catabolic enzyme of juvenile hormone that is involved in the growth, development, and metamorphosis of insects. In this study, we identified the juvenile hormone esterase genes Bmjhe1–9 in silkworm and found that Bmjhe6 was specifically expressed in the silk gland. In order to explore the function of Bmjhe6, the expression of Bmjhe6 was down-regulated in an RNA interference experiment. The results showed that the development of the silk gland was changed as well as the juvenile hormone pathway genes. Interestingly, Bmjhe6 was secreted into the silk gland lumen and cocoon silk, which may have new functions. This study provides some theoretical basis for the regulation of tissue growth and development as well as silk protein synthesis by juvenile hormone esterase, and servers as a reference for the study of juvenile hormone esterase in other insects. Juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) is the specific enzyme that degrades juvenile hormone (JH) and regulates the JH titer in insects. JH also regulates the development of the silk gland and the synthesis and secretion of silk proteins in Bombyx mori. Here, we identified nine possible JHE family members, Bmjhe1–9. Notably, Bmjhe6 is specifically expressed in the silk gland. Using semi-quantitative, quantitative real-time RT-PCR and Western blot, it was confirmed that Bmjhe6 was specifically expressed in the middle silk gland (MSG) with high levels in the anterior region of the MSG (A-MSG). The immunofluorescence localization analysis revealed that Bmjhe6 is produced within cells, secreted into the gland lumen, and co-transported with silk proteins into the anterior silk gland (ASG). In vitro hormone induction experiments demonstrated that Bmjhe6 responds to a JH analog, increasing its expression after 12–24 h, whereas 20-hydroxyecdysone inhibited it. In addition, Bmjhe6 knockdown using dsBmjhe6 injections accelerated larval development, resulting in increased larval body and silk gland weight. This induced disordered sericin genes (Ser2, Ser3) expression, and key genes in the JH synthesis pathway (BmKr-h1 and BmMet1) were significantly upregulated along with the transcription factors (SGF-1 and Sage). These results indicate that Bmjhe6 plays an important role in silk gland growth and silk protein synthesis by modulating JH signal.
- Subjects
MADISON Square Garden Co.; SILKWORMS; JUVENILE hormones; INSECT metamorphosis; RNA interference; INSECT growth; COCOONS
- Publication
Insects (2075-4450), 2023, Vol 14, Issue 12, p908
- ISSN
2075-4450
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/insects14120908