title: Structure of the VAP-peptide (BmACP-6.7) gene in the silkworm, Bombyx mori and a possible regulation of its expression by BmFTZ-F1.
abstract: The VAP-peptide (BmACP-6.7) is a hydrophobic peptide localized in adult cuticle of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. We isolated and characterized the VAP-peptide gene as a useful marker gene to analyze molecular mechanisms of terminal differentiation processes in the adult. The gene is composed of two exons interrupted by one intron. The 5' upstream promoter region is shown to bear a nucleotide sequence similar to the cis-element that is recognized and bound by the Bombyx mori FTZ-F1 protein (BmFTZ-F1). Expression of the BmFTZ-F1 gene preceded expression of the VAP-peptide gene and injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone suppressed the expression of both genes. An in vitro binding assay indicated direct interaction of BmFTZ-F1 with the VAP-peptide gene promoter sequence. Therefore, BmFTZ-F1 is proposed to be a possible factor regulating the stage-specific expression of the VAP-peptide gene towards adult life.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shiomi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Niimi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Imai
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yamashita
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D012831:Bombyx / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004441:Ecdysterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D051717:Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects; D017344:Genes, Insect; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000235:genetics*; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051717:Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D007301:Insect Hormones; D019476:Insect Proteins; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors; C115047:VAP peptide; C499713:nuclear hormone receptor FTZ-F1, Bombyx mori; D004441:Ecdysterone; D004247:DNA