title: A carotenoid-binding protein (CBP) plays a crucial role in cocoon pigmentation of silkworm (Bombyx mori) larvae.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan. tabunoki@cc.tuat.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tabunoki
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Higurashi
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ninagi
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Banno
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nozaki
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kitajima
authors.forename: Nami
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miura
authors.forename: Shogo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Atsumi
authors.forename: Kozo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsuchida
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maekawa
authors.forename: Ryoichi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D012831:Bombyx / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000378:metabolism; D005088:Exocrine Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D015151:Immunoblotting; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology; D010858:Pigmentation / Q000502:physiology*; D034622:RNA Interference; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D002338:Carotenoids