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.
Tabunoki
Hiroko
H
Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan. tabunoki@cc.tuat.ac.jp
Higurashi
Satoshi
S
Ninagi
Osamu
O
Fujii
Hiroshi
H
Banno
Yutaka
Y
Nozaki
Masashi
M
Kitajima
Mika
M
Miura
Nami
N
Atsumi
Shogo
S
Tsuchida
Kozo
K
Maekawa
Hideaki
H
Sato
Ryoichi
R
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
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D002338:Carotenoids