The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor family in Bombyx mori.
The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins are a superfamily of transcription factors that play important roles in a wide range of developmental processes in higher organisms. bHLH family members have been identified in a dozen of organisms including fruit fly, mouse and human. We identified 52 bHLH members in silico in the silkworm genome. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that they belong to 39 bHLH families with 21, 10, 12, 1, 7 and 1 members in groups A, B, C, D, E and F, respectively. Genes that encode ASCb, NeuroD, Oligo, MyoRb, Figalpha and Mad were not found in the silkworm genome. The present study provides important background information for future studies using the silkworm as a model system for insect development. Besides, the in-group phylogenetic analysis was demonstrated to be effective in classifying identified bHLH sequences into corresponding families, which can be helpful in the classification of bHLH members of other organisms.
Wang
Yong
Y
Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China.
Chen
Keping
K
Yao
Qin
Q
Wang
Wenbing
W
Zhi
Zhu
Z
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012831:Bombyx / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D017344:Genes, Insect; D049750:Genome, Insect; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D010802:Phylogeny; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013045:Species Specificity
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins