title: Cloning and characterization of serpin-like genes from the striped rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis.
abstract: Serpins, also called serine proteinase inhibitors, are widely distributed in eukaryotes. In insects, serpins play important roles in regulating immune responses, gut physiology, and other processes. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of 12 serpin-like cDNAs from the striped rice stem borer (Chilo suppressalis), a major rice pest. The putative proteins share significant sequence similarity with known insect serpins, especially those from lepidopterons. Analysis of functional domains revealed that nine of the cloned serpins are putative trypsin- or chymotrypsin-like inhibitors; two are mixed-type serpins that may act as inhibitors for trypsins, elastases, or thrombin; and the remaining one is truncate. The potential functions of these serpins in interacting with host plants were also investigated by analyzing tissue-specific expression and the impact of different host plant genotypes on gene expression. Our results provide a foundation for future studies on the role of serpins in gut physiology in the striped rice stem borer, and also useful information for comparative analyses of serpins from different insect species.
authors: The Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Plant Diseases and Insects, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang Street, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors: Zhao-Yu
authors: ZY
authors: Ge
authors: Pin-Jun
authors: PJ
authors: Wan
authors: Xiong-Feng
authors: XF
authors: Cheng
authors: Yang
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
authors: Guo-Qing
authors: GQ
authors: Li
authors: Zhao-Jun
authors: ZJ
authors: Han
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012275:Oryza / Q000235:genetics / Q000469:parasitology; D010802:Phylogeny; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D015843:Serpins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019476:Insect Proteins; D015843:Serpins