title: Identification of differentially expressed genes in the pheromone glands of mated and virgin Bombyx mori by digital gene expression profiling.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mating decreases female receptivity and terminates sex pheromone production in moths. Although significant progress has been made in elucidating the mating-regulated inactivation of pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide (PBAN) secretion, little is known about the mating induced gene expression profiles in pheromone glands (PGs). In this study, the associated genes involved in Bombyx mori mating were identified through digital gene expression (DGE) profiling and subsequent RNA interference (RNAi) to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the mating-regulated gene expression in PGs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight DGE libraries were constructed from the PGs of mated and virgin females: 1 h mating (M1)/virgin (V1) PGs, 3 h mating (M3)/virgin (V3) PGs, 24 h mating (M24)/virgin (V24) PGs and 48 h mating (M48)/virgin (V48) PGs (M48 and V48). These libraries were used to investigate the gene expression profiles affected by mating. DGE profiling revealed a series of genes showing differential expression in each set of mated and virgin female samples, including immune-associated genes, sex pheromone synthesis-associated genes, juvenile hormone (JH) signal-associated genes, etc. Most interestingly, JH signal was found to be activated by mating. Application of the JH mimics, methoprene to the newly-emerged virgin females leaded to the significant reduction of sex pheromone production. RNAi-mediated knockdown of putative JH receptor gene, Methoprene tolerant 1 (Met1), in female pupa resulted in a significant decrease in sex pheromone production in mature females, suggesting the importance of JH in sex pheromone synthesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A series of differentially expressed genes in PGs in response to mating was identified. This study improves our understanding of the role of JH signaling on the mating-elicited termination of sex pheromone production.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science (College of Plant Protection), Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Songdou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science (College of Plant Protection), Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiaoming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science (College of Plant Protection), Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science (College of Plant Protection), Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xinming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science (College of Plant Protection), Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Mengfang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America.
authors.forename: Qisheng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science (College of Plant Protection), Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Shiheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: An
mesh_terms: D000825:Animal Structures / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D012831:Bombyx / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D012724:Sex Attractants