Disruption of diapause induction by TALEN-based gene mutagenesis in relation to a unique neuropeptide signaling pathway in Bombyx.
The insect neuropeptide family FXPRLa, which carries the Phe-Xaa-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH2 sequence at the C-terminus, is involved in many physiological processes. Although ligand-receptor interactions in FXPRLa signaling have been examined using in vitro assays, the correlation between these interactions and in vivo physiological function is unclear. Diapause in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, is thought to be elicited by diapause hormone (DH, an FXPRLa) signaling, which consists of interactions between DH and DH receptor (DHR). Here, we performed transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN)-based mutagenesis of the Bombyx DH-PBAN and DHR genes and isolated the null mutants of these genes in a bivoltine strain. All mutant silkworms were fully viable and showed no abnormalities in the developmental timing of ecdysis or metamorphosis. However, female adults oviposited non-diapause eggs despite diapause-inducing temperature and photoperiod conditions. Therefore, we conclude that DH signaling is essential for diapause induction and consists of highly sensitive and specific interactions between DH and DHR selected during ligand-receptor coevolution in Bombyx mori.
Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda 386-8567, Japan.
Kunihiro
K
Shiomi
National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS), Tsukuba 305-8634, Japan.
Yoko
Y
Takasu
Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda 386-8567, Japan.
Masayo
M
Kunii
Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda 386-8567, Japan.
Ryoma
R
Tsuchiya
Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda 386-8567, Japan.
Moeka
M
Mukaida
Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda 386-8567, Japan.
Masakazu
M
Kobayashi
National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS), Tsukuba 305-8634, Japan.
Hideki
H
Sezutsu
Center for Bioresource Field Science (CBFS), Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan.
Masatoshi
M
Ichida Takahama
Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan.
Akira
A
Mizoguchi
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D012831:Bombyx; D005260:Female; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009154:Mutation; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics*; D018000:Receptors, Peptide / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D019476:Insect Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018000:Receptors, Peptide; C075027:diapause hormone