Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
Larval RNA Interference in Silkworm Bombyx mori through Chitosan/dsRNA Nanoparticle Delivery
Published on: October 4, 2024
MicroRNA expression profiling during the life cycle of the silkworm (Bombyx mori)
Shiping Liu1, Liang Zhang, Qibin Li
1The Key Sericultural Laboratory of Agricultural Ministry, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China. lsp98668@163.com
Background:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are expressed by a wide range of eukaryotic organisms, and function in diverse biological processes. Numerous miRNAs have been identified in Bombyx mori, but the temporal expression profiles of miRNAs corresponding to each stage transition over the entire life cycle of the silkworm remain to be established. To obtain a comprehensive overview of the correlation between miRNA expression and stage transitions, we performed a whole-life test and subsequent stage-by-stage examinations on nearly one hundred miRNAs in the silkworm.
Results:
Our results show that miRNAs display a wide variety of expression profiles over the whole life of the silkworm, including continuous expression from embryo to adult (miR-184), up-regulation over the entire life cycle (let-7 and miR-100), down-regulation over the entire life cycle (miR-124), expression associated with embryogenesis (miR-29 and miR-92), up-regulation from early 3rd instar to pupa (miR-275), and complementary pulses in expression between miR-34b and miR-275. Stage-by-stage examinations revealed further expression patterns, such as emergence at specific time-points during embryogenesis and up-regulation of miRNA groups in late embryos (miR-1 and bantam), expression associated with stage transition between instar and molt larval stages (miR-34b), expression associated with silk gland growth and spinning activity (miR-274), continuous high expression from the spinning larval to pupal and adult stages (miR-252 and miR-31a), a coordinate expression trough in day 3 pupae of both sexes (miR-10b and miR-281), up-regulation in pupal metamorphosis of both sexes (miR-29b), and down-regulation in pupal metamorphosis of both sexes (miR-275).
Conclusion:
We present the full-scale expression profiles of miRNAs throughout the life cycle of Bombyx mori. The whole-life expression profile was further investigated via stage-by-stage analysis. Our data provide an important resource for more detailed functional analysis of miRNAs in this animal.
Insights
This study maps the expression of nearly one hundred microRNAs (miRNAs) throughout the entire Bombyx mori life cycle. Researchers identified diverse temporal expression patterns, providing a key resource for understanding miRNA functions in silkworms.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression in eukaryotes.
- While many miRNAs exist in Bombyx mori (silkworm), their dynamic expression across the entire life cycle is not fully characterized.
- Understanding temporal miRNA expression is vital for deciphering their roles in development and physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively profile the temporal expression of approximately one hundred miRNAs throughout the complete life cycle of Bombyx mori.
- To correlate specific miRNA expression patterns with distinct developmental stages and transitions.
- To establish a foundational dataset for future functional studies of miRNAs in silkworms.
Main Methods:
- A whole-life expression analysis was conducted on nearly one hundred miRNAs in Bombyx mori.
- Stage-by-stage examinations were performed to detail expression profiles at specific developmental points.
- Data analysis focused on identifying diverse expression patterns, including continuous, stage-specific, and complementary profiles.
Main Results:
- Diverse miRNA expression profiles were observed across the silkworm life cycle, including continuous, up-regulated, and down-regulated patterns.
- Specific miRNAs were linked to embryogenesis (e.g., miR-29, miR-92), larval stages (e.g., miR-34b), and silk production (e.g., miR-274).
- Distinct expression dynamics were noted during pupal metamorphosis and in adult stages, with some miRNAs showing sex-specific patterns.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first full-scale expression profiles of miRNAs across the entire Bombyx mori life cycle.
- Detailed stage-by-stage analysis revealed complex temporal expression patterns.
- The generated data serve as a valuable resource for in-depth functional investigations of miRNAs in Bombyx mori.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
01:22MicroRNAs
01:22MicroRNAs
02:24Ribosome Profiling
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique helps...