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Differential gene expression in silkworm in response to Beauveria bassiana infection
Hou Chengxiang1, Qin Guangxing, Liu Ting
1Sericultural Research Institute, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212018, Jiangsu, China.
Abstract:
Host-pathogen interactions are complex processes, and revealing these interactions is challenging. Beauveria bassiana is a destructive pathogen to the economically beneficial silkworm, Bombyx mori, but is also a good pathogenic material for investigating insect responses to fungal infection. For better understanding of the molecular regulation of immune response and the interactive mechanism between the silkworm and B. bassiana, suppression subtractive hybridization was employed to identify differentially expressed genes in the pathogen-stimulated silkworm larvae. Complementary DNA libraries were constructed, in which 240 clones were sequenced. A total of 77 genes were found to be involved in the infection process, among which 55 were known genes and 22 were novel. Expression profiling of 6 genes by quantitative PCR showed that they were induced by fungal challenge. This study establishes the first step to understanding the molecular mechanisms by which silkworm responds to fungal infection.
Insights
This study identified 77 genes, including 22 novel ones, involved in the silkworm
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Host-pathogen interactions, particularly between insects and fungi, are complex and crucial for understanding ecological and agricultural impacts.
- Beauveria bassiana poses a significant threat to the silkworm, Bombyx mori, making it a relevant model for studying insect-fungal interactions.
- Investigating the molecular basis of the silkworm's immune response to B. bassiana is essential for developing effective control strategies and understanding host defense mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify genes differentially expressed in silkworm larvae upon infection with Beauveria bassiana.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the silkworm's immune response to fungal pathogens.
- To provide a foundation for understanding host-pathogen interactions in insects.
Main Methods:
- Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used to identify genes with altered expression levels in silkworm larvae challenged with B. bassiana.
- Complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries were constructed from stimulated silkworm larvae.
- Sequencing of 240 cDNA clones and subsequent bioinformatics analysis were performed to identify known and novel genes.
Main Results:
- A total of 77 genes were identified as being involved in the silkworm's response to B. bassiana infection.
- Among the identified genes, 55 were previously known, and 22 were novel, expanding the understanding of the silkworm's genetic repertoire.
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR) confirmed the induced expression of 6 selected genes following fungal challenge, validating the SSH results.
Conclusions:
- This research provides the first comprehensive list of differentially expressed genes in silkworms challenged by B. bassiana.
- The identification of novel genes offers new targets for future research into silkworm immunity.
- This study represents a critical first step towards unraveling the intricate molecular dialogue between silkworms and fungal pathogens.
