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Identification and characterization of novel short-type BmPGRP-S4 from the silkworm, Bombyx mori, involved in innate
Qiang Wang1,2, Meijia Ren2, Xiaoyong Liu2
1School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, PR China.
Abstract:
Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are pattern recognition receptors that can recognize bacterial peptidoglycans and trigger the innate immune response of insects. Here, we identified and characterized a novel short-type Bombyx mori peptidoglycan recognition proteins short-4 (BmPGRP-S4) in a lepidopteran insect, Bombyx mori. BmPGRP-S4 exhibited a cDNA sequence length of 600 bp, encoding 199 aa with a protein molecular weight of 22 kDa. Multiple sequence alignment revealed that BmPGRP-S4 contains a conserved PGRP domain. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that BmPGRP-S4 is highly expressed in the early developmental stages of silkworm larvae and presents tissue-specific expression in hemocytes. Interestingly, BmPGRP-S4 expression is significantly induced by bacterial infection in the midgut, fat body, and hemocytes. Furthermore, a dual luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that BmPGRP-S4 can activate the expression of the antimicrobial peptide genes lebocin, moricin, cecropin D, cecropin B, and attacin. Taken together, these results suggest that BmPGRP-S4 plays an important role in the innate immune response of silkworms.
Insights
Researchers identified a new Bombyx mori peptidoglycan recognition protein short-4 (BmPGRP-S4) involved in insect immunity. This protein is crucial for activating antimicrobial peptide genes in silkworms following bacterial infection.
Area of Science:
- Insect immunology
- Molecular biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are key components of the insect innate immune system.
- They recognize bacterial peptidoglycans, initiating immune responses.
- Understanding PGRPs is vital for comprehending insect defense mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a novel short-type PGRP, Bombyx mori PGRP-S4 (BmPGRP-S4), in the lepidopteran insect Bombyx mori.
- To investigate the expression patterns and immune-inducible nature of BmPGRP-S4.
- To determine the functional role of BmPGRP-S4 in activating antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Gene identification and sequence analysis of BmPGRP-S4.
- Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for expression analysis.
- Dual luciferase reporter gene assay to assess BmPGRP-S4's effect on AMP gene promoters.
Main Results:
- BmPGRP-S4 cDNA is 600 bp, encoding a 199 aa protein (22 kDa) with a conserved PGRP domain.
- BmPGRP-S4 shows high expression in early larval stages and is specific to hemocytes.
- Expression is significantly induced by bacterial infection in the midgut, fat body, and hemocytes.
- BmPGRP-S4 activates the expression of AMP genes: lebocin, moricin, cecropin D, cecropin B, and attacin.
Conclusions:
- BmPGRP-S4 is a novel short-type PGRP in Bombyx mori.
- BmPGRP-S4 plays a significant role in the silkworm's innate immune response.
- It contributes to defense against bacterial infections by inducing antimicrobial peptide production.
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