BmAHR regulates antennal development and olfactory gene expression to control mating behavior in Bombyx mori

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that plays a crucial role in the regulation of detoxification enzymes contributing to insecticide resistance in insects, whereas its function in growth and development remains poorly understood. This study systematically investigated the biological functions of the BmAHR gene in the lepidopteran model insect, Bombyx mori. The BmAHR gene was identified through cloning and characterized. Temporal and spatial expression profile analysis revealed that BmAHR was highly expressed in the adult wings and antennae. BmAHR mutants were obtained by a binary transgenic CRISPR/Cas9 system. The study revealed that BmAHR deficiency resulted in severe wing developmental abnormalities in mutant adults. Moreover, the absence of BmAHR disrupted the normal development of the antennae, which further impaired mating behavior in adults. RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses uncovered that mutation of BmAHR simultaneously disrupted signaling pathways required for antennal development and altered the transcriptional regulation of olfactory receptor genes. Our findings provide novel insights into the biological function of BmAHR in antennal development, highlighting its essential role in shaping antennal structure and modulating olfactory gene expression, thereby influencing mating behavior. Collectively, our study underscores the AHR gene as a potential molecular target for pest control.