Southwest University found that the new molecular mechanism of silkworm can control lepidopteran pests

Chongqing Daily reporter learned from Southwest University that the National Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology found that the shape and coloration of silkworms were affected by a new epidermal protein. This is the first time the world has discovered this protein that will help control lepidopteran pests. The research paper has been published online in the American authoritative journal Genetics.

The function of this new protein was found in the silkworm. Bamboo silkworm is a variant of silkworm, which is called "bamboo silkworm" because its back is raised like a bamboo knot.

“As early as the 1980s, the biological world discovered the variation of silkworm.” One of the authors of the paper, Dr. Xiong Gao, a doctor of biology at Southwest University, told the Chongqing Daily reporter that in 2015, the national key experiment of silkworm genome biology at Southwest University The room began to study this mutation.

The Chongqing Daily reporter learned that after the silkworm has become a bamboo silkworm, although it does not affect its silking ability, the crawling is slow and some of the body's markings will disappear. "Insect body color is an important feature to adapt to the ecological environment. If its body color and markings are mutated, it may not adapt to environmental changes."

Through gene cloning sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, gene expression analysis, etc., the research team found that one epidermal protein gene in the silkworm has been mutated, resulting in its genetic variation into bamboo silkworm, affecting physiological functions.

"This epidermal protein gene is a newly evolved gene." Xiong Gao said that this gene is replicated by other genes and has a new function of simultaneously controlling the shape and pigmentation of the silkworm.

"This is the first multi-effect functional molecule identified in the silkworm gene that has both body shape and body color." Dai Fangyin, dean of the School of Biotechnology at Southwest University, said that this gene can affect the insect class lepidoptera. The crawling of insects and the ability to adapt to the environment provide the possibility of preventing and controlling lepidopter pests. “The majority of lepidopteran insects are pests, and the control of lepidopteran pests can be achieved by enhancing this gene.”

Little knowledge>>>

Lepidoptera (scientific name Lepidoptera) includes two species of moths and butterflies. It belongs to the winged subclass and all metamorphosis. About 200,000 species are known all over the world, and about 8,000 species are known in China. This order is the second largest in the insect class, second only to the coleoptera. There are 6000 species of moths and 2000 species of butterflies. At the same time, it is also the most important pest of agriculture and forestry. Such as sticky insects, rice leaf roller, small tigers and so on.