Abstract
Bombyx mori (B. mori) is important due to its major role in the silk production. Though DNA binding ligands often influence gene expression, no attempt has been made to exploit their use in sericulture. The telomeric heterochromatin of B. mori is enriched with 5′-TTAGG-3′ sequences. These sequences were also found to be present in several genes in the euchromatic regions. We examined three synthetic oligopyrrole carboxamides that target 5′-TTAGG-3′ sequences in controlling the gene expression in B. mori. The ligands did not show any defect or feeding difference in the larval stage, crucial for silk production. The ligands caused silencing of various isoforms of the broad-complex transcription factor and cuticle proteins which resulted in late pupal developmental defects. Furthermore, treatment with such drugs resulted in statistically enhanced cocoon weight, shell weight, and silk yield. This study shows for the first time use of oligopyrrole carboxamide drugs in controlling gene expression in B. mori and their long term use in enhancing silk production.
Highlights
IntroductionSatellite DNA (satDNA) forms an integral part of the heterochromatin and is characterized by tandemly repeating sequences[4]
In eukaryotic nucleus, satellite DNA forms an integral part of the heterochromatin and is characterized by tandemly repeating sequences[4]
We report for the first time, genome targeting of B. mori with 5′-TTAGG-3′ interacting oligopyrrole carboxamides and show the knockdown of broad-complex and cuticle gene expression
Summary
Satellite DNA (satDNA) forms an integral part of the heterochromatin and is characterized by tandemly repeating sequences[4]. The oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) stretch 5′-TTAGG-3′ is the most conserved satellite repeat in most of the insect species. Specific targeting of insect and vertebrate telomeres with pyrrole and imidazole polyamides opened up sequences in the telomeres and showed the importance of these repeats[8, 9]. These studies showed the protein binding nature of the satellite repeats[10]. These drugs bind to specific DNA sequences with remarkable affinities[11,12,13]. It was found that these drugs resulted in the enhancement of silk production, a finding which may have significance in sericulture
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