BmHR3 Is Essential for Silk Gland Development and Silk Protein Synthesis in Silkworms (<i>Bombyx mori</i>)
The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), which is known to regulate insect molting and metamorphosis, is crucial for the normal development of silk glands (SGs) in the silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>. However, how the 20E signaling pathway and its core members function in the SG remains...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Insects |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/4/369 |
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| Summary: | The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), which is known to regulate insect molting and metamorphosis, is crucial for the normal development of silk glands (SGs) in the silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>. However, how the 20E signaling pathway and its core members function in the SG remains largely unclear. Here, we report that the orphan nuclear receptor BmHR3, a 20E-response factor, plays an essential role in regulating SG development and silk protein synthesis. First, we showed that tissue-specific <i>BmHR3</i> overexpression and knockout result in severe developmental defects in posterior silk glands (PSGs). Second, we revealed that <i>BmHR3</i> dysfunction in PSGs dramatically represses the transcription of silk fibroin protein-coding genes, thereby inhibiting fibroin protein synthesis. Finally, we confirmed that BmHR3 can regulate fibroin protein-coding gene expression via direct and indirect mechanisms. This study elucidates the vital function of BmHR3 in <i>B. mori</i> SG and provides valuable information for thoroughly understanding the regulatory roles of 20E signaling in specialized insect organs. |
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| ISSN: | 2075-4450 |