The Rheb-mTORC1 Coordinates Cell Cycle Progression and Endoreplication in <i>Bombyx mori</i>
The mechanistic target of the Rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating crucial life processes, including cell growth and proliferation, by sensing and integrating various signals, such as growth factors, energy status, and amino acids. Our previous studies sh...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| author | Zhangchen Tang Huawei Liu Qingsong Liu Xin Tang Jiahui Xu Gan Luo Qingyou Xia Ping Zhao |
| author_facet | Zhangchen Tang Huawei Liu Qingsong Liu Xin Tang Jiahui Xu Gan Luo Qingyou Xia Ping Zhao |
| author_sort | Zhangchen Tang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The mechanistic target of the Rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating crucial life processes, including cell growth and proliferation, by sensing and integrating various signals, such as growth factors, energy status, and amino acids. Our previous studies showed that activation of the mTORC1 signaling pathway enhances silk protein synthesis and silk gland size. Here, the potential of the molecular mechanism mTORC1 to regulate the growth and development of silk gland cells was investigated. Inhibiting mTORC1 with rapamycin decreased proliferation in the <i>Bombyx mori</i> embryonic (BmE) cells and endoreplication in silk gland cells, reducing CyclinB and CyclinE protein levels and DNA content, and arresting the BmE cell cycle at G2/M. Conversely, the overexpression of <i>Ras</i> homolog enriched in brain (<i>Rheb</i>) led to increased proliferation of BmE cells and endoreplication in silk gland cells, as well as a significant elevation in DNA content. This study provides a molecular explanation for the increase in silk protein synthesis and silk gland length through the activation of mTORC1, thereby refining the regulatory network of the silkworm endoreplication and providing new molecular targets for breeding high-yield varieties of <i>Bombyx mori</i>. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d1e6cb2aa3504401bcf6007dce404dc5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj-art-d1e6cb2aa3504401bcf6007dce404dc52025-08-20T03:35:37ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-06-0116764710.3390/insects16070647The Rheb-mTORC1 Coordinates Cell Cycle Progression and Endoreplication in <i>Bombyx mori</i>Zhangchen Tang0Huawei Liu1Qingsong Liu2Xin Tang3Jiahui Xu4Gan Luo5Qingyou Xia6Ping Zhao7Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaIntegrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaIntegrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaIntegrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaIntegrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaWanzhou Center for Animal Husbandry Industry Development of Chongqing, Chongqing 404100, ChinaIntegrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaIntegrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaThe mechanistic target of the Rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating crucial life processes, including cell growth and proliferation, by sensing and integrating various signals, such as growth factors, energy status, and amino acids. Our previous studies showed that activation of the mTORC1 signaling pathway enhances silk protein synthesis and silk gland size. Here, the potential of the molecular mechanism mTORC1 to regulate the growth and development of silk gland cells was investigated. Inhibiting mTORC1 with rapamycin decreased proliferation in the <i>Bombyx mori</i> embryonic (BmE) cells and endoreplication in silk gland cells, reducing CyclinB and CyclinE protein levels and DNA content, and arresting the BmE cell cycle at G2/M. Conversely, the overexpression of <i>Ras</i> homolog enriched in brain (<i>Rheb</i>) led to increased proliferation of BmE cells and endoreplication in silk gland cells, as well as a significant elevation in DNA content. This study provides a molecular explanation for the increase in silk protein synthesis and silk gland length through the activation of mTORC1, thereby refining the regulatory network of the silkworm endoreplication and providing new molecular targets for breeding high-yield varieties of <i>Bombyx mori</i>.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/647<i>Bombyx mori</i>cell cycleendoreplicationmTORC1Rhebsilk gland |
| spellingShingle | Zhangchen Tang Huawei Liu Qingsong Liu Xin Tang Jiahui Xu Gan Luo Qingyou Xia Ping Zhao The Rheb-mTORC1 Coordinates Cell Cycle Progression and Endoreplication in <i>Bombyx mori</i> Insects <i>Bombyx mori</i> cell cycle endoreplication mTORC1 Rheb silk gland |
| title | The Rheb-mTORC1 Coordinates Cell Cycle Progression and Endoreplication in <i>Bombyx mori</i> |
| title_full | The Rheb-mTORC1 Coordinates Cell Cycle Progression and Endoreplication in <i>Bombyx mori</i> |
| title_fullStr | The Rheb-mTORC1 Coordinates Cell Cycle Progression and Endoreplication in <i>Bombyx mori</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Rheb-mTORC1 Coordinates Cell Cycle Progression and Endoreplication in <i>Bombyx mori</i> |
| title_short | The Rheb-mTORC1 Coordinates Cell Cycle Progression and Endoreplication in <i>Bombyx mori</i> |
| title_sort | rheb mtorc1 coordinates cell cycle progression and endoreplication in i bombyx mori i |
| topic | <i>Bombyx mori</i> cell cycle endoreplication mTORC1 Rheb silk gland |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/647 |
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