BmToll9-1 Is a Positive Regulator of the Immune Response in the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>

BmToll9-1 Is a Positive Regulator of the Immune Response in the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>

Toll receptors are involved in the development and innate immunity of insects. BmToll9-1 is an important immune receptor in the Toll pathway. Previous studies have focused on its role as a receptor in immune response. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of BmToll9-1 as a regulator in the...

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Main Authors: Jisheng Liu, Weijian Chen, Jinrong Situ, Jiaxuan Li, Jiahua Chen, Minchun Lai, Fengyi Huang, Baoqi Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-08-01
Series:Insects
Subjects:
<i>Bombyx mori</i>
Toll receptor
BmToll9-1
RNA interference
antimicrobial peptides
immune response
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/9/643
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Summary:Toll receptors are involved in the development and innate immunity of insects. BmToll9-1 is an important immune receptor in the Toll pathway. Previous studies have focused on its role as a receptor in immune response. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of BmToll9-1 as a regulator in the immune response. The expression profiles demonstrated that <i>BmToll9-1</i> was predominantly expressed in the midgut. RNA interference (RNAi) of <i>BmToll9-1</i> was found to be effective in the midgut via the injection of dsRNA, which resulted in smaller and lighter larvae and cocoons. Most signaling genes in the Toll pathway and downstream effector genes were downregulated after the RNAi of <i>BmToll9-1</i>. The hemolymph from <i>BmToll9-1</i>-silenced larvae showed decreased antibacterial activity against <i>Escherichia coli</i>, either in growth curve or inhibition zone experiments. The above results indicate that BmToll9-1 might be positively involved in the immune pathway of silkworm. As a positive regulator, BmToll9-1 might function mainly in the gut to maintain microbial homeostasis to regulate the growth of silkworms. Silencing of <i>BmToll9-1</i> downregulates the signaling genes in the Toll pathway and antimicrobial peptide (AMP) production, resulting in decreased antibacterial activity in the hemolymph.
ISSN:2075-4450

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