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
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/9/643
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author Jisheng Liu
Weijian Chen
Jinrong Situ
Jiaxuan Li
Jiahua Chen
Minchun Lai
Fengyi Huang
Baoqi Li
author_facet Jisheng Liu
Weijian Chen
Jinrong Situ
Jiaxuan Li
Jiahua Chen
Minchun Lai
Fengyi Huang
Baoqi Li
author_sort Jisheng Liu
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-ec366f294138456c8ee753e26b18be5a2025-08-20T01:55:33ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502024-08-0115964310.3390/insects15090643BmToll9-1 Is a Positive Regulator of the Immune Response in the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>Jisheng Liu0Weijian Chen1Jinrong Situ2Jiaxuan Li3Jiahua Chen4Minchun Lai5Fengyi Huang6Baoqi Li7School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaToll 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/9/643<i>Bombyx mori</i>Toll receptorBmToll9-1RNA interferenceantimicrobial peptidesimmune response
spellingShingle Jisheng Liu
Weijian Chen
Jinrong Situ
Jiaxuan Li
Jiahua Chen
Minchun Lai
Fengyi Huang
Baoqi Li
BmToll9-1 Is a Positive Regulator of the Immune Response in the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>
Insects
<i>Bombyx mori</i>
Toll receptor
BmToll9-1
RNA interference
antimicrobial peptides
immune response
title BmToll9-1 Is a Positive Regulator of the Immune Response in the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>
title_full BmToll9-1 Is a Positive Regulator of the Immune Response in the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>
title_fullStr BmToll9-1 Is a Positive Regulator of the Immune Response in the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>
title_full_unstemmed BmToll9-1 Is a Positive Regulator of the Immune Response in the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>
title_short BmToll9-1 Is a Positive Regulator of the Immune Response in the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>
title_sort bmtoll9 1 is a positive regulator of the immune response in the silkworm i bombyx mori i
topic <i>Bombyx mori</i>
Toll receptor
BmToll9-1
RNA interference
antimicrobial peptides
immune response
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/9/643
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