Identification of four small molecular mass proteins in the silk of Bombyx mori

Insect Mol Biol. 2001 Oct;10(5):437-45. doi: 10.1046/j.0962-1075.2001.00282.x.

Abstract

This paper describes cDNAs of four small-size proteins that occur in the cocoon silk of Bombyxmori. Two of them (9.9 and 10.3 kDa), which have the N-terminal sequences and the spacing of a few amino acids at C-termini similar to the seroin of Galleria mellonella, are called seroin 1 and seroin 2. The corresponding genes are expressed in the middle, and to a small extent also in the posterior silk gland sections. The seroin 1 and less conspicuously the seroin 2 mRNAs accumulate in the course of the last larval instar to a maximum in postspinning larvae. Two other proteins (6 kDa and 4.7 kDa) of B. mori cocoons were identified as a typical Kunitz-type and a somewhat unusual Kazal-type proteinase inhibitors, and named BmSPI 1 and BmSPI 2, respectively. Their genes are expressed in the middle, and the BmSPI 1 gene slightly also in the posterior silk gland sections. The expression ensues a few days after the last larval ecdysis and increases until the cocoon spinning. Post-spinning larvae still contain high amounts of the BmSPI 1 but no BmSPI 2 transcripts. It is assumed that seroins and proteinase inhibitors are involved in cocoon protection against predators and microbes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Bombyx / chemistry*
  • Bombyx / genetics*
  • DNA, Complementary / chemistry
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Databases, Protein
  • Expressed Sequence Tags
  • Glycoproteins / chemistry
  • Insect Proteins / analysis
  • Insect Proteins / chemistry*
  • Insect Proteins / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protease Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Silk

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Glycoproteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Seroin protein, Galleria mellonella
  • Silk

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF352583
  • GENBANK/AF352584
  • GENBANK/AF352585
  • GENBANK/AF354456