Reference - Detail
RRC ID | 22756 |
---|---|
Author | Hara K, Fujii T, Suzuki Y, Sugano S, Shimada T, Katsuma S, Kawaoka S. |
Title | Altered expression of testis-specific genes, piRNAs, and transposons in the silkworm ovary masculinized by a W chromosome mutation. |
Journal | BMC Genomics |
Abstract |
BACKGROUND:In the silkworm, Bombyx mori, femaleness is strongly controlled by the female-specific W chromosome. Originally, it was presumed that the W chromosome encodes female-determining gene(s), accordingly called Fem. However, to date, neither Fem nor any protein-coding gene has been identified from the W chromosome. Instead, the W chromosome is occupied with numerous transposon-related sequences. Interestingly, the silkworm W chromosome is a source of female-enriched PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). piRNAs are small RNAs of 23-30 nucleotides in length, which are required for controlling transposon activity in animal gonads. A recent study has identified a novel mutant silkworm line called KG, whose mutation in the W chromosome causes severe female masculinization. However, the molecular nature of KG line has not been well characterized yet. RESULTS:Here we molecularly characterize the KG line. Genomic PCR analyses using currently available W chromosome-specific PCR markers indicated that no large deletion existed in the KG W chromosome. Genetic analyses demonstrated that sib-crosses within the KG line suppressed masculinization. Masculinization reactivated when crossing KG females with wild type males. Importantly, the KG ovaries exhibited a significantly abnormal transcriptome. First, the KG ovaries misexpressed testis-specific genes. Second, a set of female-enriched piRNAs was downregulated in the KG ovaries. Third, several transposons were overexpressed in the KG ovaries. CONCLUSIONS:Collectively, the mutation in the KG W chromosome causes broadly altered expression of testis-specific genes, piRNAs, and transposons. To our knowledge, this is the first study that describes a W chromosome mutant with such an intriguing phenotype. |
Volume | 13 |
Pages | 119 |
Published | 2012-3-28 |
DOI | 10.1186/1471-2164-13-119 |
PII | 1471-2164-13-119 |
PMID | 22452797 |
PMC | PMC3342102 |
MeSH | Animals Animals, Genetically Modified Bombyx / genetics* Cluster Analysis DNA Transposable Elements / genetics* Female Gene Expression Profiling Gene Expression Regulation Male Mutation* Organ Specificity / genetics Ovary / metabolism RNA, Small Interfering / genetics* Sex Chromosomes* Testis / metabolism |
IF | 3.594 |
Times Cited | 6 |
WOS Category | BIOTECHNOLOGY & APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY GENETICS & HEREDITY |
Resource | |
Silkworms | p50 |