Molecular Characterization of Two Genes Encoding Novel Ca<sup>2+</sup>-Independent Phospholipase A2s from the Silkworm, <i>Bombyx mori</i>

Molecular Characterization of Two Genes Encoding Novel Ca<sup>2+</sup>-Independent Phospholipase A2s from the Silkworm, <i>Bombyx mori</i>

Eicosanoids are crucial downstream signals in the insect immune responses. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) catalyzes phospholipids, the initial step in eicosanoid biosynthesis. In mammals, the biological roles of <i>Ca<sup>2+</sup>-independent Phospholipase A2 (iPLA2)</i> have been e...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xin Hu, Bili Zhang, Xi Zheng, Haoyan Ji, Kun Feng, Xiaosong Hu, Isma Gul, Muhammad Nadeem Abbas, Hongjuan Cui, Yong Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-02-01
Series:Current Issues in Molecular Biology
Subjects:
silkworm
<i>iPLA2</i>
immune response
development
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/44/2/54
Description
Summary:Eicosanoids are crucial downstream signals in the insect immune responses. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) catalyzes phospholipids, the initial step in eicosanoid biosynthesis. In mammals, the biological roles of <i>Ca<sup>2+</sup>-independent Phospholipase A2 (iPLA2)</i> have been extensively studied; however, only a few studies have attempted to explore <i>iPLA2</i> functions in insects. In this study, we identified two <i>iPLA2</i> genes (designated as <i>BmiPLA2A</i> and <i>BmiPLA2B</i>) in the silkworm, <i>Bombyx mori</i>. <i>BmiPLA2A</i> had a 2427 base pair (bp) open reading frame (ORF) that coded for a protein with 808 amino acids. In contrast, <i>BmiPLA2B</i> had a 1731 bp ORF that coded for a protein with 576 amino acids. Domain analysis revealed that BmiPLA2A had six ankyrin repeat domains, but BmiPLA2B lacks these domains. <i>BmiPLA2A</i> and <i>BmiPLA2B</i> were transcribed widely in various tissues and developmental stages with different expression patterns. The administration of 20-hydroxyecdysone increased their expression levels in the epidermis and hemocytes. Furthermore, challenged with virus, fungus, Gram-negative bacteria, and Gram-positive bacteria induced the expression of <i>BmiPLA2A</i> and <i>BmiPLA2B</i> with variable degrees along with different time points. Our findings imply that <i>BmiPLA2A</i> and <i>BmiPLA2B</i> may have important biological roles in the development and innate immunity of <i>B. mori</i>.
ISSN:1467-3037
1467-3045

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