Expression Analysis of a Bilin-binding Protein Gene in Relation to Green and Yellow Larval Coloration in Antheraea pernyi

Abstract

Background: The larval color patterns of the wild silkworm Antheraea pernyi (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) exhibit high diversity. However, the molecular basis underlying larval pigmentation in this species remains poorly understood and little pigment-related genes has been characterized so far. Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the role of BBP2 in the differentiation of body color in the larvae of Antheraea pernyi. Study Design: The F2 generation larvae obtained from the cross between A. pernyi strains Xuanda (green) and Shenhuang No. 1 (yellow) were analyzed to evaluate the inheritance pattern of larval coloration and the expression profile of BBP2. Place: College of Bioscience and Biotechnology. Methodology: Hemocyte, fat body, midgut, silk gland, and integument were obtained from 5-6 green and yellow 5th larvae of F2 generation, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to determine the relative expression levels of BBP2 across different tissues. Results: The inheritance of green and yellow body color follows Mendelian segregation. However, no significant differences in BBP2 expression were detected between green and yellow larvae in more of the tissues analyzed. Conclusions: BBP2 may not play key roles in regulating the formation of green and yellow body coloration in A. pernyi larvae.