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In our study, we examined the polymorphism of gene Ser2 from domesticated silkmoth Bombyx mori and its closest wild relative B. mandarina. As a starting material for our work, we used the restriction map of allele C isolated from hybrid lineages 200 and 300 of European silkmoth B. mori (Michaille et al. 1990a). We also used the published sequence of allele D which was isolated from {\clq}qDaizo`` p50 strain of B. mori (Kludkiewicz et al 2009). Based on the published sequence, we designed PCR primers and performed sequence analysis of 4 different alleles of gene Ser2, including the almost complete genomic sequence of allele C (except for two short regions containing repetitive DNA). We then compared the sequences and found that the alleles differ significantly not only in intron lengths and the sizes of exon 9, but also in exon arrangements. While the allele C contains 12 exons (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8a, 9, 10, 11, 8b), the alelle D and other alleles analysed have 13 exons (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9a, 10a, 9b, 10b, 11). Allele C showed very unique arrangement of exons, which suggested that it may represent an ancestral form of Ser2 gene. We analysed the arrangment of exons located at the 3´end of the Ser2 gene by PCR and electrophoresis in 70 available strains of B. mori and B. mandarina. We also tried to find a similar allele to the allele C and we amplified and sequenced 2 kb region from 55 Bombyx strains. Phyllogenetic analysis of gene Ser2 gene suggested that the C allele of now probably extinct European silkmoth hybrids 200 and 300 does not seem to be an ancestral form of Ser2 gene, but it rather seems to be the result of complex secondary rearrangements.

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No / Runt-related (RUNX) transcription factors are evolutionarily conserved either in vertebrate or invertebrate. Lozenge (Lz), a members of RUNX family as well as homologue of AML-1, functions as an important transcription factor regulating the hemocytes differentiation. In this paper, we identified and characterized RUNX family especially Lz in silkworm, which is a lepidopteran model insect. The gene expression analysis illustrated that BmLz was highly expressed in hemocytes throughout the whole development period, and reached a peak in glutonous stage. Over-expression of BmLz in silkworm accelerated the melanization process of hemolymph, and led to instantaneously up-regulation of prophenoloxidases (PPOs), which were key enzymes in the melanization process. Further down-regulation of BmLz expression by RNA interference resulted in the significant delay of melanization reaction of hemolymph. These findings suggested that BmLz regulated the melanization process of hemolymph by inducing PPOs expression, and played a critical role in innate immunity defense in silkworm.

Yes / As an important economic insect, Bombyx mori is also a useful model organism for lepidopteran insect. Integrins are evolutionarily conserved fromsponges to humans, and play vital roles inmany physiological and pathological processes. To explore their diverse functions of integrins in insect, eleven integrins including sixα and five β subunitswere cloned and characterized fromsilkworm. Our results showed that integrins fromsilkwormown more family members compared to other invertebrates. Among those α subunits, integrins α1, α2, and the other four subunits belong to PS1, PS2, and PS3 groups, respectively. The β subunits mainly gather in the insect βν group except the β1 subunit which belongs to the insect β group. Expression profiles demonstrated that the integrins exhibited distinct patterns, but were mainly expressed in hemocytes. α1 and β2 subunits are the predominant ones either in the embryogenesis or larva stages. Interestingly, integrins were significantly up-regulated after stimulated by 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-E) in vivo. These results indicate that integrins performdiverse functions in hemocytes of silkworm. Overall, our results provide a newinsight into the functional and evolutionary features of integrins. / National Basic Research Programof China (No. 2012cb114603), the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (20130182110003), the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (cstc2013jcyjys0007), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (SWU111014).

O Brasil destaca-se como maior produtor de seda em escala comercial no Ocidente e o quinto maior no mundo, devido ao eficiente sistema integrado de produção, que qualifica os fios de seda brasileiros como de alta qualidade. A sericicultura é a criação do Bombyx mori L. (bicho-da-seda) para obtenção dos casulos de seda para a fiação. A atividade emprega, no Brasil, aproximadamente, 2.500 famílias no meio rural, gerando renda por cerca de 8 a 9 meses do ano, contribuindo para a fixação delas ao campo. Além disso, cerca de 2.000 funcionários trabalham nas empresas de fiação no meio urbano, e o total de empregos, contando com os empregos indiretos, associados à atividade, somam, aproximadamente, 20.000. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo apresentar a dinâmica da inovação da sericicultura no Brasil e as medidas que vêm sendo tomadas nesse sentido. Os dados, para elaboração deste estudo, foram coletados por meio de análise bibliográfica, assim como, visitas técnicas às empresas e aos produtores ligados à sericicultura nos estados do Paraná e São Paulo. Foram realizadas entrevistas com quatro sericicultores, juntamente com representantes das empresas Fiação de Seda BRATAC S.A., Fiação de Seda Artesanal O Casulo Feliz, Instituto Vale da Seda e com Enéas Neto, estilista residente da marca Vale da Seda. As principais modernizações constatadas visam diminuir o esforço físico do trabalhador rural e aumentar a produtividade, mantendo os padrões de qualidade. Constatou-se, nas visitas e entrevistas aos produtores rurais, que a sericicultura é, na maioria dos casos, a principal fonte de renda familiar, afirmando a importância social e econômica da referida atividade e que, mesmo após anos anteriores de declínio, vem se mostrando promissora no Brasil, com aumentos gradativos nas últimas safras, tornando-se uma atividade bastante rentável. Por meio das entrevistas com os empresários e representantes do setor, relacionados com a produção de seda no Brasil, percebe-se que se sentem otimistas com relação ao futuro da seda, pois existe hoje uma maior preocupação com o uso de produtos provenientes de extração mais sustentável, duráveis e com maior valor agregado e, a seda, se enquadra nesses requisitos. Além disso, estudos preliminares indicam uma correlação positiva entre a produção de seda e a mitigação da Pegada de Carbono. Desse modo, a sericicultura, de forma sustentável, ética e socialmente responsável, poderá apresentar cada vez maior destaque e, por consequência, refletir positivamente na economia brasileira como um todo. Conclui-se que a sericicultura é uma atividade economicamente viável para o Brasil, o qual apresenta condições de solo e clima favoráveis para a criação do bicho-da-seda, em diversas regiões de seu território, com a possibilidade de gerar empregos e renda, tanto na área rural, quanto na urbana. Impulsionada pela mecanização e modernização da atividade agropecuária, a sericicultura nacional vem retomando lugar de destaque / Brazil stands out as the largest commercial scale silk producer in the West and the fifth largest in the world due to its efficient integrated production system, which qualifies Brazilian silk yarns as high quality. The sericulture is the creation of Bombyx mori L. (silkworm) to obtain silk cocoons for spinning. The activity employs approximately 2,500 rural families in Brazil, generating income for about 8 to 9 months of the year, contributing to their setting in the field. In addition, around 2,000 employees work in the spinning companies and the total amount of jobs, added to the indirect jobs by the activity, is, approximately, 20,000. This research aimed to present the dynamic of sericulture innovation in Brazil and the measures that have been taken in this direction. All the data for the preparation of this study were collected through bibliographic analysis, as well as technical visits to companies and producers linked to sericulture in the states of Parana and Sao Paulo. Interviews were conducted with four sericulturists, along with representatives of the spinning companies of Silk BRATAC S.A., spinning of handmade silk O Casulo Feliz, Silk Valley Institute and with Eneas Neto, resident designer of the Silk Valley brand. The main modernizations observed aim to reduce the physical effort of the rural worker and increase productivity, maintaining the renowned Brazilian quality standards. In the visits and interviews with rural producers, sericulture is, in most cases, the main source of income of the family, affirming the social and economic importance of this activity, and that, even after previous years of decline, showing promising in Brazil, with gradual increases in the last harvests, becoming a very profitable activity for producers of other crops. Through interviews with businessmen and industry representatives related to the production of silk in Brazil, it is perceived that they feel optimistic about the future of silk, as there is a greater concern with the use of products from more sustainable extraction, durable and with higher added value, and silk meets these requirements. Furthermore, preliminary studies indicate a positive correlation between silk production and Carbon Footprint mitigation. In this way, sericulture, in a sustainable, ethical and socially responsible manner, may be increasingly prominent, and consequently, positively reflecting on the Brazilian economy as a whole. It is concluded that sericulture is an economically viable activity for Brazil that presents favorable soil and climate conditions for the creation of silkworms, as well as generates jobs and income in the rural area, contributing to a decrease in the rural exodus. Driven by the mechanization and modernization of agricultural activity, the national sericulture has resumed a prominent place