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Successively expressed cuticular protein genes at the prepupal stage in wing discs of Bombyx mori

Abstract

Background

We classified cuticular protein genes expressed at prepupal stage in wing discs of Bombyx mori into six groups according to their developmental expression and ecdysone responsiveness. Their expression pattern is suggested to be regulated by ecdysone-responsive transcription factors, whose transcripts showed resemblance with those of cuticular protein gene expression.

Result

Group1 and Group2 CP genes showed peak expression at stage W2. Group3 CP genes showed high expression at stage W3E and W3L and were upregulated by 20E addition, showing a peak 12 h after 20E pulse treatment. Group4 CP gene transcripts started expression from stage V5 and peaked at stage W3L. Some genes showed significant increase 4 or 6 h after 20E addition and were induced 6 h and showed a peak 18 h after the 20E pulse treatment. Group5 CP gene transcripts peaked at the same stage W3L. Some Group5 genes showed significant increase 6 h after the 20E addition, while others were not induced by the 20E addition. These different sub-groups showed different expression profiles in the feeding stage. Transcripts of this group genes were induced 12 h and showed a peak 18 h after the 20E pulse treatment. Group6 CP genes peaked at the stage P0, were not induced by the 20E addition, and showed a peak 24 h after the 20E pulse treatment. Group3, 4, 5, and 6 CP genes are suggested to be regulated by BHR4, BR-C, E74A, and βFTZ-F1, respectively. ERTFs showed different responsiveness to 20E concentration. BR-C was most and E74A was least insensitive. The addition of cycloheximide inhibited BR-C, E74A, and βFTZ-F1 expression depending on the length of treatment after ecdysone pulse treatment, which suggests that BHR4 induced BR-C, E74A, and βFTZ-F1.

Conclusion

Expression patterns of CPs were determined by the ecdysone-responsiveness and the related ERTFs expressed in the prepupal stage in B. mori wing discs.

Background

Approximately two hundred CP genes have been recognized in Anopheles gambiae (Cornman et al., 2008) and Bombyx mori (Futahashi et al., 2008), and a number of distinct families of CPs have been documented (Willis, 2010). Three types of CPRs have been reported, RR1 is a soft and RR2 is a hard cuticular protein (Andersen, 1998; Willis, 2010), and RR3 is composed of few groups (Andersen, 2000; Willis, 2010). Other families of cuticular protein gene were also identified in the genome of B. mori. CPF and CPFL are derived from their fifty-one amino acids (CPF) and their sequence similarity with CPF (CPFL) (Andersen, Rafn, & Roepstorff, 1997; Togawa, Dunn, Emmons, & Willis, 2007; Togawa, Natkato, & Izumi, 2004). Binding with chitin was not observed in the case of CPF and CPFL (Togawa et al., 2007), and whether they are used to form epi-cuticle or exo-cuticle remains to be solved. CPT family is named from the mutation of body shape (TweedleD, Guan, Middlebrooks, Alexander, & Wasserman, 2006), and CPG is named from high content of glycine. CPH (cuticular protein hypothetical) family is putative cuticular proteins (Futahashi et al., 2008). They were found in Bombyx genome, and they do not have R&R consensus sequence. A number of cuticular protein genes appeared during insect evolution, which makes it possible to construct different types of cuticle in different stages and spaces. Nevertheless, the mechanism determining the combination of cuticular proteins has not been clarified.

Generally the epicuticle and the procuticle are the cuticular layers in the insect and later secreted to thick exo-cuticle and then endo-cuticle (Wigglesworth, 1972) and constructed by chitin and cuticle proteins with R&R consensus, and other types of cuticular protein constructed three cuticle layers. Correspondent with this, the clustering CP genes expressed around the molting stage were observed in B. mori (Okamoto, Futahashi, Kojima, Mita, & Fujiwara, 2008; Liang, Zhang, Xiang, & He, 2010; Ali, Iwanaga, & Kawasaki, 2013; Ali, Rahman, & Swapon, 2015; Ali, Mishra, Rahman, & Swapon, 2016; Ali et al., 2016; Ali, Hossain, & Mishra, 2018) and A. gambiae (Togawa et al. 2008). Charles (2010) described about the regulation of expression of insect CP genes. However, the mechanism of the successive CP production has not been clear.

Recently, we clarified the regulation of CP genes by several ERTFs in Bombyx wing discs as follows. Direct regulation by EcR/USP was also observed in the expression of CP gene, BmorCPR21 (previously classified as BMWCP10), where BR-C functioned together with EcR/USP (Wang, Moriyama, Iwanaga, & Kawasaki, 2010). BmorCPR99 (previously classified as BMWCP2) and BmorCPR92 (previously classified as BMWCP5) transcripts were induced by an ecdysone pulse through an ecdyson-responsive transcription factor (ERTF), βFTZ-F1, which bound to the upstream region of these CP genes and increased their promoter activity (Nita et al., 2009; Wang, Nita, Iwanaga, & Kawasaki, 2009). Expression of BmorCPR93 (previously classified as BMWCP4; Ali, Iwanaga, & Kawasaki, 2012) and BmorCPR23 (Ali et al., 2013), were regulated by E74A, and BmorCPH5 was by BHR3 (Ali et al., 2013). Thus, CP genes that are the final targets of ecdysone signaling became key players to clarify the mechanism of ecdysone signaling function.

Ecdysteroid surge brings about insect metamorphosis. The successive ERTF expression by the ecdysteroid secretion, which is called as ecdysone signaling cascade, has been studied in Dipteran and Lepidopteran insect (Dittmer et al., 2015; Elgendy, Tufail, Mohamed, & Takeda, 2019; Hiruma & Riddiford, 2001; King-Jones, Charles, Lam, & Thummel, 2005; Lam, Jiang, & Thummel, 1997; Pan et al., 2018; Riddiford, Hiruma, Zhou, & Nelson, 2003; Riddiford & Truman, 1993; Sekimoto, Iwami, & Sakurai, 2006; Thummel & S., 1995; Zhao et al., 2017). Before ecdysteroid surge in the hemolymph, E74B and BR-C transcripts are induced (Sekimoto et al., 2006; Sekimoto, Iwami, & Sakurai, 2007) in the low concentration of the hemolymph ecdysteroid. By the expression of BR-C, commitment to pupa occurs (Koyama, Syropyatova, & Riddiford, 2008; Zhou & Riddiford, 2001) and through the function of these ERTFs, insect can prepare for pupation (Fletcher & Thummel, 1995; Konopova & Jindra, 2008; Parthasarathy, Tan, Bai, & Palli, 2008). After ecdysteroid surge, DHR3, DHR4, E75A, E75B, E74A and βFTZ-F1 are successively induced in Drosophila melanogaster (Huet, Ruiz, & Richards, 1995). Homologs of these ERTFs were isolated, and the functions of them have been reported (Hiruma & Riddiford, 2001; Stilwell et al., 2003; Sun, Hirose, & Ueda, 1994; Sun, Zhu, Chen, & Raikhel, 2005; Zhou & Riddiford, 2001). Among them, DHR3 have been known as a main factor bringing about insect metamorphosis through the regulation of other following factors (King-Jones et al., 2005; Lam et al., 1997; White, Hurban, Watanabe, & Hogness, 1997) but the interactions of ERTFs are not yet clarified.

Not so many target genes of these ERTFs are yet identified. In the present study, we tried to clarify how CPs are successively produced to construct pupal cuticle layers. We classified cuticular protein (CP) genes expressed at prepupal stage in wing discs of Bombyx mori into six groups according to their developmental expression, ecdysone responsiveness and regulating ERTFs. Moreover, our wing disc culture system helped the understanding of the interaction of these ERTFs.

Materials and methods

Experimental animals and developmental stages

A hybrid strain of B. mori was reared at 25 °C in a 12 h light:12 h dark photoperiod. Under these conditions larvae started wandering on day six of the fifth larval instar, pupation occurred 3 days thereafter, and adults eclosed 10 days after pupation. The periods (in days) corresponding to the developmental stages of the fourth to fifth larval ecdysis, wandering, pupation, and eclosion were designated as V0, W0, P0, and A0, respectively. The three days before pupation were designed as W1–W3. The W3 stage was divided into three different sub-stages, W3 early (W3E), W3 mid (W3M), and W3 late (W3L). The W3 sub-stages were determined on the time and visible shortening of the length of the leg.

In vitro culture of wing discs

Wing discs of larvae at the V4 and W2 stages were prepared for the in vitro culture. For wing disc preparation, the fat body and trachea were carefully removed under a microscope. The culture was carried out according to a previous report (Kawasaki, 1989) at 25 °C under sterile conditions. We conducted in vitro induction at various times following administration of 2 μg/ml 20E to V4 wing discs and after cessation of a 12 h pulse of 2 μg/ml 20E to discs from W2. The necessity of protein synthesis for induction was tested in the cultured discs by administration of 50 μg/ml cycloheximide from the start of culture (V4) or at the time of 20E removal (W2).

RNA sample preparation and first-strand cDNA synthesis

To determine the expression levels of the CP genes and transcription factors, total RNA were extracted at distinct stages from wing discs using RNAiso (Takara, Japan) and quantified by spectrophotometry at 260 nm. First-strand cDNA was synthesized from 1 μg total RNA in a 10 μl reaction mixture using ReverTra Ace (Toyobo, Japan).

Quantitative RT-PCR

qRT-PCR was conducted on an ABI7500 real-time PCR machine (Applied Biosystems) using the FastStart Universal SYBR Green Master (Roche). Each amplification reaction was performed in a 25 μl qRT-PCR reaction under the following conditions: denaturation at 95 °C for 10 min followed by 40 cycles of treatment at 95 °C for 10 s and at 60 °C for 1 min. Ribosomal protein S4 (Bmrpl:GenBank accession no. NM_001043792) was used as a control gene. The data were normalized by determination of the amount of Bmrpl in each sample to eliminate variations in mRNA and cDNA quality and quantity. The transcript abundance value of each individual was the mean of three replicates. Each pair of primers was designed using Primer3 software (http://frodo.wi.mit.edu/). The gene specific primers are listed in Additional file 2: Table S1.

BLAST search of genomic sequences of cuticular protein genes

The cDNA sequences were used for BLAST search analysis to obtain their upstream sequences. BLAST search was carried out using the genomic database of B. mori (http://kaikoblast.dna.affrc.go.jp/).

Results

CP genes expressed in prepupal stage show six distinctive developmental patterns

We compared the expression pattern of CP genes expressed prepupal stage to clarify how CPs are successively produced to construct pupal cuticle layers. We found six different expression profiles of these CP genes. We have reported that the induction of successively produced CPs was regulated by successively appeared ERTFs as indicated in Fig. 1. We classified CPs into six groups depending on the stage of the peak appearance and the ecdysone responsiveness.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Schematic representation of cuticular protein genes and related ecdysone-responsive transcription factors in parentheses expressed in wing discs of B. mori in the late fifth larval instar. Ecdysteroid titer (Sakurai, Kaya, & Satake, 1998), BmorCPR21 (Wang, Iwanaga, & Kawasaki, 2009), BmorCPR92 (Wang, Nita, et al., 2009), BmorCPR99, BmorCPH5, BmorCPR93 (Ali, Iwanaga, & Kawasaki, 2012) and BmorCPG11 (Ali, Wang, Iwanaga, & Kawasaki, 2012) are indicated

We named Group1 to Group6 according to the stage of expression peak. BmorCPR21 only belongs to Group1, and the gene of Group1 was directly induced by 20E, and its expression increased from the stage W0 and peaked at the stage W2 slightly earlier than Group2 gene. BmorCPH5 only belongs to Group2 and was regulated by BHR3 (Ali, Wang, et al., 2012).

CP genes that belong to Group3 were BmorCPR34 and BmorCPH33, and BmorCPR34 has been reported to be regulated by BHR4 (Ali, Wang, et al., 2012). Expression pattern of BmorCPH33 resembled that of BmorCPR34 and BHR4, and its transcripts increased from the stage W3E and showed broad expression peak at the stage W3E to W3L (Additional file 1: Figure S1).

Expression pattern of Group4 CP genes resembled BmorCPG11 and BR-C Z2. They increased from W0 stage, continued increase until W3L peak (Additional file 1: Figure S2). Ecdysteroid titer in the hemolymph started to increase around W0, and BR-C is inducible by the low concentration of 20E (Chen, Zhu, Sun, & Raikhel, 2004; Muramatsu, Kinjoh, Shinoda, & Hiruma, 2008; Sekimoto et al., 2006), therefore it is suggested that BR-C expression is observed from around W0. BmorCPG12, BmorCPG13, BmorCPG16, BmorCPG17, BmorCPG24, and BmorCPH30 belong to this group. The expression pattern of these CP genes resembled BmorCPG11 (Ali, Wang, et al., 2012) that was regulated by BR-C.

Expression pattern of Group5 CP genes resembled that of E74A and BmorCPR93 that was regulated by E74A (Ali, Wang, et al., 2012) and showed expression peak at the stage W3L. Twelve CP genes belonged to this group (Additional file 3: Table S2, Additional file 1: Figure S3). Transcripts of CP genes of this group peaked at the stage W3L, but the expression pattern was different in different CP genes. Transcripts of BmorCPT3 were detected from the stage W3E, while BmorCPR42, BmorCPR122, and BmorCPR124 transcripts were barely detected except the stage W3L, and other CP genes showed expression at the stages W3M and P0.

Expression pattern of Group6 CP genes resembled that of βFTZ-F1, BmorCPR45 (Ali, Iwanaga, & Kawasaki, 2012), BmorCPR92 (Wang, Nita, et al., 2009) and BmorCPR99 (Nita et al., 2009), and these three CP genes were regulated by βFTZ-F1. Transcripts of 23 CP genes peaked at the stage P0. Fourteen CPRs that have R&R consensus, two CPGs, two CPFLs, three CPHs, and two CPTs were identified in this group. Although most CPR genes showed sharp peak at the stage P0, BmorCPG14, BmorCPFL4, BmorCPH2, and BmorCPH30 showed transcripts from the stage W3M (Additional file 1: Figure S4).

Thus, we classified 53 CPs expressed at prepupal stage into six groups.

CP genes expressing the same developmental profile showed the same ecdysone-responsiveness

Group1 gene, BmorCPR21, has been reported to be induced directly by 20E (Wang et al., 2010). Group2 gene, BmorCPH5, was reported to be induced by 20E and regulated by BHR3 (Ali et al., 2013). Group3 gene, BmorCPH33 transcripts were induced by 20E addition (Additional file 1: Figure S5) as well as BmorCPR34 that has been reported to be regulated by BHR4 (Ali et al., 2013). Group4 genes were upregulated by the addition of 20E, but the response was not uniform (Additional file 1: Figure S6). Thus, Goup1 to Group4 CP genes were upregulated by the 20E addition.

Four genes were upregulated (Additional file 1: Figure S7) as reported before (BmorCPR93, Ali, Wang, et al., 2012; BmorCPR23, Ali et al., 2013), but five were not by 20E in Group5. Response to 20E of upregulated genes showed slow one compared with Group1-4 genes. Unexpectedly, five CP genes of Group5 were not upregulated by the 20E addition. To clarify the different 20E response in Group5 CP genes, we examined the developmental expression of Group5 CP genes from the beginning of the fifth larval instar. Interestingly, CP genes that were upregulated by the 20E addition did not show transcripts until the stage W2 (Additional file 1: Figure S8). In contrast, CP genes that were not upregulated by the 20E addition showed transcripts from the stage V0 to V5 (Additional file 1: Figure S9). We used wing discs of the V4 stage, when the hemolymph ecdysteroid was barely detected, for the experiment of 20E addition. From these results, CP genes that did not respond to 20E addition were considered to be regulated by other factor in wing discs in the feeding stage. Therefore, the response to 20E was different in these CP genes from those of 20E responsive genes that were not induced in the feeding stage.

Group6 CP genes were not induced by 20E addition (data not shown) as reported before with BmorCPR45 (Ali et al., 2012a), BmorCPR92 (Wang, Nita, et al., 2009) and BmorCPR99 (Nita et al., 2009).

Thus, CP genes in different groups showed different response to 20E addition in wing discs of the V4 stage.

CP genes belonging to Group3, Group4, Group5, and Group6 were induced by the ecdysone pulse treatment

Group3 gene, BmorCPH33 transcripts were induced in 6 h and peaked at 12 h by the 20E pulse treatment (Additional file 1: Figure S10). Transcription of Group4 genes was induced by the 20E pulse treatment. Increase was observed in 6 h in every gene, and they peaked at 18 h after the 20E removal (Additional file 1: Figure S11). Interestingly, the increasing patterns of these expressions resembled expression profiles of developmental expression. All the genes in Group5 were induced by the 20E pulse, and most of them increased from 12 h and peaked 18 h after the 20E removal (Additional file 1: Figure S12). All the genes in Group6 were induced, and most of them peaked at 24 h by the 20E pulse (Additional file 1: Figure S13). CP genes of this Group showed different peak from other two Groups. Their peaks were observed later than other two groups as observed in vivo peaks. Their peaks in vivo were at the stage P0, while those of Group4 and Group5 were the stage W3L.

Surprisingly to say that expression profiles of Group6 CP genes after ecdysone pulse treatment showed similar pattern to those of developmental profiles (Additional file 1: Figure S13). BmorCPR4, BmorCPR10, BmorCPR75, BmorCPG4, and BmorCPH1 showed sharp peaks after 24 h, and BmorCPFL4 and BmorCPH31 showed broad peaks at 24 h. Group5 genes, BmorCPR3, BmorCPR42, BmorCPR95 (previously classified as BMWCP3), BmorCPR104 (previously classified as BMWCP1), BmorCPR122 (previously classified as BMWCP8) and BmorCPR124 (previously classified as BMWCP7), and BmorCPH18 showed peaks at 18 h, which is similar to developmental expression profiles. In contrast, BmorCPG12, BmorCPG13, and BmorCPH30 showed low level of transcripts at the time of ecdysone removal, which is similar to the transcripts level of W2 stage in developmental stage. Their expression profiles resemble those of the developmental stage. The developmental profiles of CP genes seem to reflect the ecdysone responsiveness of each CP genes.

The relatedness between the clustering of CP genes in the genome and their expression profiles

We did blast search to clarify the relationship between the clustering of CP genes on the chromosome and the expression profiles of CP genes. We found two clusters of CP genes that are expressed in prepupal stage. Two clusters exist in 3 Mb on Chromosome22 (Fig. 2). All the CP genes belonging to Cluster I are RR1 genes, including one gene of Group3, four genes of Group5, and one gene of Group6. In contrast, all the CP genes belonging to Cluster II are RR2 genes, including five genes of Group5 and five genes of Group6. The result showed that Cluster I contained CP genes expressed at the stage W3M, W3L and P0 and Cluster I contained CP genes expressed at the stage W3L and P0, which suggests that chromosome would be loosened and transcription factors are easy to access their binding sites during these stages, not strictly in a short time.

Fig. 2
figure 2

Schematic representation of CP genes clustering on the Chromosome22. An upper bar indicating 0.5 Mb

Difference of ERTFs responsiveness to ecdysone

Thus, the expression of CP genes is suggested to be regulated by ERTF that showed similar developmental expression pattern with correspondent CP genes. Therefore, the timing of CP gene expression is suggested to be determined by the related ERTF, which let us examine the mechanism of the determination of ERTF-expression timing.

The first, we examined the response to different concentration of 20E addition. BR-C responded to low concentration, and BHR3 and BHR4 responded to 0.2 μg/ml 20E, while E74A responded to 2 but not below 0.2 μg/ml (Fig. 3). Expression of BR-C in vivo reflected its responsiveness to 20E and was expressed from V5 stage (Ali, Iwanaga, & Kawasaki, 2012) when ecdysteroid titer in the hemolymph was low (Sakurai et al., 1998). Therefore, it is suggested that BR-C transcripts increased from the stage V5 and were not inhibited by other factors. BHR3 and BHR4 were induced by 0.2 but not by 0.02 μg/ml 20E (Fig. 3). This reflects in vivo induction of BHR3 and BHR4, since they were not induced before the stage W0 (Ali, Wang, et al., 2012). E74A was induced by highest concentration of 20E. Thus, it is suggested that these CP regulating ERTFs have different responsiveness to 20E concentrations, which brings about the appearance of these ERTFs, together with the responsiveness to ecdysone pulse as describes below.

Fig. 3
figure 3

Induction of transcripts of ERTFs by different concentration of 20E. V4 wing discs were incubated for the indicated time in a medium containing indicated concentration of 20E. RNA was extracted from wing discs and reverse-transcribed to cDNA for use in qRT-PCR. Values were first normalized to rpl and then plotted relative to the 0 h value for each panel. Each datum was calculated from three independent experiments. The result is expressed as the mean ± S. E. M. Asterisks indicate p < 0.05 significance by the Student’s t test. Level of mRNA of the ecdysone treatment

BHR3 and BHR4 control the expression of ecdysone-responsive transcription factors expressed prepupal stage in wing discs of B. mori

The effects of cycloheximide treatment were examined to analyze the factors that induced ERTFs after 20E pulse treatment. BHR3 transcripts decreased by the 20E pulse treatment, while BHR4, BR-C and βFTZ-F1 transcripts increased from 6 h and peaked 12 h, 18 h and 24 h after treatment, respectively. In contrast, E74 transcripts increased from 12 h and showed sharp peak 18 h after 20E removal, as reported by Ali, Wang, et al. (2012). If cycloheximide was added throughout the time after pulse treatment, BHR4, BR-C, E74A, and βFTZ-F1 transcripts were not induced (Fig. 4). In contrast, the cycloheximide treatment of first 12 h or 6 h after 20E removal reduced BR-C, E74A and βFTZ-F1 transcripts depending on the length of cycloheximide treatment. In case of BHR3 and BHR4, no effective reduction was observed. From this, it is suggested that BHR4 was translated and induced BR-C, E74A, and βFTZ-F1 during the first 6 h and 12 h.

Fig. 4
figure 4

Effect of cycloheximide treatment on the ERTF expression after 20E pulse treatment. Wing discs of the W2 stage were incubated 12 h in a medium containing 2 μg/ml 20E and then transferred to a hormone-free medium with (open circle) or without cycloheximide (50 μg/ml) for the indicated time. RNA was extracted from wing discs and reverse-transcribed to cDNA for use in qRT-PCR. Values were first normalized to rpl and then plotted relative to the highest value for each panel. The highest expression level of each gene was designated as 1. Level of mRNA after ecdysone pulse treatment. Each datum was calculated from three independent experiments. The result is expressed as the mean ± S. E. M. Asterisks indicate p < 0.05 significance by the Student’s t test. Level of mRNA of the ecdysone treatment

Discussion

We classified all the CP genes expressed in the prepupal stage into six groups, depending on the peak timing and ecdysone-responsiveness. They showed peak expression from the stage W2 to P0. Their expression profiles resembled those of corresponding ERTFs.

Prepupal CP genes showed different ecdysone responsiveness, resulted in the different developmental profiles

Group1 gene, BmorCPR21, has been reported to be regulated by EcR and BR-C Z2 (Wang et al., 2010; Wang, Nita, et al., 2009); EcR bound to EcRE upstream of BmorCPR21. This is the first CP gene that has EcRE, is directly regulated by ecdysone, and showed expression peak at the stage W2 slightly earlier than Group2 gene.

Group2 CP, BmorCPH5, which has been reported to be regulated by BHR3 (Ali, Wang, et al., 2012), induced by the addition of 20E but decreased by the 20E withdrawal, showed expression peak at the stage W2. BHR3 and its homolog, DHR3, is a candidate of the factor that brings about insect metamorphosis (Ali, Wang, et al., 2012; King-Jones et al., 2005; Lam et al., 1997; Lam, Bonnie, Bender, & Thummel, 1999; White et al., 1997). BmorCPH5 is the first CP gene that is regulated by DHR3 homolog. Thus, our system clarified the function of EcR and BHR3 to induce CP gene expression, but the function of these CPs yet to be clarified in future.

Group3 CP, BmorCPH33, is suggested to be regulated by BHR4, was induced by the 20E addition and the ecdysone pulse treatment, showed broad expression peak at the stage W3E to W3L, similar to BmorCPR34 has been reported to be regulated by BHR4 (Ali, Wang, et al., 2012).

Group4 CPs are, suggested to be regulated by BR-C, induced both by ecdysone and ecdysone pulse, and were induced from the stage V5, peaked at the stage W3L. Different from CPs of other Groups, they were transcribed before wandering stage. This result suggests that the expression of Group4 CPs is not inhibited by other factors. The developmental expression and ecdysone responsiveness of CPs in Group4 resembled those of BmorCPG11 that was regulated by BR-C (Ali, Iwanaga, & Kawasaki, 2012). BR-C is a key ERTF that determines the pupal character (Bayer, Zhou, Zhou, Riddiford, & von Kalm, 2003; Uhlirova et al., 2003; Zhou & Riddiford, 2002), commits insects to the pupa (Muramatsu et al., 2008; Zhou & Riddiford, 2001), and functioned together with other ERTFs (Chen, O'Keefe, & Hodgetts, 2002; Wang, Iwanaga, & Kawasaki, 2009; Wang, Nita, et al., 2009). In spite of these reports, Ali, Wang, et al. (2012) reported that BR-C functioned primarily on the promoter of BmorCPG11, and the expression profile of CP genes in Group4 resembled BR-C and BmorCPG11. Therefore, it is suggested that in case of CP genes, BR-C functions as a primary factor. Six CPGs and one CPH belong to this group, and none of them has R&R consensus. Moreover, their early transcription suggests the involvement of CPs of this group in the epicuticle.

Eighteen CPs belonged to Group5. Five RR1, ten RR2, two CPH, and one CPT genes were identified in this group. All of them showed similar response in the 20E pulse treatment and developmental expression after wandering stage. Some genes were induced by 20E addition, but other genes did not respond to 20E in the stage V4 wing discs. The former genes were not expressed in the feeding stage, while latter genes were transcribed in the feeding stage. It is suggested that the difference is response to another factors that regulate expression of CP genes in the feeding stage. The factors would be clarified. CP genes of this group are suggested to be regulated by E74A.

Twenty-four CP genes including six RR1s, nine RR2s, two CPGs, three CPHs, two CPFLs, and two CPTs were identified in Group6. Their developmental expression profiles and ecdysone responsiveness resembled BmorCPR45, BmorCPR92, and BmorCPR99 that have been revealed to be regulated by βFTZ-F1 (Ali, Iwanaga, & Kawasaki, 2012; Nita et al., 2009; Wang, Nita, et al., 2009). βFTZ-F1 is thought to be a key transcription factor at the prepupal stage, and several target genes have been reported (Kawasaki, Hirose, & Ueda, 2002; Murata, Kageyama, & Hirose, 1996; Shiomi, Niimi, Imai, & Yamashita, 2000).

Thus, six groups of CP genes are transcribed at prepupal stage and expression is regulated by correspondent ERTFs, which indicate ERTFs determine the final expression stage of CPs. The reason of their sequential expression is each groups of CPs have each regulating ERTFs, respectively as Ali, Wang, et al. (2012) reported.

ERTF appearance and interaction

E74A rapidly increases after the stage W3M. E74A was induced slightly by 0.2 μg/ml and strongly by 2 μg/ml 20E, therefore E74A is suggested to be inducible at the stage W2, but it is not in Bombyx larvae. Therefore, it is suggested that the expression of E74A is suppressed by other factor. E74A is suggested to be suppressed by BHR3, as the suppression of E74A by DHR3 (White et al., 1997) was reported in Drosophila. Induction of E74A is inhibited by the addition of cycloheximide 6 h and 12 h after 20E removal, during which BHR4 transcripts increased; therefore, BHR4 is suggested to induce E74A.

Induction of βFTZ-F1 is inhibited by the addition of cycloheximide 6 h and 12 h after 20E removal; in these times BHR4 transcripts increased; therefore, BHR4 is suggested to induce βFTZ-F1. Expression peak of βFTZ-F1 was later than that of E74A and BR-C; therefore, E74A and BR-C are also induced by the remaining ecdysteroid in the hemolymph. BHR4 and EcR are suggested to function together to induce E74A and BR-C.

Induction of BR-C is inhibited by the addition of cycloheximide 6 h and 12 h after 20E removal; in these times BHR4 transcripts increased; therefore, BHR4 is suggested to induce BR-C. BR-C began to increase from V5 by the ecdysteroid in the hemolymph, since BR-C was inducible by the 0.02 μg/ml 20E. Thereafter, its transcripts rapidly increased from the stage W3M, which is suggested to be induced by BHR4.

The results of ecdysone pulse treatment suggest that BR-C, E74A, and βFTZ-F1 were induced by BHR4, and BHR4 was induced by BHR3. Drosophila BHR3 homolog DHR3 repressed E74A (Lam et al., 1997), and DHR4 mutation reduced the expression of E74A and βFTZ-F1 (King-Jones et al., 2005). The present results corresponded well with these reports. Therefore, it is suggested that E74A is inducible by ecdysone but repressed before W3L stage by BHR3 and induced by BHR4. The repression of BR-C by BHR3 is suggested to be not strong as observed by Drosophila BR-C (Lam et al., 1997); therefore, BR-C transcripts were detected from V5. Induction of BR-C by BHR4 was suggested in the present results. βFTZ-F1 transcripts appeared earlier than E74A transcripts, which is suggested that βFTZ-F1 is not repressed but inducible by BHR3 as observed in Drosophila βFTZ-F1 (Lam et al., 1997; White et al., 1997). From the present results, it is suggested that BHR3 induces BHR4 and βFTZ-F1 but represses E74A at W3E stage, and BHR4 induces E74A, BR-C, and βFTZ-F1. This conclusion agrees well with above reports.

By the ecdysone surge, BHR3 is induced, and BHR3 regulates BHR4 and following ERTFs expression. Each ERTF regulate relating cuticular protein genes and other genes that function for the metamorphosis.

Successive expression of ERTFs and their target genes

Target genes of ERTFs have been reported previously; we have reported the possibility that ERTFs regulated CP genes and CP genes are expressed according to their regulating ERTFs respectively. The present paper showed 53 possible ERTF regulating CP genes. Involvement of EcRE in Drosophila DDC gene promoter (Chen, Reece, O'Keefe, Engstrom, & Hodgetts, 2002) and Aedes Vitellogenin gene (Martin, Wang, & Raikhel, 2001). Target genes of E74A have been identified in Drosophila (L71-1, Fletcher, D'Avino, & Thummel, 1997, L71-6, Urness, & L., and Thummel, S. C., 1995) and those of βFTZ-F1 were almost CP genes (EDG84A, Murata et al., 1996) and (Bombyx; bmACP-6.7, Shiomi et al., 2000, Nita et al., 2009; Wang, Nita, et al., 2009). Most of BR-C genes functioned together with other ERTFs (Cakouros, Daish, Martin, Baehrecke, & Kumar, 2002; BhC4-1, Basso Jr, Monesi, & Paçó-Larson, 2006, DDC, Chen, O'Keefe, & Hodgetts, 2002; Wang, Iwanaga, & Kawasaki, 2009; Wang, Nita, et al., 2009). Thus, ERTFs regulate CP genes, and CP genes are expressed according to their regulating ERTFs respectively, as Weller et al. described Weller et al. (2001). The present paper showed 53 possible ERTF regulating CP genes. Thus, CP genes were successively expressed at the prepupal stage in wing discs of Bombyx mori.

Conclusion

According to regulating ERTFs, six different groups of CP genes expression pattern were observed. Expression timing of CP genes is regulated by ERTFs and the character of cuticle is determined by the combination of cuticular proteins. Group2, Group3, and Group4 include three CPH and six CPG genes. CPH and CPG have not R&R consensus and they are thought to be involved in epi- and procuticle layers. Among them Group4 genes are expressed from V5 stage; the reason is unclear. It is suggested that at least if involved in the pupal cuticle, they should be expressed after W2 stage, since BHR3 is the signal for the metamorphosis. From the present study, it is suggested that RR1 and RR2 cuticular protein genes are expressed at the stages W3L and P0 to construct procuticle, CPHs are from W2 to P0, CPGs are mainly from V5 to P0, and CPTs are from W3L to P0 stage. From this, it is suggested that CPR proteins construct procuticle and other CPs construct epi- and procuticle layers.

In the present paper, we offered a large number of CP genes as a candidate of ERTF-regulated genes and thus bring about insect metamorphosis. As described above, ERTFs are successively expressed and induce their target genes, which resulted in the metamorphosis.

Availability of data and materials

All data are available upon request.

Abbreviations

20EA:

20E addition

20EP:

20E pulse treatment

CP:

Cuticular protein

CPFL:

CPF-like

E74B:

ETS transcription factor E74B

ERTF:

Ecdysone responsive transcription factor

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank MEXT: Japan Government for supporting the funds.

Funding

This work was partially supported by a grant-in-aid for scientific research from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture of Japan.

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AMS, MB, SAH, and YM were responsible for suggesting, planning, designing the study, and writing the manuscript, and AMS was major in writing the manuscript. AMS performed experiments. All authors cooperate in revising the manuscript, read, and approved the final manuscript.

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Additional file 1: Figure S1.

Developmental profile of Group3 CP gene, BmorCPH33. Each datum was calculated from three independent experiments. The result is expressed as the mean ± S. E. M. RNA was extracted from wing discs and reverse-transcribed to cDNA for use in qRT-PCR. Values were first normalized to rpl and then plotted relative to the highest value for each panel. The highest expression level of each gene was designated as 1. Figure S2. Developmental profile of Group4 CP genes. Sample preparation and data treatment are the same as those in Figure S1. Figure S3. Developmental profile of Group5 CP genes. Sample preparation and data treatment are the same as those in Figure S1. Figure S4. Developmental profile of Group6 CP genes. Sample preparation and data treatment are the same as those in Figure S1. Figure S5. Effect of 20E addition. V4 wing discs were incubated for the indicated time in a medium containing 2 μg/ml 20E with (open circle) or without (closed circle) cycloheximide (50 μg/ml). RNA was extracted from wing discs and reverse-transcribed to cDNA for use in qRT-PCR. Values were first normalized to rpl and then plotted relative to the 0 h value for each panel. The 0 h expression level of each gene was designated as 0.1. Each datum was calculated from three independent experiments. The result is expressed as the mean ± S. E. M. Asterisks indicate p<0.05 significance by the student’s t-test. Level of mRNA of the ecdysone treatment. Figure S6. Effect of 20E addition of Group4 CP genes. Sample preparation and data treatment are the same as those in Figure S5. Figure S7. Effect of 20E addition of Group5 CP genes. Sample preparation and data treatment are the same as those in Figure S5. Figure S8. Developmental profile of Group5 CP genes that were up-regulated by the 20E addition. Sample preparation and data treatment are the same as those in Figure S5. Figure S9. Developmental profile of Group5 CP genes that were not up-regulated by the 20E addition. Sample preparation and data treatment are the same as those in Figure S5. Figure S10. Effect of ecdysone pulse treatment of Group3 gene. Wing discs of the W2 stage were incubated 12 h in a medium containing 2 μg/ml 20E and then transferred to a hormone-free medium with (open circle) or without cycloheximide (50 μg/ml) for the indicated time. RNA was extracted from wing discs and reverse-transcribed to cDNA for use in qRT-PCR. Values were first normalized to rpl and then plotted relative to the highest value for each panel. The highest expression level of each gene was designated as 1. Level of mRNA after ecdysone pulse treatment. Each datum was calculated from three independent experiments. The result is expressed as the mean ± S. E. M. Asterisks indicate p<0.05 significance by the student’s t-test. Level of mRNA of the ecdysone treatment. Figure S11. Effect of ecdysone pulse treatment of Group4 gene. Sample preparation and data treatment are the same as those in Figure S10. Figure S12. Effect of ecdysone pulse treatment of Group5 gene. Sample preparation and data treatment are the same as those in Figure S10. Figure S13. Effect of ecdysone pulse treatment of Group6 gene. Sample preparation and data treatment are the same as those in Figure S10.

Additional file 2: Table S1.

List of primers.

Additional file 3: Table S2.

Groups of CP genes and regulating ERTFs.

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Ali, M.S., Mishra, B., Swapon, A.H. et al. Successively expressed cuticular protein genes at the prepupal stage in wing discs of Bombyx mori. JoBAZ 80, 62 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41936-019-0135-x

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