An antisense lncRNA functions in alternative splicing of Bmdsx in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2019 Aug 27;516(3):639-644. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.06.107. Epub 2019 Jun 23.

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are recently thought to play important roles in some physiological processes. In this study, we identified a lncRNA (named as Bmdsx-AS1) which is the antisense transcript and locates on the position of the crucial sex-determining gene Bmdsx in the silkworm. Quantitative real-time PCR and Fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated that Bmdsx-AS1 was highly expressed in the silkworm testis. After knock-down of Bmdsx-AS1, the splicing pattern of Bmdsx pre-mRNA was altered in male silkworm. Transgenic overexpression of Bmdsx-AS1 indicated male-specific splicing form of Bmdsx arose in female silkworm. Furthermore, by using RNA-protein pull down, LC-MS/MS and EMSA, we found a splicing factor hnRNPH binding specifically to Bmdsx-AS1. Co-Immunoprecipitation suggested that hnRNPH interacted with BmPSI, one of the upstream regulating factors of Bmdsx. Thus, our results suggested that the antisense lncRNA Bmdsx-AS1 was involved in alternative splicing of Bmdsx in the silkworm.

Keywords: Alternative splicing; Antisense lncRNA; Bmdsx; Bombyx mori; hnRNPH.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing*
  • Animals
  • Bombyx / genetics*
  • Bombyx / metabolism
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Insect Proteins / genetics*
  • Insect Proteins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Organ Specificity / genetics
  • RNA, Antisense / genetics*
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*
  • Sex Determination Processes / genetics
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Testis / metabolism

Substances

  • Bmdsx protein, Bombyx mori
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • RNA, Antisense
  • RNA, Long Noncoding