Expression pattern of enzymes related to juvenile hormone metabolism in the silkworm, Bombyx mori L

Mol Biol Rep. 2011 Oct;38(7):4337-42. doi: 10.1007/s11033-010-0559-3. Epub 2010 Nov 25.

Abstract

The physiological balance of juvenile hormone (JH) in insects depends on its biosynthesis and degradation pathway. Three key enzymes namely, juvenile hormone esterase (JHE), juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase (JHEH) and juvenile hormone diol kinase (JHDK) are required for degradation in insects. Our present results showed that JHE and JHEH exhibited expression in almost all the tissues. This indicated that JHE and JHEH might degrade JH simultaneously. In addition, the highest levels of JHDK were observed in the midgut, with trace level being found in the malpighian tubule and haemocytes. Since the midgut is a digestive organ and not a JH target, it was hypothesized that both JHE and JHEH hydrolyzed JH to JH diol (JHd) which was then transported to midgut and hydrolyzed further by JHDK, to be finally excreted out of the body. Also the expression studies on JH degradation enzymes in different tissues and stages indicated that the activities of the three enzymes are specific and coincident with the JH functions in silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bombyx / enzymology*
  • Bombyx / genetics*
  • Bombyx / growth & development
  • Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / genetics
  • Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Epoxide Hydrolases / genetics
  • Epoxide Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic*
  • Juvenile Hormones / metabolism*
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / genetics
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Juvenile Hormones
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)
  • juvenile hormone diol kinase
  • Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases
  • juvenile hormone esterase
  • Epoxide Hydrolases
  • juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase