Transgenic Expression of the piRNA-Resistant Masculinizer Gene Induces Female-Specific Lethality and Partial Female-to-Male Sex Reversal in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori

PLoS Genet. 2016 Aug 31;12(8):e1006203. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006203. eCollection 2016 Aug.

Abstract

In Bombyx mori (B. mori), Fem piRNA originates from the W chromosome and is responsible for femaleness. The Fem piRNA-PIWI complex targets and cleaves mRNAs transcribed from the Masc gene. Masc encodes a novel CCCH type zinc-finger protein and is required for male-specific splicing of B. mori doublesex (Bmdsx) transcripts. In the present study, several silkworm strains carrying a transgene, which encodes a Fem piRNA-resistant Masc mRNA (Masc-R), were generated. Forced expression of the Masc-R transgene caused female-specific lethality during the larval stages. One of the Masc-R strains weakly expressed Masc-R in various tissues. Females heterozygous for the transgene expressed male-specific isoform of the Bombyx homolog of insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein (ImpM) and Bmdsx. All examined females showed a lower inducibility of vitellogenin synthesis and exhibited abnormalities in the ovaries. Testis-like tissues were observed in abnormal ovaries and, notably, the tissues contained considerable numbers of sperm bundles. Homozygous expression of the transgene resulted in formation of the male-specific abdominal segment in adult females and caused partial male differentiation in female genitalia. These results strongly suggest that Masc is an important regulatory gene of maleness in B. mori.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Bombyx / genetics*
  • Bombyx / growth & development
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Insect Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Insect Proteins / genetics*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / biosynthesis
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / genetics*
  • Male
  • Ovary / growth & development
  • Ovary / metabolism
  • RNA Splicing / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics*
  • Sex Chromosomes / genetics
  • Sex Determination Processes / genetics*
  • Testis / growth & development
  • Testis / metabolism
  • Vitellogenins / biosynthesis
  • Vitellogenins / genetics

Substances

  • Bmdsx protein, Bombyx mori
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Vitellogenins
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II

Grants and funding

This work was also supported in part by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI 25892032 to MS (https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/en/grant/KAKENHI-PROJECT-25892032/), 15J07233 to HSa (https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/d/p/15J07233.en.html) and 26292172 to MGS (https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/d/p/26292172.ja.html). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.