Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
Volume 132, Issue -, Pages 1121-1130Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.03.166
Keywords
Bombyx mori; Silkworm; Silk protein; Sericin; Silk gland
Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [31702184, 31772532]
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China [XDJK2019D006, XDJK2018C011]
- PhD Start-up Foundation of Southwest University [swu115049, swu116076]
- Special Grants Program for National Cocoon Silk Development [GJ2017JSB001]
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Sericins are large proteins with molecular weights >70 kDa. Three sericin genes were reported in the silkworm, including sericin 1, sericin 2 and sericin 3. In this study, we have identified a new sericin gene and designated it as sericin 4. The sequence, exon-intron structure, alternative splicing, and translation products of this gene have been described in this study. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicates that sericin 4 is expressed in the middle silk gland. Immunofluorescence results show co-localization of sericin 1 and sericin 4 in the MSG. Western blot analysis revealed that sericin 4 was found in the larval silk produced from the second instar to the fourth instar. Two protein bands at approximately 280 kDa and 260 kDa, were detected by western blot for sericin 4. Two repetitive motifs that are rich in charged amino acids and glutamine have been identified, and they are likely to be responsible for the adhesiveness of sericin 4. Overall, this study identifies a novel biological adhesive protein and provides new information for understanding how sericins contribute to the adhesive properties of larval silks. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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