Lineage-specific gene evolution of innate immunity in Bombyx mori to adapt to challenge by pathogens, especially entomopathogenic fungi

Bombyx mori is a model species of Lepidoptera, in which 21 gene families and 220 genes have been identified as involved in immunity. However, only 45 B. mori - Drosophila melanogaster - Anopheles gambiae - Apis mellifera Tribolium castaneum 1:1:1:1:1 orthologous genes were identified. B. mori has unique immune factors not found in D. melanogaster - A. gambiae - A. mellifera - T. castaneum. Pattern recognition receptors, signal transducers and effector genes for antifungal immune responses in B. mori have evolved through expansion and modification of existing genes. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the antifungal immune responses of B. mori and focuses on the lineage-specific gene evolution used by Lepidoptera to adapt to the challenge by pathogens, especially entomopathogenic fungi.

Automated summary

The silkworm Bombyx mori is a model species of Lepidoptera with unique immune factors, and its antifungal immune responses have evolved through expansion and modification of existing genes to adapt to challenges posed by pathogens, especially entomopathogenic fungi.