Investigation for novel ommochrome pigmentation genes based on silkworm egg and eye color mutants

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26850220
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Insect science
• Research Institution: Ibaraki University (2015-2017); National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (2014)
• Principal Investigator: Futahashi Mizuko (長内美瑞子) 茨城大学, 理学部, 准教授 (00422402)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 昆虫 / 色素 / オモクローム / カイコ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Ommochromes are major group of insect pigments which contribute to red, purple, brown body coloration and also known as screening pigments of ommatidia. However, molecular mechanisms of the synthesis of these pigments have not been fully understood. We found that Bombyx mori cardinal gene encoding a haem peroxidase was responsible for the pink-eyed white egg mutation, pe. Eggs and eyes of pe mutant have a very small amount of pigments, due to defect in converting the precursor 3-hydroxykynurenine into various ommochrome pigments, suggesting the function of cardinal as a key synthesis enzyme for multiple ommochrome pigments. We also conducted linkage analyses for three egg color mutants; brown egg 2 (b-2), brown egg 4 (b-4), and maternal brown of tsujita (b-t) by ddRADseq, and found novel characteristics for b-4 and b-t mutants.

Free Research Field

昆虫分子生物学