• Journal of Life Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.176-181
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• 1999

In order to understand molecular phylogenetics of silkworm (Bombyx mori), we analyzed the sequences of BmoMAR isolated from Bomhyx mori that is partial coding gene of transposase of mariner-like element(MLE). By pairwise comparing nucleotide sequences of BmoMAR with ten previously reported insect MLEs accessed in GeneBank, the average genetic distance was estimated to be 0.4840. The phylogenetics tree constructed from nine insect species except for human MLE(Hsmarl) by UPGMA method indicated that MLEs are divided into three clusters, and Drosophila mariutiana was independently subgrouped. Bombyx mori(BmoMAR) was subgrouped with microcaddishfly (Orthotrichia cristata), webworm(Atteva punctella), almond moth(Ephestia cautella), Hyalopora cecropia which we lepidoptera. Phylogenetics tree according to UPGMA principle, on the basis of informative nucleotide sequences of nine insect MLEs, indicated that Bombyx mori was more closely related to microcaddishfly(Orthotrichia cristata) and webworm (Atteva punctella) of lepidoptera. We suggest that insect MLEs are a useful key for studying molecular phylogenetics among intra species of insects.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.285-293
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• 1998

We have cloned an internal fragment of the putative transoisase gene of MLE in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, using PCR method with degenerative oligonucleotide primers designed to represent regions of amino acids encoding transposase. The resulting PCR clone, designed as BmoMAR, cords a partial ORF(152 a.a.) of MLE in which interrupted by five stop codons, and the sequence of its deduced amino acids showed 37% homology with Mos1, an active mariner, from Drosophila mauritiana. Furthermore, the BmoMAR exhibits nucleotide and amino acid homology with 59% and 37% from Apis mellifera and D. mauritiana 7.9 clone, respectively. This result strongly that a MLE is present in the genome of B. mori.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.457-464
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• 1998

As a first step for developing universal genetic transformation vector of dilkmoths., we identified the presence of mariner-like element(MLE) which is one of transposable element discovered from many insects to human species, from Bombyx mori, Bombyx mandarina, Antherae yammamai and Antherae pernyi. We used a degenerative primer pair designed from a transposase gene of Drosophila mauritiana and Hyalophora ceropia MLE. As results, major PCR product of 500bp expected as a part of transposase of MLE was detected from all the slkmoths used of this study using these primer. And hybridization assay using pBmoMAR as a probe DNA that was previously cloned from Bombyx mori by the same primer pair, confirmed the presence of MLE from all the silkmoths. This assay showed also that the endogenous MLE in genome of the silkworm is present as high copy number unlikely Drosophila mauritiana which has 10-20 copy number. This data will be a fundamental genetic information for developing mariner-derived vector to transform the silkmoths and other useful insects.