• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.99-102
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• 2003

A cDNA of novel immulectin homologue (BmIML), a C-type lectin, was cloned from the silkworm, Bombyx mori. The immulectin cDNA is an open reading frame of 921 bp encoding 307 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence from the BmIML cDNA contains two C-type carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs). The BmIML was most similar (61 % protein sequence identity) to the M. sexta immulectin-1, whereas BmIML showed relatively lower identity to the B. mori lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (25% protein sequence identity). These features of BmIML indicate that BmIML is a novel member of C-type lectin superfamily. Northern blot analysis revealed that the BmIML is specifically expressed in the fat body of B. moli larvae.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.43-48
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• 2022

Bombyx mori is a representative industrial insect and is used in silk production. Additionally, it serves as an insect model in molecular studies. To date, various molecular studies on its physiological characteristics, including the innate immune response and cuticular melanization, have been conducted. The melanization, including cuticular melanization, in insects is controlled by the prophenoloxidase-activating system, which is also involved in their innate immune response. In this review, to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the prophenoloxidase-activating system in the silkworm, the roles of five biomolecules, namely tyrosine hydroxylase, prophenoloxidase-activating enzyme, phenoloxidase, serine protease homolog, and immulectin, are discussed.