Find in Library

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been suggested to play important roles in some biological processes. However, the detailed mechanisms are not fully understood. We previously identified an antisense lncRNA, <i>Bmdsx-AS1</i>, that is involved in pre-mRNA splicing of the sex-determining gene <i>Bmdsx</i> in the silkworm. In this study, we analyzed the changes in the male external genitalia of transgenic overexpressed <i>Bmdsx-AS1</i> silkworm lines and analyzed downstream and upstream responses. We found that <i>Bmdsx-AS1</i> transgenic silkworms, compared with wild type, showed more claspers in the male external genitalia. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) results indicated that overexpression of <i>Bmdsx-AS1</i> decreased the expression of genes in the EGFR signaling pathway. Knockdown of <i>Bmdsx-AS1</i> increased the activity of the EGFR pathway. Through promoter prediction, promoter truncation and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) analyses, we found that the protein encoded by the Hox gene <i>BmAbd-B</i> specifically binds to the promoter of <i>Bmdsx-AS1</i>. Moreover, overexpression of <i>BmAbd-B</i> in the silkworm BmE cell line indicated that <i>BmAbd-B</i> negatively regulates the mRNA expression of <i>Bmdsx-AS1</i>. Our study provides insights into the regulatory mechanism of the lncRNA in the silkworm.