Expression of temperature responsive genes in cell cultures derived from Bombyx mori

Abstract

Insects are heterotherms that exhibit a close relationship between their ecology (especially temperature changes) and physiology. In the present study, selected genes associated with cell death and temperature were examined to determine gene expression in Bombyx mori in high and low temperature environments. We determined the amount of dsRNA, different concentrations of dsRNA, and different type of cells to set the conditions most efficient for RNAi. We then prepared dsRNA transcripts of the genes associated with cell death and temperature response. We analyzed cell damage via Trypan blue staining and found that cell viability was reduced after knockdown of these genes. The special transduced cell lines produced in the present study can be applied in various research fields. We also expect that these cell lines can be used as a research tool for the precise functional analysis of various genes.