Advances in Editing Silkworms (Bombyx mori) Genome by Using the CRISPR-Cas System

Baci, Gabriela-Maria; Cucu, Alexandra-Antonia; Giurgiu, Alexandru-Ioan; Muscă, Adriana-Sebastiana; Bagameri, Lilla; Moise, Adela; Bobiş, Otilia; Rațiu, Attila Cristian; Dezmirean, Daniel Severus

doi:10.3390/insects13010028

Cited by 22 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 164 publications

(163 reference statements)

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“…For this purpose, in the last decades, genetic engineering has made extraordinary progress. In this direction, various studies have reported the development of enhanced SF fibers ( Table 2 ) [ 91 , 92 , 93 ].…”

Section: Sf Key Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Contribution of Silk Fibroin in Biomedical Engineering

Lujerdean

Baci

Cucu

et al. 2022

Insects

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Silk fibroin (SF) is a natural protein (biopolymer) extracted from the cocoons of Bombyx mori L. (silkworm). It has many properties of interest in the field of biotechnology, the most important being biodegradability, biocompatibility and robust mechanical strength with high tensile strength. SF is usually dissolved in water-based solvents and can be easily reconstructed into a variety of material formats, including films, mats, hydrogels, and sponges, by various fabrication techniques (spin coating, electrospinning, freeze-drying, and physical or chemical crosslinking). Furthermore, SF is a feasible material used in many biomedical applications, including tissue engineering (3D scaffolds, wounds dressing), cancer therapy (mimicking the tumor microenvironment), controlled drug delivery (SF-based complexes), and bone, eye and skin regeneration. In this review, we describe the structure, composition, general properties, and structure–properties relationship of SF. In addition, the main methods used for ecological extraction and processing of SF that make it a green material are discussed. Lastly, technological advances in the use of SF-based materials are addressed, especially in healthcare applications such as tissue engineering and cancer therapeutics.

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Section: Sf Key Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Contribution of Silk Fibroin in Biomedical Engineering

Lujerdean

Baci

Cucu

et al. 2022

Insects

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“…The silkworm Bombyx mori serves as the most prominent lepidopteran species model system for molecular genetic analysis in lepidopterans ( Xu and O’Brochta 2015 ; Baci et al 2021 ). It was the first lepidopteran species with a fully sequenced genome, it is the focus of several extensive genomic databases and related resources, and there are robust methods for genetic manipulations (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A molecular cell biology toolkit for the study of meiosis in the silkworm Bombyx mori

Xiang

Tsuchiya

Guo

et al. 2023

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

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Meiosis is usually described as four essential and sequential processes: (1) homolog pairing; (2) synapsis, mediated by the synaptonemal complex (SC); (3) crossing over; and (4) segregation. In this canonical model, the maturation of crossovers into chiasmata plays a vital role in holding homologs together and ensuring their segregation at the first meiotic division. However, Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) undergo three distinct meiotic processes, only one of which is canonical. Lepidoptera males utilize two meiotic processes: canonical meiosis that produces nucleated fertile sperm, and a noncanonical meiosis that produces anucleated nonfertile sperm which are nonetheless essential for reproduction. Lepidoptera females, which carry heteromorphic sex chromosomes, undergo a completely achiasmate (lacking crossovers) meiosis, thereby requiring an alternative mechanism to ensure proper homolog segregation. Here we report the development of a molecular cell biology toolkit designed to properly analyze features of meiosis, including the SC structure and function, in the silkworm Bombyx mori. In addition to standard homology searches to identify Bombyx orthologs of known SC encoding genes, we developed an ortholog discovery app (Shinyapp) to identify Bombyx orthologs of proteins involved in several meiotic processes. We used this information to clone genes expressed in the testes and then created antibodies against their protein products. We used the antibodies to confirm the localization of these proteins in normal male spermatocytes, as well as using in vitro assays to confirm orthologous interactions. The development of this toolkit will facilitate further study of the unique meiotic processes that characterize meiosis in Lepidoptera.

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“…One of the most important roles of B. mori in the scientific fields is that of a model organism and bioreactor. It represents a valuable model organism for various human diseases due to the fact that its genetic information is well documented [ 23 ]. In addition, the silkworm’s genome contains a meaningful percent of human ortholog genes, and there are various mutant strains described [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sericultural By-Products: The Potential for Alternative Therapy in Cancer Drug Design

et al. 2023

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Major progress has been made in cancer research; however, cancer remains one of the most important health-related burdens. Sericulture importance is no longer limited to the textile industry, but its by-products, such as silk fibroin or mulberry, exhibit great impact in the cancer research area. Fibroin, the pivotal compound that is found in silk, owns superior biocompatibility and biodegradability, representing one of the most important biomaterials. Numerous studies have reported its successful use as a drug delivery system, and it is currently used to develop three-dimensional tumor models that lead to a better understanding of cancer biology and play a great role in the development of novel antitumoral strategies. Moreover, sericin’s cytotoxic effect on various tumoral cell lines has been reported, but also, it has been used as a nanocarrier for target therapeutic agents. On the other hand, mulberry compounds include various bioactive elements that are well known for their antitumoral activities, such as polyphenols or anthocyanins. In this review, the latest progress of using sericultural by-products in cancer therapy is discussed by highlighting their notable impact in developing novel effective drug strategies.

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Advances in Editing Silkworms (Bombyx mori) Genome by Using the CRISPR-Cas System

Cited by 22 publications

References 164 publications

The Contribution of Silk Fibroin in Biomedical Engineering

The Contribution of Silk Fibroin in Biomedical Engineering

A molecular cell biology toolkit for the study of meiosis in the silkworm Bombyx mori

Sericultural By-Products: The Potential for Alternative Therapy in Cancer Drug Design

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