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Periodic Wnt1 expression in response to ecdysteroid generates twin-spot markings on caterpillars

Author

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  • Junichi Yamaguchi

    (Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo)

  • Yutaka Banno

    (Laboratory of Silkworm Genetic Resources, Institute of Genetic Resources, Graduate School of Bio Resources and Bioenvironmental Science, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku)

  • Kazuei Mita

    (Insect Genome Research Unit, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 1-2 Owashi)

  • Kimiko Yamamoto

    (Insect Genome Research Unit, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 1-2 Owashi)

  • Toshiya Ando

    (Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo)

  • Haruhiko Fujiwara

    (Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo)

Abstract

Among various pigmentation patterns on caterpillars, sequential spot markings are often observed and used for aposematic colouration. In contrast to adult wings, caterpillar cuticle markings are repeatedly generated at each moult, but little is known about how the patterns are formed and maintained periodically. Here we focus on a silkworm mutant, multi lunar (L), with twin-spot markings on sequential segments. Positional cloning of L and expression analyses reveal that cis-regulatory change in Wnt1 is responsible for the spot patterning. The periodical upregulation of Wnt1 in response to ecdysteroid is detected only in epidermis within spot marking area. We verify by transgenic expression that the ectopic Wnt1 induces the additional pigmentation. Furthermore, the association of Wnt1 expression with spot markings is observed in the wild Bombyx species and swallowtail butterfly Papilio machaon. Taken together, we anticipate that periodic Wnt1 expression may contribute to natural variations of spot patterning on caterpillar cuticle.

Suggested Citation

  • Junichi Yamaguchi & Yutaka Banno & Kazuei Mita & Kimiko Yamamoto & Toshiya Ando & Haruhiko Fujiwara, 2013. "Periodic Wnt1 expression in response to ecdysteroid generates twin-spot markings on caterpillars," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-9, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2778
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2778
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiaoling Tong & Min-Jin Han & Kunpeng Lu & Shuaishuai Tai & Shubo Liang & Yucheng Liu & Hai Hu & Jianghong Shen & Anxing Long & Chengyu Zhan & Xin Ding & Shuo Liu & Qiang Gao & Bili Zhang & Linli Zhou, 2022. "High-resolution silkworm pan-genome provides genetic insights into artificial selection and ecological adaptation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.

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