Dosage analysis of Z chromosome genes using microarray in silkworm, Bombyx mori

Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 2009 May-Jun;39(5-6):315-21. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2008.12.003. Epub 2008 Dec 25.

Abstract

In many organisms, dosage compensation is needed to equalize sex-chromosome gene expression in males and females. Several genes on silkworm Z chromosome were previously detected to show a higher expression level in males and lacked dosage compensation. Whether silkworm lacks global dosage compensation still remains poorly known. Here, we analyzed male:female (M:F) ratios of expression of chromosome-wide Z-linked genes in the silkworm using microarray data. The expression levels of genes on Z chromosome in each tissue were significantly higher in males compared to females, which indicates no global dosage compensation in silkworm. Interestingly, we also found some genes with no bias (M:F ratio: 0.8-1.2) on the Z chromosome. Comparison of male-biased (M:F ratio more than 1.5) and unbiased genes indicated that the two sets of the genes have functional differences. Analysis of gene expression by sex showed that M:F ratios were, to some extent, associated with their expression levels. These results provide useful clues to further understanding roles of dosage of Z chromosome and some Z-linked sexual differences in silkworms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bombyx / genetics*
  • Dosage Compensation, Genetic*
  • Female
  • Gene Dosage
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Insect Proteins / genetics
  • Male
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Sex Chromosomes / genetics*

Substances

  • Insect Proteins