Elicitors triggering the simultaneous gene expression of antibacterial proteins of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Various elicitors were examined by Northern blot analysis to investigate the simultaneous induction of gene expression of antibacterial proteins such as cecropin B, attacin and lebocin from the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipid A, 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate (KDO) and peptidoglycan (PG) triggered efficiently and simultaneously the gene expression of antibacterial proteins. Effects of inhibitors for signal transduction on the gene expression of Bombyx mori (Bm) cecropin B triggered by lipid A were observed using isolated adherent hemocytes consisting of granular cells and plasma cells. H-7, H-89 but not W-7 inhibited gene expression, suggesting that protein kinase C and A but not myosine light chain kinase may participate in signal transduction.