![Sample our Bioscience journals, sign in here to start your access, Latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5925/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Bioscience.jpg"})
Abstract
The ribonuclease L (RNase L) pathway plays an important role in the response of cells to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) during the events such as virus infection. Ribonuclease L inhibitor (RLI) belonging to the ABC transporter family is known as a regulator of the RNase L pathway. The homologs of RLI were reported in many organisms including the fruit fly and mosquito, but their functions in insects and arthropods have not been elucidated to date. In the present study, we cloned a cDNA of a silkworm RLI homolog, termed BmRLI, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of BmRLI mRNA was marked in the testis, ovary and fat body. From the cDNA, recombinant protein with an apparent molecular mass of 69 kDa was expressed in Escherichia coli and cultured insect cells. Although no obvious effect of up-regulation of the BmRLI expression on RNAi was observed, its down-regulation slightly reduced RNAi efficiency.