Gene expression changes in silkworm embryogenesis for prediction of hatching time

The silkworm's dormancy and embryonic development are accomplished through the interaction of various genes. Analysis of the expression of several interacting genes can predict the embryonic stage of silkworms. In this study, we analyzed the changes in the expression level of genes at each stage during the embryonic development of dormant silkworm eggs and selected genes that can predict the hatching time. Jam123 and Jam124 silkworms were collected after egg laying, and the silkworm eggs were preserved using a double refrigeration method and expression analysis was performed for 23 genes during embryogenesis. There were 5 genes showing significant changes during embryogenesis: UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (BmUGTs), heat shock protein hsp20.8 (BmHsp20.8), Cytochromes b5-like proteins (BmCytb5), Krüppel homolog 1 (BmKr-h1), and cuticular protein RR-1 motif 41 (BmCpr41). As a result of quantitative comparison of the expression levels of these 5 genes through real-time PCR, the BmUGTs gene showed a difference between Jam123 and Jam124, making it difficult to see it as an indicator for predicting hatching time. However, the BmHsp20.8 gene had a common expression decreased at the imminent hatching stage. In addition, it was confirmed that the expression level of the BmCytb5 gene decreased to the lowest level at the time of imminent hatching, and the expression of the BmKr-h gene was made only at the time of imminent hatching. The expression of the last BmCpr41 gene can be confirmed only at the time of imminent hatching, and it was confirmed that it shows a rapid increase right before hatching. Taken together, these results suggest that expression analysis of BmHsp20.8, BmCytb5, BmKr-h1, and BmCpr41 genes can determine the stage of embryogenesis, predict hatching time, which facilitate better management of silkworm eggs.