Disruption of Zfh3 abolishes mulberry ‐specific monophagy in silkworm larvae

In this report, we focused on a transcription factor encoded by theZfh3 gene, which is highly expressed in the silkworm central and peripheral nervous systems, including brain, antenna, and maxilla. To investigate its function,Zfh3 was abrogated using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9) mutagenesis. SinceZfh3 knockout homozygotes are not viable, we studied feeding behavior in heterozygotes, and found that disruption ofZfh3 affects both gustation and olfaction. Mutant larvae lose preference for mulberry leaves, acquire the ability to consume an expanded range of diets, and exhibit improved adaptation to the M0 artificial diet, which contains no mulberry leaves. These results provide the first demonstration that a transcription factor modulates feeding behaviors in an insect.
Source: Insect Science - Category: Biology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research