Molecular cloning and characterization of hatching enzyme-like geneII (BmHELII) in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

► We clone the full length of BmHELII cDNA and characterize the deduced peptides. ► We characterize the genomic structure of BmHELII. ► BmHELII involves in the hatching process of silkworm eggs. ► BmHELII might be associated with spermatogenesis of silkworm.