SID-1 protein of Caenorhabditis elegans mediates uptake of dsRNA into Bombyx cells

RNA interference is one of the most revolutionary tools in the study of gene function, particularly in non-model systems. However, in Bombyx mori, as with many lepidopteran species, attempts at systemic RNAi have had mixed success. Gene identification and phylogenetic analyses suggest that Bombyx has the core RNAi machinery, which is necessary to undergo RNAi as a cellular response. We introduced sid genes from Caenorhabditis elegans into Bombyx BmN4 cells to enhance the uptake of dsRNA and revealed that the SID-1 protein, but not SID-2, has the ability to endow the RNAi effect with the addition of dsRNA to the medium. Observed RNAi effect was dependent on both the levels of sid-1 expression and the concentration of the dsRNA. These results suggest that SID-1 promotes the uptake of dsRNA from the medium into Bombyx cells. We generated transgenic animals that express sid-1 but have not detected significant enhancements of in vivo phenotype in response to the injection of the dsRNA into hemocoel.

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► Core RNAi machinery is present in the silkworm, Bombyx mori.
► SID-1 protein enhanced the RNAi effect in cultured Bombyx cells.
► SID-1 protein promoted the uptake of dsRNA from the medium.