The Number of Larval Molts Is Controlled by Hox in Caterpillars

Takaaki Daimon, Takashi Koyama, Gaku Yamamoto, Hideki Sezutsu, Christen K. Mirth, Tetsuro Shinoda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

How many times do caterpillars need to molt before pupation? Using a series of Moltinism strains of the silkworm, Daimon et al. show that the Hox gene Scr regulates the biosynthesis of molting hormones, thereby controlling the number of larval molts. They provide evidence that Hox genes drive the evolution of life history traits of animals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)P884-891.E3
Number of pages11
JournalCurrent Biology
Volume31
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Feb 2021

Keywords

  • Bombyx mori
  • ecdysone
  • genome editing
  • metamorphosis
  • molting
  • moltinism
  • prothoracic gland
  • Sex combs reduced

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