De novo gene expression and antisense inhibition in cultured cells of BmTRN-1, cloned from the midgut of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, which is homologous with mammalian TIA-1/R.

A cDNA encoding a 388 amino acid TIA-1-type RNA-binding protein (BmTRN-1) was isolated from midgut cDNAs of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, via homologous cloning, in order to characterize its function. The deduced amino acid sequence, most likely encoded by a single copy gene, has significant homology with human TIA-1 and TIAR known as apoptotic regulators and recently reported to function as important factors for either splicing or translation. RT-PCR analysis showed that the BmTRN-1 gene was vigorously transcribed in the midgut at the gut purge stage, indicating a possible relation to the tissue-decomposing process in larval-pupal metamorphosis.