Searching new functions of silk gland for detoxication, excretion, and immunity

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The silkworm larvae that ate an artificial diet containing a dye span colorful cocoons, indicating that the silk gland can excrete unnecessary materials into cocoons. Microarray and RT-PCR analysis showed that multiple transporter genes are strongly expressed in the Malpighian tubes until the mid-last instar and thereafter expressed strongly in the anterior silk gland. Taken together, these results suggest that the silk gland functions as "pupation stage-specific excretory organ." In contrast, we could not obtain an evidence that show immune functions of the silk gland.