Evolution of highly repetitive silk genes in the Luna moth, Actias luna

Abstract

Gene duplications are a major driver of molecular diversification and phenotypic evolution. Arthropod silk genes provide an excellent model for studying these processes due to their highly repetitive sequences and rapid evolutionary rates. In Lepidoptera, the Fibroin heavy chain (fibH) gene encodes the primary structural protein for silk fibers, contributing largely to their mechanical strength. This inner fibroin core is surrounded by an outer coating composed primarily of sericins. Sericins are a group of highly repetitive, serine-rich proteins that modulate silk fiber properties. Although sericins in the Domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori) have been associated with life stage-specific variation in silk characteristics, their evolution and function across Lepidoptera remain poorly understood. Here, we provide a detailed molecular characterization of sericin genes in the Luna moth (Actias luna), a saturniid species known for forming dense, robust, silk-woven cocoons. We identified eight sericin genes that (1) are frequently arranged into clusters of closely related paralogs, (2) exhibit considerable variation in repeat number and amino acid composition, and (3) display distinct gene expression patterns across life stages. A comparison of sericin genes across Saturniidae and Bombycidae reveals evidence for convergent subfunctionalization. These findings suggest that sericin gene duplications enable dynamic shifts in silk composition both within and between species, potentially reflecting adaptive responses to ecological and functional demands. Significance StatementGene duplications are thought to be a major driver of molecular diversification and phenotypic evolution. Arthropod silk genes, characterized by their repetitive sequences and rapid evolution, provide an ideal model for studying these processes. Sericins, a group of highly repetitive, serine-rich silk proteins, are hypothesized to have contributed to the diversification of silk properties, both within and across lepidopteran species. However, their diversity and evolution is poorly understood. Focusing on the Luna moth (Actias luna), we show that sericin gene duplications across Saturniidae have led to subfunctionalization, enabling changes to silk composition. These modifications may represent adaptative responses to ecological and functional demands.