Abstract: Hox genes play an important role in the mechanism of developmental regulation of insect body plan and the expression of Hox genes shows strict tissue specificity and the programming of embryonic development. The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is a good representative insect of the order Lepidoptera. The Hox genes have been identified one after another in the silkworm. There is a complex loci of pseudoallelic genes in the silkworm called E complex and its mutant phenotypes are related with the extra markings or the supernumerary legs in the abdominal segments, which may have a close relationship with Hox genes. After the completion of sequencing for the silkworm genome it was found that there are 12 homeobox genes(Bmshx1~Bmshx12) specific for the silkworm in the Hox genes, which shows a unique biological significance of Hox genes. We have analyzed the spatial expression profile of Bmlab and Bmpb in the silkworm based on the B. mori microarray data. Through the research on Hox genes and the mechanism of the establishment of silkworm body plan, it is expected that it may found a theoretical basis for the body plan of other Lepidoptera insects. We reviewed the expression and function of Hox genes and their relationship with E mutants in this article.  

Key words: Bombyx mori, body plan, Hox genes, E mutants, gene expression