MOLECULAR BASIS OF SILK QUALITY AND YIELD: A COMPARATIVE REVIEW OF WILD AND DOMESTICATED SILKMOTHS IN THE OMICS ERA

Abstract

The domestication of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, represents a hallmark of agricultural evolution, transforming the wild Bombyx mandarina into a high-efficiency bio-factory for silk production. While millennia of selective breeding have significantly enhanced silk yield and filament length, this phenotypic optimization has concurrently resulted in a decline in environmental resilience and structural toughness. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the molecular and biochemical architecture governing silk quality across domesticated and wild sericigenous insects. By integrating recent advancements in multi-omics specifically transcriptomics, proteomics, and single-nucleus RNA sequencing we delineate the cellular reprogramming that shifted silk gland states from "protective-adaptive" in wild species to "pro-synthesis" in domesticated models.

Furthermore, we explore the hierarchical assembly of silk fibroin and sericin, highlighting the role of glandular storage compartments and protein motifs, such as poly-alanine repeats, in determining mechanical performance. The review also examines the biochemical basis of heterosis in F1 hybrids, identifying key proteomic markers that bridge the gap between high productivity and ecological robustness. Finally, we discuss the transformative potential of CRISPR-mediated genome editing and artificial intelligence in predicting protein folding to engineer next-generation silkworms. By mapping the proteomic and transcriptomic landscape of silk yield, this article provides a strategic framework for future innovations in sustainable sericulture and bio-inspired material design.