Comparative transcriptome analysis of midgut of Bombyx mori under a sucrose-supplemented diet

As a monophagous insect, the silkworm possesses a restricted feeding capacity. To investigate the impact of varying sucrose concentrations on silkworm growth and development, transcriptomic analyses were conducted on the silkworm midgut. A total of 909 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, with down-regulated genes predominantly associated with starch and sucrose metabolism, fructose and mannose metabolism, galactose metabolism, and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism. These alterations suggest that excessive sucrose consumption may suppress the carbohydrate metabolism pathway in silkworm. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of transcriptomic studies on high sucrose intake in silkworm, providing insights into the effects of varying sucrose concentrations on these organisms.