The AF-2 domain of estrogen-related receptor interacts with PPRC1 to modulate larval epidermal marking in Bombyx mori.

Disruption of the AF-2 domain of BmERR in silkworms inhibits melanin metabolism gene expression and epidermal markings, revealing its essential regulatory role.

• Why it matters: Understanding ERR's regulatory mechanisms in insects can clarify metabolic control differences from vertebrates and inform insect physiology studies.
• What they did: Researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 to knockout the AF-2 domain of BmERR, examined gene expression, and analyzed interactions with BmPPRC1, a coactivator homolog.
• The result: Deleting the AF-2 domain reduced melanin-related gene expression and epidermal markings, while BmPPRC1 interaction with AF-2 was confirmed, highlighting conserved ERR functions.