Silkmoth chorion multigene families constitute a superfamily: comparison of C and B family sequences.

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Abstract
A new family of silkmoth chorion genes, called C, was characterized which is distinct from previously characterized A and B families. The amino acid compositions of 18 purified C proteins were determined. Three subgroups are recognized on the basis of compositional similarities and may correspond to distinct gene families or subfamilies. The sequences of 2 overlapping c[complementary]DNA clones were determined in their entirety and shown to correspond to a C-specific sequence. Obvious homology is observed between the middle portions of the C sequence and previously characterized B. sequences. The arms of the C sequence share no significant similarities either with each other or with the corresponding arms of B sequences. The same tripartite structure originally observed in A and B family sequences is also present in the C family and may have functional significance. Secondary structure prediction of the C sequence is presented and supports this conclusion. The observed homology between C and B family sequences clearly establishes that silkmoth chorion multigene families constitute a superfamily.