Selenate reduction rates and kinetics across depth in littoral sediment of the Salton Sea,California

To predict selenium cycling in sediments, it is crucial to identify and quantify the processes leading to selenium sequestration in sediments. More specifically, it is essential to obtain environmentally-relevant kinetic parameters for selenium reduction and information on how they spatially vary in sediments. The Salton Sea (California, USA) is an ideal model system to examine selenium processes in sediments due to its semi-enclosed conditions and increasing selenium concentration over the last century. Selenium enters the Salton Sea mainly as selenate and might be sequestered in the sediment through microbial reduction. To determine the potential selenium sequestration of Salton Sea littoral sediments and which sediment properties are controlling selenate reduction kinetics, we determined the centimeter-scale vertical distribution of potential selenate reduction rates and apparent kinetic parameters (maximum selenate reduction rates, V_max, and selenate half-saturation concentration, K_m) using flow-through reactor (FTR) experiments. We compared sediments from two littoral sites (South and North) and four depth intervals (0–2, 2–4, 4–6 and 6–8 cm). Furthermore, we characterized the selenium fractions in the sediment recovered from the FTR experiments to identify the processes leading to the sequestration of selenium. Our results reveal higher potential for selenium reduction and sequestration in the topmost sediment (0–2 cm) suggesting that microorganisms inhabiting surface sediment are well adapted to reduce selenate entering the Salton Sea. As apparent K_m values (103–2144 µM) exceed the average selenium concentration in the overlying water (6–25 nM), in situ selenate reduction is limited by the low availability of selenate and the resident selenate-reducing microorganisms operate well below their V_max (11 and 43 nmol cm^?3 h^?1). Selenium speciation after FTR experiments confirms the primary sequestration of reduced biomass-associated and elemental selenium (68–99% of total selenium) in the sediment. Further, the absence of correlation between the tested sediment physical (porosity, bulk density, clay content), chemical (C_org, N_tot, total selenium content) and biological characteristics (abundance of culturable selenate-reducers) with the kinetic parameters of selenate reduction indicates that these sediment characteristics cannot be used as predictors of apparent V_max or K_m. Conclusively, microbial selenate reduction is an important, if not the primary process, leading to the sequestration of reduced selenium in the Salton Sea sediments and making the surficial Salton Sea sediments an important selenium sink.     

The Effects of Supplementary Cr3 (Chromium(III) Propionate Complex) on the Mineral Status in Healthy Female Rats

Circulating concentration of the essential trace element selenium (Se) was significantly lower in inflammatory disorders. Although Se plays physiological roles mainly through the function of 25 selenoproteins, the response of the selenogenome in immune tissues during inflammatory reactions remains unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the Se retention and selenogenome expression in immune tissues during the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in porcine. A total of 12 male pigs were randomly divided into two groups and injected with LPS or saline. After 4 h postinjection, blood samples were collected and pigs were euthanized. Pigs challenged with LPS had 36.8 and 16.6 % lower (P < 0.05) Se concentrations in the serum and spleen, respectively, than those injected with saline. Moreover, the activities of GPX decreased (P < 0.05) by 23.4, 26.6, and 30.4 % in the serum, thymus, and lymph node, respectively, in the pigs injected with LPS. Furthermore, the LPS challenge altered (P < 0.05) the mRNA expression of 14, 16, 10, and 6 selenoprotein genes in the liver, spleen, thymus, and lymph node, respectively. Along with 10 previously reported selenoprotein genes, the response of Txnrd2, Txnrd3, Sep15, Selh, Seli, Seln, Selo, Selt, Selx, and Sephs2 to inflammatory reaction in immune tissues were newly illustrated in this study. In conclusion, the LPS-induced inflammatory response impaired Se metabolism and was associated with dysregulation of the selenogenome expression in immune tissues.     

Effect of Selenium from Selenium-Enriched Kale Sprout Versus Other Selenium Sources on Productivity and Selenium Concentrations in Egg and Tissue of Laying Hens

A 6-week trial was conducted to compare the effect of selenium (Se) from hydroponically produced Se-enriched kale sprout (HPSeKS), sodium selenite (SS), and Se-enriched yeast (SeY) in laying hens. A total of 144 40-week-old hens were randomly divided into four groups, according to a completely randomized design. Each group consisted of four replicates with nine hens per replicate. The dietary treatments were T1 (basal diet) and T2, T3, and T4 (basal diets supplemented with 0.30 mg Se/kg from SS, SeY, and HPSeKS, respectively). Results showed that Se supplement did not affect (p > 0.05) productivity and egg quality. Hens fed Se from HPSeKS and SeY exhibited higher (p < 0.05) Se bioavailability than hens fed Se from SS. Whole egg Se concentration of hens fed Se from HPSeKS was similar (p > 0.05) to that of hens fed Se from SeY, but higher (p < 0.05) than that of hens fed Se from SS. However, the breast muscle and heart tissue Se concentrations of hens fed Se from SS, SeY, and HPSeKS were not different (p > 0.05). The results of this trial demonstrated that Se from HPSeKS and SeY was more efficient than Se from SS on Se bioavailability and whole egg Se concentration in laying hens.     

Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Some Marine Fisheries Resources Collected from Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve,Southeast Coast of India

Concentrations of toxic metals viz. mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were evaluated in four species of fishes (Sardinella longiceps, Selaroides leptolepis, Epinephelus quoyanus and Lethrinus lentjan), one species of shrimp (Penaeus semisulcatus) and one species of crab (Portunus sanguinolentus) sampled from Thoothukudi, Keelakarai and Veerapandian pattinam of Gulf of Mannar, Southeast coast of India. Results revealed accumulation of these metals in the following order Hg > Cd > Pb. Hg concentration was found to be higher in Po. sanguinolentus followed by E. quoyanus, Pe. semisulcatus and L. lentjan however, the same was absent in Sa. longiceps and Se. leptolepis. Cd concentration was recorded in decreasing order in Po. sanguinolentus > Pe. semisulcatus > L. lentjen > E. quoyanus > Sa. longiceps > Se. leptolepis. Pb was detectable only in four species. Results of One-way ANOVA revealed significant variations (p < 0.05) in accumulation of Cd in Sa. longiceps, Se. leptolepis and Pe. semisulcatus and Hg in E. quoyanus, L. lentjan and Po. sanguinolentus. Variations noted in Pb were not statistically significant throughout.     

Elemental Analysis of Whole and Protein Separated Blood Serum of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Sjögren’s Syndrome

Data on the effects of selenium supplementation on clinical signs and metabolic profiles in women at risk for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are scarce. This study was designed to assess the effects of selenium supplementation on clinical signs and metabolic status in pregnant women at risk for IUGR. This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 60 women at risk for IUGR according to abnormal uterine artery Doppler waveform. Participants were randomly assigned to intake either 100 μg selenium supplements as tablet (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 10 weeks between 17 and 27 weeks of gestation. After 10 weeks of selenium administration, a higher percentage of women in the selenium group had pulsatility index (PI) of <1.45) (P = 0.002) than of those in the placebo group. In addition, changes in plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (P < 0.001), glutathione (GSH) (P = 0.008), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (P = 0.004) in the selenium group were significant compared with the placebo group. Additionally, selenium supplementation significantly decreased serum insulin (P = 0.02), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P = 0.02), and homeostatic model assessment for B-cell function (HOMA-B) (P = 0.02) and significantly increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (P = 0.04) and HDL-C levels (P = 0.02) compared with the placebo. We did not find any significant effect of selenium administration on malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and other lipid profiles. Overall, selenium supplementation in pregnant women at risk for IUGR resulted in improved PI, TAC, GSH, hs-CRP, and markers of insulin metabolism and HDL-C levels, but it did not affect MDA, NO, FPG, and other lipid profiles.Clinical trial registration number http://www.irct.ir: IRCT201601045623N64.     

Analysis of Hair Trace Elements in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Communication Disorders

The primary objective of the present study is analysis of hair trace elements content in children with communication disorder (CD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 99 children from control, CD, and ASD groups (n = 33) were examined. All children were additionally divided into two subgroups according to age. Hair levels of trace elements were assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The difference was considered significant at p < 0.01. The obtained data demonstrate that children with CD are characterized by significantly increased hair lithium (Li) (96 %; p = 0.008), selenium (Se) (66 %; p < 0.001), arsenic (As) (96 %; p = 0.005), beryllium (Be) (150 %; p < 0.001), and cadmium (Cd) (72 %; p = 0.007) content, being higher than the respective control values. In the ASD group, hair copper (Cu), iodine (I), and Be levels tended to be lower than the control values. In turn, the scalp hair content of Se significantly exceeded the control values (33 %; p = 0.004), whereas the level of iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) tended to increase. After gradation for age, the most prominent differences in children with CD were detected in the elder group (5–8 years), whereas in the case of ASD—in the younger group (3–4 years old). Taking into account the role of hair as excretory mechanism for certain elements including the toxic ones, it can be proposed that children suffering from ASD are characterized by more profound alteration of metal handling and excretion in comparison to CD.     

Serum Trace Elements and Electrolytes Are Associated with Fasting Plasma Glucose and HbA<Subscript>1c</Subscript> in Postmenopausal Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The primary aim of the research was to assess the level of trace elements and electrolytes in serum of postmenopausal diabetic women. Sixty-four postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and 64 age- and body mass index-matched controls were examined. Serum trace elements were assessed using inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometry (ICP-DRC-MS). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) levels were evaluated using Randox kits. The obtained data demonstrate that DM2 patients were characterized by 42 and 34 % higher FPG and HbA_1c levels, respectively (p < 0.001). The level of Cu and Se in diabetic postmenopausal women was increased by 10 and 15 % in comparison to the respective control values (p = 0.002 and <0.001). Serum Mn, Zn, and Ni concentrations were lower than the control ones by 32 % (p = 0.003), 8 % (p = 0.003), and 23 % (p = 0.046), respectively. FPG and HbA_1c levels directly correlated with serum Se (p < 0.001) and Cu (p = 0.014 and p = 0.028) concentrations and inversely related to Zn (p < 0.001) and Tl (p = 0.023 and p = 0.029) levels. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between serum Zn and Se and FPG and HbA_1c levels. It is proposed that Zn and Se play an important role in DM2 pathogenesis. Further studies are required to assess the intimate mechanisms of the observed differences.     

Activation of stilbene synthesis in cell cultures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis amurensis</Emphasis> by calcium-dependent protein kinases <Emphasis Type="Italic">VaCPK1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">VaCPK26</Emphasis>

Stilbenes, including trans-resveratrol (3,4′,5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), are known to exert beneficial health effects and contribute to plant biotic stress resistance. Much remains to be discovered about the cell signaling pathways regulating stilbene biosynthesis. It has recently been shown that overexpression of the calcium-dependent protein kinase VaCPK20 gene considerably increased t-resveratrol accumulation in cell cultures of Vitis amurensis. In this study, we analyzed the involvement of other CDPK family members, VaCPK1 and VaCPK26, on stilbene synthesis and biomass production by cell cultures of V. amurensis. We showed that overexpression of the VaCPK1 and 26 genes induced production of stilbenes by 1.7–4.6-fold (for VaCPK1) and by 2.5–6.2-fold (for VaCPK26) in several independently established cell lines compared to the empty vector-transformed control. Using HPLC-UV-MS, we detected five stilbenes in the grape cells: t-resveratrol diglucoside, t-piceid, t-resveratrol, ε- and δ-viniferin. The VaCPK1- and VaCPK26-transformed calli were capable of producing 1.4–3.1 and 1.8–4.9 mg/l of t-resveratrol, respectively (up to 0.4 for and 0.6 mg/g of dry weight for VaCPK26 and VaCPK1, respectively), while the control line synthesized only 0.5 mg/l of t-resveratrol (0.07 mg/g DW). The up-regulation of t-resveratrol production in the VaCPK1- and VaCPK26-overexpressing grape calli correlated with a significant up-regulation of stilbene synthase (STS) gene expression, especially VaSTS7. The data indicate that VaCPK1 and 26 genes, which are close homologues of VaCPK20, are positive regulators of stilbene biosynthesis in grapevine.     

Silencing of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mythimna separata chitinase</Emphasis> genes via oral delivery of <Emphasis Type="Italic">in planta</Emphasis>-expressed RNAi effectors from a recombinant plant virus

Objectives

To evaluate transient expression of RNA interference (RNAi) effectors in Nicotiana benthamiana plants by using recombinant virus vectors and also oral delivery of the effectors for silencing of Mythimna separata endogenous gene expression.

Results

Mythimna separata is a serious pest of corn production in China. To evaluate RNAi approaches to target specific RNAs in M. separate, we cloned fragments of the M. separata chitinase sequences into a virus vector in order to produce RNAi effectors during virus infection and replication in plants. When the infected plants were fed to M. separata, expression levels of target MseChi1 and MseChi2 genes were down-regulated by 76 and 45 %, respectively, and sequence-specific siRNAs were detected in recipient insects. RNAi-based silencing of chitinase genes also led to body weight decreases by 43 %.

Conclusion

Our research demonstrates target mRNA knockdown and suggests a promising application for controlling of M. separata by in planta expression of RNAi effectors using a recombinant plant virus.

     

Enhancing carotenoid production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodotorula mucilaginosa</Emphasis> KC8 by combining mutation and metabolic engineering

Rhodotorula mucilaginosa has been considered as a potential industrial yeast due to its unicellular and fast-growing characteristics, and its ability to produce carotenoids, including torularhodin. However, its low total carotenoid production limits its commercial application. In this study, mutation breeding and metabolic engineering were employed to enhance carotenoid production in the R. mucilaginosa strain KC8. After chemical–physical mutagenesis, R. mucilaginosa K4 with a 67% greater concentration of carotenoids (14.47 ± 0.06 mg L^?1) than R. mucilaginosa KC8 (8.67 ± 0.07 mg L^?1) was obtained. To further enhance carotenoid production, gene HMG1 encoding the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase was introduced from another yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and overexpressed in R. mucilaginosa K4. The carotenoid production of HMG1-gene-overexpression transformant G1 reached 16.98 mg L^?1. To relieve the feedback inhibition of ergosterol, and to down-regulate ergosterol synthesis, ketoconazole, an ergosterol synthesis inhibitor, was added at a concentration of 28 mg L^?1. The carotenoid production of the transformant G1 reached 19.14 ± 0.09 mg L^?1, which was 121% higher than in R. mucilaginosa KC8. This suggests that a combination of chemical–physical mutagenesis, overexpression of the HMG1 gene, and adding ketoconazole is an effective strategy to improve carotenoid production.     

Effects of exendin-4 and selenium on the expression of GLP-1R,IRS-1, and preproinsulin in the pancreas of diabetic rats

The mechanisms by which exendin-4 and selenium exert their antidiabetic actions are still unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of exendin-4 or selenium administration on the expression of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), and preproinsulin in the pancreas of diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin administration. Diabetic rats were injected intraperitoneally with 0.03 μg exendin-4/kg body weight/daily or treated with 5 ppm selenium in drinking water for a period of 4 weeks. GLP-1R and IRS-1 levels were decreased while the level of preproinsulin messenger RNA (mRNA) was increased in the pancreas of diabetic untreated rats, as compared to that in control rats. Treatment of diabetic rats with exendin-4 increased protein and mRNA levels of GLP-1R, and IRS-1, and the mRNA level of preproinsulin in the pancreas, as compared to their levels in diabetic untreated rats. Selenium treatment of diabetic rats increased the pancreatic mRNA levels of GLP-1R, IRS-1, and preproinsulin. Exendin-4 or selenium treatment of diabetic rats also increased the numbers of pancreatic islets and GLP-1R molecules in the pancreas. Therefore, exendin-4 and selenium may exert their antidiabetic effects by increasing GLP-1R, IRS-1, and preproinsulin expression in the pancreas and by increasing the number of pancreatic islets.     

Inducing Ni sensitivity in the Ni hyperaccumulator plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alyssum inflatum</Emphasis> Nyárády (Brassicaceae) by transforming with <Emphasis Type="Italic">CAX1</Emphasis>, a vacuolar membrane calcium transporter

The importance of calcium in nickel tolerance was studied in the nickel hyperaccumulator plant Alyssum inflatum by gene transformation of CAX1, a vacuolar membrane transporter that reduces cytosolic calcium. CAX1 from Arabidopsis thaliana with a CaMV35S promoter accompanying a kanamycin resistance gene was transferred into A. inflatum using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Transformed calli were sub-cultured three times on kanamycin-rich media and transformation was confirmed by PCR using a specific primer for CAX1. At least 10 callus lines were used as a pool of transformed material. Both transformed and untransformed calli were treated with varying concentrations of either calcium (1–15 mM) or nickel (0–500 µM) to compare their responses to those ions. Increased external calcium generally led to increased callus biomass, however, the increase was greater for untransformed callus. Further, increased external calcium led to increased callus calcium concentrations. Transformed callus was less nickel tolerant than untransformed callus: under increasing nickel concentrations callus relative growth rate was significantly less for transformed callus. Transformed callus also contained significantly less nickel than untransformed callus when exposed to the highest external nickel concentration (200 µM). We suggest that transformation with CAX1 decreased cytosolic calcium and resulted in decreased nickel tolerance. This in turn suggests that, at low cytosolic calcium concentrations, other nickel tolerance mechanisms (e.g., complexation and vacuolar sequestration) are insufficient for nickel tolerance. We propose that high cytosolic calcium is an important mechanism that results in nickel tolerance by nickel hyperaccumulator plants.     

MIR166a Affects the Germination of Somatic Embryos in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larixleptolepis</Emphasis> by Modulating IAA Biosynthesis and Signaling Genes

The somatic embryogenic regeneration system is an ideal model system to study the regulation of early developmental processes and morphogenesis in gymnosperms. We have previously generated five larch (Larix leptolepis) LaMIR166a overexpression cell lines. The germination rates of mature somatic embryos in transgenic and wild-type (WT) lines were calculated and the results showed that overexpression of the miR166a precursor (LaMIR166a) markedly enhanced germination, especially in the a-3, a-4, and a-5 lines. The relative expression of LaMIR166a and miR166a in the LaMIR166a overexpression lines was higher than in the WT control line during the germination process, whereas the expression levels of LaHDZ31–34 increased markedly throughout germination, potentially as a result of feedback regulation of miR166. The effect of miR166a on auxin biosynthesis and signaling genes was also studied. During germination, mRNA levels of Nitrilase (LaNIT), Auxin response factor1 (LaARF1), and LaARF2 were markedly higher in LaMIR166a overexpressing lines. These results indicated that indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis is required for germination in L. leptolepis. Further exogenous application of IAA at different concentrations showed that 2 mg L^?1 IAA clearly promoted germination, resulting in a 56% germination rate for L. leptolepis somatic embryos. This shows that IAA plays a vital role in controlling the germination ability of someatic embryos in L. leptolepis. Our results suggest that miR166a and LaHDZ31–34 have important roles in auxin biosynthesis and signaling during the germination of somatic embryos in L. leptolepis.     

Effect of Oral Zinc Supplementation on the Thiol Oxido-Reductive Index and Thiol-Related Enzymes in Seminal Plasma and Spermatozoa of Iraqi Asthenospermic Patients

Despite increasing evidence indicating the essential involvement of selenium (Se) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality of commercial broilers, the effects of different Se sources on local Chinese Subei chickens is unclear. A total of 360 50-day-old male chickens were individually weighed and randomly allocated to four treatment groups. Chickens in each of the four groups were fed diets supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg as sodium Se (SS), Se-enriched yeast (SY), selenomethionine (Met-Se), or nano red element Se (Nano-Se) for 40 days. At the end of the experiment, one bird of approximately average weight from each cage was selected and slaughtered, and blood and breast muscles samples were collected. The results showed that there was no significant difference in feed intake, body weight gain, or feed to gain ratio among treatments (P > 0.05). Dietary SY, Met-Se, and Nano-Se supplementation increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase in serum and breast muscles and decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde in serum and carbonyl in breast muscles compared with the SS group (P < 0.05). Moreover, SY, Met-Se, and Nano-Se supplementation increased pH_45min, total protein solubility, and myofibrillar protein solubility, as well as decreased the shear force value compared with the SS group (P < 0.05). In addition, birds in the SY and Met-Se groups exhibited lower cooking loss compared with the SS group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, organic Se and Nano-Se supplementation resulted in an improvement of antioxidant capacity and meat quality in local Chinese Subei chickens relative to inorganic Se.     

Biosynthesis of di-rhamnolipids and variations of congeners composition in genetically-engineered <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

Objectives

To engineer Escherichia coli for the heterologous production of di-rhamnolipids, which are important biosurfactants but mainly produced by opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Results

The codon-optimized rhlAB and rhlC genes originating from P. aeruginosa and Burkholderia pseudomallei were combinatorially expressed in E. coli to produce di-rhamnolipids with varied congeners compositions. Genes involved in endogenous upstream pathways (rhamnose and fatty acids synthesis) were co-overexpressed with rhlAB–rhlC, resulting in variations of rhamnolipids production and congeners compositions. Under the shake-flask condition, co-overexpression of rfbD with rhlAB–rhlC increased rhamnolipids production (0.64 ± 0.02 g l^?1) than that in strain only expressing rhlAB–rhlC (0.446 ± 0.009 g l^?1), which was mainly composed of di-rhamnolipids congeners Rha–Rha–C₁₀–C₁₀.

Conclusion

Biosynthesis of di-rhamnolipids and variations of congeners composition in genetically engineered E. coli strains were achieved via combiniations of mono-/di-rhamnolipids synthesis modules and endogenous upstream modules.

     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">BBX-B8</Emphasis> overexpression on development,body weight,silk protein synthesis and egg diapause of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bombyx mori</Emphasis>

Bombyxin (BBX) is an insulin-like peptide exists in the silkworm Bombyx mori. Our previous studies on the effects of inhibiting BBX-B8 expression found that BBX-B8 is important for the development of organ, reproduction and trehalose metabolism in the silkworms. In this paper, we investigated the expression profile of the BBX-B8 gene and effect of BBX-B8 overexpression on the development, body weight, silk protein synthesis and egg diapause of B. mori to further understand BBX-B8 functions. BBX-B8 gene expression could be detected in the brains, midguts, anterior silkglands, ovaries, testes, fat bodies, hemolymph, malpighian tubules and embryos by RT-PCR, however it was mainly expressed in the brain. Western blots showed that the change in BBX-B8 expression was not obvious in the brain of 1- to 4-day-old larvae of fifth instar silkworms, but expression increased substantially at 5- to 6-day-old larvae of fifth instar silkworms. Transgenic silkworms overexpressing BBX-B8 were obtained by introducing non-transposon transgenic vector pIZT-B8 containing a BBX-B8 gene driven by Orgyia pseudotsugata nucleopolyhedrovirus IE2 promoter into the genome. Development duration of the transgenic silkworms was delayed by 2.5–3.5 days. Cocoon shell weight of transgenic silkworms was reduced by 4.79 % in females and 7.44 % in males, pupal weight of transgenic silkworms was reduced 6.75 % in females and 13.83 % in males compared to non-transgenic silkworms, and 5.56–14.29 % of transgenic moths laid nondiapausing eggs. All results indicated that BBX-B8 plays an important role in the development, silk protein synthesis and egg diapause of silkworm.