Photoreception in decapitated larvae of silkworm Bombyx mori

To investigate the photoreception that controls daily oscillations at the periphery in insects, we decapitated larvae of the silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) by ligature, and observed rhythms in their peripheral tissues under several light conditions. We measured the mRNA expression of period (per) and timeless (tim), which are homologues of Drosophila clock genes that function in the core oscillator of the circadian clock system. The expression of both per and tim significantly changed in the midgut, Malpighian tubules and silk glands of decapitated larvae exposed to photophase and scotophase that were reversed from the original daily light–dark cycle under which the larvae were housed. Under constant darkness, the daily expression of tim mRNA persisted for at least one cycle in the midgut and silk gland. In addition, an appropriate light stimulus under constant darkness induced a significant phase shift in the endogenous timing system (probably a circadian clock) that determined peak levels of tim mRNA expression in the midgut and silk glands of decapitated larvae. Since light regulated the gene expression rhythm in peripheral tissues of decapitated silkworm larvae, neither the brain nor eyes were essential for photoreception to control daily oscillations in these tissues. Thus, peripheral tissues in insects might directly use light even at the larval stage.     

High-level expression of human acidic fibroblast growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor in silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) using recombinant baculovirus

A hybrid of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus and Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus, which is infectious to both Spodoptera frugiperda and Bombyx mori, was prepared in our previous study. Two recombinant hybrid baculoviruses, carrying cDNAs of human acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors, respectively, were successfully constructed in this study, for the large-scale production of human aFGF and bFGF using silkworm as host. These recombinant viruses were used to inoculate silkworm larvae. After the infection, the recombinant proteins were not found in the hemolymph. Such nonsecretion from cells has also been observed in the established insect cell lines, Sf21 and Tn-5. Tissue distribution analysis indicated that the expressed products were mainly located in fat body and the production of the recombinant aFGF and bFGF was maximal at around 80 h postinfection. Therefore, silkworm larvae infected with recombinant viruses were dissected and fat bodies were collected for the purification of recombinant aFGF and bFGF. The expression levels in both cases were estimated to be as high as approximately 600-700 microg per larva. Furthermore, the recombinant proteins were characterized and their biological activities were evaluated by in vitro bioassay using cell culture.     

Sterol composition in larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Sterols in silkworm larvae were analyzed. Cholesterol was predominantly detected in all tissues examined. Dietary phytosterols and desmosterol, a putative biosynthetic intermediate from phytosterols to cholesterol, were also detected, indicating that imperfect intestinal conversion from phytosterols to cholesterol influences the sterol composition in larval tissues.     

Production of recombinant human calcitonin from silkworm (B. mori) larvae infected by baculovirus

A synthetic modified gene encoding the human calcitonin analog (hmCT) was expressed by use of the baculovirus expression system. After injection with recombinant baculoviruses, the hmCT-GST fusion protein was produced within the silkworm larvae. The fusion protein was purified by affinity chromatography. Biological activity of hmCT for hypercalcemic effect was determined in normal rats.     

家蚕组织蛋白酶基因家族的鉴定及表达特征分析

家蚕是鳞翅目完全变态昆虫,在其变态过程中伴随着巨大的形态变化,包括旧组织的解离和新组织的形成,在这过程中有多种组织蛋白酶参与。组织蛋白酶是一类细胞内蛋白酶,广泛存在于各个物种中,包括组织蛋白酶B、H、L等几个亚家族。对家蚕组织蛋白酶的研究将有利于阐明家蚕变态发育的详细过程。通过对家蚕基因组数据库进行筛选,共在家蚕中鉴定到13种组织蛋白酶,并对这13种组织蛋白酶的基本信息和表达模式进行了分析。另外,利用家蚕基因芯片数据和荧光定量PCR分析,鉴定编号为BGIBMGA004622的基因为卵巢特异表达的组织蛋白酶L亚家族基因。该基因全长1 209 bp,编码402个氨基酸。经过序列分析,该酶与其他物种的组织蛋白酶L具有较高的同源性,其活性位点高度保守,且与鳞翅目的组织蛋白酶L在进化上聚为一支。同时,对该基因进行克隆并原核表达,结果显示重组蛋白以包涵体的形式表达。定量PCR结果显示,该酶在蛹发育初期表达量逐渐升高,至蛹3 d达到最高值,推测其可能参与卵巢与卵母细胞的发育过程。     

High-efficient expression of porcine IL-2 with recombinant baculovirus infected silkworm,Bombyx mori

Biologically active porcine Interleukin-2(poIL-2) was produced fromin vitro andin vivo baculovirus expression systems, namely theAutographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV)-cell culture system and the Hybrid nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HyNPV)— silkworm larva system. The concentration of the recombinant poIL-2(rpoIL-2) in the larvae hemolymph was 1 to 3 mg/mL, which was about 7 to 20 times those of the cell culture systems. The level of this expression efficiency is equal to that with transgenic livestock, secretion products in milk.     

家蚕耐氟性差异的细胞化学研究

对不同蚕品种的耐氟性、ACPase的氟敏感性、蚕品种耐氟性机理的研究表明,在供试蚕品种中以浙农1号的耐氟性最强,杭 8的耐氟性最弱;家蚕Bombyx mori血淋巴ACPase活性与蚕品种的耐氟性无明显关系;氟对蚕的血淋巴和中肠组织细胞的ACPase活性都有抑制作用,并随着氟添食浓度的增加ACPase活性降低,但超过一定浓度的氟添食,血淋巴ACPase活性反而有一个回升的过程,这个转折点出现可能的浓度及回升的幅度与蚕品种的耐氟性有关;细胞化学研究发现此转折点的出现是由于高浓度氟引起细胞结构的破坏而导致蚕体组织细胞内的ACPase大量向血腔释放的结果;氟敏感性蚕品种杭 8在很低氟量添食即可引起中肠组织细胞的ACPase大量向血腔释放,使血淋巴中的ACPase活性大幅度上升,随后ACPase活性受到完全的抑制;耐氟性较强的蚕品种浙农1号则在较高的氟含量添食时才向血腔释放ACPase,且血淋巴中ACPase增高的幅度小,在很高的氟量添食时全面抑制中肠ACPase活性。氟对不同品种ACPase活性影响的差异被认为是家蚕品种耐氟性差异机理之一。     

Production of recombinant human osteoprotegrin from Trichoplusia ni cells and Bombyx mori larvae

Human osteoprotegrin (OPG) and its truncated mutant OPG-280 and lengthened mutant OPG-Fc were constructed and successfully expressed in Trichoplusia ni cells and Bombyx mori larvae. Native SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis revealed that OPG-Fc is present as a homodimer in Tn cells or B. mori larvae compared with OPG and OPG-280. Furthermore, the hypocalcemic effect assay showed that truncation of the C-terminal 100 residues OPG does not abolish the biological activity and Fc can be helpful in forming the OPG homodimer with improved biological activity.     

MicroRNA expression profiling during the life cycle of the silkworm (Bombyx mori)

In line 12 of page 1, replace "GmGER 9" with "GmGER 15".     

A carotenoid-binding protein (CBP) plays a crucial role in cocoon pigmentation of silkworm (Bombyx mori) larvae

We examined the role of carotenoid-binding protein (CBP) in yellow cocoon pigmentation. First, using yellow or white cocoon races, we investigated the linkage between the yellow pigmentation and CBP expression. CBP was expressed only in the silk gland of the yellow cocoon races, which utilize carotenoids for cocoon pigmentation. Furthermore, CBP expression in the silk glands of day 1-7 fifth instar larvae matched the period of carotenoid uptake into the silk gland. Finally, we gave double-stranded CBP RNA to Bombyx mori (B. mori) larvae to induce RNA interference. The significantly reduced expression of CBP in the silk gland of fifth instar larva was confirmed on day 4 and a decrease in yellow pigmentation was observed in the cocoon. We showed that CBP plays a key role in the yellow cocoon pigmentation caused by carotenoids.     

Spermiogenesis of the testes of juvenile hormone-treated silkworm larvae,Bombyx mori

• 1.1. To examine changes in the percentages of testicular cells such as 1C cells (spermatids and spermatozoa), 2C cells (G1 somatic cells, spermatogonia and secondary spermatocytes), 2–4C cells (somatic and germinal cells in S phase) and 4C cells (G2 somatic cells and primary spermatocytes), we isolated nuclei from the testes of silkworm larvae and subjected them to flow cytometric analysis.
• 2.2. In control testes, 1C cells appeared at day 0 of the fifth instar, increased gradually by spinning and increased steeply at 2 days later still spinning. The percentage of 2C cells decreased gradually after ecdysis to the fifth instar. The percentage of 4C cells increased from day 2 to day 5 of the fifth instar and decreased after day 11 of this instar. Cells in S phase remained constant through the fifth instar.
• 3.3. An injection of juvenile hormone analog, methoprene, at day 0 of the fifth instar did not inhibit spermiogenesis, but resulted in increased 2C cells and decreased 4C cells dose-dependently. In contrast, the same treatment at day 2 of the fifth instar did not change the percentages of 1C, 2C and 4C cells of the testes at all, suggesting that the testes changed sensitivity to the hormone at larval development.
• 4.4. Repeated injections of methoprene to induce the appearance of dauer larvae resulted in a complete block of the development of 1C cells.

     

Functional study on the mutations in the silkworm (Bombyx mori) acetylcholinesterase type 1 gene (ace1) and its recombinant proteins

The acetylcholinesterase of Lepidoptera insects is encoded by two genes, ace1 and ace2. The expression of the ace1 gene is significantly higher than that of the ace2 gene, and mutations in ace1 are one of the major reasons for pesticide resistance in insects. In order to investigate the effects of the mutations in ace1’s characteristic sites on pesticide resistance, we generated mutations for three amino acids using site-directed mutagenesis, which were Ala(GCG)303Ser(TCG), Gly(GGA)329Ala(GCA) and Leu (TCT)554Ser(TTC). The Baculovirus expression system was used for the eukaryotic expression of the wild type ace1 (wace1) and the mutant ace1 (mace1). SDS-PAGE and Western blotting were used to detect the targeting proteins with expected sizeof about 76 kDa. The expression products were purified for the determination of AChE activity and the inhibitory effects of physostigmine and phoxim. We observed no significant differences in the overall activity of the wild type and mutant AChEs. However, with 10 min of physostigmine (10 μM) inhibition, the remaining activity of the wild type AChE was significantly lower than that of the mutant AChE. Ten min inhibition with 33.4 μM phoxim also resulted in significantly lower remaining activity of the wild type AChE than that of the mutant AChE. These results indicated that mutations for the three amino acids reduced the sensitivity of AChE to physostigmine and phoxim, which laid the foundation for future in vivo studies on AChE’s roles in pesticide resistance.     

Identification of plasmalogen in the gut of silkworm (Bombyx mori)

Herbivorous insect species are constantly challenged with endogenous and exogenous oxidative stress. Consequently, they possess an array of antioxidant enzymes and small molecular weight antioxidants. Lipid-soluble small molecular antioxidants, such as tocopherols, have not been well studied in insects but may play important antioxidant roles. In this study, we identified plasmalogen phosphatidylethanolamines (pPEs) as well as α-, β/γ-, δ-tocopherol in the larvae of the silkworm Bombyx mori by LCMS analyses and examined their distribution. Plasmalogen are reported to inhibit the metal ion induced oxidation. The composition of tocopherols was the same among gut contents, gut tissues, and the other tissues. However, plasmalogens, a unique class of glycerophospholipids rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and containing a vinyl ether bond at the sn-1 position, were mainly distributed in gut tissues. Plasmalogens might protect gut tissues from oxidation stress.     

家蚕色氨酸羟化酶(TRH)基因的克隆及表达特性分析（英文）

5-羟色胺(5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT)是生物界广泛分布的信号分子,涉及动物的重要行为。5-HT是色氨酸羟化酶(Tryptophan hydroxylase, TRH)将L-色氨酸羟化为5-羟-L-色氨酸,5-羟-L-色氨酸随即被多巴脱羧酶(Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, DDC)脱羧而成。TRH作为5-HT合成的限速酶,在无脊椎动物神经调控中具有重要地位。鳞翅目昆虫中TRH的功能研究并不多。在家蚕中克隆了家蚕TRH (Bombyx mori TRH, BmTRH)的cDNA序列1667bp,其中包含1632bp的开放读码框(Openreadingframe,ORF)。人类TPH或者果蝇TRH(Drosophila TRH, DmTRH)与BmTRH有高度相似性,尤其BmTRH和DmTRH之间大多数氨基酸保守说明它们在系统发育上的密切关系并可能有相似功能。基因表达分析显示BmTRH主要表达于头部和中枢神经组织,免疫组织化学和Western blotting结果显示BmTRH只存在于神经组织中,即BmTRH可能仅参与家蚕的神经活动。此外,家蚕DDC(B.moridecarboxylase,BmDDC)和蛋白具有TRH活性的苯丙氨酸羟化酶基因(Phenylalanine hydroxylase, BmPAH)也在中枢神经系统中有表达,暗示家蚕神经系统5-HT的合成与果蝇中不同,可能有两种不同的调控机制。     

家蚕色氨酸羟化酶 (TRH) 基因的克隆及表达特性分析

5-羟色胺 (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) 是生物界广泛分布的信号分子,涉及动物的重要行为。5-HT是色氨酸羟化酶 (Tryptophan hydroxylase, TRH) 将L-色氨酸羟化为5-羟-L-色氨酸,5-羟-L-色氨酸随即被多巴脱羧酶 (Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, DDC) 脱羧而成。TRH作为5-HT合成的限速酶,在无脊椎动物神经调控中具有重要地位。鳞翅目昆虫中TRH的功能研究并不多。在家蚕中克隆了家蚕TRH (Bombyx mori TRH, BmTRH) 的cDNA序列1 667 bp,其中包含1 632 bp的开放读码框 (Open reading frame, ORF)。人类TPH或者果蝇TRH (Drosophila TRH, DmTRH) 与BmTRH有高度相似性,尤其BmTRH和DmTRH之间大多数氨基酸保守说明它们在系统发育上的密切关系并可能有相似功能。基因表达分析显示BmTRH主要表达于头部和中枢神经组织,免疫组织化学和Western blotting结果显示BmTRH只存在于神经组织中,即BmTRH可能仅参与家蚕的神经活动。此外,家蚕DDC (B. mori decarboxylase, BmDDC) 和蛋白具有TRH活性的苯丙氨酸羟化酶基因 (Phenylalanine hydroxylase, BmPAH) 也在中枢神经系统中有表达,暗示家蚕神经系统5-HT的合成与果蝇中不同,可能有两种不同的调控机制。