Project description:Juvenile hormone (JH) is produced and secreted by corpora allata (CA) during larval stages. JH biosynthesis from acetyl-CoA includes 13 enzymatic steps. Genes for 10 of those enzymes have been identified from Bombyx mori. It was also reported that they are basically expressed selectively in CA. Genes for the other 3 enzymes were recently reported from other insects, i.e., farnesyl diphosphate pyrophosphatase (FPPP) from Drosophila and farnesol dehydrogenase (FolD) and farnesal dehydrogenase (FalD) from Aedes. In order to reveal the expression profiles of these genes in Bombyx CA and to find other candidate genes involved in JH biosynthesis, we performed a transcriptomic analysis in corpora cardiaca-CA (CC-CA) complexes using a custom-made DNA microarray on which sequences from CC-CA EST libraries and genome-widely predicted genes are loaded. CC-CA complexes vigorously expressed JH-biosynthetic genes identified in Bombyx as well as genes involved in methyl-group metabolism and ribosomal protein genes; this is suitable for JH production. Bombyx counterparts of Drosophila FPPP and Aedes FolD genes, however, showed quite low level of expression. On the other hand, some other genes probably encoding oxidoreductases were expressed highly and selectively in CC-CA complex. Their products might function as FolD and/or FalD in Bombyx.
Project description:To identify the cuticular proteins in developing wing scales of Bombyx mori, we performed LC-MS/MS analysis of dissoliving developing wing scales from Bombyx mori
Project description:To identify the cuticular proteins in developing wing scales of Bombyx mori, we performed LC-MS/MS analysis of dissoliving developing wing scales from Bombyx mori
Project description:To identify the cuticular proteins in developing wing scales of Bombyx mori, we performed LC-MS/MS analysis of dissoliving developing wing scales from Bombyx mori
Project description:We identified genes regulated by parasitization of the silkworm Bombyx mori by three tachinid parasitoid species, Exorista japonica, Drino inconspicuoides and Pales pavida, using oligonucleotide microarrays. The numbers of genes and their intensity of expression varied with the species of parasitoid, within silkworm hemocytes and fat body. Bombyx mori hemocyte, silkgland and fat body samples parasitizated by Exorista japonica, Drino inconspicuoides and Pales pavida were prepared. Gene expression was compared in these two groups: control and parasitized.
Project description:Uric acid (UA) is the final product of purine metabolism and plays an important role as a physiological antioxidant. In recent years, several different groups have reported a correlation between decreased UA in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and clinical progression and stage of PD. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of decreased UA under oxidative stress. We used our systematic functional annotation pipeline for silkworm genes to identify a novel UA metabolic pathway regulator under oxidative stress in a UA metabolism mutant silkworm Bombyx mori model. Gene expression was measured in 3day of fifth instar larvae of abnormal uric acid synthesis Bombyx mori mutant of op.
