Silk cocoons, constructed by silkmoths (Lepidoptera), are protective structural composites. Some cocoons appear to have evolved towards structural and material optimisation in order to sustain impact strikes from predators and hinder parasite ingress. This study investigates the protective properties of silk cocoons with different morphologies by evaluating their impact resistance and damage to...

Established animal models have accelerated our understanding of the mechanisms involved in lifespan determination. However, more experimental animals are required to clarify the complex mechanisms behind the phenomena of aging and lifespan. In this study, we reported the variation of lifespan in nine distinct silkworm strains. Lifespan correlated significantly with BmFoxO gene expression in the...

A proton-translocating vacuolar-type ATPase (V-ATPase) was identified and characterized in the anterior silk gland of Bombyx mori. By incubating the intact tissue with the fluorescent dye Acridine Orange, the acidified compartment was detected at the apical pole of the epithelial cells. This was observed throughout the feeding period of the fifth-instar larva until the onset of spinning. Acidif...

We previously identified a pumilio gene in silkworm (Bombyx mori L.), designated BmPUM, which was specifically expressed in the ovary and testis. To further characterize this gene's involvement in silkworm development, we have determined the spatiotemporal expression pattern of BmPUM during all embryonic stages. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed that BmPUM was expre...

Nosema bombycis is a destructive, obligate intracellular parasite of the Bombyx mori. In this study, a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) dependent technology is developed for the purpose of inhibiting parasite proliferation in insect cells. The scFv-G4, which we prepared from a mouse G4 monoclonal antibody, can target the N. bombycis spore wall protein 12 (NbSWP12). Indirect immunofluoresce...

Axon guidance molecule Slit is critical for the axon repulsion in neural tissues, which is evolutionarily conserved from planarians to humans. However, the function of Slit in the silkworm Bombyx mori was unknown. Here we showed that the structure of Bombyx mori Slit (BmSlit) was different from that in most other species in its C-terminal sequence. BmSlit was localized in the midline glial cell...

Abstract Silkworm genebanks assume paramount importance as the reservoirs of biodiversity and source of alleles that can be easily retrieved for genetic enhancement of popular breeds. More than 4000 Bombyx mori L (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) strains are currently available and these strains are maintained through continuous sibling mating. This repeated sibling mating makes the populations of each...

As an important economic insect, Bombyx mori is also a useful model organism for lepidopteran insect. SET-domain-containing proteins belong to a group of enzymes named after a common domain that utilizes the cofactor S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) to achieve methylation of its substrates. Many SET-domain-containing proteins have been shown to display catalytic activity towards particular lysine ...

Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) is a well-studied Lepidopteran model system because of its morphology, life cycle, and economic importance. Many scientists have placed importance on enhancing the economic traits of B. mori because it's larvae, silkworms, are vital in the production of silk. In this study, the effect of bovine milk on B. mori growth was tested. Bovine milk contains seve...

The entomogenous fungus Nomuraea rileyi reportedly secretes a proteinaceous substance inhibiting larval molt and metamorphosis in the silkworm Bombyx mori. We studied the possibility that N. rileyi controls B. mori development by inactivating hemolymph molting hormone, ecdysteroids. Incubation of ecdysone (E) and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in fungal-conditioned medium resulted in their rapid modi...