cDNA clones encoding Bombyx mori alanyl-tRNA synthetase were isolated from a library in lambda gt11 using antibody, synthetic oligonucleotides, and a characterized cDNA as probes. Analysis of the sequence revealed significant homology between the B. mori and Escherichia coli alanyl-tRNA synthetases, particularly in their amino-terminal domains. Northern blot analysis indicated that the mRNA for...

1. A net absorption of a-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) takes place in vitro in the midgut of two lepidopteran larvae, Philosamia cynthia Drury and Bombyx mori L. 2. lnP. cynthia the midgut epithelium accumulates AIB from the lumen, while in the same conditions AIB accumulation is not observed in B. mori midgut cells. 3. In P. cynthia, when the lumen is bathed with a low K solution, the net absorpt...

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There are few powerful techniques available to transfect insect tissues. We previously used biolistics to transfect Bombyx mori embryos, and larval and pupal tissues (Thomas J-L et al. 2001. Journal of Insect Science 1/9, Kravariti L et al. 2001. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 31: 473-479). As the main limitation was the irregularity in results we explored electroporation as an alter...

BACKGROUND The vitellogenin receptor (VgR) mediates the uptake of vitellogenin (Vg) from the hemolymph by developing oocytes. RESULTS VgR with the mutational EGF1 domain can bind ligand proteins but cannot be dissociated under acidic conditions. The mutant is lethal in embryos. CONCLUSION Bombyx mori VgR (BmVgR) has an important role in egg formation and embryonic development. SIGNIFICANC...

The silkworm is the larva or caterpillar of the domesticated silkmoth, Bombyx mori and being a primary producer of silk is an economically important insect. These days the silk is emerging as a resource for solving a broad range of biological problems. The silk (Abresham) is popularly known as Abresham muqriz (muqriz means cut) in Unani medicine. Its cocoons are extensively used as an ingredien...

Silk glands are specialized in the synthesis of several secretory proteins. Expression of genes encoding the silk proteins in Bombyx mori silk glands with strict territorial and developmental specificities is regulated by many transcription factors. In this study, we have characterized B. mori sage, which is closely related to sage in the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster. It is termed Bmsage; i...

The W chromosome of the silkworm Bombyx mori has been known to determine femaleness for more than 80 years. However, the feminizing gene has not been molecularly identified, because the B. mori W chromosome is almost fully occupied by a large number of transposable elements. The W chromosome-derived feminizing factor of B. mori was recently shown to be a female-specific PIWI-interacting RNA (pi...