Normal Silkworms Research Articles

Cytoplasmic inclusion body in the epidermal cells of normal and transparent silkworm larvae

The cytoplasm of the epidermal cells of the silkworm ( Bombyx mori L.) with normal opaque skin includes many lens-shaped cell organelles which usually contain a very electron-dense substance, whereas the epidermal cells of transparent mutant od include only small amounts of the electron-dense substance. The contained substance seems to be at least partly composed of urates, and it reduces silver nitrate strongly. In the transparent larvae, these cell organelles are abundant in the younger stages of development but seem to be functionless and are destroyed in the later state. The number of such inclusion bodies may be responsible for the apparent difference of skin transparency in the silkworm.

Genetic Variations in Shape and Size of Pteridine Granules of a Normal Silkworm Strain and Several Other Strains with Transparent Skin

Genetic Variations in Shape and Size of Pteridine Granules of a Normal Silkworm Strain and Several Other Strains with Transparent Skin

Studies on lipids in the hemolymph of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, during the course of nucleopolyhedrosis

Total lipids were determined in the hemolymph of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, infected with nucleopolyhedrosis virus. In the phospholipid fraction lecithin, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylethanolamine were detected. Hydrolysis of phospholipid gave two substances which were not identified. One of them gave a positive reaction with the iodine vapor test and the other gave positive reactions both with the iodine vapor and the ninhydrin tests. Cholesterol was identified as the only component of the cholesterol fraction in the body fluid of diseased as well as of normal silkworms. Fatty acids increased when polyhedra were released into the body fluid. Palmitic and stearic acids were detected, together with an unidentified fatty acid, as the components of the fatty acid fraction.

Free Amino Acids in the Blood Plasma of the Silkworm, Bombyx mori L., Infected with Nuclear-Polyhedrosis Virus (Lepidoptera : Bombycidae)

Free amino acid constituents in the blood plasma of the silkworm, Bobyx mori, infected with the nuclear-polyhedrosis virus were compared with those in the blood plasma of the normal silkworm. The amount of amino acids was determined by ion exchange chromatography using the amino acid analyzer. Several amino acids (ornithine, lysine, histidine, arginine, taurine, aspartic acid, threonine, serine, glutamine, asparagine, proline, glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, valine, cystathionine, methionine, isolecuine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine and β-alanine) were determined quantitatively in the blood plasma from both healthy and diseased larvae. In the blood plasma of the diseased larvae, the amount of ornithine, lysine, threonine, asparagine, glycine, alanine, cystathionine, tyrosine and phenylalanine decreased, while the amount of arginine, proline, glutamic acid and methionine increased strilingly as compared to normal blood plasma. These results were clearly different from the case of cytoplasmic polyhedrosis. It appeared that the peptide content in the blood plasma of diseased larvae was higher than that of normal blood plasma.

On the uric acid formation in a few mutants and normal silkworm (Bombyx mori), with special reference to the xanthine dehydrogenase

On the uric acid formation in a few mutants and normal silkworm (Bombyx mori), with special reference to the xanthine dehydrogenase

Polarograms and the content of cystine plus cysteine of epidermal protein in od and normal silkworm.

Polarograms and the content of cystine plus cysteine of epidermal protein in od and normal silkworm.

On the protein and uric acid in extracts of the integument of od and normal silkworm.

On the protein and uric acid in extracts of the integument of od and normal silkworm.

On the difference in growth between od oily and normal silkworms

On the difference in growth between od oily and normal silkworms

CHANGES OF THE RIBOFLAVIN CONTENT IN SEVERAL ORGANS AND TISSUES OF <i>OD</i> AND NORMAL SILKWORMS, <i>BOMBYX MORI</i> DURING METAMORPHOSIS

1. On the mounting (beginning of spinning) period, there was no difference between the riboflavin concentration of the blood in od and that in normal, and the difference between these two strains became evident in one day after mounting.2. The Malpighian tubes of the normal silkworm contained much greater amount of riboflavin than those of od, and in both strains riboflavin in the Malpighian tubes decreased after the mature larva-period.3. In the mature larva there was little or no difference in the riboflavin content of the alimentary canal between od and normal. Thereafter it steeply increased till the early part of the pupal stage in the normal silkworm but it rather decreased in od, and the difference between them became evident.4. From the present and previous results, it is presumed that riboflavin in the Malpighian tubes of the normal silkworm is mostly transfered to the blood and alimentary canal during pupation. The increase of riboflavin concentration in the blood of od during pupation seems to be due to its transference from various organs and tissues, and it is conceivable that riboflavin in the od pupa is utilized fully as riboflavin of eggs.

Comparison of vitamin B2contents in the blood and eggs between normal andod-translucent silkworms (Bombyx moriL.)

Comparison of vitamin B2contents in the blood and eggs between normal andod-translucent silkworms (Bombyx moriL.)

蚕の“赤赤”遺伝子の生化学的意義について

3-Hydroxykynurenine is found to be abnormally accumulated in the body fluid of a silkworm mutant called “Aka-Aka” (rb) which we. have discovered. This abnormal accumulation in rb is caused by the inhibition of the metabolic courses in the normal silkworm, i.e. from kynurenine to anthranilic acid and from 3-hydroxykynurenine to 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid. It may therefore be concluded, that the rb gene controls kynureninase, which has relation to this metabolism.

家蚕のTryptophan代謝について(其の1)

Tryptophan metabolism of both normal and mutated silkworms were studied, and anthranilic acid, anthranilylglycine, sulphate of 3-hydroxykynurenine, glucuronide of 3-hydroxykynureine and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid were detected -in the urine of the normal silkworm pupae.

Studies on the Free Amino-acids in the Blood of the Normal and Grasserie Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) by Paper Chromatography.

Studies on the Free Amino-acids in the Blood of the Normal and Grasserie Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) by Paper Chromatography.