The effect of BmNPV infection on protein metabolism in silkworm (Bombyx mori) larva

Authors

  • K Etebari Dept. of Sericulture, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Somehe Sara 1144, Iran
  • L Matindoost Dept. of Sericulture, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Somehe Sara 1144, Iran
  • S Z Mirhoseini Dept. of Sericulture, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Somehe Sara 1144, Iran
  • M W Turnbull Department of Entomology, Soils, and Plant Sciences, Clemson University, 114 Long Hall, Clemson, SC 29634- 0315, USA

Keywords:

silkworm, nuclear polyhedrosis virus, protein metabolism, grasseri

Abstract

Grasseri is one of the most important diseases of silkworm with significant yield loss, which is
caused by nuclear polyhedrosis viruses (NPV). In the present research the effect of this disease on
changes of biochemical compounds which are related to protein metabolism in 5th instar larvae were
studied. The larvae that showed the grasseri symptoms after contamination with 5.5×10-4
polyhedral/ml were assumed as infected treatment. The hemolymph of infected and uninfected larvae in 3 and 5 days after 4th molting were collected and its total protein, urea, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. The results showed that the amount of all the compounds except urea were considerably different in both groups. Total protein had decreased in infected larvae but activity level of two aminotransferases significantly increased. Therefore, grasseri has a considerable effect on protein metabolism.

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Published

2007-02-09

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2007)

Section

Short Communications