How Low Concentrations of Bacillus thuringiensis Affect Silkworms
Author Information
Author(s): Zou Hongbin, Gu Haoyi, Cheng Jialu, Tian Chao, Shu Qilong, Peng Peilin, Li Bing, Négre Nicolas N.
Primary Institution: Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University
Hypothesis
Low concentrations of Bacillus thuringiensis induce midgut damage in silkworms by activating apoptotic pathways.
Conclusion
Low concentrations of Bacillus thuringiensis can significantly harm silkworms by triggering apoptosis in their midgut.
Supporting Evidence
- Low concentrations of Bacillus thuringiensis caused a 24.9% reduction in larval body weight.
- Histopathological analysis showed severe damage to the midgut cells of silkworms exposed to Bacillus thuringiensis.
- Transcriptome analysis identified 290 differentially expressed genes related to metabolic processes and apoptosis.
Takeaway
This study found that even small amounts of a bacteria used to kill pests can hurt silkworms by making their cells die.
Methodology
Silkworm larvae were treated with different concentrations of Bacillus thuringiensis, and their midguts were analyzed for damage and gene expression changes.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on one species of silkworm and may not be generalizable to other insects.
Participant Demographics
Fifth-instar silkworm larvae (Bombyx mori)
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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