Insulin and Ecdysone Signaling in Silkworm Egg Diapause Termination
Author Information
Author(s): Gu Shi-Hong, Lin Pei-Ling
Primary Institution: Department of Biology, National Museum of Natural Science, Taichung, Taiwan
Hypothesis
We hypothesized that differences in insulin signaling between chilled eggs and eggs kept at 25 °C may exist.
Conclusion
Chilled eggs maintained relatively higher levels of insulin and ecdysone signaling, which are likely related to diapause termination in Bombyx mori.
Supporting Evidence
- Chilled eggs showed higher expression levels of insulin and ecdysone signaling genes compared to those kept at 25 °C.
- Phosphorylation of GSK-3β was maintained at higher levels in chilled eggs.
- Gene expressions of bombyxin-A6 and EPPase remained high during chilling.
Takeaway
This study found that when silkworm eggs are chilled, they use special signals to wake up from their sleep and start growing again.
Methodology
The study compared gene expression levels in chilled Bombyx mori eggs and eggs kept at 25 °C using qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis.
Limitations
The study did not investigate the synthesis of new ecdysteroids in chilled eggs.
Participant Demographics
Silkworm eggs from the Guofu × Nongfong univoltine strain were used.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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