Differential sequestration of storage proteins by various fat body tissues during post-larval development in silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

Summary

During the final larval stadium of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, storage proteins SP1 and SP2 are synthesized mainly by peripheral and dorsal perivisceral fat body tissues. No further synthesis occurs during the non-feeding pupal stage. The ventral perivisceral tissue has no role in this process, but is specialized for the selective storage of the proteins. Storage proteins are selectively sequestered mainly during the pre-pupal period, over a span of approximately 96 h, and subsequently released back into the hemolymph and metabolized during late pupal stages.

Key words:

• Fat body
• differential sequestration
• storage proteins