Proteomic Analysis of the Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Hemolymph during Developmental Stage

We utilized the proteomic approach to investigate the proteome of the fifth instar hemolymph during growth and development, and to improve the understanding of this important bioprocess and gene expression situation. A total of 25 μL of hemolymph was used for 2D analysis, and the separated proteins were visualized by silver staining and analyzed using the ImageMaster 2D software. The report showed as many as 241 of protein spots were expressed in the beginning of the fifth instar. Among them, most were concentrated in pI 3.5−6.5, which reached 76% of the total protein spots. As for the protein molecular sizes, 182 protein spots concentrated between 35 and 90 kDa, which comes to 75% of the total spots. When the larvae grow to the seventh day (total fifth instar duration was 9 days), 298 protein spots were visualized through 2D electrophoresis. Fifty-seven spots were newly expressed compared to the image of the first day in fifth instar. The results implied that these proteins are related to biosynthesis of silk protein and metamorphosis preparation from larva to pupa. In total, 19 protein spots including 6 special spots expressed in seventh day were analyzed through MALDI-TOF−MS. The relations between proteins and growth and development of silkworm were discussed.

Keywords: silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) • hemolymph • proteomic analysis • 2D electrophoresis • MALDI-TOF−MS