Thermal tolerance role of novel polyamine, caldopentamine, identified in fifth instar Bombyx mori

Silkworms have limited ability to regulate their body temperature; therefore, environmental changes, such as global warming, can adversely affect their viability. Polyamines have shown protection to various organisms against heat stress. This study evaluated the qualitative and quantitative changes in heat-stressed Bombyx mori larvae polyamines. Fifth instar Bombyx mori larvae were divided into two groups; control group, reared at room temperature, i.e., 28 +/- 2 ?, and the heat shock group, exposed to 40 ?. Dansylation of the whole worm polyamines and subsequent thin-layer chromatography revealed the presence of components with the same Rf value as dansyl-putrescine, spermidine, and spermine. The dansyl-putrescine, spermidine, and spermine polyamines were identified by mass spectrometric analyses. After heat shock, the thin-layer chromatography of the whole-larvae tissue extracts showed qualitative and quantitative changes in dansylated polyamines. A new polyamine, caldopentamine, was identified, which showed elevated levels in heat-stressed larvae. This polyamine could play a role in helping the larvae tolerate various stress, including thermal stress. No significant changes in silk fiber's economic and mechanical properties were observed in our study. This study indicated that PA, caldopentamine, supplementation could improve heat-stress tolerance in Bombyx mori.

Automated summary

Silkworms have limited ability to regulate their body temperature, so environmental changes like global warming can negatively affect their survival. Polyamines have a protective effect on various organisms under heat stress. This study evaluated the changes in qualitative and quantitative polyamines in heat-stressed Bombyx mori larvae. The results showed that there were qualitative and quantitative changes in polyamines after heat shock, and a new polyamine called caldopentamine was identified, which was found to be elevated in heat-stressed larvae. This suggests that supplementation of polyamines can improve heat-stress tolerance in Bombyx mori.