2007 Volume 76 Issue 1 Pages 1_17-1_23
This study demonstrates the function of BmAcer which had been isolated from the wing discs of the silkworm, Bombyx mori during metamorphosis. BmAcer was secreted from the cultured wing discs into the Grace’s medium. The existence of 20-hydroxyecdysone increased the BmAcer production. ACE activity was detected by RP-HPLC method. Incubation was operated with 100μM synthesized peptide (HHL) using as substrate for 2h at 37°C. HHL degradation was inhibited by the addition of ACE inhibitor, Captopril, in the incubation solution. High ACE activity of the hemolymph was observed in the fifth larval instar and pupal stages. Higher activity was observed in the feeding stage and the late pupal stage. These results suggest that BmAcer is secreted from the wing discs into the hemolymph and has physiological function during larval and pupal development.
