Pattern of changes in the amino acid levels in silk gland of silkworm, Bombyx mori L.treated with Indole-3-acetic acid ( IAA)

Abstract

The administration of IAA on the total proteins, protease activity, free amino acids, alanine amino transferase (ALAT) activity and aspartate amino transferase (AAT) activity were studied. The increase of total protein content in silk gland may be either due to increased efflux or decreased proteolysis activity which might lead to accumulation of protein content. The decrease in protease activity level in silk gland may be due to lower rate of histolysis. The decrease in the free amino acid content indicates the faster mobilization of free amino acids into oxidative metabolism in the presence of IAA. The ALAT and AAT activity levels were elevated after treatment indicating the active involvement in the protein synthesis