Radiation resistance and its inheritance in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

• Published in: Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University Vol. 51; no. 2
• Main Authors: Takahashi, M.(Kyushu Univ., Fukuoka (Japan)), Lee, J.M, Mon, H, Yoshida, H, Kawaguchi, Y, Maekawa, H, Koga, K, Kusakabe, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 27.10.2006
• Subjects: BOMBYX MORI; CROISEMENT RECIPROQUE; CRUZAMIENTO RECIPROCO; CYTOPLASMIC INHERITANCE; GAMMA RADIATION; GENETIC VARIATION; HEREDITE CYTOPLASMIQUE; HERENCIA CITOPLASMICA; MUTACION; MUTATION; RADIACION GAMMA; RADIOSENSIBILIDAD; RADIOSENSIBILITE; RADIOSENSITIVITY; RAYONNEMENT GAMMA; RECIPROCAL CROSSING; VARIACION GENETICA; VARIATION GENETIQUE
• ISSN: 0023-6152
• DOI: 10.5109/9239

Exposure to radiation causes various biological effects, which can be detected both in the exposed animals and their offspring. In the silkworm, Bombyx mori, many studies in somatic and genetic effects of radiation have been conducted using various doses and qualities of radiation sources, because of their usability for mutation induction. However, differences in sensitivity to radiation among silkworm strains remain unknown. In the present study, we have identified two resistant strains (p50 and m042) and two sensitive strains (f12 and m91) for gamma-irradiation by screening genetic stocks of B. mori maintained in Kyushu University Graduate School. In reciprocal mating experiments, there is liability that Fsub(1) progeny became more sensitive to gamma-irradiation when the susceptible strains were used as the female parent. Even though details remain to be determined, it appears from the current studies that radiation sensitivity in the silkworm is controlled, at least in part, by maternal cytoplasmic inheritance.