IMPACT OF HIGH TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS ON THE PHYSIOLGICAL AND BIOMOLECULAR CHANGES IN THE TROPICAL TASAR SILKWORM Antheraea mylitta D

Tasar silkworm Antheraea mylitta D reared in tropical regions of the country and produce commercial tasar cocoons, which experiences extreme thermal condition during its life cycle. To perceive the thermo-tolerant characters of A. mylitta, in the present study, the tasar cocoons with live pupae were exposed/treated with high temperature in three different ranges 40-45°C, 46-50°C and 50-55°C in different time intervals. The treated pupae were collected, and the hemolymph and midgut tissues were examined for the changes in the protein and catalase activity through quantitative assay and electrophoresis. The experiment reveals a positive correlation of temperature and the protein concentration in the hemolymph and fatbody. Also, Catalase activity showed higher in thermal stress conditions compared to the control. The acute stress (51-55°C) causes significant decrease in Catalase activity in the fat body of both males and female pupa. There are significant changes were observed in the electrophoretic protein profile with additional protein bands of 40 kDa and 70 kDa presumed as heat shock related proteins. Similarly, additional bands CAT3 & CAT4 compared to control samples were observed in the catalase profile. The physiological changes observed in the tasar silkworm on high temperature treatment may be used as an indicator to identify the high temperature tolerant characters in the tropical tasar silkworm