PubMed1984
To examine the rate-of-living theory, age-related changes in amino acid pool sizes were investigated in the adult silkmoth, Bombyx mori, reared at low and high temperature. At either temperature concentrations of free amino acids contained in silkmoths revealed a great sexual difference. Those in females were generally much higher than in males and the former changed much more dynamically than the latter. Major amino acids or ninhydrin-positive compounds inclusive of some essential amino acids such as Leu, Ile, Val, Thr, Arg, Phe, Met, Ala, Tyr, Gln, Aspn , Lan , Cysta , GABA and PEA accumulated in 4 degrees C-moths. However, the levels of these amino changed irregularly with advanced age. Inhibition of protein synthesis may occur generally at low temperature, while protein degradation may be promoted at high temperature. High concentrations of MSO and Tau in the moths reared at high temperature than in the normal moths suggested also catabolism of amino acids proceeding together with protein degradation at high temperature. Amino acid metabolism seems to be complicated under various temperature conditions. When reared at the optimal temperature of 25 degrees C, urea is not present in the body of the silkmoth except for a slight amount in the secreted meconium. In silkmoths reared at the higher temperature of 35 degrees C, however, an extraordinary accumulation of urea occurs accompanied by a reduction in lifespan by one half. Undoubtedly, urea is produced in this terrestrial insect, although the accumulation mechanism is not clear: in silkmoths reared at various temperatures, arginase is found, but urease is not detected. Arginase activity was found to be higher in male moths than in female moths regardless of the rearing temperature. High temperature rearing also did not induce activity and female activity never exceeded that in males at either 25 degrees C or 35 degrees C rearing. Protein degradation accelerated by rearing at high temperatures may result in increased amounts of free arginine, which could cause the active production of urea. This possibility would be a counter-argument to the rate of living theory relating to longevity and temperature. However, at least the above facts signify that an extrinsic factor influences the longevity of an animal by altering its intrinsic aging process.