Figure 1.
The antibacterial activity of purified Vg protein of B. mori against Gram negative (E. coli) bacteria and Gram positive (B. subtilis) bacteria.
BSA was used as reference. Pure cell cultures were further controls.
Figure 2.
Sensitivity assay to examine the antibacterial activity of purified Vg protein against E. coli a) and B. subtilis b) bacteria.
Ampicillin served as reference.
Figure 3.
Binding of FITC-labeled Vg to E. coli (top) and B. subtilis.
After washing with 25mM Tris buffer, the microbes were applied to microscope slides and observed under an Olympus fluorescence microscope. Images from the BSA control were completely black. Scale bars 40µm. For brightfield images see Figure S3.
Figure 4.
Scanning electron micrographs showing E. coli cells (top 4) and B. subtilis incubated with a) control, b) Tris citrate buffer, c) BSA, d) purified Vg.
Arrows point to changes on the cell walls. The scale bars correspond to 1 µm unless stated otherwise.
Figure 5.
Therapeutic effect of Vg protein on silkworm (n = 75, Table S4) infected with E. coli and B. subtilis (in percent survival for two days).
200 µg of purified Vg was injected into infected silkworms for treatment. The healthy control group received a slit in the middle appendage with a sterile needle but no other treatment. Images were taken after 2 days. 2D-gel images (pH 3–10, MW 10–200kDa) of the respective hemolymph proteome are depicted on top.