Biology subjects

Chen, J.-P.

Publications and source records attributed to Chen, J.-P..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Sex-determination cascade orchestrates male-male pheromone synthesis in the bean bug

Volatile pheromones are vital for insect intraspecific communication, yet the genetic basis of homosexual recognition remains elusive. In the bean bug Riptortus pedestris, we show that two previously identified aggregation pheromone components, (E)-2-hexenyl-(Z)-3-hexenoate (E2HZ3H) and (E)-2-hexenyl-(E)-2-hexenoate (E2HE2H), serve as key chemosensory cues for male-male recognition during mate selection. Their biosynthesis is governed by the sex-determination cascade Rpfmd-Rpdsx. The male-specific isoform Rpdsx_M promotes pheromone production in males and induces ectopic synthesis in females upon knockdown of the feminizing switch gene Rpfmd. Knockdown of Rpdsx_M in males abolishes both compounds, prompting wild-type males to court them as if they were females. Metathoracic gland cells act as the production hub. Behaviourally, E2HZ3H or E2HE2H disrupt mating when applied to females: males avoid such females. E2HZ3H reduces female mobility in the presence of the male-derived primary aggregation pheromone tetradecyl isobutyrate (14:iBu), whereas E2HE2H shows no obvious such effect. These differential effects ensure mating accuracy. The discovery of volatile pheromones functioning in male-male recognition and of their synthesis being governed by the sex-determination cascade updates our understanding of mating accuracy in insect chemical communication.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2024

Brochosomes as an antireflective camouflage coating for leafhoppers

In nature, insects face immense predation pressure, where visual cues play a vital role in predators locating them. To counter this threat, insects employ a variety of nano- and microstructures on their cuticular layer to manipulate and interact with light, enhancing anti-reflective properties and providing camouflage or reducing detectability by predators. Leafhoppers have a unique extra-cuticular coating called brochosome, yet its anti-reflective functions and protein composition remain unclear. Our study demonstrates strong anti-reflective properties of brochosomes, effectively reducing reflectance on the cuticle surface, especially in the ultraviolet spectrum, to improve evasion from visual predators. Furthermore, we identify four novel structural proteins of the brochosome (BSM) for the first time. Inhibiting their synthesis by RNAi alters brochosome morphology, impacting the optical properties of the cuticle surface. Evolutionary origin analysis of BSM suggests that brochosomes likely originated from a process involving duplication-divergence. Our study reveals that leafhoppers employ a unique camouflage strategy by secreting brochosomes as anti-reflection nano-coatings, enabling them to evade natural predators and contributing to their evolutionary success.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

Diversity and adaptability of RNA viruses in rice planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus

Although a large number of insect-specific viruses (ISVs) have recently been discovered from hematophagous insect, studies on ISV diversity and their association with phytophagous insect hosts were still insufficient. A systematic RNA virome investigation was performed for an important plant virus vector, small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus. A total number of 22 RNA viruses (including 17 novel viruses) belonging to various families were successfully identified and characterized. Subsequent analysis indicated that the overall RNA virus transcripts per million (TPM) in SBPH was relatively consistent throughout various different developmental stages of the insects, although the titers of individual viruses differ among different insect tissues, suggesting a delicate balance between ISVs and insect hosts. Moreover, analysis of virus-derived small interfering RNA (siRNA) demonstrated that siRNA mediated antiviral immune response of SBPH was activated in response to the replication of the discovered RNA viruses. Additionally, evaluation for potential cross-species ability of SBPH-ISVs showed that certain SBPH ISVs could successfully infect and replicate in another two rice planthoppers, the brown planthopper and the white-backed planthopper, through microinjection. In conclusion, the RNA virome and their adaptability in SBPH revealed in this study will contribute to a better understanding of the intimate relationship between ISVs and the host insects.

microbiology↗