Insect salivary effectors disrupt PIEZO1-centric mechanoimmunity against piercing-sucking vectors

Hosts deploy mechanosensory systems to intercept herbivory threats, yet how plants decode insect-derived mechanical force remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that PIEZO-type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1 (PIEZO1) serves as a mechanoimmune hub converting whitefly probing into calcium-dependent defense activation. Mechanical force during feeding activates PIEZO1-dependent Ca²⁺ influx, triggering CBP60g phosphorylation that amplifies both PIEZO1 transcription and salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis, forming a self-amplifying defense loop. Furthermore, PIEZO1 positively modulates the core jasmonic acid (JA) transcription factor MYC2, broadening immune responses against insects. Strikingly, the whitefly salivary effector Bsp9 targets PIEZO1's CAP domain, suppressing Ca²⁺ fluxes and SA/JA-mediated resistance to promote feeding. Notably, PIEZO1 represents a conserved target of salivary effectors from diverse piercing-sucking insect vectors across both plant and human hosts. Our study unveils the molecular mechanisms underlying host perception of and defense against piercing-sucking insects, pointing to novel strategies against both insects and insect-transmitted diseases.