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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Detecting Virus and Salivary Proteins of a Leafhopper Vector in the Plant Host
Published on: September 14, 2021
A viral protein hijacks the plant ethylene signaling to manipulate insect feeding behavior
Ziyi Li1, Simin Liu1, Guotao He1
1Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agric-product Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China.
Background:
Insect-borne viruses represent a major threat to global agriculture and public health. Rice ragged stunt virus (RRSV), a destructive pathogen transmitted by brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stå), lacks comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying its replication and transmission.
Results:
This study reveals that the RRSV P6 protein serves as a key regulator of vector-borne transmission by sequentially interacting with RTE1-HOMOLOG 2 (OsRTH2) and ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE3-LIKE 2 (OsEIL2) in the host ethylene signaling pathway. This biphasic strategy manipulates brown planthopper (BPH) behavior, initially promoting viral replication and subsequently facilitating epidemic spread. Furthermore, the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) significantly impairs BPH fitness, reducing survival and fecundity.
Conclusions:
Our study elucidates how a plant virus manipulates the host ethylene signaling pathway to promote its own replication and transmission. Moreover, we identify the ethylene biosynthesis precursor ACC as a potential, environmentally friendly control agent against brown planthoppers. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
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