Open AccessIdentification of an arthropod molecular target for plant-derived natural repellents
Author(s) -
Quan Tian,
Peiyu Wang,
Chang Xie,
Peiyuan Pang,
Youjing Zhang,
Yue Gao,
Zhijian Cao,
Yingliang Wu,
Wenxin Li,
Michael X. Zhu,
Dongdong Li,
Jing Yao
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2118152119
Subject(s) - arthropod , biology , deet , evolutionary biology , drosophila melanogaster , insect , biodiversity , pest control , ecology , zoology , genetics , gene
Significance Rational control of arthropod pests is important for animal and human health as well as biodiversity preservation. As an alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides, natural repellents represent an ecological method of pest control. Through an exceptional gene library screening inMesobuthus martensii scorpions, we here uncover a transient receptor potential ion channel as the chemosensory sensor for plant-derived repellents. Its ortholog ion channel inDrosophila melanogaster also acts as a molecular receptor of natural repellents and mediates avoidance behavior. This work thus identifies a molecular basis for arthropod chemosensing and should help update the ecological strategies for pest control while preserving biodiversity.