2. Academic Validation
  3. Interaction of ML1 and SRB1-12 mediates cholesterol transport in the brown planthopper

Interaction of ML1 and SRB1-12 mediates cholesterol transport in the brown planthopper

  • Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 2026 Mar:188:104499. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2026.104499.
Xu Cheng 1,  Yaxin Liu 1,  Chenxu Zeng 1,  Chang Liu 1,  Zihan Zhang 1,  Yanyuan Bao 2
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
  • 2 Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 41548698 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2026.104499
Abstract

Cholesterol transport plays a pivotal role in maintaining sterol homeostasis within eukaryotic cells. In mammals, Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) proteins are known to participate in Cholesterol transport. However, the precise pathways remain largely unexplored in insects. Here, we reported ML1, a lipid-recognition protein in a rice pest Nilaparvata lugens, specifically bound Cholesterol. In addition, we identified a scavenger receptor class B Type Ⅰ (SRB1-12) protein as the receptor for ML1. SRB1-12 was predominantly expressed in the integument and regulated cuticular chitin biosynthesis and lipid metabolism in nymphs to ensure molting success. ML1 delivered Cholesterol to SRB1-12 and supplied the steroid precursor for 20E biosynthesis, as reflected by altered whole-body 20E titers. ML1 and SRB1-12 co-regulated the expression of a newly identified gene MLSR, which played important roles in nymphal development and egg hatching. This study establishes a pathway of Cholesterol trafficking within tissues and deepens the understanding of sterol homeostasis in insects.

Keywords

Cholesterol; MD-2-related lipid-recognition (ML); Nilaparvata lugens; RNAi; Scavenger receptor class B type I (SRB1).

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