Insect Bacterial Symbiont-Mediated Vitellogenin Uptake into Oocytes To Support Egg Development

Abstract

Many insects harbor obligate bacterial symbionts that can be vertically transmitted to offspring by female insects through eggs. Here, we report that leafhopper vitellogenin (Vg) recognizes and binds a surface channel molecule (porin) on the envelope of obligate bacterial symbiont Nasuia , which potentially induces the opening of porin channels for Vg to access the cytoplasm of Nasuia . Thus, Vg can exploit bacterial symbionts as the independent carriers into the oocytes. Such Nasuia -carried Vg contents support efficient insect egg development. Thus, our findings indicate that insects have evolved strategies to exploit the symbionts for carrying additional Vgs to guarantee optimal insect reproduction.