Neuropeptide analogs for eco-friendly rice pest control
Research platform developing neuropeptide-based insecticidal agents targeting the sulfakinin and leucokinin signaling systems to suppress feeding and mating in rice pests such as rice stem borer and brown planthopper, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional insecticides.
Overview
Rice stem borer and brown planthopper are major pests that threaten rice production. This research program develops neuropeptide analogs as a new class of eco-friendly insecticidal agents. The work focuses on two neuropeptide signaling systems, sulfakinin (SK) and leucokinin (LK), that regulate vital behaviors in insects including feeding, mating, development, and metabolism. Because these signaling pathways appear to lack vertebrate counterparts, they offer a highly specific route to pest control with reduced risk to non-target species. The platform targets pest feeding and reproductive behaviors directly, providing an alternative to broad-spectrum chemical insecticides.
Technical specifications
Core approach:
- Screening of neuropeptide analogs essential to feeding and mating responses in rice pests
- Structural modification of neuropeptide sequences to improve resistance to degradation and enable absorption through the insect epidermis while retaining biological activity
- Laboratory evaluation of analog efficacy against rice stem borer and brown planthopper
Key scientific findings supporting the platform:
- DSK peptide suppresses sexual behaviors in flies through the CCKLR-17D3 receptor
- DSK neurons interact with male-specific P1 neurons to regulate arousal-related behaviors
- LK and its analogs inhibit feeding behavior in rice stem borer
- SK negatively regulates the sweet taste receptor Gr64f in gustatory receptor neurons
- The SK receptor CCKLR-17D3 is expressed in Gr64f-expressing neurons in the proboscis and proleg tarsi, identifying SK as a signal in the neuronal circuitry linking food intake to feeding behavior
Technology readiness level
The platform is currently at an early to mid stage of development. Core biological findings have been validated in laboratory studies using model insects and rice stem borer. The next phase involves analog screening, structural modification for improved stability and epidermal absorption, laboratory efficacy testing, and progression toward commercialization. The work is positioned between proof-of-concept and applied product development.
About Nanjing Agricultural University
Nanjing Agricultural University is a public research university with an agricultural focus in Nanjing, advancing national and regional priorities through integrated basic-to-applied research and field training. Industry engages through experimental farms, field stations, controlled-environment facilities, and pilot processing spaces for prototyping and scale‑up. An industry liaison team supports sponsored research, testing services, and joint labs, while regional demonstration sites speed on‑farm trials across the Yangtze River Delta. Research is supported by national and provincial programs, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Ministry of Science and Technology. A technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup incubation.
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