CRISPR/Cas9-mediated vitellogenin receptor knockout impairs vitellogenin uptake and reproduction in Bactrocera dorsalis

Abstract

Reproduction is a critical process in the insect life cycle, with the ovary serving as the central organ responsible for population maintenance. Successful development of the ovary is dependent on vitellogenin (Vg) transport into oocytes via the vitellogenin receptor (VgR). Exploring the VgR function is crucial for understanding the physiological mechanisms of insect ovarian development. However, the functional role of VgR in Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), a notorious agricultural invasive pest with exceptional reproductive plasticity, remains unclear.