Bursicon as a potential target for insect control

Bursicon is an insect heterodimeric neuropeptide hormone which binds to a specific G protein-coupled receptor, Drosophila leucine-rich repeats-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 2 (DLGR2) and regulates various aspects of cuticle tanning (sclerotization and melanization) and wing expansion in diverse insect orders. Bursicon was discovered 50 years ago by Gottfried Fraenkel using the blowfly Calliphora erythrocephala in a neck-ligated fly assay. Over the last few years, there has been a tremendous increase in our knowledge of bursicon molecular structure and signaling pathway due to recent advances in genomics, proteomics and genetic analysis, combined with physiological and behavior analysis. Insect neuropeptides, which are released from neurosecretory cells in the insect central nervous system (CNS), regulate virtually all aspects of insect life and would appear to be excellent candidates for development of new methods for pest control. As a critical neuropeptide during the process of insect molting cycle, bursicon could also be used for the design of novel, safe and selective compounds to control pests. Here, we will review recent advances in bursicon research and developments of neuropeptides for pest control, and then discuss the possibilities of bursicon as a target for pest control.