Analysis of the roles of MAD proteins in the wing dimorphism of Nilaparvata lugens.

Wing dimorphism in Nilaparvata lugens is controlled by the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling - Forkhead transcription factors (IIS-FoxO) pathway. However, the role of this signal in the wing development program remains largely unclear. Here, we identified 2 R-SMAD proteins, NlMAD1 and NlMAD2, in the brown planthopper (BPH) transcriptome, derived from the intrinsic transforming growth factor-β pathway of insect wing development.