The intricate relationship between herbivorous insects and plants has evolved over millions of years, central to this dynamic interaction are salivary proteins (SPs), which mediate key processes ranging from nutrient acquisition to plant defense manipulation. SPs, sourced from salivary glands, intestinal regurgitation or acquired through horizontal gene transfer, exhibit remarkable functional versatility, influencing insect development, behavior, and adhesion mechanisms. Moreover, SPs play pivotal roles in modulating plant defenses, to induce or inhibit plant defenses as elicitors or effectors. In this review, we delve into the multifaceted roles of SPs in herbivorous insects, highlighting their diverse impacts on insect physiology and plant responses. Through a comprehensive exploration of SP functions, this review aims to deepen our understanding of plant-insect interactions and foster advancements in both fundamental research and practical applications in plant-insect interactions.
Keywords: Biological function; Effector; Herbivorous insects; Salivary proteins.
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