Riptortus pedestris and its symbiont, Burkholderia: an ideal model system for studying symbiosis

Many insects possess symbiotic microorganisms in their bodies, wherein host-symbiont intimate interactions occur. Despite recent advances in omics technology, the molecular bases of the symbiotic associations remain unclear. The bean bug Riptortus pedestris harbors an environmentally acquired Burkholderia symbiont in their midgut crypts. Unlike other insect symbionts, the Burkholderia symbiont is easily culturable and genetically manipulatable outside the host insect. In conjunction with the experimental advantages of the bean bug, the Riptortus–Burkholderia association is an ideal model system for approaching the molecular bases underpinning insect-microbe symbioses. In this presentation, the current knowledge of this model system is summarized.