The Japanese rhinoceros beetle Trypoxylus dichotomus is a large insect native to Asia, characterized by the large horn of the male. A research team led by Professor Teruyuki Niimi at the National Institute for Basic Biology is investigating the molecular mechanism of horn development and is developing various molecular techniques essential for this research. To date, the team has successfully decoded the whole genome of the Japanese rhinoceros beetle and established a gene function analysis method using RNA interference.
 
This time, published in Scientific Reports, the team reported the development of a gene function analysis method using electroporation in Trypoxylus dichotomus larvae.
 
Professor Niimi commented, “By establishing a method to analyze gene function in specific body regions using electroporation, we can now enhance or suppress gene activity in targeted areas. This advancement is expected to significantly deepen our understanding of how the rhinoceros beetle’s horn forms and evolves.”
 
Figure1. Successful introduction of a plasmid DNA encoding Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) into Trypoxylus dichotomus larvae via electroporation. Green fluorescence of GFP were observed at the site of introduction.
 
【Original research article】
Journal：Scientific Reports
Title：Electroporation-mediated functional analysis method of genes in the giant insect Trypoxylus dichotomus
Authors：Kazuki Sakura, Shinichi Morita, Toshiya Ando, Karen Yuzaki, Shuji Shigenobu & Teruyuki Niimi
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10780-x