biostudies-literatureUnknown39(3)Du EInsects have evolved numerous adaptations and colonized diverse terrestrial environments. Several polyneopterans, including dictyopterans (cockroaches and mantids) and locusts, have developed oothecae, but little is known about the molecular mechanism, physiological function, and evolutionary significance of ootheca formation. Here, we demonstrate that the cockroach asymmetric colleterial glands produce vitellogenins, proline-rich protein, and glycine-rich protein as major ootheca structural proteins (OSPs) that undergo sclerotization and melanization for ootheca formation through the cooperative protocatechuic acid pathway and dopachrome and dopaminechrome subpathway. Functionally, OSP sclerotization and melanization prevent eggs from losing water at warm and dry conditions, and thus effeMolecular biology and evolutionmsac042https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8892946biostudies-literatureConvergent Adaptation of Ootheca Formation as a Reproductive Strategy in Polyneoptera.PMC8892946Luan YXZhang JZhou SRen CLi NMa WYuan DLi ZZhang TLi SDu EWang SZhou CCui YRoth SfalseConvergent Adaptation of Ootheca Formation as a Reproductive Strategy in Polyneoptera.Insects have evolved numerous adaptations and colonized diverse terrestrial environments. Several polyneopterans, including dictyopterans (cockroaches and mantids) and locusts, have developed oothecae, but little is known about the molecular mechanism, physiological function, and evolutionary significance of ootheca formation. Here, we demonstrate that the cockroach asymmetric colleterial glands produce vitellogenins, proline-rich protein, and glycine-rich protein as major ootheca structural proteins (OSPs) that undergo sclerotization and melanization for ootheca formation through the cooperative protocatechuic acid pathway and dopachrome and dopaminechrome subpathway. Functionally, OSP sclerotization and melanization prevent eggs from losing water at warm and dry conditions, and thus effe2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Mar2026-04-08T17:34:55.648Z2024-11-09T11:55:53.607ZS-EPMC88929463519270910.1093/molbev/msac042