Overexpression of cytochrome P450 and esterase genes involved in permethrin resistance in larvae and adults of Culex quinquefasciatus

Mosquitoes are important vectors of several arthropod-borne diseases, which remain a priority for epidemiological research. Mosquito vector control strategies have traditionally relied on chemical insecticides such as synthetic pyrethroids. However, the indiscriminate use of pesticides has resulted in the development of resistance in many mosquito species. In insects, resistance evolves primarily through the overexpression of one or more gene products from the cytochrome P450, carboxylesterase, and glutathione superfamilies. The current study examined the expression of cytochrome P450 CYP6M2, CYP6AA7, CYP6Z2, CYP9J34, α-Esterase, Esterase B1, and neuroactin genes in larvae and adults of a permethrin-resistant (PerRes) and susceptible (Sus) Culex quinquefasciatus strains. The results showed that the CYP6AA7 gene was overexpressed (10-fold) in larvae and adults with PerRes (p < 0.01) followed by CYPJ34 (9.0-fold) and CYP6Z2 (5.0-fold) compared to the Sus, whereas fewer changes in CYP6M gene expression were observed in PerRes adults (p < 0.05), and no expression was found in larvae. The esterase gene was overexpressed in PerRes larvae (9.0-fold) followed by adults (2.5-fold) compared to the susceptible strain. Based on data, the present study suggests that cytochrome P450, CYP6AA7, CYP6Z2, CYP9J34, α-Esterase, Esterase B1, and neuroactin genes were involved in permethrin resistance in larval and adult Cx. quinquefasciatus.

Involvement of metabolic resistance and F1534C kdr mutation in the pyrethroid resistance mechanisms of Aedes aegypti in India

Pesticide resistance poses a serious problem for worldwide mosquito control programs. Resistance to insecticides can be caused by an increased metabolic detoxification of the insecticide and/or by target site insensitivity. In the present study, we estimated the tolerance of Indian Aedes aegypti populations using adult bioassays that revealed high resistance levels of the field populations to permethrin (RR-6, 5.8 and 5.1 folds) compared to our susceptible population. Enzymatic assays revealed increased activities of glutathione S-transferase and carboxylesterase enzymes in the field populations comparatively to the susceptible population. PBO synergist assays did not confirm that cytochrome P450 monooxygenase metabolic detoxification acted as a major cause of resistance. Hence the role of target site resistance was therefore investigated. A single substitution Phe1534Cys in the voltage gated sodium channel was found in domain III, segment 6 (III-S6) of the resistance populations (allele frequency=0.59, 0.51 and 0.47) suggesting its potential role in permethrin resistance in A. aegypti.