Molecular characterization of two acetylcholinesterase genes from the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is encoded by the ace gene, catalyzes the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to terminate nerve impulses at the postsynaptic membrane. AChE is a primary target of many insecticides including organophosphates (OP) and carbamates (CB). In this study, full-length cDNA sequences of two ace genes (Nlace1 and Nlace2) were sequenced from the brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens, the most destructive insect pest of rice crops. Nlace1 cDNA is 2842 nucleotides long and contains an ORF potentially encoding a 790 amino acid peptide. Nlace2 cDNA is 2852 bp in length and contains an ORF that potentially encodes a 672 amino acid peptide. NlAChE1 has an identity of 40% with NlAChE2 at the amino acid sequence level. Phylogenetic analysis of 59 AChEs from 32 animal species showed that NlAChE1 is most closely related to AChE1s from Blattella germanica and Nephotettix cincticeps, while NlAChE2 is most closely related to AChE2 from N. cincticeps. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that Nlace1 is expressed at a much higher level than Nlace2 in all developmental stages and tissues, demonstrating that NlAChE1 may be the dominant AChE form of the two enzymes. This result will help reveal the resistance mechanism of N. lugens to organophosphorous and carbamate insecticides and promote development of more selective insecticides targeting the main NlAChE1.     

Amino acid substitutions conferring insecticide insensitivity in Ace-paralogous acetylcholinesterase

Since insecticide insensitivity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was, found about 40 years ago, a cause of the resistance to organophosphates in the spider mite, more than 30 insect and Acarus species have added to the instance. Based on the 3-dimensional analysis of Torpedo AChE structure and sequencing of Drosophila AChE gene (Ace), amino acid substitutions conferring the insensitivity have been found in Drosophila melanogaster. However, no amino acid substitution responsible for the AChE insensitivity had been found in insects and Acari except Brachicera flies until the second type of AChE paralogous to Ace was discovered in Schizaphis graminus and Anopheles gambiae. Sequencing of Ace-paralogous AChE cDNAs has been followed in insect species of various orders. Now, various amino acid substitutions are found and correspond to different biochemical properties of insensitive AChEs in relation to the function of substituted amino acids in the 3-dimensional structure. Existence of two AChE genes raises questions about differentiation of the two genes, site of gene expression, and function of each enzyme.     

Comparative studies of acetylcholinesterases purified from two field populations of the oriental migratory locust (Locusta migratoria manilensis): implications of insecticide resistance

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was purified by affinity chromatography from two populations of the oriental migratory locust, Locusta migratoria manilensis (Meyen), collected from Huanghua and Pingshan Counties, Hebei Province of China. The purification factors and yields were 1661-fold and 19.3%, respectively, for the Huanghua population, and 3897-fold and 39.6% for the Pingshan population. Both the purification factor and yield were significantly lower in the Huanghua population than in the Pingshan population. AChE activity was almost completely inhibited by 10⁻⁶ M eserine and BW284C51, but ?5.8% of AChE activity was inhibited by ethopropazine at the same concentration, suggesting that purified AChE from either population was a typical insect AChE. However, AChE purified from the Huanghua population was 62-, 2.0-, and 1.6-fold less sensitive to inhibition by the three organophosphate compounds, chlorpyrifos oxon, demeton-S-methyl, and paraoxon, respectively, than that from the Pingshan population. Significantly lower purification factor and low yield associated with reduced sensitivity of AChE to inhibition by the organophosphates indicated that AChE purified from the Huanghua population was biochemically and pharmacologically different from that of the Pingshan population. Reduced sensitivity of AChE appeared to contribute to organophosphate resistance in the locust from Huanghua County, where insecticides have commonly been used to manage outbreaks of the locust.     

Genotyping of acetylcholinesterase in insects

To investigate the genotyping criteria for the insect acetylcholinesterase gene (ace), we cloned two types of ace genes in domestic (Bombyx mori) and wild silkworm (Bombyxmandarina) through RT-PCR. The cloned genes were named Bm-ace1, Bm-ace2, Bmm-ace1 and Bmm-ace2, respectively. The ORFs of Bm-ace1 and Bmm-ace1 contained 2025 base pairs, encoding 683 amino acid residues (AA’s). The predicted protein has a molecular weight (MW) of 76.955 kDa and an isoelectric point (pI) of 6.36. The Bm-ace2 and Bm-ace2 genes contained 1917 bp nucleotides, encoding 638 AA’s. The predicted protein has a MW of 71.675 kDa and a pI of 5.49. Both ace1 and ace2 contain signature domains of acetylcholinesterases. Homology analysis of 18 NCBI downloaded insect AChEs peptide sequences and the 4 AChEs deducted in this study revealed that type 1 and type 2 insect AChEs had significant differences. Type 2 sequence is more conserved than type 1. Near the active centers of both types of AChEs, 48 strictly conserved AA’s (336-384) are present, and homology of these two peptide fragments was only 54.16%. Meanwhile, at AA positions 280-297, type 1 and type 2 AChEs both have conserved sequences with the similarity of the two being 52.94%. In type 2 AChEs, a uniquely conserved peptide sequence is found at positions 226-239 (QHLRVRHHQDKPL). We propose to use the above mentioned three conserved regions as criteria for insect acetylcholinesterases gene genotyping. This will benefit the genotyping of other acetylcholinesterase genes and the study of their functions.     

Analysis of two acetylcholinesterase genes in Bombyx mori

Two acetylcholinesterases (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) cDNAs were identified and cloned from silkworm, Bombyx mori. One of those, BmAChE-o cDNA, is comprised of 3197 nucleotides which encode 638 amino acids, having an amino acid sequence homology of 72% with Drosophila melanogaster Ace-orthologous AChE (AO-AChE). In some species, another AChE group based on the sequence, Drosophila Ace-paralogous AChE (AP-AChE) has been recognized in relation to organophosphate- or carbamate-resistance, but there have been few reports of AP-AChE among lepidopteran species. However, we isolated the AP-AChE from lepidopteran silkworm, and cloned full ORF as BmAChE-p, which cDNA consisted of 2465 nucleotides that encode 683 amino acids. The homologies with other AP-AChEs were over 60% when compared. Although silkworm is not a target of pesticides, the genomic information obtained in this study will contribute to insecticide-resistance study on lepidopteran pest species.     

Variability in resistance-related enzyme activities in field populations of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris

Widespread use of Bt crops for control of lepidopterous pests has reduced insecticide use and provided the tarnished plant bug the opportunity to become a serious pest on mid-South cotton. Organophosphate insecticides have predominantly been used against plant bugs in recent years due to the reduced efficacy of other insecticides. In this study, a biochemical approach was developed to survey enzymatic levels associated with organophosphate resistance levels in field populations of the tarnished plant bug. Forty-three populations were collected from the delta areas of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Three esterase substrates and one substrate each of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were used to determine corresponding detoxification enzyme activities in different populations. Compared to a laboratory susceptible colony, increases up to 5.29-fold for esterase, 1.96-fold for GST, and 1.97-fold for AChE activities were detected in the field populations. In addition to the survey of enzyme activities among the populations, we also examined the susceptibility of major detoxification enzymes to several inhibitors which could be used in formulations to synergize insecticide toxicity against the target pests. As much as 52-76% of esterase, 72-98% of GST, and 93% of AChE activities were inhibited in vitro. Revealing variable esterase and GST activities among field populations may lead to a better understanding of resistance mechanisms in the tarnished plant bug. This study also reports effective suppression of detoxification enzymes which may be useful in future insecticide resistance management program for the tarnished plant bug and other Heteropteran pests on Bt crops.     

Toxicological and biochemical characterizations of AChE in Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae)

The toxicological and biochemical characteristics of acetylcholinesterases (AChE) in the resistant and susceptible strains (SS) of Liposcelis bostrychophila were investigated. The two resistant strains were the dichlorvos-resistant strain (DDVP-R) and the phosphine-resistant strain (PH₃-R) with resistance ratios of 22.36 and 4.51, respectively. Compared to their susceptible counterpart, the AChE activity per insect and the specific activity of AChE in DDVP-R and PH₃-R were significantly higher. There were also significant kinetic differences between DDVP-R and PH₃-R. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (K_m) for acetylthiocholine iodide (ATChI) was obviously lower in SS than that in PH₃-R, indicating a higher affinity to the substrate ATChI in the susceptible strains. The affinity for the substrate ATChI in DDVP-R and SS were not significantly different. The V_max value of the PH₃-R was significantly greater when compared to the V_max for the SS suggesting a possible over expression of AChE in this resistant strain. The inhibition of AChE to insecticide exposure in vitro revealed that all six insecticides were inhibitory for the extracted AChE’s. Based on the I₅₀ values, AChE of the SS were more sensitive to dichlorvos, paraoxon-ethyl, malaoxon and demeton-S-methyl than those of the two resistant strains. As for carbaryl and eserine, the PH₃-R suggested a significantly higher I₅₀s compared to the susceptible strain, while, no significant differences were found between SS and DDVP-R.     

Cloning of the acetylcholinesterase 1 gene and identification of point mutations putatively associated with carbofuran resistance in Nilaparvata lugens

Molecular mechanisms of carbofuran resistance in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens Stål, were investigated. A carbofuran-resistant strain (CAS) showed approximately 45.5- and 15.1-fold resistance compared with a susceptible strain (SUS) and a non-selected field strain (FM), respectively. Activities of the esterase and mixed-function oxidase were approximately 2.8- and 1.6-fold higher, respectively, in the CAS strain than in the SUS strain, suggesting that these enzymes play a minor role in carbofuran resistance. Interestingly, the insensitivity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to carbofuran was approximately 5.5- and 3.7-fold higher in the CAS strain compared to the SUS and FM strains, respectively, indicating that AChE insensitivity is associated with carbofuran resistance. Western blot analysis identified two kinds of AChEs, of which the type-1 AChE (encoded from Nlace1, which is paralogous to the Drosophila AChE gene) was determined to be the major catalytic AChE in N. lugens. The open reading frame of Nlace1 is composed of 1989 bp (approximately 74 kD) and revealed 52.5% and 24.3% amino acid sequence identities to those of Nephotettix cincticeps and Drosophila melanogaster, respectively. Screening of point mutations identified four amino acid substitutions (G119A, F/Y330S, F331H and H332L) in the CAS strain that likely contribute to AChE insensitivity. The frequencies of these mutations were well correlated with resistance levels, confirming that they are associated with reduced sensitivity to carbofuran in N. lugens. These point mutations can be useful as genetic markers for monitoring resistance levels in field populations of N. lugens.     

Amino acid substitution in Ace paralogous acetylcholinesterase accompanied by organophosphate resistance in the spider mite Tetranychus kanzawai

Insecticide resistant strains of the kanzawa spider mite, Tetranychus kanzawai, with insensitive AChE have spread widely throughout Japan. To clarify the molecular mechanism of this insensitivity, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) cDNA of the resistant strains of T. kanzawai was determined based on the AChE cDNA sequence of Tetranychus urticae and the sequences compared between the two spider mite species. The cDNA encoded 687 amino acids of AChE primary structure showing high homology to T. urticae. Amino acid homology indicated that the AChE is an Ace paralogous type of insect AChE. There were only three substitutions of amino acid residues between the AChEs of the two species. In the AChE of the resistant strain of T. kanzawai, one of the three amino acid substitutions was Phe439Trp, which lines the acyl pocket of the enzyme active site. Considering that the same substitution was found at the equivalent position of Ace paralogous AChE in the resistant strain of Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Phe439Trp substitution likely plays an important role in the insecticide insensitivity of the mite AChE.     

Thiamethoxam is a neonicotinoid precursor converted to clothianidin in insects and plants

Neonicotinoid insecticides are compounds acting agonistically on insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). They are especially active on hemipteran pest species such as aphids, whiteflies, and planthoppers, but also commercialized to control many coleopteran and some lepidopteran pest species. The most prominent member of this class of insecticides is imidacloprid. All neonicotinoid insecticides bind with high affinity (I₅₀-values around 1 nM) to [³H]imidacloprid binding sites on insect nAChRs. One notable ommission is the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam, showing binding affinities up to 10,000-fold less potent than the others, using housefly head membrane preparations. Electrophysiological whole cell voltage clamp studies using neurons isolated from Heliothis virescens ventral nerve cord showed no response to thiamethoxam when applied at concentrations of 0.3 mM, although the symptomology of poisoning in orally and topically treated noctuid larvae suggested strong neurotoxicity. Other neonicotinoids, such as clothianidin, exhibited high activity as agonists on isolated neurons at concentrations as low as 30 nM. There was no obvious correlation between biological efficacy of thiamethoxam against aphids and lepidopterans and receptor affinity in electrophysiological and binding assays. Pharmacokinetic studies using an LC-MS/MS approach to analyze haemolymph samples taken from lepidopteran larvae revealed that thiamethoxam orally applied to 5th instar Spodoptera frugiperda larvae was rapidly metabolized to clothianidin, an open-chain neonicotinoid. Clothianidin shows high affinity to nAChRs in both binding assays and whole cell voltage clamp studies. When applied to cotton plants, thiamethoxam was also quickly metabolized, with clothianidin being the predominant neonicotinoid in planta briefly after application, as indicated by LC-MS/MS analyses. Interestingly, the N-desmethylated derivative of thiamethoxam, N-desmethyl thiamethoxam, was not significantly produced in either lepidopteran larvae or in cotton plants, although it was often mentioned as a possible metabolite, being nearly as active as imidacloprid. In conclusion, our investigations show that thiamethoxam is likely to be a neonicotinoid precursor for clothianidin.     

Resistance mechanisms and associated mutations in acetylcholinesterase genes in Sitobion avenae (Fabricius)

Wheat aphid, Sitobion avenae (fabricius), is one of the most important wheat pests and has been reported to be resistant to commonly used insecticides in China. To determine the resistance mechanism, the resistant and susceptible strains were developed in laboratory and comparably studied. A bioassay revealed that the resistant strain showed high resistance to pirimicarb (RR: 161.8), moderate reistance to omethoate (32.5) and monocrotophos (33.5), and low resistance to deltamethrin (6.3) and thiodicarb (5.5). A biochemistry analysis showed that both strains had similar glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, but the resistant strain had 3.8-fold higher esterase activity, and its AChE was insensitive to this treatment. The I₅₀ increased by 25.8-, 10.7-, and 10.4-folds for pirimicarb, omethoate, and monocrotophos, respectively, demonstrating that GST had not been involved in the resistance of S. avenae. The enhanced esterase contributed to low level resistance to all the insecticides tested, whereas higher resistance to pirimicarb, omethoate, and monocrotophos mainly depended on AChE insensitivity. However, the AChE of the resistant strain was still sensitive to thiodicarb (1.7-fold). Thus, thiodicarb could be used as substitute for control of the resistant S. avenae in this case. Furthermore, the two different AChE genes cloned from different resistant and susceptible individuals were also compared. Two mutations, L436(336)S in Sa.Ace1 and W516(435)R in Sa.Ace2, were found consistently associated with the insensitivity of AChE. They were thought to be the possible resistance mutations, but further work is needed to confirm this hypothesis.     

Biochemical studies on sheep body louse Bovicola ovis (Schrank) (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae): comparison of pyrethroid and organophosphate resistant and susceptible strains

Strains of sheep louse Bovicola ovis (Schrank) with various levels of resistance to pyrethroid and one strain with high degree of resistance to organophosphate (OP) insecticides were used to investigate the biochemical mechanisms of insecticide resistance, i.e., enhanced levels of general esterases, specific acetylcholinesterases (AChE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and mixed function oxidases. Native gel electrophoresis combined with quantitative enzyme assays showed analogous expression profiles of several esterase isozymes in all the strains tested. The determination of the sensitivity of each esterase isozyme to five inhibitors (acetylthiocholine iodide, butyrylthiocholine iodide, paraoxon eserine sulfate, and pCMB) led to the identification of nine esterases in the B. ovis strain. Gel electrophoresis results are supported by enzyme assay studies where, except for the OP resistant strain, no differences in esterase activities were detected in all the pyrethroid resistant and susceptible strains assayed. Statistical analyses demonstrated that some strains have elevated GST activities compared to the susceptible reference strain.     

药剂对小菜蛾抗性及敏感品系乙酰胆碱酯酶抑制作用比较

采用浸叶法测定了云南通海、元谋和澜沧的小菜蛾plutella xylostella田间种群对常用杀虫剂的抗药性。结果表明,云南上述地区小菜蛾田间种群对各类杀虫剂均产生了不同程度的抗性。对有机磷类药剂的抗药性为1.74~31.1倍;对菊酯类药剂的抗药性为7.41~764倍;对阿维菌素类药剂则产生了 5.60~4.06×104倍的抗性。通过离体和活体试验测定了药剂对小菜蛾头部乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)的抑制作用。敌敌畏和灭多威对通海抗性品系AChE离体和活体内的抑制中浓度(I50)分别是敏感品系的209、26.5倍和2.21、2.16倍;敌敌畏对通海小菜蛾种群的离体和活体内抑制中时间(IT50)小于敏感品系,分别是敏感品系的0.32和0.17倍;而灭多威对通海小菜蛾种群的离体和活体内抑制中时间(IT50)则大于敏感品系,分别是敏感品系的1.37和1.74倍。     

抗残杀威和敏感家蝇乙酰胆碱酯酶生化特性研究

对家蝇残杀威抗性(RR)和敏感(SS)品系乙酰胆碱酯酶(acetylcholinesterase,AChE)(RR-和SS-AChE)的生化特性研究后发现,RR- 和SS-AChE存在着明显的差异:1)RR- 和SS-AChE最适反应温度分别为37℃和34℃,但最适pH值均为7.4; 2)AChE催化底物的能力不同,RR-AChE水解碘化硫代乙酰胆碱(ATCh)、碘化硫代丁酰胆碱(BTCh)、碘化硫代丙酰胆碱(PTCh)的活力高于SS-AChE,其相应的最大反应速率(Vmax)比分别是SS-AChE的2.22、1.08和3.41倍; 3)从双分子速率常数(bimolecular constant,Ki)来看,RR-AChE对4种氨基甲酸酯类抑制剂(残杀威、克百威、甲萘威、灭多威)的敏感度分别是SS-AChE的46.77、28.15、66.15和15.00倍,对4种有机磷类抑制剂(马拉氧磷、甲胺磷、氧乐果和氧化三唑磷)的敏感度分别是7.66、12.13、3.81和2.25倍; 4)上述抑制剂与RR-AChE分子相互作用的亲和力常数(Ka)均大于与SS-AChE的值; 5) RR-AChE的磷酰化或氨基甲酰化常数(K2)值都低于SS-AChE的值。 表明RR-AChE的性质已发生变化。     

Cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition in pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) as environmental biomarker: ChE characterization and potential neurotoxic effects of xenobiotics

Inhibition of cholinesterases (ChEs) has been widely used as an environmental biomarker of exposure to organophosphates (OP) and carbamate (CB) pesticides. More recently, this biomarker has been suggested as a putative biomarker for exposure to detergents. The use of cholinesterase inhibition as effect criterion in Ecotoxicology requires the previous characterization of the specific enzymatic forms that may be present in different tissues or organs. Different ChEs isoforms may be present in the same tissue and may exhibit distinct sensitivities towards environmental contaminants. This work intended to characterize the soluble ChEs present in pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) total head and dorsal muscle homogenates, through the use of different substrates and selective inhibitors of cholinesterasic activity. Also, the in vitro effects of sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS - anionic detergent) and chlorfenvinphos (organophosphate pesticide) on the enzymatic activity of the mentioned species were investigated. In general terms, the predominant cholinesterasic form present in both tissues was acetylcholinesterase. Chlorfenvinphos was responsible for inhibitory effects on AChE activity, while SDS did not cause any significant effect. These results suggest that in environmental monitoring programs, L. gibbosus head and dorsal muscle AChE can be an adequate diagnostic tool for exposure to OP pesticides; this conclusion however is not applicable to detergent residues. We also discuss the usefulness of L. gibbosus as an alternative model system and valuable option for freshwater ecotoxicological monitoring programs.     

Acetylcholinesterase point mutations in European strains of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) resistant to organophosphates

BACKROUND: In Tetranychus urticae Koch, acetylcholinesterase insensitivity is often involved in organophosphate (OP) and carbamate (CARB) resistance. By combining toxicological, biochemical and molecular data from three reference laboratory and three OP selected strains (OP strains), the AChE1 mutations associated with resistance in T. urticae were characterised. RESULTS: The resistance ratios of the OP strains varied from 9 to 43 for pirimiphos‐methyl, from 78 to 586 for chlorpyrifos, from 8 to 333 for methomyl and from 137 to 4164 for dimethoate. The insecticide concentration needed to inhibit 50% of the AChE1 activity was, in the OP strains, at least 2.7, 55, 58 and 31 times higher for the OP pirimiphos‐methyl, chlorpyrifos oxon, paraoxon and omethoate respectively, and 87 times higher for the CARB carbaryl. By comparing the AChE1 sequence, four amino acid substitutions were detected in the OP strains: (1) F331W (Torpedo numbering) in all the three OP strains; (2) T280A found in the three OP strains but not in all clones; (3) G328A, found in two OP strains; (4) A201S found in only one OP strain. CONCLUSIONS: Four AChE1 mutations were found in resistant strains of T. urticae, and three of them, F331W, G328A and A201S, are possibly involved in resistance to OP and CARB insecticides. Among them, F331W is probably the most important and the most common in T. urticae. It can be easily detected by the diagnostic PCR‐RLFP assay developed in this study. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Combined detoxification mechanisms and target mutation fail to confer a high level of resistance to organophosphates in Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Despite the frequent and widespread applications of organophosphates against Cydia pomonella this species has developed low levels of resistance to this chemical group. Investigations concerning the mechanisms involved in resistance are scarce, and usually consider only one of the potential mechanisms. With the aim of a better understanding the resistance mechanisms and their possible interaction, four of these mechanisms were investigated simultaneously in one sensitive (Sv) and two resistant strains (Raz and Rdfb) of this insect. Resistant strains displayed an increased mixed function oxidase activity, whereas carboxylesterase activity varied upon the substrate used. The three strains had similar β-naphtyl acetate activity, and the hydrolysis of α-naphthyl acetate and p-nitrophenyl valerate was higher in the Sv strain. The p-nitrophenyl acetate activity was highest in the resistant strains and was strongly inhibited by azinphos and DEF. The Raz strain has a modified acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which resulted in a 0.7-, 3.2- and 21.2-fold decrease in the susceptibility to chlorpyriphos-ethyl-oxon, azinphos-methyl-oxon, and paraoxon-methyl, respectively. These combined resistance mechanisms only conferred to Raz a 0.6-, 7.9- and 3.1-fold resistance to the related insecticides. Organophosphates resistance in C. pomonella results from a combination of mechanisms including modified affinities to carboxylesterase substrates, and increased metabolisation of the insecticide. The apparent antagonism between increased functionalisation and reduced sensitivity of the AChE target is discussed.     

Susceptibilities to methamidophos and enzymatic characteristics in 18 species of pest insects and their natural enemies in crucifer vegetable crops

The susceptibilities to methamidophos as well as the kinetic and inhibitory parameter of acetylcholinesterases (AChE) and the activities of carboxyestsrases (CarE) and glutathione-S-transferases (GST) were studied in 18 species field populations of insects collected in Fuzhou, China during April and May 2000 and 2001. The insect species included five hymenopteran endoparasitoids, one hymenopteran exoparasitoid, one hymenopteran hyperparasitoid, one dipteran predator, four coleopteran predator ladybirds, six herbivorous pest insects of lepidoptera, diptera, homoptera, and coleoptera, respectively. There existed significant correlations between the susceptibility to methamidophos and the k_i values of AChE to methamidophos, dichlorvos, and carbofuran and between the k_i and V_max values of AChE among 18 species of insects. The six herbivorous pests and four ladybirds showed significantly low k_i and V_max values of AChE compared to the seven parasitoids and predator Epistrophe balteate. It was difficult to correlate the susceptibility to methamidophos or the k_i values with the K_m values of AChE, or with the activity of CarE and GST. The activities of CarE and GST varied depending on the different insect species. Significant synergisms of piperonyl butoxide (PB), triphenyl phosphate (TPP), and diethyl maleate (DEM) with methamidophos were observed in 14 pest insects and their natural enemies. Synergisms of PB were found to be the greatest. Reduced k_i values suggested that insensitive AChE might play a critical role in the tolerance to methamidophos in the 18 insect species. The detoxification enzymes, mixed-function oxidase (MFO), CarE, and GST, were believed to be involved in the tolerance to methamidophos. MFO might play the most important role, and CarE or GST might be important in the tolerance in some insect species. Different models of tolerance to methamidophos and enzymatic potential were existed in parasitoids, predators, and herbivores based on the different selection of insecticide pressure (either directly by exposing to the spray in the field, or indirectly by the insecticides penetrated into the body of host insects) as well as different ecological and biological habitats.     

几种常用杀虫剂对瓜蚜的毒力和对乙酰胆碱酯酶的抑制作用

用叶片药膜法测定了4种常用杀虫剂氧乐果、辛硫磷、三唑磷、吡虫啉对呼和浩特市郊蔬菜基地温室黄瓜上发生的瓜蚜的毒力。结果表明,瓜蚜对吡虫啉最敏感,LC50 仅为4.203 mg/L,氧乐果、辛硫磷、三唑磷对瓜蚜的LC50分别为21.70、38.86、43.30 mg/L。研究明确了3种有机磷杀虫剂对瓜蚜体内乙酰胆碱酯酶AChE均有明显的抑制作用,并随着抑制时间的延长,抑制率增加。I50值分别为氧乐果9.6×10-6mol/L,辛硫磷11.4×10-6mol/L,三唑磷17.1×10-6mol/L。