Mutations in the sodium channel associated with pyrethroid resistance in the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum

BACKGROUND: Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood is an important pest of protected crops in temperate regions of the world. Resistance to pyrethroid insecticides is long established in this species, but the molecular basis of the mechanism(s) responsible has not previously been disclosed. RESULTS: Mortality rates of three European strains of T. vaporariorum to the pyrethroid bifenthrin were calculated, and each possessed significant resistance (up to 662‐fold) when compared with a susceptible reference strain. Direct sequencing revealed three amino acid substitutions in the para‐type voltage‐gated sodium channel (the pyrethroid and DDT target site) of bifenthrin‐resistant T. vaporariorum at positions previously implicated with pyrethroid or DDT resistance (M918L, L925I and T929I) in other related species. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that resistance to bifenthrin in T. vaporariorum is associated with target‐site insensitivity, and that the specific mutations in the sodium channel causing resistance may differ between localities. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Seasonal Dynamics of Metabolic Mechanisms Mediating Pyrethroid Resistance in Helicoverpa armigera in Central India

Very high cypermethrin and fenvalerate resistance frequencies were recorded in Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) populations in central India during the 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96 cropping seasons. Synergism assays and biochemical analyses of detoxification enzyme levels indicated that mono-oxygenases and esterases were important metabolic mechanisms mediating pyrethroid resistance. Piperonyl butoxide- (PBO) and profenofos-suppressible pyrethroid resistance were correlated with enhanced levels of cytochrome P450 and general esterases respectively. Enzyme assay data indicated that high cytochrome P450 levels generally coincided with low esterase activity and vice versa. Similarly, synergist bioassays showed that PBO-insensitive resistance was frequently associated with profenofos-sensitive resistance and vice versa. Oxidase- and esterase-mediated mechanisms evidently alternated in a reciprocal manner, with perceptible shifts in relative importance occurring during mid-October in all three seasons and in late January in 1995. Apart from metabolic mechanisms, a synergist-insensitive resistance mechanism (believed to be nerve insensitivity), accounted for an average of 51, 30 and 28% of cypermethrin resistance during the 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96 seasons respectively. © 1997 SCI.     

Pyrethroid resistance in the tomato red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi, is associated with mutation of the para-type sodium channel

BACKGROUND: The tomato red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi (Baker and Pritchard), is a serious pest of solanaceous crops in many African countries. In this study an investigation has been conducted to establish whether mutation of the para‐type sodium channel underlies pyrethroid resistance in T. evansi strains collected in Southern Malawi. RESULTS: Two T. evansi strains from Malawi showed tolerance to the organophosphate chlorpyrifos and resistance (20–40‐fold) to the pyrethroid bifenthrin, but were susceptible to two contemporary acaricides (abamectin and fenpyroximate) in insecticide bioassays. Cloning of a 3.1 kb fragment (domains IIS5 to IVS5) of the T. evansi para gene from pyrethroid‐resistant and pyrethroid‐susceptible strains revealed a single non‐synonymous mutation in the resistant strains that results in an amino acid substitution (M918T) within the domain II region of the channel. Although novel to mites, this mutation confers high levels of resistance to pyrethroids in several insect species where it has always been associated with another mutation (L1014F). This is the first report of the M918T mutation in the absence of L1014F in any arthropod species. Diagnostic tools were developed that allow sensitive detection of this mutation in individual mites. CONCLUSION: This is the first study of pyrethroid resistance in T. evansi and provides contemporary information for resistance management of this pest in Southern Malawi. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Low expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit Mdα2 in neonicotinoid‐resistant strains of Musca domestica L.

BACKGROUND: Neonicotinoid action as well as resistance involves interaction with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). In the housefly, neonicotinoid resistance also involves cytochrome P450, as indicated by bioassay with synergist as well as altered expression. In bioassay, synergism was only partial and indicated possible target‐site resistance. The nAChR α2 subunit is important in neonicotinoid toxicity to insects, and gene expression of the Mdα2 subunit was investigated in field populations and laboratory strains of neonicotinoid‐resistant and insecticide‐susceptible houseflies, Musca domestica L. The genomic sequence covering exon III–VII of Mdα2 was analysed for mutations. RESULTS: Gene expression profiling of Mdα2 revealed notable differences between neonicotinoid‐resistant and insecticide‐susceptible houseflies. On average, the neonicotinoid‐resistant field population 766b and the imidacloprid selected strain 791imi had 60% lower copy numbers of Mdα2 compared with the susceptible reference strain. Sequencing of exon III–VII of the Mdα2, encoding acetylcholine binding‐site regions and three out of four transmembrane domains, did not reveal any mutations explaining the increased neonicotinoid tolerance in the strains examined. CONCLUSION: Previous discoveries and the results of this study suggest that the neonicotinoid resistance mechanism in Danish houseflies involves both cytochrome P450 monooxygenase‐mediated detoxification and reduced expression of the nAChR subunit α2. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evolutionary plasticity of monooxygenase-mediated resistance

The cytochrome P450 monooxygenases are an important metabolic system involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics, and are thus one of the major mechanisms by which insects evolve insecticide resistance. However, comparatively little is known about the evolutionary constraints of this insecticide resistance mechanism. We investigated the genetic basis of resistance in a strain of house fly (NG98) from Georgia, USA that had evolved 3700-fold resistance to the pyrethroid insecticide permethrin, and compared this to other permethrin resistant strains of house flies from the US and Japan. Resistance in NG98 was due to kdr on autosome 3 and monooxygenase-mediated resistance on autosomes 1, 2, and 5. These results indicate that the genes which evolve to produce monooxygenase-mediated resistance to permethrin are different between different populations, and that the P450 monooxygenases have some degree of plasticity in response to selection. Monooxygenase-mediated resistance appears to evolve using different P450s, and possibly different regulatory signals controlling P450 expression, even in strains selected with the same insecticide.     

Mechanisms for multiple resistances in field populations of common cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) in China

The mechanisms for multiple resistances had been studied with two field resistant strains and the selected susceptible and resistant strains of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius). Bioassay revealed that the two field strains were both with high resistance to pyrethroids (RR: 63-530), low to medium resistance to organophosphates and carbamates, AChE targeted insecticides (RR: 5.7-26), and no resistance to fipronil (RR: 2.0-2.2). Selection with deltamethrin in laboratory could obviously enhance the resistance of this pest to both pyrethroids and AChE targeted insecticides. Synergism test, enzyme analysis and target comparison proved that the pyrethroid resistance in this pest associated only with the enhanced activity of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (MFO) and esterase. However the resistance to the AChE targeted insecticides depended on the target insensitivity and also the enhanced activity of MFO and esterase. Thus, the cross-resistance between pyrethroids and the AChE targeted insecticides was thought to be resulted from the enhanced activity of MFO and esterase.     

Insecticide resistance status of Aedes aegypti (L.) from Colombia

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the insecticide susceptibility status of Aedes aegypti (L.) in Colombia, and as part of the National Network of Insecticide Resistance Surveillance, 12 mosquito populations were assessed for resistance to pyrethroids, organophosphates and DDT. Bioassays were performed using WHO and CDC methodologies. The underlying resistance mechanisms were investigated through biochemical assays and RT‐PCR. RESULTS: All mosquito populations were susceptible to malathion, deltamethrin and cyfluthrin, and highly resistant to DDT and etofenprox. Resistance to lambda‐cyhalothrin, permethrin and fenitrothion ranged from moderate to high in some populations from Chocó and Putumayo states. In Antioquia state, the Santa Fe population was resistant to fenitrothion. Biochemical assays showed high levels of both cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP) and non‐specific esterases (NSE) in some of the fenitrothion‐ and pyrethroid‐resistant populations. All populations showed high levels of glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activity. GSTe2 gene was found overexpressed in DDT‐resistant populations compared with Rockefeller susceptible strain. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in insecticide resistance status were observed between insecticides and localities. Although the biochemical assay results suggest that CYP and NSE could play an important role in the pyrethroid and fenitrothion resistance detected, other mechanisms remain to be investigated, including knockdown resistance. Resistance to DDT was high in all populations, and GST activity is probably the main enzymatic mechanism associated with this resistance. The results of this study provide baseline data on insecticide resistance in Colombian A. aegypti populations, and will allow comparison of changes in susceptibility status in this vector over time. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterization of acephate resistance in the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella

Decreased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) sensitivity and metabolic detoxification mediated by glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) were examined for their involvement in resistance to acephate in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. The resistant strain showed 47.5-fold higher acephate resistance than the susceptible strain had. However, the resistant strain was only 2.3-fold more resistant to prothiofos than the susceptible strain. The resistant strain included insects having the A298S and G324A mutations in AChE1, which are reportedly involved in prothiofos resistance in P. xylostella, showing reduced AChE sensitivity to inhibition by methamidophos, suggesting that decreased AChE1 sensitivity is one factor conferring acephate resistance. However, allele frequencies at both mutation sites in the resistant strain were low (only 26%). These results suggest that other factors such as GSTs are involved in acephate resistance. Expression of GST genes available in P. xylostella to date was examined using the resistant and susceptible strains, revealing no significant correlation between the expression and resistance levels.     

基于转录组数据的害虫抗药性综合检测方法

为建立基于转录组数据的害虫抗药性检测方法,以3种重要害虫家蝇Musca domestica、白纹伊蚊Aedes albopictus和小菜蛾Plutella xylostella的8个抗性/敏感种群的转录组数据为对象,使用已开发的乙酰胆碱酯酶抗性突变检测程序ACE检测不同种群中的乙酰胆碱酯酶抗药性突变,并使用Bowtie 2软件和R程序包DESeq2检测其解毒酶基因的表达量变化,分析这3种害虫对有机磷类和氨基甲酸酯类杀虫剂的抗性分子基础。结果显示,在家蝇2个抗性种群KS8S3和ALHF中检测到ace2基因上发生了G227A抗药性突变,突变频率分别为0.318和1.000;在白纹伊蚊抗性种群Tem-GR中检测到CCEae3a基因的表达量较敏感种群Par-GR上调了7.175倍;在小菜蛾抗性种群ZZ中检测到ace1基因上发生A201S和G227A抗药性突变,突变频率分别为0.656和0.692。根据上述突变频率和解毒酶基因表达量变化评估的3种害虫种群抗药性情况与其之前的报道基本相符,表明基于转录组数据同时对靶标抗性机制和代谢抗性机制进行检测的害虫抗药性综合检测方法可以很好地反映害虫种群的抗药性状况。     

New Cases of Negative Cross-resistance between Fungicides,Including Sterol Biosynthesis Inhibitors

A survey of fungicide resistance in Mycosphaerella graminicola and Tapesia acuformis, two major pathogens of winter wheat in France, respectively responsible for speckled leaf blotch and eyespot, led to the characterization of two types of resistant strains to sterol 14α-demethylation inhibitors (DMIs). Most of the strains of M. graminicola collected in France in 1997–1998 were resistant to all DMIs, and only in a few strains was the resistance to several triazoles associated with increased susceptibility to pyrimidine derivatives (i.e., fenarimol, nuarimol) and triflumizole. On the other hand, in T. acuformis the most prevalent strains were those which exhibited negative-cross resistance between DMIs. In both fungi such a phenomenon could be related to changes in cytochrome P450 sterol 14α-demethylase, the target site of these fungicides. For Botryotinia fuckeliana, the causal agent of grey mould, the extensive monitoring conducted in French vineyards before the marketing of fenhexamid revealed the presence of highly resistant strains to this promising botryticide (only in tests involving mycelial growth measurements). Negative cross-resistance to edifenphos and several sterol biosynthesis inhibitors, such as prochloraz and fenpropimorph, was observed in fenhexamid resistant strains. Synergism of the antifungal action of fenhexamid by cytochrome P450 inhibitors, such as the DMI fungicides, was only recorded in fenhexamid resistant strains. These data and those previously obtained with edifenphos resistant strains of Magnaporthe grisea (rice blast pathogen) suggest that in fenhexamid resistant strains of B. fuckeliana the same cytochrome P450 monooxygenase could be involved in detoxification of fenhexamid and activation of edifenphos. Received 6 September 1999/ Accepted in revised form 13 September 1999     

Mechanisms responsible for high levels of permethrin resistance in the house fly

The mechanisms responsible for > 6000-fold permethrin resistance in a pyrethroid-selected strain of house fly, Learn-PyR, were investigated. Through electrophysiological, in vitro metabolism, in vivo penetration and synergism studies it was demonstrated that the resistance mechanisms consisted of enhanced metabolic detoxification via the mixed-function oxidase (MFO) system, target-site insensitivity and decreased cuticular penetration. The major resistance mechanism was the MFO-mediated detoxification. The elevated MFO activity was correlated with higher levels of cytochrome P-450, cytochrome b₅ and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity. The kinetics of the latter showed similar K_m but greater V_max values in the Learn-PyR than in the susceptible strain, suggesting that the elevated activity was due to an altered amount, but not an altered form, of the enzyme. The Learn-PyR strain showed widely varying levels of resistance to the pyrethroids tested. Comparison of the pyrethroid structures with the resistance ratios revealed that resistance was highest in the presence of an unsubstituted phenoxybenzyl alcohol moiety. Substitution or certain modifications of the alcohol moiety reduced the level of resistance. Structure of the acid moiety or the presence or absence of an a-CN group did not affect the resistance level. These results are discussed with reference to the resistance mechanisms present.     

Strong resistance to the fungicide fenhexamid entails a fitness cost in Botrytis cinerea, as shown by comparisons of isogenic strains

BACKGROUND: Fenhexamid, a sterol biosynthesis inhibitor effective against Botrytis, inhibits the 3‐ketoreductase (Erg27) involved in C‐4 demethylation. Several fenhexamid‐resistant phenotypes have been detected in Botrytis cinerea populations from French vineyards. The field isolates with the highest resistance levels display amino acid changes in Erg27 (F412S, F412I or F412V). RESULTS: Fenhexamid‐resistant mutants were generated by site‐directed mutagenesis of the erg27 gene in a sensitive recipient strain to overcome the impact of different genetic backgrounds. The wild‐type erg27 allele was replaced by the three mutated alleles (erg27^F412S/I/V) by homologous recombination. These isogenic strains were shown to be fenhexamid‐resistant and were used to quantify the impact of F412 mutations on fungal fitness. Several parameters, including radial growth, the production of sclerotia and conidia, freezing resistance and aggressiveness, were quantified in laboratory conditions. Analysis of variance demonstrated significant differences between the mutant and parental strains for some characters. In particular, the mutants grew more slowly than the wild‐type strain and displayed variations in the production of sclerotia and conidia with temperature and susceptibility to freezing. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight a moderate but significant impact of F412 mutations on the survival capacity of B. cinerea strains displaying high levels of resistance to fenhexamid in laboratory conditions, potentially limiting their dispersal and persistence, particularly in terms of overwintering, in field conditions. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

昆虫对拟除虫菊酯类杀虫剂的代谢抗性机制研究进展

随着拟除虫菊酯类杀虫剂在卫生和农业害虫防治中的广泛应用,昆虫对此类杀虫剂产生抗性的报道越来越多。目前已明确昆虫对拟除虫菊酯类杀虫剂的抗性机制包括表皮穿透率下降、靶标抗性以及代谢抗性,其中代谢抗性机制较为普遍,而且其与昆虫对多种杀虫剂的交互抗性关系密切。目前,随着基因组、转录组以及蛋白质组学等新技术的发展及应用,昆虫对拟除虫菊酯类杀虫剂的代谢抗性机制研究也取得了很多新进展。昆虫体内细胞色素P450酶（P450s）、羧酸酯酶（CarE）及谷胱甘肽S-转移酶（GSTs）等重要解毒酶系的改变均与昆虫对拟除虫菊酯类杀虫剂的代谢抗性有关,其中这3类解毒酶的活性及相关基因表达量的变化是昆虫对此类杀虫剂产生代谢抗性的主要原因。明确昆虫对拟除虫菊酯类杀虫剂的代谢抗性机制,对合理使用此类杀虫剂及延缓抗药性的产生均具有重要意义。本文在总结拟除虫菊酯类杀虫剂代谢路径及相关生物酶研究概况的基础上,综述了近年来有关昆虫对此类杀虫剂代谢抗性机制研究的主要进展。     

Over-expression of cytochrome P450 CYP6B7 mRNA and pyrethroid resistance in Australian populations of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)

Three cDNA clones for cytochrome P450s, CYP6B2, CYP6B6 and CYP6B7 which have 84–87% protein sequence identity have been isolated previously from Helicoverpa armigera, and the CYP6B7 mRNA was found to be over-expressed in a pyrethroid-resistant field population. Subsequent analysis has shown that over-expression is observed in a majority of individuals in all populations tested. Single-pair crosses between resistant and sensitive individuals indicated that the pyrethroid resistance co-segregated with the over-expression of this mRNA. Southern analysis indicated that the over-expression, which was confined to midgut only in many insects, was not related to gene amplification. These observations add weight to the conclusion that CYP6B7 is the cytochrome P450 form involved in pyrethroid resistance, and that over-expression of cytochrome P450 CYP6B7 is a common cause of pyrethroid resistance in H. armigera. The results suggest that specific probes for CYP6B7 protein or mRNA could provide the basis for the development of tools for monitoring pyrethroid resistance due to mixed function oxidase activity in field populations of this insect. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry     

Cross‐resistance,inheritance and biochemical mechanisms of imidacloprid resistance in B‐biotype Bemisia tabaci

BACKGROUND: The B‐type Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) has become established in many regions in China, and neonicotinoids are extensively used to control this pest. Imidacloprid resistance in a laboratory‐selected strain of B‐type B. tabaci was characterised in order to provide the basis for recommending resistance management tactics. RESULTS: The NJ‐Imi strain of B‐type B. tabaci was selected from the NJ strain with imidacloprid for 30 generations. The NJ‐Imi strain exhibited 490‐fold resistance to imidacloprid, high levels of cross‐resistance to three other neonicotinoids, low levels of cross‐resistance to monosultap, cartap and spinosad, but no cross‐resistance to abamectin and cypermethrin. Imidacloprid resistance in the NJ‐Imi strain was autosomal and semi‐dominant. It is shown that enhanced detoxification mediated by cytochrome‐P450‐dependent monooxygenases contributes to imidacloprid resistance to some extent in the NJ‐Imi strain. Results from synergist bioassays and cross‐resistance patterns indicated that target‐site insensitivity may be involved in imidacloprid resistance in the NJ‐Imi strain of B. tabaci. CONCLUSION: Although oxidative detoxification mediated by P450 monooxygenases is involved in imidacloprid resistance in the NJ‐Imi strain of B‐type B. tabaci, target‐site modification as an additional resistance mechanism cannot be ruled out. Considering the high risk of cross‐resistance, neonicotinoids should be regarded as a single group when implementing an insecticide rotation scheme in B. tabaci control. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Cross‐resistance and possible mechanisms of chlorpyrifos resistance in Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén)

BACKGROUND: Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) is a major pest of cultivated rice and is commonly controlled in China with the organophosphate insecticides. To develop a better resistance management strategy, a chlorpyrifos‐resistant strain of L. striatellus was selected in the laboratory, and its cross‐resistance to other insecticides and possible mechanisms of the chlorpyrifos resistance were investigated. RESULTS: After 25 generations of selection with chlorpyrifos, the selected strain of L. striatellus developed 188‐fold resistance to chlorpyrifos in comparison with the susceptible strain, and showed 14‐ and 1.6‐fold cross‐resistance to dichlorvos and thiamethoxam respectively. There was no apparent cross‐resistance to abamectin. Chlorpyrifos was synergised by the inhibitor triphenyl phosphate; the carboxylesterase synergistic ratio was 3.8 for the selected strain, but only 0.92 for the susceptible strain. The carboxylesterase activity of the selected strain was approximately 4 times that of the susceptible strain, whereas there was no significant change in the activities of alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glutathione S‐transferase and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase between the strains. The Michaelis constant of acetylcholinesterase, maximum velocity of acetylcholinesterase and median inhibitory concentration of chlorpyrifos‐oxon on acetylcholinesterase were 1.7, 2.5 and 5 times higher respectively in the selected strain. CONCLUSION: The high cross‐resistance to the organophosphate dichlorvos in the chlorpyrifos‐resistant strain suggests that other non‐organophosphate insecticides would be necessary to counter resistance, should it arise in the field. Enhanced activities of carboxylesterase and the acetylcholinesterase insensitivity appear to be important mechanisms for chlorpyrifos resistance in L. striatellus. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Resistance evolution in Drosophila: the case of CYP6G1

The massive use of DDT as an insecticide between 1940 and 1970 has resulted in the emergence of a resistant population of insects. One of the main metabolic mechanisms developed by resistant insects involves detoxification enzymes such as cytochrome P450s. These enzymes can metabolise the insecticide to render it less toxic and facilitate its elimination from the organism. The P450 Cyp6g1 was identified as the major factor responsible for DDT resistance in Drosophila melanogaster field populations. In this article, we review the data available for this gene since it was associated with resistance in 2002. The knowledge gained on Cyp6g1 allows a better understanding of the evolution of insecticide resistance mechanisms and highlights the major role of transposable elements in evolutionary processes. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Molecular studies of knockdown resistance to pyrethroids: cloning of domain II sodium channel gene sequences from insects

Knockdown resistance (kdr) is a target-site resistance mechanism that confers nerve insensitivity to DDT and pyrethroid insecticides. In the housefly, Musca domestica, molecular cloning of the para-type sodium channel gene has revealed two amino acid mutations that are associated with kdr and super-kdr resistance phenotypes. Both mutations are located in the domain II region of the channel; Leu1014 to Phe in the hydrophobic segment IIS6 and Met918 to Thr in the IIS4-IIS5 linker. To investigate whether these mutations also occur in other insects, we have designed degenerate primers based on conserved sequences in the domain II region of the sodium channel and used these to PCR amplify this region from insecticide-susceptible strains of eight diverse insect species representing four different insect Orders: Helicoverpa armigera, Plutella xylostella, Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera), Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera), Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera), Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii and Phorodon humuli (Hemiptera). The primers amplified closely related para-type sodium channel sequences from each insect with a minimum of 85% amino acid identity between species. All of the sequences contained ‘susceptible’ Leu and Met residues at the positions associated with kdr and super-kdr resistance in the housefly. Recent results detailing the presence of a kdr-type Leu to Phe mutation in pyrethroid-resistant strains of two important agricultural pests, P. xylostella and M. persicae, are discussed. ©1997 SCI