Field-Caught Permethrin-Resistant Anopheles gambiae Overexpress CYP6P3, a P450 That Metabolises Pyrethroids
2008

Field-Caught Mosquitoes Show Resistance to Pyrethroids Due to CYP6P3 Enzyme

Sample size: 333 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Pie Müller, Emma Warr, Bradley J. Stevenson, Patricia M. Pignatelli, John C. Morgan, Andrew Steven, Alexander E. Yawson, Sara N. Mitchell, Hilary Ranson, Janet Hemingway, Mark J. I. Paine, Martin J. Donnelly

Primary Institution: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Hypothesis

Can we identify enzymes that contribute to metabolic resistance to pyrethroids in wild Anopheles gambiae populations?

Conclusion

The study found that the CYP6P3 enzyme is significantly overexpressed in pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae, indicating its role in metabolic resistance.

Supporting Evidence

  • CYP6P3 was significantly overexpressed in mosquitoes that survived exposure to permethrin.
  • The study identified CYP6P3 as the first enzyme in wild Anopheles gambiae capable of metabolising pyrethroids.
  • High survival rates of mosquitoes against permethrin were observed, indicating strong resistance.
  • Microarray analysis showed consistent overexpression of CYP6P3 in resistant mosquitoes compared to susceptible ones.

Takeaway

Some mosquitoes can survive pesticide exposure because they have special proteins that help them break down the chemicals. This study found one of those proteins in mosquitoes from Ghana.

Methodology

The study involved collecting wild Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, measuring gene expression for over 250 genes, and using microarray analysis to identify overexpressed enzymes.

Potential Biases

Potential confounding effects from comparing field-caught mosquitoes with laboratory strains.

Limitations

The study design may underestimate true fold differences in gene expression due to the nature of comparing selected survivors with a mixed control group.

Participant Demographics

The majority of sampled mosquitoes were Anopheles gambiae s.s. belonging to the molecular S form, with a high frequency of the L1014F kdr allele.

Statistical Information

P-Value

6.69×10−19

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pgen.1000286

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication