Cytochrome P450-based metabolic insecticide resistance in Anopheles and Aedes mosquito vectors: Muddying the waters

• Published in: Pesticide biochemistry and physiology Vol. 170; p. 104666
• Main Authors: Vontas, John, Katsavou, Eva, Mavridis, Konstantinos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.11.2020
• Subjects: Aedes; allelic variation; Anopheles; Anoplehes; catalytic activity; cross resistance; CYP; cytochrome P-450; Dengue; Detoxification; diagnostic techniques; Diagnostics; insecticide resistance; Malaria; physiology; resistance management; Malaria; Diagnostics; Dengue; Detoxification; Anoplehes; CYP; Aedes
• ISSN: 0048-3575; 1095-9939; 1095-9939
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2020.104666

Despite the substantial progress achieved in the characterization of cytochrome P450 (CYP) -based resistance mechanisms in mosquitoes, a number of questions remain unanswered. These include: (i) the regulation and physiology of resistance conferring CYPs; (ii) the actual contribution of CYPs in resistance alone or in combination with other detoxification partners or other resistance mechanisms; (iii) the association between overexpression levels and allelic variation, with the catalytic activity and the intensity of resistance and (iv) the true value of molecular diagnostics targeting CYP markers, for driving decision making in the frame of Insecticide Resistance Management applications. Furthermore, the translation of CYP – based insecticide resistance research in mosquitoes into practical applications, is being developed, but it is not fully exploited, as yet. Examples include the production of high throughput platforms for screening the liability (stability) or inhibition potential of novel insecticidal leads and synergists (add-ons), as well as the exploration of the negative cross resistance concept (i.e. detoxification of certain insecticides, but activation of others pro-insecticides). The goal of this review is to critically summarise the current knowledge and the gaps of the CYP-based metabolic insecticide resistance in Anopheles and Aedes mosquito vectors. The progress and limitations of the protein and the reverse/forward genetic approaches, the understanding and importance of molecular and physiological aspects, as well as the current and future exploitation routes of CYP research are discussed. Graphical abstract [Display omitted] •Insecticide resistance is major challenge in mosquito control.•Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) have been associated with the trait in Anopheles and Aedes.•The exact role and the molecular physiology of CYP-mediated resistance is not fully elucidated.•The true value of CYP molecular diagnostics for IRM is not clear.•Translation of P450-based research into practical applications is ongoing.