Metabolic resistance to insecticides is the biggest threat to the continued effectiveness of malaria vector control. In the frame of a transnational research program, we have demonstrated that a single amino acid change in the glutathione-s-transferase confers high levels of DDT resistance in the African mosquito Anopheles funestus.  Interestingly, this metabolic resistance marker perfectly correlates with patterns of DDT resistance across Africa. The x-ray structures of two polymorphic GSTe2 corresponding to those populations presenting an intensified resistance or sensitiveness phenotypes show that the mutation confers resistance by enlarging the GSTe2 DDT-binding cavity leading to increased DDT access and metabolism. This knowledge constitutes a valuable tool for future operational monitoring of insecticide resistance in Africa and allows us to design novel molecules with enhanced insecticide properties.

Reference:

A single mutation in the GSTe2 gene allows tracking of metabolically based insecticide resistance in a major malaria vector

Riveron JM, Yunta C, Ibrahim SS, Djouaka R, Irving H, Menze BD, Ismail HM, Hemingway J, H. Ranson, A. Albert  and C.S. Wondji
Genome Biology 2014, 15:R27 (25 February 2014)

Highlighted at:

Insecticide resistance comes of age (ffrench-Constant RH Genome Biology 2014, 15:106 (25 February 2014))