Researchers Reveal How Mosquitoes Resist DDT and ITNs
February 26, 2014| |
Scientists from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine found that a single genetic mutation causes resistance of mosquitoes to DDT and pyrethroids. The results of the study could help improve malaria control strategies.
Study leader Dr. Charles Wondji and team used different methods to understand how resistance works which led them to the single mutation in the GSTe2 gene. When this occurs, the insects break down DDT so it's no longer toxic. Furthermore, they found out that this gene makes insects resistant to pyrethroids raising the concern that GSTe2 gene could protect mosquitoes against the major insecticides used in public health. They also introduced the gene into fruit flies which became resistant to DDT and pyrethroids compared to controls, confirming that just this single mutation is enough to make mosquitoes resistant to both DDT and permethrin.
Read more about the study at http://genomebiology.com/2014/15/2/R27.
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