Quantitative analysis used for insecticide resistance study

Scientists have used quantitative analysis processes to try and uncover a way to prevent the emergence of strains of mosquito resistant to insecticides.

Published in the journal Parasites & Vectors, the team from Jining Medical University in China noted that insecticide resistance is a major concern for global health, as it jeopardises the control of mosquito populations and the diseases they carry.

Two-dimensional electrophoresis identified one protein segment with high sequence homology to part of Aedes aegypti iron-responsive element binding protein (IRE-BP).

The team compared the differences of iron responsive element binding protein 1 (IRE-BP 1) between the cypermethrin-resistant strain of Culex pipiens pallens (Cr-IRE strain) and the susceptible strain of Cx. pipiens pallens.

"Quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that the IRE-BP 1 transcription level was 6.7 times higher in the Cr-IRE strain than in the susceptible strain of 4th instar larvae," the report claimed.

The scientists noted that the higher levels of IRE-BP 1 in the Cr-IRE strain may confer some insecticide resistance.

Posted by Neil Clark