Article
Genetics & Heredity
Magellan Tchouakui, Leon M. J. Mugenzi, Murielle J. Wondji, Micareme Tchoupo, Flobert Njiokou, Charles S. Wondji
Summary: Understanding the fitness cost of metabolic resistance in malaria vectors is crucial for effective resistance management. This study shows that a structural variant in genes involved in insecticide resistance leads to reduced fecundity and slower development in resistant mosquitoes. Additionally, the cumulative impact of multiple resistance genes exacerbates these effects. However, in an insecticide-free environment, susceptible individuals have a higher proportion, leading to restoration of susceptibility.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Toshio Mori, Haruka Ohno, Hirofumi Ichinose, Hirokazu Kawagishi, Hirofumi Hirai
Summary: In this study, it was found that the white-rot fungus P. chrysosporium degrades neonicotinoid insecticides through the activity of at least two different CYP isozymes.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Scott T. Small, Carlo Costantini, N'Fale Sagnon, Moussa W. Guelbeogo, Scott J. Emrich, Andrew D. Kern, Michael C. Fontaine, Nora J. Besansky
Summary: The two forms of the major African malaria mosquito Anopheles funestus, which are indistinguishable in morphology but different in their genetic makeup, show evidence of local adaptation to breeding in natural swamps and irrigated rice fields. This rapid adaptation is fueled by standing genetic variation predating the split between the two forms. Differences in inversion frequencies likely facilitated the adaptive divergence between the two forms by suppressing recombination.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magellan Tchouakui, Leon M. J. Mugenzi, Murielle J. Wondji, Micareme Tchoupo, Flobert Njiokou, Charles S. Wondji
Summary: The study reveals that the over-expression of multiple P450 genes results in cumulative fitness costs for pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles funestus, impacting their reproductive capacity and development speed significantly. Additionally, in an insecticide-free environment, there is a potential increase in the proportion of susceptible individuals.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lateef. O. Busari, Haleemah O. Raheem, Zarat O. Iwalewa, Kamilu A. Fasasi, Monsuru A. Adeleke
Summary: The study evaluates the resistance and susceptibility of adult female Anopheles gambiae s. l., Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes to four groups of insecticides and the distribution of their larval habitat within Osogbo metropolis. The results indicate that Anopheles gambiae s. l. shows the highest resistance to Permethrin, while Aedes aegypti exhibits highest resistance against OC-Control. The susceptibility of Anopheles gambiae s. l. and Culex quinquefasciatus to Pirimiphos-methyl and Aedes aegypti to Permethrin suggests the potential success of using these insecticides for vector control.
Article
Plant Sciences
Tingting Bao, Shadrack Kimani, Yueqing Li, Hongjie Li, Song Yang, Jia Zhang, Qiuyue Wang, Zhaoxuan Wang, Guogui Ning, Li Wang, Xiang Gao
Summary: The relationship between floral scent and allelic variation of TERPENE SYNTHASE in representative wild species reveals the molecular basis of interspecific floral diversity among Freesia species. The study characterized TPSs responsible for the floral scent of wild Freesia species, identifying their natural allelic variants and the amino acid residues responsible for their function. The research showed that allelic TPS variants evolved differently to determine the interspecific floral volatile terpenes in the genus and could be used for modern cultivar improvement.
Article
Biology
Emily R. Ebel, Frans A. Kuypers, Carrie Lin, Dmitri A. Petrov, Elizabeth S. Egan
Summary: The study on 121 healthy donors of African ancestry found that various genes and phenotypes related to red blood cell variation were closely associated with the adaptability of Plasmodium falciparum within red blood cells, indicating globally widespread variations play a role in modulating parasite fitness.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Beniamino Caputo, Verena Pichler, Giordano Botta, Carlo De Marco, Christina Hubbart, Eleonora Perugini, Joao Pinto, Kirk A. Rockett, Alistair Miles, Alessandra della Torre
Summary: The study aimed to develop novel tools for genotyping two efficient vectors of human malaria in Africa, Anopheles coluzzii and An. gambiae, using ancestral informative markers identified from a specific genome project. The multilocus approach was able to capture patterns of admixture in samples from the westernmost hybridization zone, providing new insights into interspecific admixture in the region. Additionally, a cost-effective PCR approach was developed for advanced identification of species and admixed specimens in routine large-scale entomological surveys, particularly at regions where unexpected autosomal admixture was highlighted by whole genome sequencing data.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Ethan Bier
Summary: This Review discusses the impact of CRISPR-based gene-drive systems on controlling populations such as insect vectors of disease. It summarizes progress in designing full-drive elements, updating genetic elements, and mitigating strategies, while emphasizing the importance of ethical and social considerations in advancing these technologies towards field implementation.
NATURE REVIEWS GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Magellan Tchouakui, Ambrose Oruni, Tatiane Assatse, Claudine R. Manyaka, Micareme Tchoupo, Jonathan Kayondo, Charles S. Wondji
Summary: The An gambiae population in Uganda exhibits high intensity of resistance to certain insecticides, resulting in the loss of efficacy of long-lasting insecticidal nets. However, the susceptibility to most insecticides can be restored in less than 10 generations in the absence of selection pressure. Early rotation of insecticides can help manage resistance to insecticides.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amelie N. R. Wamba, Sulaiman S. Ibrahim, Michael O. Kusimo, Abdullahi Muhammad, Leon M. J. Mugenzi, Helen Irving, Murielle J. Wondji, Jack Hearn, Jude D. Bigoga, Charles S. Wondji
Summary: The study confirmed the overexpression of CYP325A in pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles funestus from Cameroon, leading to metabolic resistance to insecticides. High genetic polymorphism was observed, along with noticeable geographical amino acid changes. Analysis of the promoter region of CYP325A suggested a potential selective sweep in resistant mosquitoes.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Gili Greenbaum, Marcus W. Feldman, Noah A. Rosenberg, Jaehee Kim
Summary: CRISPR-based gene drive technology shows promise but also carries risks of unintentional spillovers. Differential targeting to limit spillovers to non-target populations is feasible with careful design and low migration rates, but challenging under high migration rates. Safeguards such as differential targeting should be considered when applying CRISPR-based gene drives in order to minimize ecological disruptions.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Andrew Hammond, Xenia Karlsson, Ioanna Morianou, Kyros Kyrou, Andrea Beaghton, Matthew Gribble, Nace Kranjc, Roberto Galizi, Austin Burt, Andrea Crisanti, Tony Nolan
Summary: Research has shown that alternative germline regulatory sequences can enhance the effectiveness of gene drives and reduce the propensity for resistant mutations, highlighting the importance of nuclease expression regulation in developing robust homing-based gene drives for population suppression.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oleksii Skorokhod, Ekaterina Vostokova, Gianfranco Gilardi
Summary: Vector-borne infectious diseases, such as malaria, have a significant impact on global health and economy. Prevention through vector control is crucial, although there is growing resistance to insecticides. Utilizing natural inhibitors/blockers of vector enzymes and host enzymes, specifically cytochromes P450, can contribute to greener insecticides and disease control.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chunmei You, Lulu Zhang, Jiajia Song, Lei Zhang, Congai Zhen, Xiwu Gao
Summary: Long-term and excessive use of insecticides has led to environmental problems and insecticide resistance in pests. The variation in a P450 gene, CYP6G4, is found to be the main driver of carbamate resistance in house flies. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of insecticide resistance is crucial for effective resistance management strategies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Charles S. Wondji, Jack Hearn, Helen Irving, Murielle J. Wondji, Gareth Weedall
Summary: The study found that cytochrome P450 genes were the predominant over-expressed detoxification genes in the resistant strain, with high expression of CYP6P9a and CYP6P9b. Additionally, other P450 genes related to pyrethroid resistance were also over-expressed in the resistant strain. This research provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of resistance in Anopheles funestus and can help in developing strategies to manage resistance in Africa.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jack Hearn, Carlos S. Djoko Tagne, Sulaiman S. Ibrahim, Billy Tene-Fossog, Leon M. J. Mugenzi, Helen Irving, Jacob M. Riveron, Gareth D. Weedall, Charles S. Wondji
Summary: This study investigates the molecular basis of metabolic resistance to pyrethroids in Anopheles funestus, a major malaria vector. The researchers used a multi-omics approach and functional validation to identify a cytochrome P450, CYP9K1, as a major driver of resistance. The study also identified other genes and variants associated with resistance and suggests their potential use in designing field-applicable markers for tracking resistance in Africa-wide.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kyle J. Walker, Christopher T. Williams, Folasade O. Oladepo, John Lucas, David Malone, Mark J. Paine, Hanafy M. Ismail
Summary: This study aimed to develop a simple, high-throughput, and low-resource method for measuring insecticides in long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs). By optimizing HPLC chromatography, researchers successfully detected pyrethroid and pyriproxyfen insecticides in LLINs extract with high sensitivity, allowing for quantitative analysis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Melanie Nolden, Mark J. I. Paine, Ralf Nauen
Summary: Pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles funestus is a major threat to the eradication of malaria. This study identified the enzymes CYP6P9a and CYP6P9b as major drivers of pyrethroid resistance in An. funestus, and investigated their interactions with azole-fungicides and pyrethroids. The study found that the mutation V310I in CYP6P9b increased its metabolic activity towards pyrethroids, particularly permethrin. Additionally, the study discovered the first metabolites of permethrin and deltamethrin, which were also suitable substrates for the CYP6P9 variants and were depleted to a higher extent than their parent compounds. Furthermore, it was confirmed that CYP6P9a and CYP6P9b are capable of metabolizing pyrethroids. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of pyrethroid resistance in An. funestus.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cherry L. Dykes, Gunjan Sharma, Abhisek K. Behera, Neera Kapoor, Mark J. Paine, Martin J. Donnelly, Om P. Singh
Summary: This study reports a tandem duplication of a genomic region encoding GSTe2 and GSTe4 genes in a laboratory-colonized DDT-resistant Anopheles stephensi. The duplication of genes may be an adaptive process to increase levels of detoxifying enzymes to counter insecticide pressure.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Yvan Fotso-Toguem, Billy Tene-Fossog, Leon M. J. Mugenzi, Murielle J. Wondji, Flobert Njiokou, Hilary Ranson, Charles S. Wondji
Summary: The polymorphisms of CYP6M2 and CYP6P4 were analyzed to detect potential resistance markers in Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae. The study found significant overexpression of CYP6M2 and CYP6P4 in resistant mosquitos, and a lower diversity in the upstream region of CYP6P4 potentially associated with resistance.
Article
Biology
Sulaiman S. Ibrahim, Abdullahi Muhammad, Jack Hearn, Gareth D. Weedall, Sanjay C. Nagi, Muhammad M. Mukhtar, Amen N. Fadel, Leon J. Mugenzi, Edward I. Patterson, Helen Irving, Charles S. Wondji
Summary: Transcriptional analysis of Anopheles coluzzii populations from the Sahel region revealed overexpression of genes associated with insecticide resistance, including CYP450s, glutathione S-transferases, carboxylesterases, and cuticular proteins. High frequencies of known markers of resistance were also observed. These findings have important implications for malaria control efforts and regional collaboration.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Melanie Nolden, Robert Velten, Mark J. I. Paine, Ralf Nauen
Summary: Resistance to common pyrethroids, such as deltamethrin and permethrin, is widespread in the malaria mosquito Anopheles funestus due to upregulated cytochrome P450 monooxygenases. The duplicated genes CYP6P9a and CYP6P9b are highly upregulated in the pyrethroid resistant strain and have been shown to metabolize various pyrethroids. Although CYP6P9 variants interact with transfluthrin, their metabolic capacity to degrade transfluthrin is low, explaining the lack of resistance observed. Therefore, transfluthrin is an important resistance-breaking pyrethroid in controlling An. funestus.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Leon M. J. Mugenzi, Theofelix A. Tekoh, Sulaiman S. Ibrahim, Abdullahi Muhammad, Mersimine Kouamo, Murielle J. Wondji, Helen Irving, Jack Hearn, Charles S. Wondji
Summary: Insecticide resistance in vector species populations is posing a threat to the effectiveness of insecticide-based interventions against malaria. This study identified the overexpression of certain metabolic cytochrome P450 genes in resistant Anopheles funestus populations, which confers resistance to both pyrethroid and carbamate insecticides. Understanding the molecular basis of insecticide resistance is crucial for the development of suitable interventions.
Article
Microbiology
Fleuriane Metissa Djondji Kamga, Leon M. J. Mugenzi, Magellan Tchouakui, Maurice Marcel Sandeu, Claudine Grace Tatsinkou Maffo, Maximilienne Ascension Nyegue, Charles S. S. Wondji
Summary: This study investigates the association between a specific endosymbiont, Asaia spp., and pyrethroid resistance in malaria vectors. The presence of Asaia was found to be higher in mosquitoes with resistance markers, indicating a possible correlation. Furthermore, the abundance of Asaia was correlated with the resistance phenotype at different concentrations of deltamethrin.
Article
Microbiology
Marcel Tapsou Baina, Abel Lissom, Naura Veil Assioro Doulamo, Jean Claude Djontu, Dieu Merci Umuhoza, Jacques Dollon Mbama-Ntabi, Steve Diafouka-Kietela, Jolivet Mayela, Georges Missontsa, Charles Wondji, Ayola Akim Adegnika, Etienne Nguimbi, Steffen Borrmann, Francine Ntoumi
Summary: This study compares the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum strains in rural and urban areas of the Republic of Congo after the introduction of artemisinin-based combination therapy. The results show higher genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection in the rural setting, influenced by season and participant clinical status.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tatiane Assatse, Magellan Tchouakui, Leon Mugenzi, Benjamin Menze, Daniel Nguiffo-Nguete, Williams Tchapga, Sevilor Kekeunou, Charles S. Wondji
Summary: The susceptibility of Anopheles funestus mosquitoes to neonicotinoids was evaluated across Africa, and diagnostic doses of acetamiprid and imidacloprid were established. The study revealed that populations of An. funestus in Africa are susceptible to neonicotinoids, indicating the potential for using this insecticide class to control malaria transmission. However, the presence of cross-resistance calls for regular monitoring of resistance in the field.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Oumou Kalsom Gueye, Abdoulaye Niang, Mouhamed Bassir Faye, Abdoulaye Kane Dia, Amblat Ali Ahmed, Ousmane Sy, Frederic Tripet, Lassana Konate, Ibrahima Dia, Charles Sinclair Wondji, Oumar Gaye, Ousmane Faye, Abdoulaye Diabate, El Hadji Amadou Niang
Summary: In Senegal, there is a clear difference in the mating swarms of An. coluzzii and An. gambiae, the malaria vector species, with no hybridization observed. The study reveals that while they do not hybridize, they exhibit distinct swarming behaviors. However, a high hybridization rate is still found in the hybridization zones, indicating the need for further extensive studies.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Francis N. Nkemngo, Lymen W. Raissa, Daniel N. Nguete, Cyrille Ndo, Jerome Fru-Cho, Flobert Njiokou, Samuel Wanji, Charles S. Wondji
Summary: Molecular surveillance of malaria is essential for detecting and tracking parasite resistance to anti-malarial drugs. This study conducted molecular techniques to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium malariae resistance markers in humans and mosquitoes in Cameroon. The results showed high prevalence of malaria and the emergence of drug-resistant alleles. The findings highlight the importance of continued surveillance and intervention strategies to prevent the spread of resistance.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)