Open AccessCyp12a4 confers lufenuron resistance in a natural population of Drosophila melanogaster
Author(s) -
Michael Bogwitz,
Henry Chung,
Lorin Magoc,
Sheena Rigby,
Wayn Wong,
Melanie O'Keefe,
John A. McKenzie,
Philip Batterham,
Phillip J. Daborn
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.0503709102
Subject(s) - lufenuron , biology , midgut , drosophila melanogaster , genetics , melanogaster , population , malpighian tubule system , ectopic expression , gene , botany , larva , demography , sociology
Lufenuron is an insect growth regulator insecticide mainly used for the control of the cat flea. To understand mechanisms of resistance to lufenuron, we have characterized lufenuron resistance in a natural population of Drosophila melanogaster. In this study we have used precise genetic mapping to identify a mechanism of lufenuron resistance: the overexpression of the cytochrome P450 gene Cyp12a4. Cyp12a4 is predicted to encode a mitochondrial cytochrome P450 enzyme. Expression of Cyp12a4 in D. melanogaster third-instar larvae was detected in the midgut and Malpighian tubules of both lufenuron-resistant and wild-type strains. The level of Cyp12a4 expression in the midgut is higher in the lufenuron-resistant strain than in wild-type strains. Driving the expression of Cyp12a4 in the midgut and Malpighian tubules by using the GAL4/UAS gene expression system results in lufenuron resistance, but it does not result in resistance to three other insecticide classes. Transgenic expression of Cyp12a4 in a ubiquitous expression pattern results in late embryonic lethality, suggesting that high-level ectopic expression of Cyp12a4 is detrimental to development.