Comparative transcriptomic analysis of pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae s.l. from Ghana, reveals concentration-dependent and site-specific patterns of gene expression

TL;DR

This study finds that detoxification enzymes, especially P450s, play a major role in pyrethroid resistance in Ghanaian malaria mosquitoes, with gene expression varying by location and insecticide concentration.

Contribution

The study reveals site-specific and concentration-dependent gene expression patterns linked to pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles gambiae from Ghana.

Findings

High pyrethroid resistance was observed across all sites, with PBO synergist partially restoring susceptibility.

CYP9K1, CYP6M2, and CYP6P3 were significantly overexpressed in resistant mosquitoes from Tema and Abossey Okai.

P450-mediated detoxification appears to be a dominant mechanism driving resistance intensity in Ghana.

Abstract

The role of detoxification enzymes in pyrethroid resistance intensity among malaria vectors remains a critical area of research. This study evaluated the role of detoxifying enzymes in driving resistance intensity in Anopheles mosquitoes from high insecticide resistance sites in Ghana. Larvae were collected from Tema, Abossey Okai, and Dansoman, and bioassays were performed on 3–5 days old adult females by exposing them to deltamethrin at discriminating concentrations (1× = 0.05%, 5× = 0.25%, and 10× = 0.5%) to assess resistance intensity. A piperonyl butoxide (PBO) synergist assay was used to test the involvement of cytochrome P450s, while qRT-PCR quantified expression of detoxification genes (CYP6P1, CYP9K1, CYP6M2, CYP6P3, CYP4G16, GSTE2, and CYP6Z1). kdr mutations (L995F, L995S) were genotyped. High-intensity resistance was observed across all sites [deltamethrin 10× MR = 75–91%]. Pre-exposure to PBO significantly increased mortality (Tema: 13–56%; Abossey Okai: 20–91%; Dansoman: 34–88%, P < 0.001), however, complete susceptibility was not restored. The L995F mutation was present at similar frequencies in resistant and susceptible mosquitoes. Transcriptomic profiling revealed concentration-dependent and site-specific expression: Tema; CYP9K1, CYP6M2, CYP6P1, and CYP6P3 were significantly overexpressed (FC = 43.71–1222.98, P < 0.05), while CYP4G16 expression increased with insecticide concentration. In Abossey Okai, CYP9K1, CYP6P1, CYP6M2, and CYP6P3 were overexpressed (FC = 5.54–162.84). Mosquitoes from Dansoman showed generally low expression, however, CYP6M2 and CYP6P3 were overexpressed (FC = 120.80–292.68). These findings may suggest the dominant role of metabolic resistance, particularly P450-mediated detoxification in driving high pyrethroid resistance intensity in Ghana.

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