Organophosphosphate resistance-related mutations in the acetylcholinesterase gene of Tephritidae

Abstract

Tephritid insects comprise one of the most devastating families of insect pests worldwide. Organophosphate insecticides have been extensively used for their control during the last 40 years. Inevitably, this has led to the development of resistance. Acetylcholinesterase is the principal target of organophosphates (OP) and, consequently, its gene is the most likely locus where resistance mutations appear. In this review, OP resistance-associated mutations in Tephritidae are described. Apart from the mutations that lie in the catalytic centre of the enzyme, those that lie at the C-terminal of the protein are of particular interest as they indicate a possible new mechanism of resistance. Nonetheless, the number of resistance-associated mutations in the catalytic centre of the Tephritidae ace gene is low, a fact that could be attributed to the fitness cost that any other mutations may have.