Voltage-gated sodium channels are the primary targets of DDT, pyrethroids and sodium channel blocker insecticides (SCBIs). Pyrethroids and SCBIs have been used extensively in controlling arthropod pests and disease vectors. Although the use of DDT is largely banned, DDT is still one of the recommended insecticides for malaria control in Africa.  A major obstacle to effective use of these compounds is the emergence of resistance. Numerous mutations in sodium channels have been identified that confer insecticide resistance. Characterization of these sodium channel mutations has led to the development of molecular means of resistance monitoring and the identification of insecticide receptor sites on the sodium channel.  I will present our recent findings in these areas. In addition, I will discuss our effort to understand the role of a sodium channel-like cation channel (i.e., DSC1 in Drosophila) in modulating the toxicity of these insecticides in vivo.

Molecular mechanisms of action and resistance of DDT, pyrethroids, and sodium channel blocker insecticides

248th National Meeting (2014)

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