A Simple Colorimetric Assay for Specific Detection of Glutathione-S Transferase Activity Associated with DDT Resistance in Mosquitoes

Morou, Evangelia, Dowd, Andrew, Rajatileka, Shavanti, Steven, Andrew, Hemingway, Janet ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3200-7173, Ranson, Hilary ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2332-8247, Paine, Mark ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2061-7713 and Vontas, John (2010) 'A Simple Colorimetric Assay for Specific Detection of Glutathione-S Transferase Activity Associated with DDT Resistance in Mosquitoes'. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 4, Issue 8, e808.

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Abstract

Background

Insecticide-based methods represent the most effective means of blocking the transmission of vector borne diseases. However, insecticide resistance poses a serious threat and there is a need for tools, such as diagnostic tests for resistance detection, that will improve the sustainability of control interventions. The development of such tools for metabolism-based resistance in mosquito vectors lags behind those for target site resistance mutations.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We have developed and validated a simple colorimetric assay for the detection of Epsilon class Glutathione transferases (GST)-based DDT resistance in mosquito species, such as Aedes aegypti, the major vector of dengue and yellow fever worldwide. The colorimetric assay is based on the specific alkyl transferase activity of Epsilon GSTs for the haloalkene substrate iodoethane, which produces a dark blue colour highly correlated with AaGSTE2-2-overexpression in individual mosquitoes. The colour can be measured visually and spectrophotometrically.

Conclusions/Significance

The novel assay is substantially more sensitive compared to the gold standard CDNB assay and allows the discrimination of moderate resistance phenotypes. We anticipate that it will have direct application in routine vector monitoring as a resistance indicator and possibly an important impact on disease vector control.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	QU Biochemistry > Genetics > QU 475 Genetic processes QV Pharmacology > QV 38 Drug action. QV Pharmacology > QV 4 General works QV Pharmacology > Drug Standardization. Pharmacognosy. Medicinal Plants > QV 771 Standardization and evaluation of drugs QW Microbiology and Immunology > QW 45 Microbial drug resistance. General or not elsewhere classified. QX Parasitology > Insects. Other Parasites > QX 510 Mosquitoes QX Parasitology > Insects. Other Parasites > QX 525 Aedes QX Parasitology > Insects. Other Parasites > QX 600 Insect control. Tick control QX Parasitology > Insects. Other Parasites > QX 650 Insect vectors WA Public Health > Preventive Medicine > WA 240 Disinfection. Disinfestation. Pesticides (including diseases caused by)
Faculty: Department:	Groups (2002 - 2012) > Vector Group
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0000808
Depositing User:	Users 183 not found.
Date Deposited:	05 Oct 2010 14:12
Last Modified:	30 Aug 2019 17:05
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/1652

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