Investigation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) ATPase gene variation in temephos resistant Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894), Chidambaram, India

Abstract

The study investigated the role of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) ATPase gene expression in mediating resistance to the organophosphate larvicide temephos in Aedes albopictus. Larval populations were subsequently classified into control, susceptible, and resistant groups based on their differential response to temephos following laboratory-induced selection pressure. Total RNA was isolated, and relative gene expression was quantified using RT-PCR, with â-actin serving as the endogenous control for normalization. An upregulation of P-gp expression was observed in resistant larvae compared to susceptible and control groups. Densitometric analysis revealed P-gp expression levels of 35,863.67 AU in resistant larvae, 30,761.16 AU in susceptible larvae, and 33,786.40 AU in control larvae, whereas â-actin expression remained consistent across all groups. The elevated expression of P-gp indicates its involvement in temephos resistance, likely through enhanced xenobiotic efflux. The finding underscores the potential of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters as molecular targets for improving vector control strategies.