Descripción del proyecto
Perspectiva molecular de la resistencia a los insecticidas
La gestión eficaz de las plagas es crucial para la protección de los cultivos y la seguridad alimentaria, pero la aparición de resistencias a los insecticidas y productos químicos de defensa de las plantas impide las intervenciones actuales. Los insectos emplean enzimas del citocromo P450 para protegerse de las toxinas naturales y artificiales. Los cambios en la expresión de las enzimas o las alteraciones de la actividad metabólica pueden provocar resistencia a los insecticidas. El objetivo del proyecto P450RESIST, financiado por el Consejo Europeo de Investigación, es definir los factores moleculares asociados a la resistencia a los insecticidas. Los investigadores también caracterizarán la interacción del P450 con los insecticidas, lo que ofrecerá una visión sin precedentes del mecanismo de resistencia. En última instancia, esta investigación ayudará a desarrollar nuevas herramientas de detección de resistencias y estrategias para la protección sostenible de los cultivos.
Objetivo
Insect resistance to synthetic insecticides and the anti-herbivore defence chemicals produced by many plants is an ongoing challenge to sustainable pest management while also an exceptional model system to study adaptive evolution. The cytochrome P450s are a superfamily of enzymes that are ubiquitous in nature, and one of the most important enzyme families used by insects to defend themselves against natural and synthetic xenobiotics. Insects have been shown to evolve resistance through quantitative changes in P450 expression or via qualitative changes in P450s that alter metabolic activity. Despite their importance in conferring resistance the variety of regulatory changes that modulate P450 expression in resistant insects and their relative frequency/impact is not fully understood. Furthermore, although qualitative changes in insect P450s associated with resistance are relatively rare they represent a unique opportunity to characterise insecticide/toxin binding and identify the critical structure/function determinants of the P450/insect toxin interaction.
In this project I will exploit cutting-edge advances in genomics, epigenetics and transgenics to study the insect P450 resistome in three main workpackages:
WP-1: Will identify the molecular drivers of quantitative changes to insect P450s.
WP-2: Will explore the role of qualitative changes in insect P450s in mediating resistance and identify structure/function determinants of insecticide metabolism.
WP-3: Will exploit the knowledge gained in WP1/2 and from previous research to deliver a ‘P450 toolkit’ consisting of in vitro and in vivo screening tools, with which to identify resistance breaking chemistry, and high-throughput diagnostics for use in resistance management.
In summary this project will provide novel insights into this important enzyme family and provide tools that can be used to develop new products and strategies that slow, prevent, or overcome resistance and so ensure sustainable crop protection
Ámbito científico
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
ERC-COG - Consolidator GrantInstitución de acogida
EX4 4QJ Exeter
Reino Unido