Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology最新文献

{"title":"Functional characterization of two delta-class glutathione S-transferases genes in detoxifying acaricides in Sarcoptes scabiei","authors":"Hongmei Wang ,&nbsp;Bo Lei ,&nbsp;Xinyu Bao ,&nbsp;Xiaobin Gu ,&nbsp;Jing Xia ,&nbsp;Yong Huang ,&nbsp;Huaqiao Tang ,&nbsp;Fei Shi ,&nbsp;Xing Huang ,&nbsp;Bo liang ,&nbsp;Jing Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2026.106981","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2026.106981","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Scabies (or Sarcoptic mange) is a highly contagious skin disease caused by the ectoparasite <em>Sarcoptes scabiei.</em> The resistance of <em>S. scabiei</em> to common acaricides like permethrin has been reported, yet their precise mechanisms remain elusive. Glutathione S-Transferase (GSTs) constitute an important class of detoxification enzymes. In this study, we found that the expression levels of <em>SsGSTd3</em> and <em>SsGSTd5</em> in <em>S. scabiei</em> were significantly up-regulated after exposure to LC₃₀ of permethrin, amitraz, and selamectin, suggesting that <em>SsGSTd3</em> and <em>SsGSTd5</em> are involved in the detoxification of these acaricides. Therefore, we used <em>in vitro</em> metabolic assay and bacterial survival assays to further investigate their specific detoxification mechanisms. Co-incubation with the acaricides reduced the 1-Chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) activities of both recombinant proteins to varying degrees. HPLC analysis revealed that SsGSTd3 and SsGSTd5 metabolized 35.24% and 53.28% of permethrin, respectively, but did not metabolize amitraz. SsGSTd3 metabolized a small fraction of selamectin (3.25%). In addition, bacterial survival assays demonstrated that under oxidative stress induced by CHP and H₂O₂, the OD₆₀₀ values of <em>E. coli</em> overexpressing SsGSTd3 or SsGSTd5 were significantly higher than those of control group, indicating robust antioxidant activity for both proteins. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that SsGSTd3 and SsGSTd5 facilitate permethrin detoxification <em>via</em> a dual mechanism—metabolic and alleviation of oxidative stress, and may represent an early warning sign of decreased susceptibility to amitraz and selamectin through their antioxidant functions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19828,"journal":{"name":"Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology","volume":"219 ","pages":"Article 106981"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146081851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hepatotoxicity of environmental acetamiprid and cadmium in Pelophylax nigromaculatus: An integrated analysis from histopathology to molecular mechanisms","authors":"Limin Tian ,&nbsp;Shaoqin Chen ,&nbsp;Renyue Ming ,&nbsp;Ya Yang ,&nbsp;Li Wang ,&nbsp;Yanhua Wang ,&nbsp;Ping Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2026.106984","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2026.106984","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In agricultural ecosystems, pesticides and heavy metals often coexist as understudied threats to ecological health. Although traditional risk assessments focus on single contaminants, the combined effects, particularly on ecologically relevant amphibians such as <em>Pelophylax nigromaculatus</em>, remain poorly understood. Among these pollutants, the neonicotinoid acetamiprid and cadmium are widely detected in aquatic environments, yet their combined hepatotoxicity in adult amphibians has not been adequately investigated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the individual and combined toxic effects of acetamiprid and cadmium in <em>P. nigromaculatus</em> at environmentally relevant concentrations, employing an integrated multi-omics approach in conjunction with biochemical and histopathological evaluations. Individual exposures induced significant metabolic disruption and tissue injury. In contrast, co-exposure triggered a unique adaptive compensation network that maintained redox balance and redirected amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, thereby mitigating inflammatory activation and liver damage. Molecular docking simulations further revealed differential binding interactions of acetamiprid and an acetamiprid–cadmium complex with key compensatory proteins, providing a mechanistic basis for the attenuated toxicity under combined exposures. These results highlight the importance of incorporating mixture toxicity and life-stage-specific responses into ecological risk assessments, reveal unexpected adaptive pathways in amphibians exposed to complex pollutant scenarios, and emphasize the need for more comprehensive evaluations of interactions among environmental contaminants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19828,"journal":{"name":"Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology","volume":"219 ","pages":"Article 106984"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146081850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Constitutive overexpression of ATP-binding cassette transporters contributes to emamectin benzoate resistance in Spodoptera frugiperda","authors":"Congsai Wang ,&nbsp;Zikun Wang ,&nbsp;Jingdong Li ,&nbsp;Yunkun Zi ,&nbsp;Huiling Huang ,&nbsp;Binrui Bai ,&nbsp;Keyi Chen ,&nbsp;Jing Wang ,&nbsp;Hongsong Chen ,&nbsp;Huihua Tan ,&nbsp;Kaikai Mao","doi":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2026.106980","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2026.106980","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Emamectin benzoate is a key insecticide for controlling <em>Spodoptera frugiperda</em>, a highly destructive agricultural pest. However, the emergence of resistance frequently results in control failures. Monitoring insecticide resistance in <em>S. frugiperda</em> populations and elucidating the underlying genetic mechanisms are essential for developing informed pest management decisions and effective resistance management strategies. This study demonstrates that six field populations of <em>S. frugiperda</em> from China have developed moderate resistance to emamectin benzoate, with resistance ratios (RR) ranging from 19.05- to 67.14. In a laboratory-selected emamectin benzoate-resistant strain (RR = 255.71), a high level of cross-resistance was observed between emamectin benzoate and abamectin (RR = 22.45), whereas only low levels of cross-resistance were detected for indoxacarb, lufenuron, chlorantraniliprole, deltamethrin, or cyantraniliprole (RR &lt; 2.05). Synergism bioassays indicate that ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters may contribute to emamectin benzoate resistance. Integrated transcriptome sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR analyses reveal that <em>ABCD2</em>, <em>ABCC2</em>, <em>ABCG20a</em>, and <em>ABCB1</em> are constitutively overexpressed in both the resistant strain and field-collected populations. RNA interference-mediated knockdown using dsRNAs targeting individual genes or a mixture of <em>ABCD2</em>, <em>ABCC2</em>, <em>ABCG20a</em>, and <em>ABCB1</em> significantly increased the susceptibility of <em>S. frugiperda</em> to emamectin benzoate. Molecular docking studies demonstrate that emamectin benzoate directly binds to these ABC transporters, highlighting their potential role in metabolic resistance. In conclusion, this study clarifies the current status of emamectin benzoate resistance in <em>S. frugiperda</em> in China and identifies the contribution of four ABC transporters to resistance development. These findings provide a scientific foundation for the development of sustainable pest management and control strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19828,"journal":{"name":"Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology","volume":"219 ","pages":"Article 106980"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146057412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"MaNrg1, a transcriptional regulator, negatively regulates the UV-B tolerance and governs the microcycle conidiation in Metarhizium acridum","authors":"Xiaobin Hu ,&nbsp;Yan Li ,&nbsp;Yuxian Xia ,&nbsp;Kai Jin","doi":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2025.106938","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2025.106938","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microcycle conidiation (MC) displayed a great potential for enhancing the yield and quality of conidia in entomopathogenic fungus. Elucidating the molecular regulatory mechanisms of MC is helpful to improve mycoinsecticide efficacy through optimized conidiation. Here, we reveal that the <em>MaNrg1</em> gene encodes a 395-amino-acid protein containing two C2H2 zinc finger domains in the model entomopathogenic fungus, <em>Metarhizium acridum</em>. Disruption of <em>MaNrg1</em> reduced half-germination time and decreased conidial yield by ∼46 % at day 15. The <em>MaNrg1</em>-disruption strain exhibited enhanced UV resistance but greater sensitivity to oxidative stress (60 mM H₂O₂), while heat tolerance and pathogenicity remained unaffected. Δ<em>MaNrg1</em> shifted from MC to normal conidiation (NC) on SYA medium, accompanied by delaying conidiophore formation and reducing conidial yield by &gt;33 %. Genetic interaction studies indicated that <em>MaNrg1</em> and <em>MaPacC</em> (a <em>Rim101</em> homologous gene) mutually regulate expression, yet sodium nitroprusside (4 mM) rescued MC only in Δ<em>MaNrg1</em> (not Δ<em>MaPacC</em>), demonstrating distinct regulatory mechanisms. The results of reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that <em>MaNrg1</em> deletion downregulated most NO metabolism genes, with the exception of the <em>Hemc</em> gene. Quantification of intracellular NO levels during MC revealed that <em>MaNrg1</em> deletion resulted in a significant reduction in intracellular NO content. Thus, MaNrg1 governs MC via NO-related metabolic pathways in <em>M. acridum</em>. Transcriptomics of SYA-cultured strains identified 134 and 112 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 8 h and 24 h, enriched in metabolic pathways (glycolysis, amino acid metabolism). Among these DEGs, two target genes that directly interact with MaNrg1 were identified through yeast one-hybrid assays.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19828,"journal":{"name":"Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 106938"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Carnitine acetyltransferase acts as a unidirectional compensatory enzyme for choline acetyltransferase activity in Nilaparvata lugens","authors":"Zhen Zhang ,&nbsp;Jingting Wang ,&nbsp;Tianshun He ,&nbsp;Tianye Hu ,&nbsp;Xun Wu ,&nbsp;Huihui Zhang ,&nbsp;Na Yu ,&nbsp;Zewen Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2025.106937","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2025.106937","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Carnitine/choline acyltransferase family facilitates acyl-group transport and regulates acetylcholine (ACh) homeostasis in insects. Five members of this family were identified in <em>Nilaparvata lugens</em>, among which choline acyltransferase (ChAT) and carnitine acyltransferase (CrAT) are phylogenetically closely related. Silencing <em>ChAT</em> or inhibiting ChAT activity by omeprazole significantly upregulated <em>CrAT</em> expression, whereas <em>CrAT</em> silencing did not affect <em>ChAT</em> expression. Although <em>CrAT</em> knockdown reduced ChAT activity in vivo, <em>ChAT</em> silencing did not alter CrAT activity, indicating a unidirectional compensatory relationship. Molecular docking supported choline-binding capability of CrAT, supporting its role in ACh synthesis. While <em>CrAT</em> silencing alone did not cause mortality, dual silencing <em>ChAT</em> and <em>CrAT</em> significantly increased insecticide susceptibility compared to <em>ChAT</em> silencing alone. These results demonstrate that <em>CrAT</em> upregulation would partially compensate for ChAT deficiency. To overcome this compensation, we screened for dual-target inhibitors and identified 5-hydroxy omeprazole, which exhibits high binding affinity for both ChAT and CrAT. Collectively, this study reveals a CrAT-mediated compensatory mechanism in insect ACh synthesis, highlighting the need to account for such adaptive responses in designing novel insecticides.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19828,"journal":{"name":"Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 106937"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Both target-site and non-target-site resistance mechanisms confer mesosulfuron-methyl resistance in Silene conoidea L.","authors":"Xinhui Xue ,&nbsp;Hailan Cui ,&nbsp;Shen'ao Hu ,&nbsp;Hong Ma ,&nbsp;Shouhui Wei ,&nbsp;Hongjuan Huang ,&nbsp;Xiangju Li ,&nbsp;Zhaofeng Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2025.106905","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2025.106905","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Silene conoidea</em> L., a common weed in wheat fields, is mainly controlled by acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides such as mesosulfuron-methyl. In this study, we investigated a mesosulfuron-methyl resistant population to elucidate the resistance mechanisms. The resistant (R) population displayed a high level of resistance to mesosulfuron-methyl, with the resistance index (RI) of 18.87. It also exhibited cross-resistance to halosulfuron-methyl, florasulam, flumetsulam, and flucarbazone‑sodium. In vitro ALS enzyme activity in the R population was 22.85-fold higher than in the susceptible (S) population. A W574L mutation (leucine replaced tryptophan) was identified in the <em>ALS</em> gene of the R population. Through molecular docking, this substitution of amino acid weakened the π-π stacking interaction between mesosulfuron-methyl molecule and the non-mutated ALS enzyme. The R population also showed significantly higher <em>ALS</em> expression than the S population, while the <em>ALS</em> gene copy number did not differ between the two populations. Pretreatment with malathion (cytochrome P450 inhibitor) and NBD-Cl (glutathione S-transferases inhibitor) reduced mesosulfuron-methyl resistance by 43.92 % and 29.20 %, respectively. Indicating that CYP450s and GSTs are involved in resistance. Transcriptome and qPCR analyses identified significant upregulation of three ABC transporter genes, three CYP450 genes, and one GST gene in the R population. Meanwhile, KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the photosynthetic pathways were significantly affected after mesosulfuron-methyl treatment. This is the first report of mesosulfuron-methyl resistance in <em>S. conoidea</em>, involves both target site resistance and non-target site resistance mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19828,"journal":{"name":"Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 106905"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145808336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transferrin confers imidacloprid resistance by attenuating ROS-induced apoptotic signaling in the white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera","authors":"Kui Kang ,&nbsp;Jun Gong ,&nbsp;Ting Zhou ,&nbsp;Xuexiao Du ,&nbsp;Sijing Wan ,&nbsp;Bin Tang ,&nbsp;Lei Yue","doi":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2025.106919","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2025.106919","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Transferrins constitute a multifunctional protein family involved in cellular iron homeostasis, reproductive regulation, and innate immune responses. Recently, the critical roles of these proteins in insect pesticide resistance have garnered considerable attention. However, the molecular mechanisms by which transferrins alleviate pesticide-induced toxicity remain poorly understood. In this study, we performed genome-wide identification of transferrin family members in <em>Sogatella furcifera</em> (white-backed planthopper, WBPH), a devastating agricultural pest, and investigated their functional roles in imidacloprid resistance. Our analysis identified three novel transferrin proteins and confirmed <em>SfTsf1</em> as the sole iron-binding protein among them. Through integrated biochemical assays and RNAi-mediated gene silencing, we demonstrated that <em>SfTsf1</em> enhanced imidacloprid resistance in WBPH by preventing cellular iron overload and suppressing subsequent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Using complementary approaches including RNA-seq, RNA knockdown, and TUNEL assays, we revealed that imidacloprid induced WBPH mortality through apoptotic cell death, and <em>SfTsf1</em> could attenuate pesticide-induced apoptosis by modulating mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathways. These findings provide novel mechanistic insights into transferrin-mediated pesticide tolerance in insects and highlight transferrins as promising targets for developing innovative pest management strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19828,"journal":{"name":"Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 106919"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145842447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Joint exposure to sulfoxaflor and prochloraz alters enzymatic and genetic profiles in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)","authors":"Lu Lv ,&nbsp;Liping Chen ,&nbsp;Yanli Suo ,&nbsp;Dou Wang ,&nbsp;Liangang Mao ,&nbsp;Tao Cang ,&nbsp;Yanhua Wang ,&nbsp;Xinju Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2026.106953","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2026.106953","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sulfoximine insecticide sulfoxaflor (SUL) and imidazole fungicide prochloraz (PRO) are frequently applied together or in succession in crops pollinated by honey bees. However, the mechanisms underlying their joint toxic risk remain poorly characterized. To address this gap, our study investigated the biochemical and molecular responses of <em>Apis mellifera</em> following co-exposure to SUL and PRO. The results revealed that the pesticide mixture elicited pronounced synergistic acute toxicity in honey bees. This toxic effect was accompanied by marked disturbances in the activities of catalase (CAT), caspase-3 (CASP-3), α-amylase (α-AMS), and trypsin, as well as significant alterations in the expressions of crucial genes, including <em>nAChRα2</em>, <em>vtg</em>, and <em>CRBXase</em>. These genes are associated with oxidative stress regulation, apoptotic signaling, neural and digestive functions, detoxification, and longevity pathways. Our findings provided compelling evidence that the interactive effects of SUL and PRO amplified physiological stress in honey bees, leading to heightened biochemical and transcriptional disruptions. The interaction-based hazard index (HI_int) was employed to robustly characterize potential synergistic effects arising from pesticide mixtures, thereby enabling a more precise and realistic environmental risk assessment of combined exposure to SUL and PRO. This study offered important mechanistic insights into the risks posed by pesticide combinations and highlighted the urgent need to reassess current regulatory practices. By elucidating the sub-lethal and synergistic impacts of commonly co-applied pesticides, our research supported the formulation of more comprehensive policies aimed at protecting pollinator health and preserving ecological balance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19828,"journal":{"name":"Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 106953"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145978572","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Three cytochrome P450 genes contribute to chlorantraniliprole resistance in Phthorimaea absoluta with fitness costs","authors":"Lun Li ,&nbsp;Zunzun Jia ,&nbsp;Kaiyun Fu ,&nbsp;Xinhua Ding ,&nbsp;Jiahe Wu ,&nbsp;Xiaowu Wang ,&nbsp;Tursun. Ahmat ,&nbsp;Weihua Jiang ,&nbsp;Yangyang Yan ,&nbsp;Xinyue Dong ,&nbsp;Xiaoqin Ye ,&nbsp;Yawen Li ,&nbsp;Wenchao Guo ,&nbsp;Hongying Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2026.106951","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2026.106951","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The tomato leafminer, <em>Phthorimaea absoluta</em>, is a destructive pest of tomato crops worldwide and has developed resistance to chlorantraniliprole. However, the mechanism of its metabolic resistance has rarely been studied. In this study, a chlorantraniliprole-resistant strain (AKS-R) was established through 21 generations of continuous selection (364.18-fold), with heritability estimated at <em>h</em>^<em>2</em> = 0.24. AKS-R (G21) also exhibited fitness costs, including prolonged larval development, decreased fecundity, and reduced adult longevity. Enzyme activity measurements and synergist assays indicated that enhanced cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activity likely played a major role in the development of resistance in AKS-R (G21). Seventeen P450 genes were significantly overexpressed in the AKS-R strain, with <em>CYP321C40</em>, <em>CYP6JV3</em>, and <em>CYP6AB271</em> showing relatively strong upregulation (16.91–44.88-fold). These three P450 genes were highly expressed in AKS-R during the late larval (third–fourth instars) and pupal stages, particularly in the key detoxification tissues such as fat body, midgut, and hemolymph. Moreover, their expressions were much more sensitive to chlorantraniliprole induction in AKS-R than those in susceptible strain (AKS-S). RNAi-mediated silencing at 48 h reduced the expression of the three target genes by 56.52%, 59.21%, and 67.60%, respectively, leading to significantly increased larval mortality (76.67%, 80.00%, and 85.00%) after chlorantraniliprole treatment. Molecular docking analysis suggested favorable binding affinities between these P450 proteins and chlorantraniliprole (−7.1 to −7.7 kcal·mol⁻¹). These findings suggest that the three overexpressed P450 genes are likely associated with chlorantraniliprole resistance, contributing to our understanding of P450-mediated metabolic resistance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19828,"journal":{"name":"Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 106951"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145978571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Research on HaNRX, a potential RNAi target gene in Helicoverpa armigera","authors":"Rui Han ,&nbsp;Dongdong Chu ,&nbsp;Zhibin Hao ,&nbsp;Haichao Li ,&nbsp;Xuexia Miao ,&nbsp;Shiheng An ,&nbsp;Ruobing Guan","doi":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2025.106936","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pestbp.2025.106936","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The cotton bollworm, <em>Helicoverpa armigera</em>, a widespread lepidopteran pest, poses a significant threat to global agricultural production. RNA interference (RNAi) technology has emerged as a promising tool for next-generation pest control; however, identifying highly effective target genes remains a critical challenge. This study focuses on Neurexin (<em>NRX</em>), a synaptic cell adhesion protein essential for synapse formation and function, which has been poorly characterized in lepidopteran species. The insecticidal effects of RNAi-mediated silencing of the <em>H. armigera</em> neurexin-4 (<em>HaNRX</em>) gene were evaluated in both first- and fourth-instar larvae, and the potential of plant-mediated RNAi for pest management was assessed. <em>HaNRX</em> knockdown, achieved through either dsRNA feeding or injection, significantly impaired larval growth and development. Furthermore, feeding on transgenic tobacco expressing dsHaNRX resulted in developmental delays in cotton bollworm larvae. In line with these results, suppression of the NRX ortholog in <em>Spodoptera frugiperda</em> also led to effective control of early-instar larvae. These findings highlight plant-mediated RNAi as a promising strategy for managing <em>H. armigera</em> and position <em>NRX</em> as a valuable target for future RNAi-based pest control approaches.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19828,"journal":{"name":"Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 106936"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}