Cytochrome P450 associated with insecticide resistance catalyzes cuticular hydrocarbon production in Anopheles gambiae

Significance Malaria incidence has halved since 2000, with 80% of the reduction attributable to the use of insecticides, which now are under threat of resistance. Understanding the mechanisms of insecticide resistance is a key step in delaying and tackling the phenomenon. This study provides evidence of a cuticular mechanism that slows the uptake of pyrethroids, contributing to the resistance phenotype and potentially broadening resistance to multiple insecticide classes, thus providing additional challenges to resistance management. Quantitative modification of cuticular hydrocarbons is associated with increased expression of a 4G cytochrome P450 enzyme, CYP4G16, which catalyzes epicuticular hydrocarbon biosynthesis. This work improves our understanding of insecticide resistance and may facilitate the development of insecticides with greater specificity to mosquitoes and greater potency.