Characterization of a novel pesticide transporter and P-glycoprotein orthologues in Drosophila melanogaster

Pesticides remain one of the most effective ways of controlling agricultural and public health insects, but much is still unknown regarding how these compounds reach their targets. Specifically, the role of ABC transporters in pesticide absorption and excretion is poorly understood, especially compared to the detailed knowledge about mammalian systems. Here, we present a comprehensive characterization of pesticide transporters in the model insect Drosophila melanogaster. An RNAi screen was performed, which knocked down individual ABCs in specific epithelial tissues and examined the subsequent changes in sensitivity to the pesticides spinosad and fipronil. This implicated a novel ABC drug transporter, CG4562, in spinosad transport, but also highlighted the P-glycoprotein orthologue Mdr65 as the most impactful ABC in terms of chemoprotection. Further characterization of the P-glycoprotein family was performed via transgenic overexpression and immunolocalization, finding that Mdr49 and Mdr50 play enigmatic roles in pesticide toxicology perhaps determined by their different subcellular localizations within the midgut. Lastly, transgenic Drosophila lines expressing P-glycoprotein from the major malaria vector Anopheles gambiae were used to establish a system for in vivo characterization of this transporter in non-model insects. This study provides the basis for establishing Drosophila as a model for toxicology research on drug transporters.

Automated summary

This study provides a comprehensive characterization of pesticide transporters in the model insect Drosophila melanogaster. It identifies a novel ABC drug transporter and highlights the most impactful ABC in terms of chemoprotection. The study also reveals the potential roles of P-glycoproteins with different subcellular localizations in pesticide toxicology. Furthermore, the establishment of a system for in vivo characterization of drug transporters in non-model insects using transgenic Drosophila lines expressing P-glycoprotein from Anopheles gambiae is significant.