The Role of Chemosensory Proteins in Insecticide Resistance: A Review

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are small soluble proteins found predominantly in insects, with a conserved structure that contains a hydrophobic cavity. While originally associated with chemosensation, they were soon implicated to several other functions related to their ability to bind hydrophobic mo...

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Main Authors: Angeliki Tsouri, Vassilis Douris
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Insects
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/5/496
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author Angeliki Tsouri
Vassilis Douris
author_facet Angeliki Tsouri
Vassilis Douris
author_sort Angeliki Tsouri
collection DOAJ
description Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are small soluble proteins found predominantly in insects, with a conserved structure that contains a hydrophobic cavity. While originally associated with chemosensation, they were soon implicated to several other functions related to their ability to bind hydrophobic molecules. Research in the last decade has shown that CSPs may play a role in insecticide resistance. Several <i>CSP</i> genes are upregulated upon induction by sublethal insecticide doses or are highly expressed in resistant populations. RNA interference of <i>CSP</i> genes can restore susceptibility to insecticides. In vitro binding assays and molecular docking simulations suggest that CSPs can strongly bind to insecticides and can accommodate even large molecules in their hydrophobic cavities. Some cases of <i>CSP</i> overexpression in transgenic insects conferring insecticide resistance are reported. Taken together, these results indicate a role for CSPs in insecticide resistance, presumably through a sequestration mechanism, perhaps in combination with other mechanisms like metabolic resistance. This article reviews the evidence for CSP involvement in resistance and discusses ongoing research in the field.
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spelling doaj-art-d8b44d195e5f477fa85f1c708aeeeb2a2025-08-20T02:34:00ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-05-0116549610.3390/insects16050496The Role of Chemosensory Proteins in Insecticide Resistance: A ReviewAngeliki Tsouri0Vassilis Douris1Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, GreeceDepartment of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, GreeceChemosensory proteins (CSPs) are small soluble proteins found predominantly in insects, with a conserved structure that contains a hydrophobic cavity. While originally associated with chemosensation, they were soon implicated to several other functions related to their ability to bind hydrophobic molecules. Research in the last decade has shown that CSPs may play a role in insecticide resistance. Several <i>CSP</i> genes are upregulated upon induction by sublethal insecticide doses or are highly expressed in resistant populations. RNA interference of <i>CSP</i> genes can restore susceptibility to insecticides. In vitro binding assays and molecular docking simulations suggest that CSPs can strongly bind to insecticides and can accommodate even large molecules in their hydrophobic cavities. Some cases of <i>CSP</i> overexpression in transgenic insects conferring insecticide resistance are reported. Taken together, these results indicate a role for CSPs in insecticide resistance, presumably through a sequestration mechanism, perhaps in combination with other mechanisms like metabolic resistance. This article reviews the evidence for CSP involvement in resistance and discusses ongoing research in the field.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/5/496chemosensory proteinsinsecticide resistanceresistance mechanismssynergistic interactions
spellingShingle Angeliki Tsouri
Vassilis Douris
The Role of Chemosensory Proteins in Insecticide Resistance: A Review
Insects
chemosensory proteins
insecticide resistance
resistance mechanisms
synergistic interactions
title The Role of Chemosensory Proteins in Insecticide Resistance: A Review
title_full The Role of Chemosensory Proteins in Insecticide Resistance: A Review
title_fullStr The Role of Chemosensory Proteins in Insecticide Resistance: A Review
title_full_unstemmed The Role of Chemosensory Proteins in Insecticide Resistance: A Review
title_short The Role of Chemosensory Proteins in Insecticide Resistance: A Review
title_sort role of chemosensory proteins in insecticide resistance a review
topic chemosensory proteins
insecticide resistance
resistance mechanisms
synergistic interactions
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/5/496
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