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At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2026

Multifunctional lysozymes from the assassin bug Sycanus bifidus: Insecticidal proteins with anticoagulant and melanization inhibition properties.

BACKGROUND: Predatory hemipterans deploy complex venom cocktails to immobilize preys, yet the specific roles of many individual venom components remain poorly understood. RESULTS: Four lysozyme genes were identified from the genome of the predatory assassin bug Sycanus bifidus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), comprising one i-type (SbLyzi) and three c-type lysozyme genes (SbLyzc1-3). Transcriptomic and quantitative (q)PCR analyses revealed that these lysozymes were expressed at different levels in various venom glands. Of them, SbLyzc1-3 with signal peptides displayed significant transcriptions in the venom glands, implicating these lysozymes as venom constituents. Functional assays found that SbLyzc1 and SbLyzc2 showed antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis. Three lysozymes (SbLyzi, SbLyzc1 and SbLyzc3) suppressed thrombin-induced fibrin clot formation, indicating anticoagulant activity, with SbLyzc1 exhibiting the greatest potency [half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 0.036 ± 0.003 μg μL-1]. SbLyzi and SbLyzc1 inhibited phenoloxidase activity in the hemolymph of the yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor pupae, thereby suppressing its hemolymph melanization, with maximal inhibition rates of 78.4% and 74.3%, respectively. All four lysozymes exhibited insecticidal effects, causing >80% mortality in yellow mealworm pupae following injection of 6 μg per individual, with SbLyzc1 showing the highest insecticidal potency [half-maximal lethal dose (LD50) = 4.25 ± 0.51 μg g-1]. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that lysozymes from S. bifidus possess multifunctional biological activities and SbLyzc1-3 act as significant venom components involved in capturing prey, providing new insights into the functional diversity of lysozymes in predatory bugs and their potential application in biological control strategies. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Nitrilase-mediated degradation of insecticides flonicamid and thiacloprid by immobilized engineered Escherichia coli with a novel pathway.

The nitrile‑containing insecticides flonicamid (FLO) and thiacloprid (THI) are widely used in agriculture, posing risks to the environment and animal health. Nitrilase is a key catalyst for the degradation of nitrile compounds, and immobilized engineered bacteria are preferred in wastewater treatment. However, immobilized engineered bacteria expressing nitrilase have never been investigated for pollutant degradation. Here, engineered Escherichia coli pET28a‑VbNitA harboring the nitrilase gene VbNitA was immobilized by calcium alginate encapsulation. FLO was degraded into N-(4-trifluoromethylnicotinoyl)glycinamide and 4-(trifluoromethyl)nicotinol glycine by the immobilized cells via VbNitA. THI was converted to THI‑amide and THI‑imine using the same system. Notably, this is the first report of a nitrilase converting THI to THI‑amide and of THI‑imine as a biodegradation intermediate. Compared with free cells, the immobilized E. coli pET28a‑VbNitA showed higher tolerance to high temperature, alkaline, and acidic environments, and better long-term storage stability. The substrate inhibition model showed that the optimal initial concentrations of FLO and THI for degradation by immobilized E. coli pET28a‑VbNitA were 45.13 and 127.50 μmol/L, respectively. FLO was degraded more rapidly than THI by the immobilized cells. Molecular docking revealed that both FLO and THI formed stable interactions with VbNitA, with FLO positioned closer to Cys165 of the catalytic triad. This study presents a novel THI degradation pathway and provides a new, efficient immobilized biocatalyst for the remediation of wastewater with nitrile‑containing insecticides.

Escherichia coli↗

PubMed1978

Resistant level of houseflies to seven kinds of synthetic insecticides and effect of synergists to the Malathion resistant strain in Singapore.

The resistant level of the houseflies to the seven kinds of insecticides, Malathion, Sumithion, Baytex, Diazinon, DDVP, DDT and Chrysron, was examined on the 3 strains collected in Singapore. It was found that most housefly colonies in Singapore showed a higher susceptibility to those insecticides than that of the Takatsuki strain of Japan, especially to DDT. However, the resistant level to Malathion was remarkably higher than that of the Takatsuki strain. The synergists, piperonyl butoxide, Safroxane and S-421, mixed with Malathion were effective for lowering the resistant level of the Malathion-resistant strain.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Functional analysis of down-regulated CYP6AE gene clusters involved in the insecticidal mechanism of lycorine against Spodoptera litura.

BACKGROUND: Plants have evolved abundant defensive secondary metabolites to resist insect herbivores. Lycorine is an alkaloid with insecticidal activity from Amaryllidaceae plants, which the destructive pest Spodoptera litura naturally avoids. Cytochrome P450 enzymes are central to xenobiotic detoxification in insects, but the mechanism by which lycorine acts against S. litura remains unknown. This study aimed to reveal the toxic mechanism of lycorine focusing on P450-mediated detoxification. RESULTS: Lycorine exhibited substantial toxicity to first-instar S. litura larvae (LD50 = 0.55 μg larva-1). Subsequently, when fifth-instar larvae were exposed to a sublethal dose (LD30) of lycorine, Lyc disrupted metabolic pathways, damaged Malpighian tubules, and induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, lycorine strongly repressed a CYP6AE gene cluster (CYP6AE47, CYP6AE50, CYP6AE70, CYP6AE138 and CYP6AE139) and decreased total P450 activity to 45% in the Malpighian tubules. RNAi co-silencing of these cluster genes increased larval mortality (+30%) under lycorine treatment. Finally, molecular docking and microscale thermophoresis analyses further confirmed direct binding between Lyc and this CYP6AE gene cluster, with the strongest affinity observed for CYP6AE47 (Kd = 518.5 nM). A key residue, ARG170, may be vital for the interaction between Lyc and CYP6AE47. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the insecticidal mechanism of Lyc involves suppressing the expression and function of a CYP6AE gene cluster, thereby impairing detoxification capacity, which leads to Lyc accumulation and larval mortality. Elucidation of the detoxification system-targeted mechanism for this plant-derived compound provides a foundation for developing novel, sustainable pest management strategies against S. litura and potentially other noctuid pests. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Animals↗

PubMed1979

Pancreatitis as a complication of anticholinesterase insecticide intoxication.

Severe pancreatitis and a pseudocyst occurred in a patient following accidental ingestion of an anticholinesterase insecticide, a substance not previously known to produce pancreatitis. Experiments were done to elucidate the mechanism. In one group of dogs the pancreatic duct was perfused and intraductal pressures were measured. The cholinesterase inhibitor 0,0-diethyl-0-(2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinyl)phosphorothioate (25 mg/kg) caused a significant increase in the mean intraductal pressure from 12 +/- 2.4 to 27.8 +/- 5.9 cm saline. In a second group of dogs pancreatic secretory rates were measured. Anticholinesterase (75 mg/kg) in combination with secretin infusion (1 U/kg/hr) caused a significant increase in the secretin stimulated flow rate from 0.13 to 0.56 cc/min. Atropine (75 microgram/kg) abolished the anticholinesterase induced pressure and secretory rate increases. In a third group of dogs administration of cholinesterase inhibitor 75 mg/kg and secretin infusion 2 U/kg/hr resulted in acute pancreatic interstitial edema, acinar cell vacuolization, hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia. These results suggest that occurrence of pancreatitis as a complication of anticholinesterase insecticide intoxication is the result of hypersecretion and pharmacologic ductal obstruction.

Adult↗

PubMed1976

Enzymatic hydrolysis of organophosphate insecticides, a possible pesticide disposal method.

A crude cell extract from a mixed bacterial culture growing on parathion, an organophosphate insecticide, hydrolyzed parathion (21 C) at a rate of 416 nmol/min per mg of protein. This rate of enzymatic hydrolysis, when compared with chemical hydrolysis by 0.1 N sodium hydroxide at 40 C, was 2, 450 times faster. Eight of 12 commonly used organophosphate insecticides were enzymatically hydrolyzed with this enzyme preparation at rates ranging from 12 to 1,360 nmol/min per mg of protein. Seven pesticides were hydrolyzed at rates significantly higher (40 to 1,005 times faster) than chemical hydrolysis. The pH optimum for enzymatic hydrolysis of the eight pesticides ranged from 8.5 to 9.5, with less than 50% of maximal activity expressed at pH 7.0. Maximal enzyme activity occurred at 35 C. The crude extract lost its activity at the rate of only 0.75%/day when stored at 6 C. Eight organic solvents, ranging from methanol to hexane, at low concentrations stimulated enzymatic hydrolysis by 3 to 20%, whereas at higher concentrations (1,000 mg/liter) they inhibited the reaction (9 to 50%). Parathion metabolites p-nitrophenol, hydroquinone, and diethylthiophosphoric acid, at up to 100-mg/liter concentrations, did not significantly influence enzyme activity.

Bacteria↗

PubMed1979

Microbial cleavage of various organophosphorus insecticides.

Bacteria able to utilize Aspon, Azodrin, Dasanit, diazinon, malathion, Orthene, parathion, Trithion, dimethoate, Dylox, methyl parathion, and Vapona as sole phosphorus sources were isolated from soil and sewage. Individual isolates used from 3 to 10 of these insecticides as sole phosphorus sources. The extent of growth of two Pseudomonas strains in media containing diazinon and malathion was in the range expected from the amount of insecticide supplied, and their proliferation resulted in disappearance of the chemical. Resting cells of the pseudomonads derived from cultures grown on diazinon or malathion but not orthophosphate caused extensive destruction of these two organophosphates in the presence or absence of chloramphenicol. Extracts of the two bacteria derived from organophosphate-grown cultures catalyzed the disappearance of Aspon, Azodrin, Dasanit, diazinon, malathion, Orthene, parathion, and Trithion but not dimethoate, Dylox, methyl parathion, and Vapona. Results from gas chromatographic analysis suggested that the extracts formed dimethyl phosphate from azodrin, dimethyl phosphorodithioate from malathion, diethyl phosphorodithioate from Trithion, and diethyl phosphorothioate from Dasanit, diazinon, and parathion. Dimethyl phosphate, dimethyl phosphorothioate , dimethyl phosphorodithioate, diethyl phosphate, and diethyl phosphorothioate were not used by the pseudomonads as sole phosphorus sources.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed1977

Effect of insecticide spraying for malaria control on the incidence of sandfly fever in Athens, Greece.

Sera from 637 Athens residents of various age groups were examined by plaque reduction neutralization test for antibodies against Naples and Sicilian Phlebotomus fever viruses. A marked change in the prevalence of antibodies to both agents was observed in persons born after 1946, when residual insecticide spraying for malaria control was initiated in Greece. The prevalence of Naples and Sicilian neutralizing antibodies among residents greater than or equal to 30 years of age was 36% and 13%, respectively. In contrast, only 4% of persons less than or equal to 29 years of age had Naples antibodies and all were negative to Sicilian. These serologic data confirm previous clinical observations that sandfly fever becam uncommon in Athens after initiation of the insecticide spraying program. Presumedly the spraying program was effective in reducing the Phlebotomus population to levels where virus transmission was minimal. New information on the specificity and duration of Phlebotomus fever neutralizing antibodies is also presented.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1975

[Pollution of human milk in France by organochlorine insecticide residues].

The monthly analysis of milk mixtures from ten French human milk banks, over a period of two years, showed that there was marked pollution by organochlorine insecticide residues. The following averages were noted: hexachlorocyclohexane + hexachlorobenzene 2,75 mg/kg of pure fat, DDT and derivatives 3,24 mg/kg fat, heptachlor epoxide 0,28, dieldrin 0,23. The main insecticides were, with average values, beta hexachlorocyclohexane (1,67), hexachlorobenzene (0,98), and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (2,40). All these milks were invariably very polluted throughout the year, but there were however noted some qualitative differences according to the geographic position of the milk banks: South of the Loire river, the main polluting factor was hexachlorocyclohexane, whilst North of the Seine, fairly high values were found for heptachlor epoxide and dieldrin. The special study of human milk from Lille showed a 50% reduction in pollution between 1970 and 1973. The probable routes of contamination are human food and the ill-advised domestic use of pesticides.

Algeria↗

PubMed1978

Organochlorine insecticide residues in bovine milk and manufactured milk products in Illinois, 1971-76.

Monitoring activities were initiated in 1971 to survey the occurence and levels of organochlorine insecticide residues in bovine milk and manufactured milk products in Illinois. Dieldrin residues were the most prevalent, and were found in 96 percent of the samples. Dieldrin also accounted for the highest average residue concentration (0.09 ppm). Only 0.3% of the samples contained illegal insecticide residues. Levels of DDT and lindane were generally declining, but those for dieldrin and heptachlor epoxide tended to remain constant.

Acetonitriles↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Insecticide poisoning of peafowls and lead poisoning in a cockatoo.

The deaths of peafowls and a cockatoo were respectively traced to insecticide and lead toxicities. The specific insecticide could not be identified but was demonstrated in the liver by use of fruit flies. The liver of the cockatoo contained 7.1 ppm of lead. The source was presumably a plastic feeder painted with a leaded paint.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Aphid symbiotic virus engineered for in vivo expression of insecticidal effectors.

Microbial pesticides are eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides. However, few viral pesticides have been developed. Insects harbor diverse symbiotic viruses, which have the potential to be engineered for translational applications in pest control. Here, we engineered Acyrthosiphon pisum virus (APV), a symbiotic virus of the pea aphid, to deliver anti-aphid effectors using reverse genetics technology. A cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter-driven APV infectious clone was successfully rescued in pea aphids with the assistance of nanocarrier star polymer (SPc). Based on this infectious clone, the protein coding sequence of chymotrypsin inhibitor variant 8 (Chy8) and the double-stranded RNA sequence targeting the aphid clip-domain serine protease (SPLP) were separately assembled into the APV genome to generate APV-Chy8 and APV-dsSPLP infectious clones, respectively. The recombinant APV clones reduced aphid relative survival rates by 34% and 17% by microinjection, respectively. To enhance the transcriptional efficiency, the APV-Chy8 and APV-dsSPLP clones were transcribed in vitro using the T7 promoter. The in vitro-synthesized APV-Chy8 and APV-dsSPLP clones reduced aphid relative survival rates by 48% and 45% by microinjection, respectively. These results demonstrate that engineered APV can deliver cargos and reduce aphid survival under injection-based experimental conditions, highlighting the potential of symbiotic virus-based vectors for delivering insecticidal effectors.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Exploring Actinobacteria for new insecticides and their delivery in crop protection.

Crop protection is essential for agricultural production systems, safeguarding yields and product quality. Chemical controls are a mainstay of protection; however, regulatory and consumer demands, environmental concerns and a general overreliance resulting in resistance development in pest populations have led to increased interest in biopesticides and environmentally friendly alternatives. Biopesticides targeting insects include micro-organisms and their derivatives, such as peptides and specialized metabolites. Their target specificity, structural complexity, modes of action and environmental safety are key differentiators to chemical controls, and when used in integrated pest management programmes, biopesticides can reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and promote sustainable agriculture. As the demand for bioinsecticides grows, so too has the research and application of micro-organisms, alongside their taxonomic diversity and isolation sources. Of key interest are Actinobacteria as both promising and well-tested alternatives for managing insect pests in various agricultural settings, with several products commercialized for use across a variety of crops and target pests. Recent advances and investigations in metabolomics and genomics highlight the untapped and significant biochemical potential and value of Actinobacteria for natural product discovery. This review covers a broad spectrum of published literature that has reported on insecticidal biological activity data associated with Actinobacteria or their natural products. We also report on Actinobacteria-derived nematicides and acaricides that are significant for crop protection. The origin of these natural products, their structural diversity and notable substructures are discussed, along with new areas for discovery and avenues for enhancing screening methods and metabolo-genomics approaches.

Insecticides↗

PubMed1979

Levels of resistance to six synthetic insecticides in the Borneo housefly.

The resistant levels of the 4 strains of the housefly collected in Borneo to six insecticides, namely DDT, Chrysron, DDVP, Baytex, Sumithion and Diazinon, were examined. It was found that most housefly population in Borneo showed a higher susceptibility than that of the Takatsuki strain of Japan, especially to DDT.

Animals↗

PubMed1979

Metabolic products of microorganisms. 181. Chitin synthase from fungi, a test model for substances with insecticidal properties.

Chitin synthase from Coprinus cinereus (Schaeff. ex Fr.) S. F. Gray (= C. lagopus sensu Buller) was used as a model for chitin synthase from insects. The effect of dimilin (difluorobenzuron), captan (trichloromethylsulfonyl fungicide), kitazin P (organophosphorus ester fungicide) and parathion (organophosphorus insecticide) on the fungal enzyme was compared with the effect of nikkomycin (nucleosidepeptide antibiotic).

Agaricales↗

PubMed1979

Organochlorine insecticides and PCB in the sediments of Lake Huron (1969) and Georgian Bay and North Channel (1973).

Surficial and core sediments were collected from the main body of Lake Huron in 1969 and Georgian Bay and North Channel in 1973. These were analysed for organochlorine insecticides and PCB. Residues of organochlorines were higher in the twelve depositional basins in Lake Huron and Georgian Bay than in sediment in the non-depositional zones. PCB was present at similar concentrations to sigma DDT; with mean levels of 13 and 10 ng/g for PCB and sigma DDT in the main body of Lake Huron and 11 and 5 ng/g for PCB and sibma DDT in Georgian Bay. Residues of PCB varied from 9--33 ng/g in the 12 basins. With respect to sigma DDT, both parent DDT and its two metabolites were present in sediment at a mean residue of 7.8 ng/g for the whole lake. The main lake had residues of 10.2 ng/g while Georgian Bay had 5.8 ng/g and North Channel 4.1 ng/g in keeping with use pattenrs since 1943. HEOD was present in only 5.7% of sediment samples from main Lake Huron, 30% from Georgian Bay and 15% from North Channel. The highest residues 1.7 ng/g occurred in the North Channel. No chlordane was detected, however, heptachlor epoxide was identified in 8.5% of sediments collected in Lake Huron, 23% from Georgian Bay and 14% in North Channel. Endosulfan appeared in 4% of samples from both Georgian Bay and North Channel.

Canada↗

PubMed1976

High-performance liquid chromatography of organophosphorus insecticides.

The high-performance liquid chromatographic behaviour of 23 organophosphorus insecticides has been studied on a stainless-steel column packed with silica gel. It has been stated that the usual classification of organophosphorus compounds into phosphonic, phosphoric, thiophosphoric and dithiophosphoric acid ester types gives some information about their adsorption properties. The chromatographic conditions of the analyses and a method for separation of the stereoisomers of tetrachlorvinphos are presented.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1979

Evaluation of Amberlite XAD-2 as the extractant for carbamate insecticides from natural water.

A rapid and sensitive analytical technique to quantify carbamate insecticides at nanogram levels is reported using resin column and sorption, and desorption followed by N-P gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) analysis. The carbamates were extracted from natural water by percolation through a column of Amberlite XAD-2, followed by elution with ethyl acetate. The carbamate residues were directly analyzed by GLC with a Tracor Model 702 N-P detector. The recoveries for several carbamates including aminocarb, mexacarbate, carbaryl, propoxur, carbofuran, pirimicarb and methiocarb were from 86 to 108% at 1.0 and 0.01 ppm levels. Only 41 to 58% was recovered for methomyl. The extraction efficiency of Amberlite XAD-2 was pH-dependent as indicated in the extraction of aminocarb. More than 90% of the added aminocarb was recovered from phosphate buffer by the described method at pH 5.0 to 7.5 at 5.0 and 0.5 ppm levels.

Carbamates↗