Transcriptomic comparison of cypermethrin‐susceptible and ‐tolerant Asian longhorned ticks (Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann)

Abstract

The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann), native to northeast Asian regions, was recently confirmed to have invaded the USA. Although H. longicornis is a medically and economically important pest because it transmits various diseases to humans and livestock, its susceptibility to pesticides has not yet been fully investigated. Moreover, minimal genetic data on H. longicornis that could assist in its control are currently available. Therefore, in this study, to investigate the physiological response of H. longicornis to cypermethrin, a field population of H. longicornis was treated with various concentrations of cypermethrin (100–500 ppm), and the transcriptomes of a cypermethrin‐susceptible group (knock‐down at 200 ppm) and cypermethrin‐tolerant group (surviving at 500 ppm) were compared. In our analysis of the genes that were differentially expressed between the two groups of ticks, several genes involved in detoxification metabolism were upregulated in the cypermethrin‐tolerant group. Expression of genes encoding CYP450, GST, and ABC transporters were substantially higher in cypermethrin‐tolerant ticks than in the cypermethrin‐susceptible group. Given that CYP450, GST, and ABC transporters contribute to Phase I, II, and III of the detoxification metabolism process, respectively, our results suggest that H. longicornis responds physiologically to cypermethrin by altering the expression of various genes involved in detoxification metabolism, which in turn increases its tolerance to the cypermethrin.

Reference gene selection for normalizing gene expression using quantitative real‐time PCR in Haemaphysalis longicornis

“…As H. longicornis is the main vector of SFTSV (Kim et al 2011), the seasonal/environmental distribution of H. longicornis and the infection rate of the SFTSV in this tick have been studied to obtain insights into the ecology of the tick and environmental factors affecting its abundance in South Korea (Jung et al 2019;Lee et al 2021;Park et al 2014). In addition to ecological research, the transcriptome profiles of H. longicornis have been recently reported in an attempt to understand the physiology of the tick under certain conditions, such as pesticide exposure (Moon et al 2021), essential oil treatment (Agwunobi et al 2021), and different reproductive groups (Wang et al 2021). More recently, the genome sequence of H. longicornis was assembled (Yu et al 2022), providing essential genetic information for studying the molecular biology of H. longicornis.…”

“…In addition to ecological research, the transcriptome profiles of H. longicornis have been recently reported in an attempt to understand the physiology of the tick under certain conditions, such as pesticide exposure (Moon et al . 2021), essential oil treatment (Agwunobi et al . 2021), and different reproductive groups (Wang et al .…”

Baseline susceptibility of Haemaphysalis longicornis to organophosphate, carbamate, and pyrethroid acaricides

“…However, lethal concentrations (LCs) and discriminating concentrations (DCs) for H. longicornis have not been established for any of these pesticide groups. Pesticide resistance in H. longicornis has not been formally recognized; however, genetic mechanisms for pyrethroid and OP detoxification, including cytochrome P‐450 monooxygenases, glutathione S ‐transferases, and ATP‐binding cassette transporters have been identified in this species 30,31 …”

“…Pesticide resistance in H. longicornis has not been formally recognized; however, genetic mechanisms for pyrethroid and OP detoxification, including cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases, glutathione S-transferases, and ATP-binding cassette transporters have been identified in this species. 30,31 Carbamates, OPs, and synthetic pyrethroids are neurotoxins developed for controlling insects and acarines in the 1940s and 1950s, and have been used for tick control on livestock, pets, and in residential areas (backyards) and parks. [32][33][34] Carbamates and OPs inhibit the hydrolysis of acetylcholine in nerve synapses, leading to uncontrolled excitation and hypercholinergic activity.…”

Impact of Cypermethrin (Arpon G) on Soil Health and Zea mays Growth: A Microbiological and Enzymatic Study

“…Importantly, the greater the efficacy of pyrethroids in combating pests, the stronger their adverse impact on other living organisms inhabiting the soil. Within this group of pests, particular attention should be given to those with biting and sucking mouthparts, such as insects transmitting yellow fever or malaria [19][20][21]. According to Chen et al [22]; Cyco ń and Piotrowska-Seget [23] and Bhatt et al [24], the half-life of cypermethrin ranges from 14 to 77 days depending on the physicochemical properties of the soil.…”