Novel Point Mutations of the ace-1 Gene of Aedes aegypti Larva Treated with Methanolic Extract of Citrus hystrix

Abstract

A promising alternative is the use of plants secondary metabolites, which can act naturally as antifeedant, attractant, nematicide, fungicide, repellent, insecticide, insect growth regulator, and allelopathic agents. The potential plants secondary metabolites are promising source for novel pest control agents or biopesticides. 10,11 These substances generally do not harm the environment, and exhibit low toxicity to off-target organisms. 12,13 One of the mechanisms by which plants against Aedes larvae is by inhibiting the acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE). 14,15 Acetylcholinesterase, encoded by the ace-1 gene, catalyses the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to terminate nerve impulses at cholinergic synapses in the central nervous system of insects. 16 The damage in ace-1 gene is predicted to cause failure of AChE enzyme synthesis and cause the inability to hydrolyse the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses in the central nervous system. Accumulation of AChE causes hyper excitableness, paralysis, and eventual death in mosquito larvae. 14 Some plants have been reported to have potential inhibition properties of AChE enzymes in Aedes larvae, such as Melaleuca cajuputi, 17