MiR-932 Regulates Pyrethroid Resistance in<i>Culex pipiens pallens</i>(Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play notable role in regulation of gene expression at the posttranscription level, and have been involved in many biological processes, including insecticide resistance. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-932 in the molecular mechanisms of pyrethroid resistance in Culex pipiens pallens (L.). Overexpression of miR-932 in the DS-strain made the mosquitoes more resistant to deltamethrin, while inhibiting the expression of miR-932 in the DR-strain made the mosquitoes more sensitive to deltamethrin. Further, we also identified CpCPR5 as a target gene of miR-932. Sustained overexpression of miR-932 resulted in repression of CpCPR5, and that knockdown of miR-932 increased CpCPR5 expression. In addition, knockdown of CpCPR5 decreased the sensitivity of mosquitoes to deltamethrin in the DS-strain. In conclusion, our study finds a molecular link between miR-932 and CpCPR5 and provides a novel insight into the mechanism of insecticide resistance.