Chinese scientists Uncover Key to Safer, More Effective Pest Control
A team of Chinese researchers has made a significant leap forward in the fight against agricultural pests, potentially revolutionizing pest control methods worldwide. Their discovery, detailed in a recent publication in the journal Cell, centers on a protein crucial to insect lipid transport and pesticide detoxification.
Led by Professor Yang Qing at the Agricultural genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the study focused on ABCH transporters – proteins found in insects but absent in humans and plants. These transporters act as vital mechanisms for insects, moving lipids and expelling pesticides from their cells.
The researchers’ findings reveal that these ABCH transporters function like “squeeze pumps,” actively removing harmful substances. Even more importantly, they’ve identified a small-molecule inhibitor capable of blocking these transporters. This inhibitor could significantly enhance the effectiveness of existing pesticides by preventing insects from detoxifying them.
The implications are enormous. The Food and Agriculture Institution of the United Nations estimates that crop pests and diseases cause annual yield losses of up to 40 percent, resulting in economic damages exceeding $220 billion. This new research offers a beacon of hope in addressing this critical global challenge.
“While pesticides play a crucial role in protecting crops and reducing losses, the advancement of eco-friendly and low-resistance pesticides has become an industry imperative,” stated Professor Yang. This sentiment underscores the urgent need for lasting solutions in the face of growing pesticide resistance.
The research has been lauded by leading Chinese scientists. Academician Qian Xuhong of the Chinese Academy of Engineering called the discovery “a peak” for the plant protection and pesticide industry, adding, “This groundbreaking research will significantly advance the development and application of ABCH transporter-targeted pesticides.”
Academician Song Baoan, also of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, highlighted the escalating problem of pesticide resistance: ”The increasingly severe resistance of pests to insecticides has become a global agricultural challenge, threatening food security worldwide. This research provides crucial theoretical and practical guidance for tackling resistance.”
Academician Kang Le of the Chinese Academy of Sciences emphasized the study’s significance for China’s agricultural future: ”By identifying small-molecule inhibitors that block ABCH transporters, this research opens new avenues for developing innovative pesticide targets and addressing resistance, benefiting sustainable agricultural development.”
Professor Yang’s team plans to further investigate the inhibitor’s potential to combat resistance to other pesticides, aiming to boost efficiency and promote environmentally friendly agricultural practices. With the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, Professor Yang anticipates that new pesticide products based on this research could be developed within the next five to ten years.
