The expression of P450 genes mediating fenpropathrin resistance is regulated by CncC and Maf in Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval)

Although overexpression of genes encoding detoxification enzymes is a well-known mechanism of pesticide resistance of mites, the regulators involved in this process are still illiterate. Previous studies in our laboratory demonstrated that the overexpression of six P450 genes contributes to fenpropathrin resistance in T. cinnabarinus. In this study, six transcription factor genes that likely regulate the expression of P450 genes were identified and characterized. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis showed that three transcription factor genes were highly expressed in a fenpropathrin-resistant (FeR) strain of T. cinnabarinus. The cap 'n' collar isoform C (CncC) and muscle aponeurosis fibromatosis (Maf) family transcription factors were identified as the key regulator of P450 genes by RNA interference (RNAi). Furthermore, research on the promoters of these P450 genes using reporter assays identified that CncC and Maf influence the susceptibility of T. cinnabarinus to fenpropathrin through regulating the expression of P450 genes. This study increases our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of P450 genes involved in detoxification of acaricides in T. cinnabarinus.