| description | Protein that confers, on insect vectors and pests, the ability to withstand insecticide action. Insecticides are chemicals that selectively kill insects. Insecticide resistance usually occurs by two broad mechanisms. The first is where the insect may produce large amounts of enzymes, such as esterases which either break down the insecticide molecule or bind to it so tightly that it cannot function (a process known as sequestration). The second mechanism involves mutation of the insecticide target site, such as the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the nervous system. This effectively blocks the action of the insecticide |
