NAIROBI, Kenya- Chinese scientists have discovered a molecular target that could revolutionize pest control and combat pesticide resistance, all while being safer for the environment.
The breakthrough centers around the ABCH protein, a lipid transporter found in insects, and opens the door to a new era of green pesticides.
Crop pests aren’t just an agricultural nuisance—they’re a global economic nightmare. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, pests cause a staggering 40% loss in global agricultural production annually, translating to over $220 billion in losses.
“Reclaiming food from pests has become a challenging task,” said Yang Qing, a researcher at the Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen (AGIS), part of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).
Traditional pest control methods, from pesticide sprays to introducing natural predators, have hit a wall due to escalating pesticide resistance and prohibitive costs.
The solution? A new breed of green pesticides targeting the physiological vulnerabilities of pests. Unlike conventional pesticides, these “green” alternatives are hailed for their precision, safety, and minimal environmental footprint.
But the secret to their success lies in identifying the right molecular targets—biological molecules or proteins critical to a pest’s survival.`
Enter the ABCH protein, a lipid transporter critical to the formation of an insect’s protective lipid barrier. Researchers at CAAS identified this protein as a perfect target for green pesticide development.
Here’s why: the ABCH protein is exclusive to insects and arthropods. It doesn’t exist in humans, mammals, or plants, making it an ideal candidate for pest-specific pesticide design. More importantly, the protein is closely linked to the pests’ resistance to conventional pesticides.
The study, led by Yang’s team, uncovered a unique interaction mechanism between the ABCH transporter, lipid molecules, and insecticide compounds.
The researchers even developed a small molecule inhibitor that disrupts ABCH’s lipid transport function, laying the groundwork for highly effective green pesticides.
As Yang puts it, “This research lays a crucial foundation for developing green pesticides, offering a safer and more efficient solution to pest control challenges.”
With global agricultural losses mounting and environmental concerns intensifying, this innovation couldn’t have come at a better time.
