Functional characterization of CYP6A51, a cytochrome P450 associated with pyrethroid resistance in the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata

Overexpression of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase CYP6A51 has been previously associated with pyrethroid resistance in the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) Ceratitis capitata, an important pest species worldwide; however, this association has not been functionally validated. We expressed CYP6A51 gene in Escherichia coli and produced a functional enzyme with preference for the chemiluminescent substrate Luciferin-ME EGE. In vitro metabolism...