Keywords
Protein targets
Insecticide development
Molecular targets
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Abstract
Objective: To identify the main proteins of Aedes aegypti investigated in the development of insecticides. Methods: A review of the scientific literature published between 2014 and 2024 was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases, with the descriptors "Aedes aegypti," "protein targets," and "mode of action." Peer-reviewed experimental articles published in English were included. The selected studies were analyzed according to the types of target proteins investigated and the methodological approaches used (in silico, in vitro, and in vivo). Results: Of the 335 articles initially retrieved, 17 met the inclusion criteria. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) was the most frequently investigated detoxification target, followed by several GST isoforms. Key metabolic targets included odor-binding protein 1 (OBP1), 3-hydroxykynurenine transaminase (HKT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2), and carbonic anhydrase (CA). Neurotransmission-related targets comprised the dopaminergic receptor AaDOP2 and the chloride-cation cotransporters CCC2 and CCC3. Conclusion: The results highlight protein targets as a promising strategy for A. aegypti control and emphasize the need to identify new molecular targets for more effective and sustainable insecticides.
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