553: Pesticide Resistance via Transposition-Mediated Adaptive Gene Truncation in Drosophila -- Aminetzach et al. 309 (5735): 764 -- Science

Pesticide Resistance via Transposition-Mediated Adaptive Gene Truncation in Drosophila -- Aminetzach et al. 309 (5735): 764 -- Science:

To study adaptation, it is essential to identify multiple adaptive mutations and to characterize their molecular, phenotypic, selective, and ecological consequences. Here we describe a genomic screen for adaptive insertions of transposable elements in Drosophila. Using a pilot application of this screen, we have identified an adaptive transposable element insertion, which truncates a gene and apparently generates a functional protein in the process. The insertion of this transposable element confers increased resistance to an organophosphate pesticide and has spread in D. melanogaster recently.

One mechanism behind the evolution of pesticide resistance. Drosophila are not just a great lab organism, they can be agricultural pests.