Cell: Dual-functional ABCH transporter lit the light for pesticide discovery

Abstract

Pesticides play a pivotal role in modern agriculture. However, the pesticide industry faces significant challenges closely linked to major global concerns such as pesticide resistance, environmental pollution, food safety, and crop yields. Developing safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly pesticides has become a key challenge for the industry. Recently, Qing Yang and colleagues unveiled the mode of action of a dual-functional protein, the ABCH transporter, which plays essential roles in lipid transport to construct the lipid barrier of insect cuticles and in pesticide detoxification within insects. Since ABCH transporters are critical for all insects but absent in mammals and plants, this elegant and exciting work provides a highly promising target for developing safe, low-resistance pesticides. Here, we highlight the groundbreaking discoveries made by Qing Yang's team in unraveling the intricate mechanisms of the ABCH transporter.