Pest Management Science (2012) 68, 254-259

Hans-Joachim Pelz, Simone Rost, Elisabeth Müller, Alexandra Esther, Rainer G. Ulrich and Clemens R. Müller (2012)
Distribution and frequency of VKORC1 sequence variants conferring resistance to anticoagulants in Mus musculus
Pest Management Science 68 (2), 254-259
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Emerging resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides may significantly impair house mouse (Mus musculus L.) control. As in humans and rats, sequence variants in the gene vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1) of house mice are strongly implicated in the responses of mice to anticoagulants. This study gives a first overview of the distribution and frequency of such potentially resistance-conferring sequence variants in house mice, based on tissue samples from 30 populations in Germany, Switzerland and the Azores.
RESULTS: Except for one population from south Germany, sequence variants were found in individuals from all locations sampled (29 out of 30 sites surveyed), with less than 10% of the individuals matching the wild-type genotype. The most frequent and widespread amino acid substitutions were Leu128Ser, Tyr139Cys and a group of linked sequence changes (Arg12Trp/Ala26Ser/Ala48Thr/Arg61Leu). Where these substitutions occurred as the sole variant, the proportion of homozygous individuals was 72-83%.
CONCLUSIONS: An evaluation of published data revealed that the three most frequently found sequence variants are associated with a substantial loss of rodenticide efficacy of first-generation anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin, coumatetralyl), as well as the second-generation compound bromadiolone and most probably also difenacoum. Knowledge of the distribution and frequency of resistance-conferring sequence variants will stimulate their further functional characterisation and facilitate the choice of effective active substances for house mouse control.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Hans-Joachim Pelz, Alexandra Esther

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pesticide resistance of pest

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Mus musculus		Germany
	Mus musculus		Switzerland
	Mus musculus		Portugal (Azores)