Larvicidal efficacy of Bacillus cereus-derived compounds against Culex quinquefasciatus via D7 protein inhibition

Abstract

Aim: Mosquito-borne diseases pose major global health challenges, and resistance to chemical insecticides highlights the need for ecofriendly alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal potential of metabolites extracted from Bacillus cereus against Culex quinquefasciatus and investigate their inhibitory effects on the mosquito salivary gland D7 protein using molecular docking. Methods: Bacillus cereus was isolated and identified by culture and 16S rRNA analysis. The bacterial metabolites were extracted, and GC-MS analysis was performed to identify bioactive compounds. Molecular docking simulations were conducted to assess the binding affinities of compounds such as 2-piperidinone, dodecanoic acid, and n-hexadecanoic acid to the D7 protein (PDB ID: 7TVY) of Culex quinquefasciatus. Results: Molecular docking showed strong interactions of these compounds with the D7 protein, with 2-piperidinone exhibiting the highest docking score of -7.0 kcal/mol, followed by n-hexadecanoic acid (-5.4 kcal/mol) and dodecanoic acid (-4.4 kcal/mol). These interactions suggest disruption of the D7 protein’s role in mosquito blood feeding and disease transmission. Conclusion: Bacillus cereusmetabolites showed strong binding to the mosquito salivary gland D7 protein, indicating potential larvicidal activity and supporting their use as ecofriendly mosquito control agents.