BACKGROUND: The pyrethroid insecticides are a very successful group of compounds that target invertebrate voltage-gated sodium channels and are widely used in the control of insects, ticks and mites. It is well established that some pyrethroids are good insecticides whereas others are more effective as acaricides. This species specificity is advantageous for controlling particular pest(s) in the presence of another non-target invertebrate, for example controlling the Varroa mite in honeybee colonies. RESULTS: We applied in silico techniques to compare the voltage-gated sodium channels of insects versus ticks and mites and their interactions with a range of pyrethroids and DDT analogues. We identified a single amino acid difference within the pyrethroid binding pocket of ticks/mites that may have significant impact on the effectiveness of pyrethroids as acaricides. Other individual amino acid differences within the binding pocket in distinct tick and mite species may provide a basis for future acaricidal selectivity. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional modelling of the pyrethroid/DDT receptor site has led to a new hypothesis to explain the preferential binding of acaricidal pyrethroids to the sodium channels of ticks/mites. This is important for understanding pyrethroid selectivity and the potential effects of mutations that can give rise to resistance to pyrethroids in commercially-important pest species.
BACKGROUND: The pyrethroid insecticides are a very successful group of compounds that target invertebrate voltage-gated sodium channels and are widely used in the control of insects, ticks and mites. It is well established that some pyrethroids are good insecticides whereas others are more effective as acaricides. This species specificity is advantageous for controlling particular pest(s) in the presence of another non-target invertebrate, for example controlling the Varroa mite in honeybee colonies. RESULTS: We applied in silico techniques to compare the voltage-gated sodium channels of insects versus ticks and mites and their interactions with a range of pyrethroids and DDT analogues. We identified a single amino acid difference within the pyrethroid binding pocket of ticks/mites that may have significant impact on the effectiveness of pyrethroids as acaricides. Other individual amino acid differences within the binding pocket in distinct tick and mite species may provide a basis for future acaricidal selectivity. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional modelling of the pyrethroid/DDT receptor site has led to a new hypothesis to explain the preferential binding of acaricidal pyrethroids to the sodium channels of ticks/mites. This is important for understanding pyrethroid selectivity and the potential effects of mutations that can give rise to resistance to pyrethroids in commercially-important pest species.
Authors: Kristopher S Silver; Yuzhe Du; Yoshiko Nomura; Eugenio E Oliveira; Vincent L Salgado; Boris S Zhorov; Ke Dong Journal: Adv In Insect Phys Date: 2014 Impact factor: 3.364
Authors: Linda M Field; T G Emyr Davies; Andrias O O'Reilly; Martin S Williamson; B A Wallace Journal: Eur Biophys J Date: 2017-01-09 Impact factor: 1.733
Authors: Caitlin J Oliver; Samantha Softley; Sally M Williamson; Philip C Stevenson; Geraldine A Wright Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-08-17 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Joel González-Cabrera; T G Emyr Davies; Linda M Field; Peter J Kennedy; Martin S Williamson Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-12-18 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Joel González-Cabrera; Sonia Rodríguez-Vargas; T G Emyr Davies; Linda M Field; Daniel Schmehl; James D Ellis; Klemens Krieger; Martin S Williamson Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-05-18 Impact factor: 3.240