Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2003 Jun 01;336:595-9. doi: 10.1016/s0965-1748(03)00038-9.

RdlDv, a novel GABA-gated chloride channel gene from the American dog tick Dermacentor variabilis.

???displayArticle.abstract???
The American dog tick Dermacentor variabilis is a major transmitter of bacterial and viral pathogens in human and animal populations, and compounds active against this species would benefit both human and animal health. Invertebrate GABA-gated chloride channels are validated targets of commonly used insecticides and acaricides. We cloned a novel member of the invertebrate GABA-gated chloride channel gene family from Dermacentor variabilis, RdlDv. The closest homologue of the predicted gene product of RdlDv is the RDL protein encoded by the GABA-gated chloride channel gene Drosophila Rdl (Resistance to Dieldrin), with which it shares 64% amino acid identity. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, RdlDv produces GABA-activated currents blocked by the known insecticides and RDL antagonists fipronil and picrotoxinin. These results suggest that RdlDv encodes a GABA-gated chloride channel subunit, making it a potential target for compounds active against the tick D. variabilis.

???displayArticle.pubmedLink??? 12770577
???displayArticle.link??? Insect Biochem Mol Biol