Neurosci Lett 2004 Jun 17;3633:195-8. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2003.12.115.

Roles of loop C and the loop B-C interval of the nicotinic receptor alpha subunit in its selective interactions with imidacloprid in insects.

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To elucidate the mechanism of selective action of imidacloprid on insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), we examined the roles of loop C and the loop B-C interval region in receptor interactions with imidacloprid. The P242E mutation in loop C of the Drosophila SAD subunit (the second alpha-like Drosophila nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit, also called Dalpha2 subunit) reduced imidacloprid sensitivity of the SAD-chicken beta2 hybrid nAChR, whereas the E219P mutation of the alpha4 subunit increased the imidacloprid sensitivity of the alpha4beta2 nAChR. Deletion of the loop B-C interval region from the SAD subunit enhanced the effect of the P242E mutation on the SADbeta2 hybrid nAChR, suggesting important roles of the regions investigated in the nAChR-imidacloprid interactions.

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