Pestic Biochem Physiol 2026 May 17;220:107061. doi: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2026.107061.

Differential sensitivity of RDL1 and RDL2 GABA receptors to Broflanilide, Fluxametamide, Fluralaner, and Fipronil in Heliothis virescens and Helicoverpa zea.

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Insect γ-aminobutyric acid-gated chloride channels (GABACls) are major molecular targets of noncompetitive antagonist (NCA) insecticides. In this study, we cloned and functionally characterized two RDL (resistant to dieldrin) isoforms from the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (HvRDL1 and HvRDL2), and the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (HzRDL1 and HzRDL2), two economically important lepidopteran pests in the Mississippi Delta. Sequence analysis showed that HvRDL1 and HzRDL1 were identical at the amino acid level, while HvRDL2 and HzRDL2 differed by only two residues. Functional characterization using two-electrode voltage clamp recording in Xenopus laevis oocytes demonstrated isoform-specific differences in responses to both GABA agonism and NCA antagonism. All four isoforms formed functional homomeric receptors activated by GABA, and RDL2 isoforms were approximately 2.5-fold more sensitive to GABA activation than RDL1 receptors. In inhibition assays, broflanilide, fluxametamide, fluralaner, and fipronil strongly inhibited EC50 concentration of GABA-induced currents. However, all four NCAs exhibited about 7.5-16.1-fold lower potency at RDL2 receptors compared with their corresponding RDL1 isoforms. Overall, these findings reveal distinct pharmacological profiles between RDL isoforms and suggest that isoform-specific differences in sensitivity may influence the efficacy and resistance risk of GABAergic insecticides in lepidopteran pests.

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