Loops D, E and G in the Drosophila Dα1 subunit contribute to high neonicotinoid sensitivity of Dα1-chicken β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

What is it about?

Neonicotinoid insecticides acting on insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nACh receptors) can have adverse effects on beneficial insects such as pollinators and thus it is extremely important to understand the mechanism underpinning the potency and selectivity of neonicotinoids on insect nACh receptors. We show for the first time that amino acids in ACh binding site loops D, E and G of the Drosophila Dα1 subunit play an important role in determining neonicotinoid actions at Dα1-Dα1 subunit interface of Dα1-chicken β2 nACh receptor expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

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