title: Investigating the mode of action of sulfoxaflor: a fourth-generation neonicotinoid.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The precise mode of action of sulfoxaflor, a new nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-modulating insecticide, is unclear. A detailed understanding of the mode of action, especially in relation to the neonicotinoids, is essential for recommending effective pest management practices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radiolabel binding experiments using a tritiated analogue of sulfoxaflor ([(3) H]-methyl-SFX) performed on membranes from Myzus persicae demonstrate that sulfoxaflor interacts specifically with the high-affinity imidacloprid binding site present in a subpopulation of the total nAChR pool. In competition studies, imidacloprid-like neonicotinoids displace [(3) H]-methyl-SFX at pM concentrations. The effects of sulfoxaflor on the exposed aphid nervous system in situ are analogous to those of imidacloprid and nitenpyram, and finally the high-affinity sulfoxaflor binding site is absent in a Myzus persicae strain (clone FRC) possessing a single amino acid point mutation (R81T) in the β-nAChR, a region critical for neonicotinoid interaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor pharmacological profile of sulfoxaflor in aphids is consistent with that of imidacloprid. Additionally, the insecticidal activity of sulfoxaflor and the current commercialised neonicotinoids is affected by the point mutation in FRC Myzus persicae. Therefore, it is suggested that sulfoxalfor be considered a neonicotinoid, and that this be taken into account when recommending insecticide rotation partnering for effective resistance management programmes.
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection, Biological Sciences, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, UK.
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cutler
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Slater
authors.forename: Andrew J F
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Edmunds
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maienfisch
authors.forename: Roger G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Fergus G P
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Earley
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pitterna
authors.forename: Sitaram
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: Verity-Laura
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goodchild
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blacker
authors.forename: Leonhard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hagmann
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Crossthwaite
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001042:Aphids; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D007305:Insecticide Resistance; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000633:toxicity*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000737:chemistry*; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000633:toxicity*; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D011725:Pyridines; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D014316:Tritium; C560328:sulfoxaflor