Actions on mammalian and insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of harmonine-containing alkaloid extracts from the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Birkett, M. A., Patel, R., Richards, D., Duce, I. R., Satelle, D. and Mellor, I. R. 2020. Actions on mammalian and insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of harmonine-containing alkaloid extracts from the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology. 166, p. 104561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pestbp.2020.104561

AuthorsBirkett, M. A., Patel, R., Richards, D., Duce, I. R., Satelle, D. and Mellor, I. R.
Abstract

The harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (H. axyridis), possesses a strong chemical defence that has contributed to its invasive success. Ladybird beetle defensive chemicals, secreted in response to stress and also found on the coating of laid eggs, are rich in alkaloids that are thought to be responsible for this beetle's toxicity to other species. Recent studies have shown that alkaloids from several species of ladybird beetle can target nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) acting as receptor antagonists, hence we have explored the actions of alkaloids of the ladybird H. axyridis on both mammalian and insect nAChRs. Electrophysiological studies on native and functionally expressed recombinant nAChRs were used to establish whether an alkaloid extract from H. axyridis (HAE) targeted nAChRs and whether any selectivity exists for insect over mammalian receptors of this type. HAE was found to be an inhibitor of all nAChRs tested with the voltage-dependence of inhibition and the effect on ACh EC50 differing between nAChR subtypes. Our finding that an HAE fraction consisting almost entirely of harmonine had a strong inhibitory effect points to this alkaloid as a key component of nAChR inhibitory actions. Comparison of HAE inhibition between the mammalian and insect nAChRs investigated indicates some preference for the insect nAChR supporting the view that investigation of ladybird alkaloids shows promise as a method for identifying natural product leads for future insecticide development.

KeywordsNicotinic acetylcholine receptor; Alkaloid; Harmonine; Antagonist; Patch-clamp; Voltage-clamp
Year of Publication2020
JournalPesticide Biochemistry and Physiology
Journal citation166, p. 104561
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pestbp.2020.104561
Open accessPublished as non-open access
FunderBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Funder project or codeBBSRC Studentship
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online06 Mar 2020
PublisherElsevier
ISSN0048-3575

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