Glutamate-activated chloride channels: Unique fipronil targets present in insects but not in mammals

Selectivity to insects over mammals is one of the important characteristics for a chemical to become a useful insecticide. Fipronil was found to block cockroach GABA receptors more potently than rat GABAA receptors. Furthermore, glutamate-activated chloride channels (GluCls), which are present in cockroaches but not in mammals, were very sensitive to the blocking action of fipronil. The IC50s of fipronil block were 30 nM in cockroach GABA receptors and 1600 nM in rat GABAA receptors. Moreover, GluCls of cockroach neurons had low IC50s for fipronil. Two types of glutamate-induced chloride current were observed: desensitizing and non-desensitizing, with fipronil IC50s of 800 and 10 nM, respectively. We have developed methods to separately record these two types of GluCls. The non-desensitizing and desensitizing currents were selectively inhibited by trypsin and polyvinylpyrrolidone, respectively. In conclusion, in addition to GABA receptors, GluCls play a crucial role in selectivity of fipronil to insects over mammals. GluCls form the basis for development of selective and safe insecticides.