The amino acid residue L113 is involved in arginine kinase activity and structural stability

► Arginine kinase is a key enzyme for energy metabolism and a target for insecticide. ► The linker in AK might play key roles in sustaining domain recognition and interactions. ► Mutations of residue L113 in the linker caused obviously loss of AK activity, stability. ► Mutations of the residue L113 led mutant AKs to partially unfolded state and aggregation. ► This study may provide a clue for innovative insecticides to combat insect species.