Crystal structure of diamondback moth ryanodine receptor Repeat34 domain reveals insect-specific phosphorylation sites

Molecular characterization and expression patterns of a ryanodine receptor in soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens

Diamide insecticides, such as chlorantraniliprole, have been widely used to control insect pests by targeting the insect ryanodine receptor (RyR). Due to the efficacious insecticidal activity of diamides, as well as an increasing number of resistance cases, the molecular structure of RyR has been studied in many economically important insects. However, no research has been conducted on diamide resistance and RyR in the soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens, a significant crop pest. In this study, we found moderate resistance to chlorantraniliprole in a field population from Puerto Rico and sequenced the full-length cDNA of the C. includens RyR gene, which encodes a 5124 amino acid-long protein. Genomic analysis revealed that the CincRyR gene consists of 113 exons, one of the largest exon numbers reported for RyR. Alternative splicing sites were detected in the cytosolic region. The protein sequence showed high similarity to other noctuid RyRs. Conserved structural features included the selectivity filter motif critical for ryanodine binding and ion conduction, as well as various domains involved in ion transport. Two mutation sites associated with diamide resistance in other insects were screened but not found in the Puerto Rico field populations or in the susceptible lab strain. Gene expression analysis indicated high expression of RyR in the third instar larval stage, particularly in muscle-containing tissues. Furthermore, exposure to a sublethal dose of chlorantraniliprole reduced RyR expression levels after 96 h. This study provides a molecular basis for understanding RyR structure and sheds light on potential mechanisms of diamide resistance in C. includens.

Diamide insecticides targeting insect ryanodine receptors: Mechanism and application prospect

As a Lepidoptera pest, Spodoptera frugiperda has become one of the major migratory pests causing significant damage to crops. It should prevent and control Spodoptera frugiperda with strong reproductive ability, adaptability, and migration ability, and reduce economic losses as much as possible. Chemical insecticides are mainly used in the emergency control of Spodoptera frugiperda. Diamide insecticide is a kind of pesticide that specifically targets the ryanodine receptor of Lepidopteran pests, which makes it safe, effective, targeted, and low toxicity to mammals. So, it is one of the most concerned and fastest-growing pesticide products after neonicotinoid pesticides. Intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration can be regulated by ryanodine receptors, and the continuous release of Ca²⁺ eventually leads to the death of pests and achieve the insecticidal effect. This review introduces in detail diamide insecticides that mainly play roles in stomach toxicity, as well as its specific target-ryanodine receptor, and analyzes how the diamide insecticide acts on the ryanodine receptor and how its mechanism of action can provide a theoretical basis for the rational use of highly effective insecticides and solve the resistance problem. Moreover, we also propose several recommendations for reducing resistance to diamide insecticides, and provide a reference for chemical control and resistance studies of Spodoptera frugiperda, which has broad development prospects in today's increasingly concerned about the ecological environment and advocating green environmental protection.

Cyto-Genotoxic and Behavioral Effects of Flubendiamide in Allium cepa Root Cells, Drosophila melanogaster and Molecular Docking Studies

Flubendiamide (FLB) is an insecticide that is commonly employed to control pests on a variety of vegetables and fruits, with low toxicity for non-target organisms. However, due to its widespread use, the environmental risks and food safety have become major concerns. In this study, the toxicity potential of FLB was studied in the model organisms, Allium cepa and Drosophila melanogaster. The cyto-genotoxic effects of FLB on the root growth, mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in A. cepa root meristematic cells were investigated using the root growth inhibition Allium test and Comet assays. FLB caused CAs in the form of disturbed ana-telophase, chromosome laggards, stickiness, anaphase-bridge and polyploidy depending on the concentration and the exposure time. The toxicity and genotoxicity of FLB at various doses (0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mM) on D. melanogaster were investigated from the point of view of larval weight and movement, pupal formation success, pupal position, emergence success and DNA damage, respectively. FLB exposure led to a significant reduction of the locomotor activity at the highest concentration. While DNA damage increased significantly in the FLB-treated onions depending on the concentration and time, DNA damage in the FLB-treated D. melanogaster significantly increased only at the highest dose compared to that which occurred in the control group. Moreover, to provide a mechanistic insight into the genotoxic and locomotion-disrupting effects of FLB, molecular docking simulations of this pesticide were performed against the DNA and diamondback moth (DBM) ryanodine receptor (RyR) Repeat34 domain. The docking studies revealed that FLB binds strongly to a DNA region that is rich in cytosine-guanine-adenine bases (C-G-A) in the minor groove, and it displayed a remarkable binding affinity against the DBM RyR Repeat34 domain.

Recent progress in the structural study of ion channels as insecticide targets

Ion channels, many expressed in insect neural and muscular systems, have drawn huge attention as primary targets of insecticides. With the recent technical breakthroughs in structural biology, especially in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), many new high-resolution structures of ion channel targets, apo or in complex with insecticides, have been solved, shedding light on the molecular mechanism of action of the insecticides and resistance mutations. These structures also provide accurate templates for structure-based insecticide screening and rational design. This review summarizes the recent progress in the structural studies of 5 ion channel families: the ryanodine receptor (RyR), the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC), the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel, and the ligand-gated chloride channel (LGCC). We address the selectivity of the channel-targeting insecticides by examining the conservation of key coordinating residues revealed by the structures. The possible resistance mechanisms are proposed based on the locations of the identified resistance mutations on the 3D structures of the target channels and their impacts on the binding of insecticides. Finally, we discuss how to develop "green" insecticides with a novel mode of action based on these high-resolution structures to overcome the resistance.

Structural Insight Into Ryanodine Receptor Channelopathies

The ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are large cation-selective ligand-gated channels that are expressed in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane. They mediate the controlled release of Ca²⁺ from SR and play an important role in many cellular processes. The mutations in RyRs are associated with several skeletal muscle and cardiac conditions, including malignant hyperthermia (MH), central core disease (CCD), catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD). Recent breakthroughs in structural biology including cryo-electron microscopy (EM) and X-ray crystallography allowed the determination of a number of near-atomic structures of RyRs, including wildtype and mutant structures as well as the structures in complex with different modulating molecules. This allows us to comprehend the physiological gating and regulatory mechanisms of RyRs and the underlying pathological mechanisms of the disease-causing mutations. In this review, based on the insights gained from the available high-resolution structures of RyRs, we address several questions: 1) what are the gating mechanisms of different RyR isoforms; 2) how RyRs are regulated by multiple channel modulators, including ions, small molecules, and regulatory proteins; 3) how do disease-causing mutations affect the structure and function of RyRs; 4) how can these structural information aid in the diagnosis of the related diseases and the development of pharmacological therapies.

Regulation of GSTu1-mediated insecticide resistance in Plutella xylostella by miRNA and lncRNA

The evolution of resistance to insecticides is well known to be closely associated with the overexpression of detoxifying enzymes. Although the role of glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes in insecticide resistance has been widely reported, the underlying regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, one GST gene (GSTu1) and its antisense transcript (lnc-GSTu1-AS) were identified and cloned, and both of them were upregulated in several chlorantraniliprole-resistant Plutella xylostella populations. GSTu1 was confirmed to be involved in chlorantraniliprole resistance by direct degradation of this insecticide. Furthermore, we demonstrated that lnc-GSTu1-AS interacted with GSTu1 by forming an RNA duplex, which masked the binding site of miR-8525-5p at the GSTu1-3′UTR. In summary, we revealed that lnc-GSTu1-AS maintained the mRNA stability of GSTu1 by preventing its degradation that could have been induced by miR-8525-5p and thus increased the resistance of P. xylostella to chlorantraniliprole. Our findings reveal a new noncoding RNA-mediated pathway that regulates the expression of detoxifying enzymes in insecticide-resistant insects and offer opportunities for the further understanding of the mechanisms of insecticide and drug resistance.

The development of insecticide resistance in insect pests is a worldwide concern and a major problem in agriculture. Understanding the genetics of insecticide resistance is critical for effective crop protection. Plutella. xylostella (L.), a major pest of cruciferous crops, has developed resistance to almost all kinds of insecticide, and has become one of the most resistant pests in the world. Overexpression of detoxification enzymes is closely associated with insecticide resistance, but researches on their regulatory mechanism are still very limited. Here, GSTu1 was identified to be upregulated in several chlorantraniliprole-resistant P. xylostella populations and was confirmed to be involved in chlorantraniliprole resistance by direct degradation of this insecticide. Further, lnc-GSTu1-AS transcribed from the opposite DNA strand to GSTu1 was identified to be able to enhance the mRNA stability of GSTu1 by blocking miRNA activity, and thus increased the resistance of P. xylostella to chlorantraniliprole. The results provide further insights into the mechanisms underlying metabolic resistance.

Ryanodine receptor as insecticide target

Ryanodine receptor (RyR) is one of the primary targets of commercial insecticides. The diamide insecticide family, including flubendiamide, chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, etc, targets insect RyRs and can be used to control a wide range of destructive agricultural pests. The diamide insecticides are highly selective against lepidopteran and coleopteran pests with relatively low toxicity for non-target species, such as mammals, fishes, and beneficial insects. However, recently mutations identified on insect RyRs have emerged and caused resistance in several major agricultural pests throughout different continents. This review paper summarizes the recent findings on structure and function of insect RyRs as insecticide target. Specifically, we examine the structures of RyRs from target and non-target species, which reveals the molecular basis for insecticide action and selectivity. We also examine the structural and functional changes of RyR caused by the resistance mutations. Finally, we examine the progress in RyR structure-based insecticide design, and discuss how this might help the development of new generation of green insecticides.

Calcium Release Channels: Structure and Function of IP3 Receptors and Ryanodine Receptors

Ca²⁺-release channels are giant membrane proteins that control the release of Ca²⁺ from the endoplasmic and sarcoplasmic reticulum. The two members, ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate Receptors (IP₃Rs), are evolutionarily related and are both activated by cytosolic Ca²⁺. They share a common architecture, but RyRs have evolved additional modules in the cytosolic region. Their massive size allows for the regulation by tens of proteins and small molecules, which can affect the opening and closing of the channels. In addition to Ca²⁺, other major triggers include IP₃ for the IP₃Rs, and depolarization of the plasma membrane for a particular RyR subtype. Their size has made them popular targets for study via electron microscopic methods, with current structures culminating near 3Å. The available structures have provided many new mechanistic insights int the binding of auxiliary proteins and small molecules, how these can regulate channel opening, and the mechanisms of disease-associated mutations. They also help scrutinize previously proposed binding sites, as some of these are now incompatible with the structures. Many questions remain around the structural effects of post-translational modifications, additional binding partners, and the higher-order complexes these channels can make in situ. This review summarizes our current knowledge about the structures of Ca²⁺-release channels and how this informs on their function.

A Comparative Perspective on Functionally-Related, Intracellular Calcium Channels: The Insect Ryanodine and Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors

Calcium (Ca²⁺) homeostasis is vital for insect development and metabolism, and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a major intracellular reservoir for Ca²⁺. The inositol 1,4,5- triphosphate receptor (IP₃R) and ryanodine receptor (RyR) are large homotetrameric channels associated with the ER and serve as two major actors in ER-derived Ca²⁺ supply. Most of the knowledge on these receptors derives from mammalian systems that possess three genes for each receptor. These studies have inspired work on synonymous receptors in insects, which encode a single IP₃R and RyR. In the current review, we focus on a fundamental, common question: “why do insect cells possess two Ca²⁺ channel receptors in the ER?”. Through a comparative approach, this review covers the discovery of RyRs and IP₃Rs, examines their structures/functions, the pathways that they interact with, and their potential as target sites in pest control. Although insects RyRs and IP₃Rs share structural similarities, they are phylogenetically distinct, have their own structural organization, regulatory mechanisms, and expression patterns, which explains their functional distinction. Nevertheless, both have great potential as target sites in pest control, with RyRs currently being targeted by commercial insecticide, the diamides.

Azobenzene-diamides as Photopharmacological Ligands for Insect Ryanodine Receptor

Photoresponsive ligands are powerful tool compounds for studying receptor function with spatiotemporal resolution. However, to the best of our knowledge, such a ligand is not available for the ryanodine receptor (RyR). Herein, we present a photochromic ligand (PCL) for insect RyR by decorating chlorantraniliprole (CHL) with photoswitchable azobenzene (AB). We demonstrated that one potent ligand, named ABCHL13, shows light-induced reversible trans-cis isomerization and 3.5-fold insecticidal activity decrease toward oriental armyworm (Mythimna separata) after UV-light irradiation, that is, trans-ABCH13 has higher activity than the cis-ABCH13. ABCHL13 enables optical control over intracellular Ca²⁺ release in dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons of M. separata and American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) and cardiac function of P. americana. Our results provide a first photopharmacological toolkit that is applicable to light-dependent regulation of RyR and heart beating.

Synthesis, biological activities, and SAR studies of novel 1-(2-chloro-4,5-difluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazole derivatives

In order to search for the new ryanodine receptor (RyR) regulator, a series of 35 novel fluoro-substituted compounds introduced 1-(2-chloro-4,5-difluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazole moiety containing modified pyrazole heterocycle were designed and synthesized. Then, they were tested for the insecticidal activities against Mythimna separata and Plutella xylostella in our greenhouse. After a systematic biological screening, it was found out that IVc showed 50% larvicidal activities against Mythimna separata at 0.1 mg L^-1, equivalent to that of chlorantraniliprole (36%, 0.1 mg L^-1). The activity of IVc against Plutella xylostella was 90% at 10^-5 mg L^-1, whereas the chlorantraniliprole was 70% at the same concentration. Then, insect electrophysiology experiments were conducted to study the pattern of action of IVc and IVe. It was confirmed by the experimental results that both compounds could lead to the release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum of neurons as classical anthranilic diamide insecticides.

Multisite phosphorylation of the cardiac ryanodine receptor: a random or coordinated event?

Many proteins are phosphorylated at more than one phosphorylation site to achieve precise tuning of protein function and/or integrate a multitude of signals into the activity of one protein. Increasing the number of phosphorylation sites significantly broadens the complexity of molecular mechanisms involved in processing multiple phosphorylation sites by one or more distinct kinases. The cardiac ryanodine receptor (RYR2) is a well-established multiple phospho-target of kinases activated in response to β-adrenergic stimulation because this Ca²⁺ channel is a critical component of Ca²⁺ handling machinery which is responsible for β-adrenergic enhancement of cardiac contractility. Our review presents a selective overview of the extensive, often conflicting, literature which focuses on identifying reliable lines of evidence to establish if multiple RYR2 phosphorylation is achieved randomly or in a specific sequence, and whether phosphorylation at individual sites is functionally specific and additive or similar and can therefore be substituted.

Review on Structures of Pesticide Targets

Molecular targets play important roles in agrochemical discovery. Numerous pesticides target the key proteins in pathogens, insect, or plants. Investigating ligand-binding pockets and/or active sites in the proteins' structures is usually the first step in designing new green pesticides. Thus, molecular target structures are extremely important for the discovery and development of such pesticides. In this manuscript, we present a review of the molecular target structures, including those of antiviral, fungicidal, bactericidal, insecticidal, herbicidal, and plant growth-regulator targets, currently used in agrochemical research. The data will be helpful in pesticide design and the discovery of new green pesticides.

Structure and Function of the Human Ryanodine Receptors and Their Association with Myopathies-Present State, Challenges, and Perspectives

Cardiac arrhythmias are serious, life-threatening diseases associated with the dysregulation of Ca2+ influx into the cytoplasm of cardiomyocytes. This dysregulation often arises from dysfunction of ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2), the principal Ca2+ release channel. Dysfunction of RyR1, the skeletal muscle isoform, also results in less severe, but also potentially life-threatening syndromes. The RYR2 and RYR1 genes have been found to harbor three main mutation “hot spots”, where mutations change the channel structure, its interdomain interface properties, its interactions with its binding partners, or its dynamics. In all cases, the result is a defective release of Ca2+ ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum into the myocyte cytoplasm. Here, we provide an overview of the most frequent diseases resulting from mutations to RyR1 and RyR2, briefly review some of the recent experimental structural work on these two molecules, detail some of the computational work describing their dynamics, and summarize the known changes to the structure and function of these receptors with particular emphasis on their N-terminal, central, and channel domains.

Crystal Structure of the Ryanodine Receptor SPRY2 Domain from the Diamondback Moth Provides Insights into the Development of Novel Insecticides

Diamide insecticides targeting ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are a major class of pesticides used to control a wide range of agricultural pests, but their efficacies have been reduced dramatically by the recent emergence of resistance mutations. There is a pressing need to develop novel insecticides, targeting distinct and novel binding sites within insect RyRs to overcome the resistance crisis; however, the limited structural information on insect RyRs is a major roadblock to our understanding of their molecular mechanisms. Here, we report the crystal structure of the RyR SPRY2 domain from the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, a destructive agricultural pest worldwide that has developed resistance to all classes of insecticide at 2.06 Å resolution. The overall fold of DBM SPRY2 is similar to its mammalian homolog, but it shows distinct conformations in several loops. Docking it into the recently published cryo-electron microscope structure of the full-length RyR reveals that two insect-specific loops interact with the BSol domain from the neighboring subunit. The SPRY2-BSol interface will change the conformation upon channel gating, indicating that it might be a potential targeting site for insect-specific insecticides. Interestingly, several previously identified disease-causing mutations also lie in the same interface, implying that this interface is important for channel gating. Another insect-specific loop located in the SPRY2-SPRY3 interface might indirectly affect another gating interface between SPRY3 and Repeat34.