An approach to identify and evaluate potential insecticide targets using publicly available genome (DNA) sequence information for arthropod disease vector is provided. The utility of this approach is demonstrated by first determining the molecular and pharmacological properties of two different dopamine (neurotransmitter) receptors identified in the genome of the yellow fever- and dengue-transmitting mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Next, different chemistries were tested for their ability to interact with one of these dopamine receptors in a chemical compound screen, and 'hit' compounds were identified. Finally, it is shown that some of these chemistries, are selective for the mosquito over the human dopamine receptor and that these chemistries caused significant mortality in mosquito larvae 24 hours after exposure.
INSECT AND TICK G-COUPLED RECEPTORS USEFUL AS TARGETS FOR INSECTICIDES AND COMPOUNDS AND REAGENTS IDENTIFIED USING THE SAME