Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Neonicotinoid insecticides are used worldwide and have been demonstrated as toxic to beneficial insects such as honeybees. Their effectiveness is predominantly attributed to their high affinity for insect neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Mammalian neuronal nAChRs are of major importance because cholinergic synaptic transmission plays a key role in rapid neurotransmission, learning and memory processes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Because of the low agonist effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on mammalian neuronal nAChRs, it has been suggested that they are relatively safe for mammals, including humans. However, several lines of evidence have demonstrated that neonicotinoid insecticides can modulate cholinergic functions through neuronal nAChRs. Major studies on the influence of neonicotinoid insecticides on cholinergic functions have been conducted using nicotine low-affinity homomeric α7 and high-affinity heteromeric α4β2 receptors, as they are the most abundant in the nervous system. It has been found that the neonicotinoids thiamethoxam and clothianidin can activate the release of dopamine in rat striatum. In some contexts, such as neurodegenerative diseases, they can disturb the neuronal distribution or induce oxidative stress, leading to neurotoxicity. This review highlights recent studies on the mode of action of neonicotinoid insecticides on mammalian neuronal nAChRs and cholinergic functions.
Highlights
Neonicotinoid insecticides have contributed to improvements in global agricultural productivity for decades by controlling insects and plant pathogens, providing higher crop yields and improved product quality
Neonicotinoid insecticides include several compounds, such as imidacloprid (IMI), acetamiprid (ACE), clothianidin (CLT), and thiamethoxam (TMX), which act on neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Shifted the curve to the right, and was able to inhibit ACh-evoked currents [52]. These results demonstrated that IMI, CLT, and THC have differential action on mammalian neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which may be due to their activity on a particular site in the nAChRs [54]
Summary
Neonicotinoid insecticides have contributed to improvements in global agricultural productivity for decades by controlling insects and plant pathogens, providing higher crop yields and improved product quality. Neonicotinoid insecticides include several compounds, such as imidacloprid (IMI), acetamiprid (ACE), clothianidin (CLT), and thiamethoxam (TMX), which act on neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) They are considered as partial or full agonists of insect neuronal nAChRs and poor agonists of mammalian receptors. Allosteric modulators are receptor at a distinct site from the ligand-binding domain and change the free energy associated with pharmacological compounds bind to leads the receptor at a distinct site from the modulators) ligand-binding transitions between functionalthat states. This leads reduction of the ligand-evoked response (negative allosteric modulators) (Figure 1). Given the role of neuronal nAChRs functions, leading the involvement of neuronal nAChRs many diseases such as Alzheimer’s and in both insects and to mammals, few studies have described theininvolvement of neonicotinoid insecticides.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
