Functional characterization of knockdown resistance mutations in the plant bug, Apolygus lucorum Meyer-Dür.

Apolygus lucorum could cause severe economic damage to crops in China. The pest has been controlled by pyrethroids, and the target of pyrethroids is voltage-gated sodium channel (Nav). Double mutation (L1002F/D941G) was detected in a field-strain of A. lucorum . We found there was single mutation L1002F and double mutation L1002F/D941G, but no single mutation D941G in the field. The tail currents of L1002F and L1002F/D941G were reduced by two types pyrethroid. In contrast, D941G showed a similar activity as wild type channel. D941G and L1002F are both located in domain II but do not face the pyrethroid-binding pocket directly, suggesting that they might affect the insecticide-binding allosterically. L1002F/D941G has significantly different responses to pyrethroids compared to the wild type, but D941G alone has little effect compared to wild type. Our finding demonstrates that some mutation do not cause resistance by itself but can enhance the resistance combined with other mutations.