Combined roles of loops C and D in the interactions of a neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid with the alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Neonicotinoid insecticides are widely used for crop protection based on their selective actions on insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (insect nAChRs). Loops C and D in insect nAChRs have been shown to possess structural features favorable for neonicotinoid-nAChR interactions. However, it remains to be resolved whether such features serve either co-operatively, or independently, to enhance neonicotinoid sensitivity of nAChRs.