[H-3] BATRACHOTOXININ A-20-ALPHA-BENZOATE BINDING IN SYNAPTOSOMES FROM SUSCEPTIBLE AND KDR-TYPE RESISTANT GERMAN COCKROACHES, BLATTELLA-GERMANICA (L)

Synaptosomal binding of [3H]batrachotoxinin A-20-α-benzoate ([3H]BTX-B), a potent sodium channel toxin, was measured in kdr-type resistant (Ectiban-R) and susceptible (CSMA) German cockroaches. Previous studies indicated that the Ectiban-R strain was 8.7-fold cross-resistant to batrachotoxin. Scatchard analysis of [3H]BTX-B binding demonstrated that the resistant and susceptible strains have similar binding affinities (KD values 230 and 252 nM) and binding site densities (Bmax values, 6.0 and 7.6 pmol/mg protein). Batrachotoxin, aconitine, and veratridine displaced [3H]BTX-B binding in both strains with IC50 values of 1.0-1.2, 18-19, and 73-77 μM, respectively. The dihydropyrazole insecticide RH 3421 displaced [3H]BTX-B binding by 13% only at 10 μM, the highest concentration examined. The pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin had no effect on [3H]BTX-B binding in either strain. Our results indicate that the binding of site 2 neurotoxins to cockroach sodium channels is not altered in the kdr-type resistant strain. Possible molecular mechanisms of kdr-type resistance are discussed. © 1993 Academic Press, Inc.