Molluscicide screening and identification of novel targets against Pomacea canaliculata

Abstract

BACKGROUNDDue to the non‐availability of any clear targets for molluscicides against Pomacea canaliculata (P. canaliculata), target‐based screening strategy cannot be employed. In this study, the molluscicidal effects of typical pesticides on P. canaliculata were evaluated to obtain the molluscicide target. A series of arylpyrrole compounds were synthesized based on the discovered target, and the structure–activity relationship was explored. A preliminary strategy for screening molluscicides based on specific targets was also developed.RESULTSA laboratory colony of P. canaliculata was developed, which showed no difference in sensitivity to niclosamide compared with the wild group, while exhibited a higher stability against pesticide response. Mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase inhibitors and mitochondrial membrane potential uncouplers were identified and validated as potential targets for molluscicide screening against P. canaliculata. A series of arylpyrrole compounds were designed and synthesized. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of 4‐bromo‐2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐5‐(trifluoromethyl)‐1H‐pyrrole‐3‐carbonitrile (Compound 102) was 10 times lower than that of niclosamide.CONCLUSIONNew molluscicide targets were discovered and validated, and preliminary strategies were explored for pesticide screening based on these targets. Compound 102 exhibited a high molluscicidal activity and had a great potential value for exploring a molluscicide to control P. canaliculata.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.