Abstract: The present invention relates in part to isolated nucleic acid molecules (polynucleotides) which encode Dermacentor variabilis ligand gated ion channel proteins. The present invention also relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which contain a DNA fragment encoding D. variabilis LGIC/GluCl channels, substantially purified forms of associated D. variabilis channel proteins and recombinant membrane fractions comprising these proteins, associated mutant proteins, and methods associated with identifying compounds which modulate associated Dermacentor variabilis LGIC/GluCl, which will be useful as insecticides and acaracides.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to isolated nucleic acid molecules (polynucleotides) which encode Dermacentor variabilis ligand gated ion channel proteins. The present invention also relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which contain a DNA fragment encoding D. variabilis LGIC/GluCl channels, substantially purified forms of associated D. variabilis channel proteins and recombinant membrane fractions comprising these proteins, associated mutant proteins, and methods associated with identifying compounds which modulate associated Dermacentor variabilis LGIC/GluCl, which will be useful as insecticides and acaracides.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to isolated nucleic acid molecules (polynucleotides) which encode Rhipicephalus sanguineus glutamate gated chloride channels. The present invention also relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which contain a DNA fragment encoding R. sanguineus glutamate gated chloride channels, substantially purified forms of associated R. sanguineus glutamate gated chloride channels and recombinant membrane fractions comprising these proteins, associated mutant proteins, and methods associated with identifying compounds which modulate associated Rhipicephalus sanguineus glutamate gated chloride channels, which will be useful as insecticides.

Abstract: The present invention is a method which permits the selective screening for growth-inhibiting substances having a known mechanism of action; i.e., substances which inhibit or otherwise interfere with an enzyme or other gene product whose function is required for the growth or survival of the cell. The method employs cells (e.g., bacterial cells) that contain a nucleic acid fragment that encodes an RNA fragment that can interfere with the expression of a gene product (e.g., an anti-sense RNA that hybridizes to a mRNA), wherein expression of the RNA fragment pre-sensitizes the cell to substances (drugs) that act at the gene product (e.g., a protein or RNA). The cells lose the capability to express the RNA fragment. In the method, the recombinant cells are grown in a nutrient medium in the presence of a test substance under conditions in which expression of the RNA fragment occurs at a level that pre-sensitizes the cell to substances that act at the targeted gene product.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to isolated nucleic acid molecules (polynucleotides) which encode Drosophila melanogaster ligand-gated ion channel proteins. The present invention also relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which contain a DNA fragment encoding Drosophila ligand-gated ion channel proteins, substantially purified forms of associated Drosophila ligand-gated ion channel proteins and recombinant membrane fractions comprising these proteins, associated mutant proteins, and methods associated with identifying compounds which modulate associated Drosophila melanogaster ligand-gated ion channel proteins, which will be useful as insecticides.