Unique post‐translational modifications diversify the sodium channels in peach aphid (Myzus persicae [Sulzer]).

BACKGROUND: Myzus persicae (Sulzer), a worldwide pest, has caused remarkable damage to agriculture. Among the various control methods, chemical control (especially pyrethroids) is most commonly used. The targets of pyrethroids are voltage‐gated sodium channels (Navs). Unlike those of other insects, all Navs of aphids (including two genes), such as Myzus persicae, are unique. RESULTS: In this study, three interlock patterns, I(918)‐F(1014), L(918)‐L(1014), and T(918)‐F(1014), were found at sites 918 and 1014 in the sensitive Myzus persicae strain. Similar to that of other aphids, the Nav of Myzus persicae (MpNav) consisted of two parts, that is MpNav‐I and MpNav‐II, which were embedded with an atypical 'DENS' ion selectivity filter and a conventional 'MFM' inactivation gate, respectively. MpNav had 11 alternative exons, including two mutually exclusive exons (k and l) and three exons (w, x, and t), which were located in domains I and III, respectively. In addition, various RNA editing events, A503T and V588A, appearing between the connection of domains I and II and the S3 of domain IV, respectively, had been described. CONCLUSION: Overall, MpNav was characterized by unique post‐translational regulation mode, 918 and 1014 interlocks, and unusually alternative exons. Our research provides a new perspective on the evolution and variation of insect Navs. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]