Dirofilaria immitis glutamate-gated chloride channel alpha 3B subunit (DiGluClα3B) (DiGluClα3B)

DiGluClα3B is a subunit of the glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) found in the parasitic nematode Dirofilaria immitis, which causes heartworm disease in dogs and cats [4, 14]. It belongs to the Cys-loop ligand-gated ion channel superfamily and is a splice variant of the avr-14 gene [18, 20]. This receptor is a primary molecular target for macrocyclic lactones, such as ivermectin and moxidectin, which are widely used as heartworm preventatives [4, 5]. When these drugs bind to the DiGluClα3B subunit, they act as potent agonists, causing the channel to open and allow an influx of chloride ions [18, 22]. This leads to hyperpolarization of the parasite's neurons and muscles, resulting in flaccid paralysis and eventual death or expulsion of the worm [5, 18]. Because GluCls are absent in vertebrates, these drugs exhibit high selective toxicity toward the parasite [15, 17]. However, the emergence of macrocyclic lactone resistance in D. immitis populations has made the study of DiGluClα3B and its polymorphisms a critical area of veterinary research [4, 17]. Understanding the pharmacological properties and expression patterns of this subunit is essential for developing next-generation anthelmintics to combat resistant heartworm strains [1, 19].

Other names

AVR-14BDi-AVR-14BDirofilaria immitis GluCl alpha 3BDi-GLC-1Glutamate-gated chloride channel alpha 3B

Agonist of the glutamate-gated chloride channel, leading to hyperpolarization and paralysis of the parasite [4, 18].