In vitro and in vivo effects of formamidines in locust (Locusta migratoria migratorioides)

In vivo and in vitro experiments were used to study the effects of formamidines in the locust, Locusta migratoria migratorioides. In vivo the lethal and the antifeeding effects, in vitro the inhibition of the binding of a selective 3H-ligand to the receptors of octopamine, tyramine, dopamine, serotonin and gamma-amino butiric acid were studied. We have demonstrated that demethylchlordimeform is specific agonist to octopamine receptor, having high affinity to octopamine receptor, a moderate affinitiy to tyramine receptor and a low affinity to dopamine, serotonin and to gamma-amino butiric acid receptors. The demethylated chlordimeform analogoues, demethylchlordimeform and didemethylchlordimeform have higher affinity to the octopamine receptor than the parent compound. The formamidines had a toxic and an antifeeding effects when injected into the locust. The half lethal doses (LD50) and the feeding inhibition were correlated with the affinity of the compounds (Ki). The ring substitutions of the mulecule have alterated the both affinity and in vivo effect of the compounds. The most effective ring substitution pattern is 2,4-disubstitution with a combination of methyl groups or halogens. Our results suggest that the lethal effect of formamidines is mediated through the octopamine receptor.