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Cocaine as a naturally occurring insecticide
J A Nathanson1, E J Hunnicutt, L Kantham
1Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
Summary
Cocaine acts as a natural insecticide by enhancing insect octopamine neurotransmission, not by affecting dopamine like in mammals. This discovery suggests new targets for selective invertebrate pesticides.
Area of Science:
- Plant biochemistry
- Insect neurobiology
- Pesticide development
Background:
- Cocaine has a known medicinal history in humans, but its natural role in plants remains unclear.
- Previous research focused on cocaine's effects on mammalian dopamine transporters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the natural function of cocaine in plants.
- To determine the mechanism behind cocaine's insecticidal properties.
- To explore potential new targets for invertebrate-selective pesticides.
Main Methods:
- Tested the insecticidal effects of naturally occurring cocaine concentrations from coca leaves.
- Investigated the impact of cocaine on insect octopaminergic neurotransmission.
- Examined the pesticidal activity of various amine-reuptake blockers.
Main Results:
- Cocaine demonstrated significant insecticidal effects at naturally occurring concentrations.
- Cocaine's pesticidal action stems from potentiating insect octopaminergic neurotransmission.
- Other amine-reuptake blockers showed distinct pesticidal potency orders compared to vertebrate transporters.
Conclusions:
- Cocaine functions as a natural insecticide in plants.
- Insect octopamine transporters represent a promising target for developing selective invertebrate pesticides.
- Findings suggest a novel mechanism for pesticide action distinct from vertebrate targets.