DDT and pyrethroids: Receptor binding and mode of action in the house fly

The mode of action of DDT and pyrethroids was investigated in the house fly, Musca domestica L, using drug:receptor binding techniques. Both in vivo and in vitro binding studies demonstrated the existence of membrane receptors which bind specifically to [¹⁴C]DDT and [¹⁴C]cis-permethrin. The receptors show properties to be expected of a critical target site of these insecticides. These include negative temperature correlation with binding, relatively nonsensitivity to DDE, and sensitivity to Ca²⁺. The receptor sites are readily saturated at 45–90 nM [¹⁴C]DDT and have an apparent disassociation constant (K_d) of 12.2 nM. The maximum number of binding sites was estimated to be 17 pmol DDT/mg membrane protein (0.34 pmol/house fly head). Competition studies showed DDT, cis-permethrin, and cypermethrin bind to the same receptor but not at precisely the same site. The addition of Ca²⁺ to the incubation buffer significantly inhibited the binding of both [¹⁴C]DDT and [¹⁴C]cis-permethrin, suggesting the receptor binding is Ca²⁺ sensitive and may have a role in ion conductance.     

Cross-resistance spectrum in pyrethroid-resistant Culex quinquefasciatus

Strains of Culex quinquefasciatus Say, selected with biopermethrin [(1R)-trans-permethrin] or with (1R)-cis-permethrin, were examined in the larval stage for crossresistance to 30 pyrethroids, DDT, dieldrin, temephos, propoxur, and two organotin compounds. The (1R)-trans-Permethrin-R strain [resistance factor (RF) = 4100-fold] and the (1R)-cis-Permethrin-R strain (RF= 450-fold) of C. quinquefasciutus were cross-resistant to all pyrethroids tested [RF= 12-fold for an allethrin isomer to about 6000-fold for (RS,RS)-fenvalerate] as well as to DDT (RF= about 2000-fold). However, they were not significantly Cross-resistant to dieldrin, temephos, propoxur, and the two organotin compounds. Changes in the alcohol moiety, structural isomerism, and susceptibility of the cyclopropane C-3 side chain to oxidative attack are important factors in determining the level of cross-resistance to various pyrethroids. Limited synergism of the pyrethroids by S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate and piperonyl butoxide (PB), and of DDT by chlorfenethol and PB, suggested that some non-metabolic mechanism, such as kdr, may be an important component of resistance to pyrethroids as well as to DDT in this mosquito.     

Metabolism of permethrin isomers in American cockroach adults,house fly adults,and cabbage looper larvae

Forty-two insect metabolites of [1RS,trans]-and [1RS,cis]-permethrin are tentatively identified in studies with Periplaneta americana adults, Musca domestica adults, and Trichoplusia ni larvae involving administration of ¹⁴C preparations labeled in either the alcohol or acid moieties. The less-insecticidal trans isomer is generally metabolized more rapidly than the more-insecticidal cis isomer, particularly in cabbage looper larvae, and metabolites retaining the ester linkage appear in larger amount with cis-permethrin. Although the dichlorovinyl group effectively blocks oxidation in the acid side chain, the permethrin isomers are metabolized by hydrolysis and hydroxylation at the geminal-dimethyl group (either trans- or cis-methyl substituent) and the phenoxybenzyl group (predominantly at the 4′-position in all species but also at the 6-position in house flies). The alcoholic and phenolic metabolites are excreted as glucosides, and the carboxylic acids are excreted as glucosides and amino conjugates (glycine, glutamic acid, glutamine, and serine) with considerable species variation in the preferred conjugating moiety.     

Decreased nerve sensitivity and decreased cuticular penetration as mechanisms of resistance to pyrethroids in a (1R)-trans-permethrin-selected strain of the house fly

A fenthion-resistant strain of the house fly (Musca domestica L.) was selected with bioresmethrin resulting in ca. 90-fold resistance to the selecting agent. This strain was subsequently selected with (1R)-trans-permethrin producing ca. 140-fold resistance to this latter insecticide. The permethrin-resistant (147-R) strain was highly cross-resistant to several other pyrethroids and demonstrated resistance to knockdown by these insecticides as well as by DDT. The sensitivity of the central nervous system to four pyrethroids was investigated. The 147-R strain was 2.6-fold less sensitive to (1R)-trans-ethanoresmethrin than the susceptible (NAIDM-S) strain, and >43-fold and >67-fold less sensitive to (1R,S)-cis, trans-tetramethrin and (1R)-trans-permethrin, respectively. It also displayed decreased penetration of (1R,S)-trans-[¹⁴C]permethrin when compared to the NAIDM-S strain. Lower nerve sensitivity and decreased cuticular penetration are potential mechanisms of resistance to pyrethroids in house flies in the United States.     

Effect of pyrethroid insecticides on EEG activity in conscious,immobilized rats

Preseizure and seizure EEG patterns elicited by the pyrethroid insecticides, deltamethrin and cis-permethrin, were compared in immobilized Sprague-Dawley rats. Deltamethrin (1–3 mg/kg, iv) produced a preseizure EEG pattern of high-amplitude, slow, 2- to 5-Hz synchronized cortical waves or spike-wave complexes. cis-Permethrin (20–40 mg/kg, iv) elicited an immediate EEG change characterized by 6- to 12-Hz high-amplitude waves with intermingled high-voltage spikes. DDT (50–70 mg/kg, iv) produced a sustained EEG activation similar to that seen after cis-permethrin, but of higher frequency. All three insecticides produced generalized EEG seizure activity, but this was more prominently associated with poisoning due to deltamethrin. cis-Permethrin and DDT gave rise to EEG seizures only at lethal doses. Electrodes stereotaxically positioned in ventral hippocampus, caudate, putamen, thalamus, septum, red nucleus, and cerebellum detected no preferential activation of any of these subcortical sites in either preconvulsive or convulsive phases of poisoning. These results indicate that both deltamethrin and cis-permethrin can have marked effects on mammalian EEG activity. This does not support the hypothesis of differing sites of action, i.e., peripheral vs. central, for the two types of compound. The more pronounced seizure-inducing action of deltamethrin may instead reflect a greater efficacy of cyanopyrethroids at target sites within the central nervous system.     

Selective inhibition of separate esterases in rat and mouse liver microsomes hydrolyzing malathion,trans-permethrin,and cis-permethrin

Separate esterase activities of rat and mouse liver microsomes hydrolyzing malathion, trans-permethrin, and cis-permethrin were differentiated on the basis of their sensitivities to inhibition by paraoxon and α-naphthyl N-propylcarbamate (NPC). In rat liver microsomes, the malathionhydrolyzing activity was more sensitive to both inhibitors and showed a different time course of NPC inhibition than the activities hydrolyzing the permethrin isomers. Paraoxon completely inhibited trans-permethrin hydrolysis, but only partially inhibited that of cis-permethrin. The paraoxonsensitive trans- and cis-permethrin-hydrolyzing activities were not differentially inhibited, but separate inhibition curves were obtained for the inhibition of trans- and cis-permethrin hydrolysis by NPC. The mouse liver esterase activity hydrolyzing trans-permethrin showed a similar paraoxon sensitivity to that of rat liver, but that the paraoxon-sensitive portion of the cis-permethrinhydrolyzing activity was 5.5-fold less sensitive to paraoxon than the corresponding rat liver activity and was clearly differentiated from the mouse liver trans-permethrin-hydrolyzing activity. The mouse liver malathion-hydrolyzing activity was 100-fold less sensitive to paraoxon and 14-fold less sensitive to NPC than the corresponding rat liver activity. Rat and mouse liver esterase activities hydrolyzed trans- and cis-permethrin at similar rates under standard assay conditions, but mouse liver esterases were 10-fold less active in hydrolyzing malathion. The higher specific activity of rat liver malathion-hydrolyzing esterases resulted from the greater apparent affinity and maximum velocity for malathion hydrolysis. These results demonstrate that the hydrolysis of malathion, trans-permethrin, and cis-permethrin by rat and mouse liver microsomal preparations involves several esterases with differing substrate specificities and inhibitor sensitivities.     

A simple binding mechanism accounts for the temperature-dependent toxicity of cis-permethrin to larvae of the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus

The action of cis-permethrin, which evinced a strong negative correlation of toxicity with temperature in larvae of the pyrethroid-susceptible Yeerongpilly and pyrethroid-resistant DDT-R and Malchi strains of the cattle tick, was accounted for by a simple binding mechanism. The mechanism assumed that a single pyrethroid molecule binds to a single site and inactivates it, and that the equilibrium constant which describes the ensuing equilibrium between concentrations of free pyrethroid, unoccupied site, and inactivated site then varies with temperature according to the van't Hoff equation. From van't Hoff plots of the data the enthalpies of binding of cis-permethrin to sites in larvae of each of the above strains were calculated to be ?87, ?92, and ?102 kJ mol^?1, respectively. It was concluded from these results that the kdr-type insensitivity (≈6×, in terms of resistance) observed in DDT-R and Malchi ticks could not be explained by altered binding sites at the site of action. It was suggested that the insensitivity might be explained by altered access to the site of action.     

Pyrethroid-hydrolyzing esterases in southern armyworm larvae: Tissue distribution,kinetic properties,and selective inhibition

Esterase activity hydrolyzing both [1RS,trans]- and [1RS,cis]-permethrin was detected in crude homogenates of the following southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania Cramer) larval tissues: cuticle, gut, fat body, head capsule, Malpighian tubules, and silk gland. Neither substrate was detectably hydrolyzed by hemolymph. The highest esterase activities per insect equivalent of tissue were found in cuticle, gut, and fat body for the trans isomer and in cuticle and gut for the cis isomer. Each preparation hydrolyzed the trans isomer more rapidly, but the degree of specificity varied greatly between tissues. Differences in apparent K_m and V_max values between the three most active tissues were threefold or less for trans isomer hydrolysis, but differences between tissues of up to 100-fold were found for K_m and V_max values for cis isomer hydrolysis. Hydrolysis of the trans isomer in cuticle, gut, and fat body homogenates was only partially inhibited by α-naphthyl N-propylcarbamate (NPC). Concentrations of NPC giving maximal inhibition of trans isomer hydrolysis had little effect on the hydrolysis of the cis isomer. These results demonstrate that pyrethroid-hydrolyzing activity is broadly distributed in insect tissues and results from the combined activity of several esterases with different properties. It is likely that the trans and cis isomers of permethrin are hydrolyzed by separate enzymes in this insect.     

Studies on the mechanism of estrogenic actions of o,p′DDT: Interactions with the estrogen receptor

The ability of o,p′DDT to bind to the 8S moiety in the uterine cytosol or to interfere with the binding of ³H-estradiol-17β (³H-E₂) to that binding component was investigated utilizing a 10–30% sucrose gradient sedimentation analysis. Attempts to demonstrate the binding of radiolabeled o,p′DDT to the 8S receptor in the mouse and rabbit were not successful, presumably due to the relatively low specific activity of the radiolabeled o,p′DDT, however, binding to the “nonspecific” 4S site(s) was detected. On the other hand, the addition of nonlabeled o,p′DDT inhibited the binding of ³H-E₂ to the 8S receptor. Thus, o,p′DDT (2 μM) suppressed by 58% the binding of ³H-E₂ (2 nM) in the 8S region in ovariectomized adult mice. Similarly, in immature rats three concentrations of o,p′DDT (16, 32, and 96 μM) inhibited by 39.5, 52.9, and 59.7% respectively, the binding of ³H-E₂ (2.8 nM). Similar results were obtained with uterine preparations from mature rats. However, the suppression of binding of ³H-E₂ in the 8S region resulted in an increased binding in the 3–4S region.A Scatchard plot analysis of the binding of ³H-E₂ in the presence of o,p′DDT revealed the same number of binding sites as in the absence of o,p′DDT, indicating that o,p′DDT did not “destroy” the binding capacity. Also, this analysis revealed that o,p′DDT merely caused a decrease in the ratio of the bound to free E₂, indicating that o,p′DDT binds to the receptor and thus interferes with E₂ binding.In addition, our observations that the administration of o,p′DDT to immature female rats causes a marked increase in the levels of the uterine nuclear binding sites (nuclear estogren receptor) is a further indication that o,p′DDT acts as a typical estrogenic compound. However, whether o,p′DDT has antiestrogenic activity as well has not been established.     

An electrophysiological investigation of the susceptible (cooper) and resistant (kdr; super-kdr) strains of the adult housefly,Musca domestica L

The electrical activity of abdominal nerves of the housefly, Musca domestica L., was used as a bioassay to study nerve sensitivity to DDT and deltamethrin in susceptible (Cooper) and resistant (kdr, super-kdr) strains. By this technique the resistant strains were less sensitive (approximately 10 000-fold) than Cooper, but the bioassay could not distinguish between super-kdr and kdr in their responses to either compound and so could not account for the greater resistance shown by flies with super-kdr above kdr flies when these insecticides are applied topically. Although factors other than nerve insensitivity may be involved, the compounds were applied to the preparation in aqueous saline solutions at, or close to, their solubility limits and this could have masked differences in responses of nerves from the resistant strains.     

Penetration and metabolism of topically applied permethrin and cypermethrin in pyrethroid-tolerant Wiseana cervinata larvae

The penetration, excretion, and metabolism of topically applied [¹⁴C]permethrin and [¹⁴C]cypermethrin have been examined in larvae of the porina moth Wiseana cervinata to determine the factors which affect body levels of unchanged pyrethroids. Metabolism was by hydrolysis and to a lesser extent oxidation and the primary metabolites were quickly conjugated to water-soluble products. Little excretion occurred and body levels of unchanged pyrethroids were dependent on the interaction of penetration and metabolism. cis-Cypermethrin was more resistant to metabolism than trans-cypermethrin and cis- and trans-permethrin. trans-Permethrin most readily penetrated into larvae. The body levels of unchanged permethrin were enhanced by pretreatment of larvae with the metabolic inhibitors carbaryl or piperonyl butoxide. Tolerance of the pasture pest porina to the synthetic pyrethroids is discussed in relation to these findings.     

Pyrethroid toxicology in the frog

Adult Rana pipiens pipiens (Shreber) are highly sensitive to insecticidal α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl esters administered subcutaneously, i.e., LD₅₀ 0.13–0.35 mg/kg for deltamethrin and the most potent isomer of each of cis-cypermethrin, fenpropathrin, and fenvalerate and 0.65 mg/kg for (1R,αS)-trans-cypermethrin. Pyrethroids lacking the α-cyano substituent [pyrethrins, S-bioallethrin, kadethrin, and the Cis- and trans-isomers of (1R)-tetramethrin, (1RS)-resmethrin, (1R)-phenothrin, and (1R)-permethrin] vary greatly in their toxicity (LD₅₀ 0.14 to > 60 mg/kg) and the trans isomers are much less toxic than the corresponding cis isomers. The trans/cis specificity is due in large part to relative detoxification rates based on synergism studies with the resmethrin and permèthrin isomers and liver pyrethroid esterase assays with the permethrin and cypermethrin isomers. Poisoning by the noncyano compounds involves hyperactivity and tremors whereas by the cyanophenoxybenzyl esters involves tonic seizures and choreoathetosis, i.e., types I and II syndromes, respectively. Picrotoxinin, t-butylbicyclophosphate, and five other small cage compounds give a third type of syndrome with clonic seizures. Diazepam and its 2′-fluoro-4-methyl-4,5-dihydro analog (RO 5-3636) are more effective than 23 other compounds tested in protecting against deltamethrin toxicity. Diazepam is most effective in alleviating the Type II syndrome, intermediate with the type I syndrome, and is not active with picrotoxinin.     

Why does DDT toxicity change after a blood meal in adult female Culex pipiens?

The toxicity of topically applied DDT to adult female anautogenous mosquitoes (Culex pipiens L.) showed dramatic variations in blood-fed insects. It decreased very rapidly about twofold to a minimum at 24 hr after a blood meal, then increased within 72 hr back to values typical of non-blood fed insects. A comparison of the metabolism of [¹⁴C]DDT in vivo revealed an increase in DDT dehydrochlorination to DDE at 72 hr after a blood meal, but this increase was not responsible for the variations in DDT toxicity at 24 hr. Changes in penetration rates were not observed and changes in the distribution of DDT could likewise not be related to the short period of decreased toxicity of DDT. Fenvalerate and trans-permethrin, two pyrethroid insecticides which are believed to have a mode of action similar to that of DDT, were also significantly less toxic 24 hr after a blood meal. By contrast, the cyclodiene insecticide aldrin and the carbamate insecticide propoxur were not less toxic 24 hr after a blood meal. The results suggest that after a blood meal an unidentified and transient change in C. pipiens specifically decreases DDT/pyrethroid toxicity. A hypothesis concerning this transient change is advanced. The results illustrate the difficulties in explaining physiological changes in insecticide toxicity.     

Resistance in the highly DDT-resistant 91-R strain of Drosophila melanogaster involves decreased penetration,increased metabolism,and direct excretion

Resistance to 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in the 91-R strain of Drosophila melanogaster is extremely high compared to the susceptible Canton-S strain (>1500 times). In addition to enhanced oxidative detoxification, the 91-R strain also has a reduced rate of DDT penetration, increased levels of reductive and conjugative metabolism, and substantially more excretion than the Canton-S strain. Contact penetration of DDT was ∼30% less with 91-R flies, which also had significantly more cuticular hydrocarbons and a thicker, more laminated cuticle compared to Canton-S flies, possibly resulting in penetration differences. DDT was metabolized ∼1.6-fold more extensively by 91-R than Canton-S flies, resulting in dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), two unidentified metabolites and polar conjugates being formed in significantly greater amounts. 91-R flies also excreted ∼4-fold more DDT and metabolites than Canton-S flies. Verapamil pretreatment reduced the LD₅₀ value for 91-R flies topically dosed with DDT by a factor of 10-fold, indicating that the increased excretion may involve, in part, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. In summary, DDT resistance in 91-R is polyfactorial and includes reduced penetration, increased detoxification and direct excretion.     

Neurophysiological activity and toxicity of pyrethroids derived by addition of methylene,sulfur or oxygen to the chrysanthemate 2-methyl-1-propenyl substituent

Conversion of chrysanthemates to their cyclopropane, episulfide, and epoxide derivatives by addition of methylene, sulfur, or oxygen, respectively, to the 2-methyl-1-propenyl double bond yields products generally of reduced toxicity but enhanced neurophysiological activity and photostability. The reduced toxicity is established with cis-cyphenothrin derivatives administered intracerebrally to mice and topically to house flies and with cis-phenothrin derivatives applied topically to American cockroaches and house flies, even in the presence of piperonyl butoxide for the house flies. In contrast, cyclopropane, episulfide, and epoxide derivatives of phenothrin are more potent than the parent compound in eliciting repetitive firing following stimulation of a cercal sensory nerve of the American cockroach in vitro. The individual 1′R and 1′S isomers of epoxides derived from (1R,cis,αS)cyphenothrin, (1R,cis)phenothrin, and (1R,trans)tetramethrin differ in potency by up to 20-fold for insecticidal activity, >30-fold for intracerebral toxicity to mice, and ～100,000-fold in the cercal sensory nerve assay. In each case the epoxide isomer of higher R_f is more potent than that of lower R_f when derived from a trans-chrysanthemate and vice versa from a cis-chrysanthemate.     

Characterization of the structure-activity relationship of kdr and two variants of super-kdr to pyrethroids in the housefly (Musca domestica L.)

Structure-activity relationships (SARs) for 10 pyrethroids against susceptible, kdr and super-kdr strains of houseflies (Musca domestica L.) were investigated by Principal Components Analysis. In the three strains with kdr_Latina' all only slightly to moderately (2.6 to 26-fold) resistant to pyrethroids, no correlation between the structure and Levels of resistance could be discerned. In flies with super-kdr, SARs were influenced by the nature of the alcoholic portion of the ester. Resistance was strongest to esters of a-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol (74 to 430-fold) and to permethrin (48 to 55-fold). It was weak (6.2 to 11-fold) to cyclopentenone derivatives, being barely stronger than for flies with kdr (2-6 to 6.3-fold). Two variants of super-kdr (3D and A2) were distinguished on the basis of their differential response to esters of 5-benzyl-3-furylmethanol. It is presumed that kdr_Latina, super-kdr_A2 and super-kdr_3D form an allelic series in which kdr_Latina represents ground level insensitivity, and the two super-kdrs the progressive extension of strong resistance to more types of ester. The strong differences in resistance to different pyrethroid esters by super-kdr flies provides scope for improving management of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides and for modifying the SAR of pyrethroids to favour weak resistance.     

Effect of DDT on photosynthesis of Selanastrum capricormutum

The effect of DDT (2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane) on carbon assimilation of a green alga, Selanastrum capricormutum was studied. DDT at concentrations between 3.6 and 36 ppb was inhibitory to the photosynthetic CO₂ fixation (ethanol-soluble and/or ethanol-insoluble) and the longer the exposure to DDT, the greater the inhibition. Kinetic studies of photosynthetic CO₂ fixation indicated that DDT stimulated the incorporation of carbon-14 into glycolic acid, a major compound of photorespiration and caused the concomittant suppression of flow of carbon-14 into aspartic acid, a major component of the C₄-dicarboxylic acid pathway. The shift from an efficient pathway into a nonefficient pathway by DDT was interpreted to be through interruption of cyclic photophosphorylation.     

First molecular genotyping of voltage gated sodium channel alleles in Culex quinquefasciatus populations in Malaysia

A nationwide investigation was performed to detect the presence of 1014 mutation(s) in voltage gated sodium channel (kdr) gene of Culex quinquefasciatus from 14 residential areas across 13 states and a federal territory in Malaysia. Molecular genotyping of kdr mutation was performed via a modified three tubes allele-specific-polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) and direct sequencing of kdr gene. Based on the results of AS-PCR, homozygous susceptible (SS) genotype was found in nine out of 14 populations with 38 individuals from a total sample size of 140. Heterozygous (RS) genotype was most predominant (99 individuals) and distributed across all study sites. Homozygous resistance (RR) genotype was detected in Perak (one individual) and Selangor (two individuals). The resistance kdr allele frequencies ranged from 0.1 to 0.55, with the highest being detected in Cx. quinquefasciatus population from Selangor. This study has documented the first field-evolved instance of 1014F mutation in Malaysian mosquitoes and the findings of this study could be utilized in the implementation of strategic measures in vector control programs in Malaysia.     

Bicyclophosphorothionate antagonists exhibiting selectivity for housefly GABA receptors

2,6,7-Trioxa-1-phosphabicyclo[2.2.2]octane 1-sulfides (bicyclophosphorothionates) with various C_1–4 alkyl groups at the 3- and 4-positions were synthesized and tested for their ability to compete with [³H]4′-ethynyl-4-n-propylbicycloorthobenzoate (EBOB), a non-competitive antagonist of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, for specific binding to rat-brain and housefly-head membranes, and for their insecticidal activity against houseflies. Among the 3,4-substituted analogues, 20 compounds were selectively active for housefly GABA receptors versus rat GABA receptors. The 3-alkyl groups of C₃ length and the 4-alkyl groups of C₄ length were tolerated in housefly receptors, whereas such bulky substituents were deleterious in rat receptors. The 4-isobutyl-3-isopropyl analogue was the most potent in housefly receptors (IC₅₀ = 45.2 nM ), and tert-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS), with the 4-tert-butyl group and no 3-substituent, was the most potent in rat receptors (IC₅₀ = 62.2 nM ). Their receptor selectivities (rat IC₅₀/housefly IC₅₀) were 52 and 0.038, respectively. The insecticidal activity (LD₅₀) of 20 active analogues was well correlated with their potency (IC₅₀) in inhibiting [³H]EBOB binding to housefly-head membranes (r = 0.93). The results obtained in the present study indicate that the introduction of appropriate alkyl groups into the 3- and 4-positions of bicyclophosphorothionate leads to non-competitive antagonists with increased affinity and selectivity for housefly ionotropic GABA receptors versus rat GABA_A receptors. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Binding of [14C]DDT and [14C]dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide to a lipoprotein of the membrane sector of mitochondrial ATpase

Intact mitochondria, isolated from red coxal muscle of the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana L.), were incubated in the presence of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chloro[¹⁴C]phenyl)ethane ([¹⁴C]DDT) to isolate a suspected binding site for DDT in the membrane sector of the mitochondrial ATPase. The requirements for the binding of DDT were compared with those for the binding of dicyclohexyl[¹⁴C]carbodi-imide([¹⁴C]DCCD), a potent inhibitory probe of mitochondrial ATPase activity. [¹⁴C]DDT appeared to bind to a proteolipid of the membrane sector, which also binds [¹⁴C]DCCD. Exchange experiments, with [¹⁴C]DCCD, [¹⁴C]DDT and unlabelled DDT at different concentrations, indicated that DDT and DCCD may be acting on a similar protein. This protein may act as the energy transducing protonophore required for the synthesis and hydrolysis of ATP in coupled mitochondria. Inhibition of mitochondrial ATPase activity may be a consequence of DDT and DCCD binding to this proteolipid protonophore, resulting in the disruption of energy transduction in muscle and nerve.