Molluscicide screening and identification of novel targets against Pomacea canaliculata

Abstract BACKGROUND Owing to the nonavailability of any clear targets for molluscicides against Pomacea canaliculata , target‐based screening strategy cannot be employed. In this study, the molluscicidal effects of typical pesticides on P. canaliculata were evaluated to obtain the molluscicide target. A series of arylpyrrole compounds were synthesized based on the discovered target, and their structure–activity relationships explored. A preliminary strategy for screening molluscicides based on specific targets was also developed. RESULTS A laboratory colony of P. canaliculata was developed, which showed no difference in sensitivity to niclosamide compared with the wild group, while exhibiting a higher stability against pesticide response. Mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase inhibitors and mitochondrial membrane potential uncouplers were identified and validated as potential targets for molluscicide screening against P. canaliculata . A series of arylpyrrole compounds were designed and synthesized. The median lethal concentration of 4‐bromo‐2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐5‐(trifluoromethyl)‐1H‐pyrrole‐3‐carbonitrile (Compound 102) was 10‐fold lower than that of niclosamide. CONCLUSION New molluscicide targets were discovered and validated, and preliminary strategies were explored for pesticide screening based on these targets. Compound 102 exhibited a high molluscicidal activity and had a great potential value for exploring a molluscicide to control P. canaliculata . © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.