Insect ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are molecular targets
of the
anthranilic diamide insecticides. In the present study, a new series
of anthranilic diamides containing a cyanophenyl pyrazole moiety were
rationally designed by active-fragment assembly and computer-aided
design using the 3D structure of Plutella xylostella RyRs as a receptor and chlorantraniliprole as a ligand. Most of
the titled compounds showed good toxicity against Mythimna
separate, P. xylostella, and Spodoptera frugiperda. Compounds CN06, CN11, and CN16 with corresponding LC50 values of 0.15, 0.29, and 0.52 mg·L–1, respectively, against M. separate showed comparable
activity to that of chlorantraniliprole (0.13 mg·L–1). Surprisingly, CN06, CN11, and CN16 with corresponding LC50 values of 1.6 ×
10–5, 3.0 × 10–5, and 2.8
× 10–5 mg·L–1, respectively,
against P. xylostella were at least 5-fold more active
than chlorantraniliprole (1.5 × 10–4 mg·L–1). In the case of S. frugiperda, CN06, CN11, and CN16 had good potency
but lower than chlorantraniliprole in terms of LC50 values
(0.58, 0.54, and 0.56 mg·L–1 versus 0.31 mg·L–1). Molecular docking of CN06 and chlorantraniliprole
to P. xylostella RyRs validated the molecular design,
and the calcium imaging technique further proved the potential target
of CN06 as RyRs. Compounds CN06, CN11, and CN16 could be more effective than chlorantraniliprole
in targeting the resistant RyR mutants of S. frugiperda (G4891E, I4734M) through the binding mode and energy obtained by
molecular docking. Density functional theory calculations (DFT) and
electrostatic potential (ESP) studies gave the structure–activity
relationship. Compounds CN06, CN11, and CN16 could be used as potent insecticide leads for further
optimization.