Abstract: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is one of the most important insecticide targets. In this study, five α-subunit genes from the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) were cloned to their full-length with RT-PCR and RACE strategy. It was also found that the α5 subunit had two forms with only difference in a 175 bp fragment. Sequence analysis showed that these genes had all the characteristics of nAChR gene family and were high homology with the reported nAChR genes from other insects. This work facilitates the further studies on natural subunit composition of nAChR and the molecular mechanisms for target resistance to new nicotinic insecticides in this pest.

Key words: Sitobion avenae, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, gene cloning, sequence analysis