The invention provides isolated invertebrate symporter cell surface receptor nucleic acid molecules of the sodium/neurotransmitter family (SNF), and proteins encoded thereby. The subject nucleic acid and protein can be used to genetically modify metazoan invertebrate organisms, such as insects and worms, or cultured cells, resulting in expression or mis-expression of a subject protein. The genetically modified organisms or cells can be sed in screening assays to identify candidate compounds which are potential pesticidal agents or therapeutics that interact with a subject protein. They can also be used in methods for studying activity of a subject protein and identifying other genes that modulate the function of, or interact with, a subject gene.
