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Brookes G, Smyth SJ. Risk-appropriate regulations for gene-editing technologies. GM CROPS & FOOD 2024; 15:1-14. [PMID: 38215017 DOI: 10.1080/21645698.2023.2293510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
This paper explores the scope for the newly emerging technologies, based on gene editing (GE) contributing to addressing the global challenges that we face. These challenges relate to food security, climate change and biodiversity depletion. In particular, it examines the science and evidence behind the most appropriate forms of agricultural production to meet these challenges, the targets set in the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) agreed to at the end of 2022 and the possible role of GE technologies in contributing to meeting these targets. It then examines the most risk-appropriate regulatory environment required to best facilitate the adoption of GE technology, drawing on the experiences of the impact of regulatory systems for other innovations used in agricultural and food production systems such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stuart J Smyth
- College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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2
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Liu Y, Jiao B, Champer J, Qian W. Overriding Mendelian inheritance in Arabidopsis with a CRISPR toxin-antidote gene drive that impairs pollen germination. NATURE PLANTS 2024:10.1038/s41477-024-01692-1. [PMID: 38886523 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-024-01692-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic gene drives, inspired by natural selfish genetic elements and transmitted to progeny at super-Mendelian (>50%) frequencies, present transformative potential for disseminating traits that benefit humans throughout wild populations, even facing potential fitness costs. Here we constructed a gene drive system in plants called CRISPR-Assisted Inheritance utilizing NPG1 (CAIN), which uses a toxin-antidote mechanism in the male germline to override Mendelian inheritance. Specifically, a guide RNA-Cas9 cassette targets the essential No Pollen Germination 1 (NPG1) gene, serving as the toxin to block pollen germination. A recoded, CRISPR-resistant copy of NPG1 serves as the antidote, providing rescue only in pollen cells that carry the drive. To limit potential consequences of inadvertent release, we used self-pollinating Arabidopsis thaliana as a model. The drive demonstrated a robust 88-99% transmission rate over two successive generations, producing minimal resistance alleles that are unlikely to inhibit drive spread. Our study provides a strong basis for rapid genetic modification or suppression of outcrossing plant populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bingke Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jackson Champer
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenfeng Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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3
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Hernandes N, Qi XM, Bhide S, Brown C, Camm BJ, Baxter SW, Robin C. Acetylcholine esterase of Drosophila melanogaster: a laboratory model to explore insecticide susceptibility gene drives. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:2950-2964. [PMID: 38344908 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the proposed applications of gene drives has been to revert pesticide resistant mutations back to the ancestral susceptible state. Insecticides that have become ineffective because of the rise of resistance could have reinvigorated utility and be used to suppress pest populations again, perhaps at lower application doses. RESULTS We have created a laboratory model for susceptibility gene drives that replaces field-selected resistant variants of the acetylcholine esterase (Ace) locus of Drosophila melanogaster with ancestral susceptible variants. We constructed a CRISPR/Cas9 homing drive and found that homing occurred in many genetic backgrounds with varying efficiencies. While the drive itself could not be homozygous, it converted resistant alleles into susceptible ones and produced recessive lethal alleles that could suppress populations. Our studies provided evidence for two distinct classes of gene drive resistance (GDR): rather than being mediated by the conventional non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway, one seemed to involve short homologous repair and the other was defined by genetic background. Additionally, we used simulations to explore a distinct application of susceptibility drives; the use of chemicals to prevent the spread of synthetic gene drives into protected areas. CONCLUSIONS Insecticide susceptibility gene drives could be useful tools to control pest insects however problems with particularities of target loci and GDR will need to be overcome for them to be effective. Furthermore, realistic patterns of pest dispersal and high insecticide exposure rates would be required if susceptibility were to be useful as a 'safety-switch' to prevent the unwanted spread of gene drives. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Hernandes
- The School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xiaomeng Mollyann Qi
- The School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Soumitra Bhide
- The School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Courtney Brown
- The School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Camm
- The School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon W Baxter
- The School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Charles Robin
- The School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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4
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Liu X, Goldsmith CL, Kang KE, Vedlitz A, Adelman ZN, Buchman LW, Heitman E, Medina RF. General science-technology orientation, specific benefit-risk assessment frame, and public acceptance of gene drive biotechnology. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2024; 44:1381-1395. [PMID: 37882685 DOI: 10.1111/risa.14242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
With limited understanding of most new biotechnologies, how do citizens form their opinion and what factors influence their attitudes about these innovations? In this study, we use gene drive biotechnology in agricultural pest management as an example and theoretically propose that given low levels of knowledge and awareness, citizens' acceptance of, or opposition to, gene drive is significantly shaped by two predisposition factors: individuals' general orientation toward science and technology, and their specific benefit-risk assessment frame. Empirically, we employ data collected from a recent US nationally representative public opinion survey (N = 1220) and conduct statistical analyses to test the hypotheses derived from our theoretical expectations. Our statistical analyses, based on various model specifications and controlling for individual-level covariates and state-fixed effects, show that citizens with a more favorable general orientation toward science and technology are more likely to accept gene drive. Our data analyses also demonstrate that citizens' specific gene drive assessment frame-consisting of a potential benefit dimension and a potential risk dimension, significantly shapes their attitudes as well-specifically, people emphasizing more on the benefit dimension are more likely to accept gene drive, whereas those who place more importance on the risk dimension tend to oppose it. We discuss contributions of our study and make suggestions for future research in the conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinsheng Liu
- Department of Government and Public Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Carol L Goldsmith
- Institute for Science, Technology and Public Policy, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Ki Eun Kang
- Department of Public Administration, California State University, San Bernardino, California, USA
| | - Arnold Vedlitz
- Institute for Science, Technology and Public Policy, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Zach N Adelman
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Leah W Buchman
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Elizabeth Heitman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Raul F Medina
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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5
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Du J, Chen W, Jia X, Xu X, Yang E, Zhou R, Zhang Y, Metzloff M, Messer PW, Champer J. Germline Cas9 promoters with improved performance for homing gene drive. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4560. [PMID: 38811556 PMCID: PMC11137117 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48874-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Gene drive systems could be a viable strategy to prevent pathogen transmission or suppress vector populations by propagating drive alleles with super-Mendelian inheritance. CRISPR-based homing gene drives convert wild type alleles into drive alleles in heterozygotes with Cas9 and gRNA. It is thus desirable to identify Cas9 promoters that yield high drive conversion rates, minimize the formation rate of resistance alleles in both the germline and the early embryo, and limit somatic Cas9 expression. In Drosophila, the nanos promoter avoids leaky somatic expression, but at the cost of high embryo resistance from maternally deposited Cas9. To improve drive efficiency, we test eleven Drosophila melanogaster germline promoters. Some achieve higher drive conversion efficiency with minimal embryo resistance, but none completely avoid somatic expression. However, such somatic expression often does not carry detectable fitness costs for a rescue homing drive targeting a haplolethal gene, suggesting somatic drive conversion. Supporting a 4-gRNA suppression drive, one promoter leads to a low drive equilibrium frequency due to fitness costs from somatic expression, but the other outperforms nanos, resulting in successful suppression of the cage population. Overall, these Cas9 promoters hold advantages for homing drives in Drosophila species and may possess valuable homologs in other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Du
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.
| | - Weizhe Chen
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Xihua Jia
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | - Xuejiao Xu
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | - Emily Yang
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Ruizhi Zhou
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | - Yuqi Zhang
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | - Matt Metzloff
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Philipp W Messer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Jackson Champer
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.
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6
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Ambrose L, Allen SL, Iro'ofa C, Butafa C, Beebe NW. Genetic and geographic population structure in the malaria vector, Anopheles farauti, provides a candidate system for pioneering confinable gene-drive releases. Heredity (Edinb) 2024; 132:232-246. [PMID: 38494530 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-024-00677-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Indoor insecticide applications are the primary tool for reducing malaria transmission in the Solomon Archipelago, a region where Anopheles farauti is the only common malaria vector. Due to the evolution of behavioural resistance in some An. farauti populations, these applications have become less effective. New malaria control interventions are therefore needed in this region, and gene-drives provide a promising new technology. In considering developing a population-specific (local) gene-drive in An. farauti, we detail the species' population genetic structure using microsatellites and whole mitogenomes, finding many spatially confined populations both within and between landmasses. This strong population structure suggests that An. farauti would be a useful system for developing a population-specific, confinable gene-drive for field release, where private alleles can be used as Cas9 targets. Previous work on Anopheles gambiae has used the Cardinal gene for the development of a global population replacement gene-drive. We therefore also analyse the Cardinal gene to assess whether it may be a suitable target to engineer a gene-drive for the modification of local An. farauti populations. Despite the extensive population structure observed in An. farauti for microsatellites, only one remote island population from Vanuatu contained fixed and private alleles at the Cardinal locus. Nonetheless, this study provides an initial framework for further population genomic investigations to discover high-frequency private allele targets in localized An. farauti populations. This would enable the development of gene-drive strains for modifying localised populations with minimal chance of escape and may provide a low-risk route to field trial evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Ambrose
- School of the Environment, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Scott L Allen
- School of the Environment, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Charlie Iro'ofa
- Solomon Islands Ministry of Health, Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
| | - Charles Butafa
- Solomon Islands Ministry of Health, Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
| | - Nigel W Beebe
- School of the Environment, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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7
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Lawler CD, Nuñez AKP, Hernandes N, Bhide S, Lohrey I, Baxter S, Robin C. The haplolethal gene wupA of Drosophila exhibits potential as a target for an X-poisoning gene drive. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2024; 14:jkae025. [PMID: 38306583 PMCID: PMC10989859 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkae025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
A synthetic gene drive that targets haplolethal genes on the X chromosome can skew the sex ratio toward males. Like an "X-shredder," it does not involve "homing," and that has advantages including the reduction of gene drive resistance allele formation. We examine this "X-poisoning" strategy by targeting 4 of the 11 known X-linked haplolethal/haplosterile genes of Drosophila melanogaster with CRISPR/Cas9. We find that targeting the wupA gene during spermatogenesis skews the sex ratio so fewer than 14% of progeny are daughters. That is unless we cross the mutagenic males to X^XY female flies that bear attached-X chromosomes, which reverses the inheritance of the poisoned X chromosome so that sons inherit it from their father, in which case only 2% of the progeny are sons. These sex ratio biases suggest that most of the CRISPR/Cas9 mutants we induced in the wupA gene are haplolethal but some are recessive lethal. The males generating wupA mutants do not suffer from reduced fertility; rather, the haplolethal mutants arrest development in the late stages of embryogenesis well after fertilized eggs have been laid. This provides a distinct advantage over genetic manipulation strategies involving sterility which can be countered by the remating of females. We also find that wupA mutants that destroy the nuclear localization signal of shorter isoforms are not haplolethal as long as the open reading frame remains intact. Like D. melanogaster, wupA orthologs of Drosophila suzukii and Anopheles mosquitos are found on X chromosomes making wupA a viable X-poisoning target in multiple species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clancy D Lawler
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | | | - Natalia Hernandes
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Soumitra Bhide
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Isabelle Lohrey
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Simon Baxter
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Charles Robin
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
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8
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Li M, Kandul NP, Sun R, Yang T, Benetta ED, Brogan DJ, Antoshechkin I, Sánchez C HM, Zhan Y, DeBeaubien NA, Loh YM, Su MP, Montell C, Marshall JM, Akbari OS. Targeting sex determination to suppress mosquito populations. eLife 2024; 12:RP90199. [PMID: 38289340 PMCID: PMC10945564 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Each year, hundreds of millions of people are infected with arboviruses such as dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika, which are all primarily spread by the notorious mosquito Aedes aegypti. Traditional control measures have proven insufficient, necessitating innovations. In response, here we generate a next-generation CRISPR-based precision-guided sterile insect technique (pgSIT) for Ae. aegypti that disrupts genes essential for sex determination and fertility, producing predominantly sterile males that can be deployed at any life stage. Using mathematical models and empirical testing, we demonstrate that released pgSIT males can effectively compete with, suppress, and eliminate caged mosquito populations. This versatile species-specific platform has the potential for field deployment to effectively control wild populations of disease vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Nikolay P Kandul
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Ruichen Sun
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Ting Yang
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Elena D Benetta
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Daniel J Brogan
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Igor Antoshechkin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE), California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Héctor M Sánchez C
- Divisions of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Yinpeng Zhan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research, Institute, University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraUnited States
| | - Nicolas A DeBeaubien
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research, Institute, University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraUnited States
| | - YuMin M Loh
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya UniversityNagoyaJapan
| | - Matthew P Su
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya UniversityNagoyaJapan
- Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya UniversityNagoyaJapan
| | - Craig Montell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research, Institute, University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraUnited States
| | - John M Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Innovative Genomics InstituteBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Omar S Akbari
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
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9
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McGaughran A, Dhami MK, Parvizi E, Vaughan AL, Gleeson DM, Hodgins KA, Rollins LA, Tepolt CK, Turner KG, Atsawawaranunt K, Battlay P, Congrains C, Crottini A, Dennis TPW, Lange C, Liu XP, Matheson P, North HL, Popovic I, Rius M, Santure AW, Stuart KC, Tan HZ, Wang C, Wilson J. Genomic Tools in Biological Invasions: Current State and Future Frontiers. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evad230. [PMID: 38109935 PMCID: PMC10776249 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evad230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Human activities are accelerating rates of biological invasions and climate-driven range expansions globally, yet we understand little of how genomic processes facilitate the invasion process. Although most of the literature has focused on underlying phenotypic correlates of invasiveness, advances in genomic technologies are showing a strong link between genomic variation and invasion success. Here, we consider the ability of genomic tools and technologies to (i) inform mechanistic understanding of biological invasions and (ii) solve real-world issues in predicting and managing biological invasions. For both, we examine the current state of the field and discuss how genomics can be leveraged in the future. In addition, we make recommendations pertinent to broader research issues, such as data sovereignty, metadata standards, collaboration, and science communication best practices that will require concerted efforts from the global invasion genomics community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela McGaughran
- Te Aka Mātuatua/School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Manpreet K Dhami
- Biocontrol and Molecular Ecology, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, Waipapa Taumata Rau/University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Elahe Parvizi
- Te Aka Mātuatua/School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Amy L Vaughan
- Biocontrol and Molecular Ecology, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Dianne M Gleeson
- Centre for Conservation Ecology and Genomics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Kathryn A Hodgins
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lee A Rollins
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carolyn K Tepolt
- Department of Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn G Turner
- Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA
| | - Kamolphat Atsawawaranunt
- School of Biological Sciences, Waipapa Taumata Rau/University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Paul Battlay
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Carlos Congrains
- Entomology Section, Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Daniel K. Inouye US Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
| | - Angelica Crottini
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4169–007, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal
| | - Tristan P W Dennis
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Claudia Lange
- Biocontrol and Molecular Ecology, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Xiaoyue P Liu
- Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Paige Matheson
- Te Aka Mātuatua/School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Henry L North
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Iva Popovic
- School of the Environment, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Marc Rius
- Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB, CSIC), Accés a la Cala Sant Francesc, Blanes, Spain
- Department of Zoology, Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
| | - Anna W Santure
- School of Biological Sciences, Waipapa Taumata Rau/University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Katarina C Stuart
- School of Biological Sciences, Waipapa Taumata Rau/University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Hui Zhen Tan
- School of Biological Sciences, Waipapa Taumata Rau/University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Cui Wang
- The Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonathan Wilson
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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10
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Sun X, Wang X, Shi K, Lyu X, Sun J, Raikhel AS, Zou Z. Leucine aminopeptidase1 controls egg deposition and hatchability in male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:106. [PMID: 38168045 PMCID: PMC10762072 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44444-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti are vectors for several arboviruses infecting hundreds of millions of people annually. Controlling mosquito populations by regulating their reproduction is a potential strategy to minimize viral transmission in the absence of effective antiviral therapies or vaccines. Here, we demonstrate that leucine aminopeptidase1 (LAP1), detected by a SWATH-MS-based proteomic screen of female spermathecae, is a crucial determinant in mosquito population expansion. Mitochondrial defects and aberrant autophagy of sperm in LAP1 mutant males (LAP1-/-), prepared using CRISPR/Cas9 system, result in a reduction of reproduction in wild-type females that mated with them. The fitness of LAP1-/- males is strong enough to efficiently transmit genetic changes to mosquito populations through a low number of hatchable offspring. Thus, LAP1-/- males represent an opportunity to suppress mosquito populations and further studies should be undertaken to characterize LAP1's suitability for gene drive usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xueli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kai Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiangyang Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jian Sun
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Alexander S Raikhel
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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11
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Weng SC, Masri RA, Akbari OS. Advances and challenges in synthetic biology for mosquito control. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:75-88. [PMID: 38000957 PMCID: PMC11064511 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne illnesses represent a significant global health peril, resulting in approximately one million fatalities annually. West Nile, dengue, Zika, and malaria are continuously expanding their global reach, driven by factors that escalate mosquito populations and pathogen transmission. Innovative control measures are imperative to combat these catastrophic ailments. Conventional approaches, such as eliminating breeding sites and using insecticides, have been helpful, but they face challenges such as insecticide resistance and environmental harm. Given the mounting severity of mosquito-borne diseases, there is promise in exploring innovative approaches using synthetic biology to bolster mosquitoes' resistance to pathogens, or even eliminate the mosquito vectors, as a means of control. This review outlines current strategies, future goals, and the importance of gene editing for global health defenses against mosquito-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Che Weng
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Reem A Masri
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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12
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Kumam Y, Trick HN, Vara Prasad P, Jugulam M. Transformative Approaches for Sustainable Weed Management: The Power of Gene Drive and CRISPR-Cas9. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2176. [PMID: 38136999 PMCID: PMC10742955 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Weeds can negatively impact crop yields and the ecosystem's health. While many weed management strategies have been developed and deployed, there is a greater need for the development of sustainable methods for employing integrated weed management. Gene drive systems can be used as one of the approaches to suppress the aggressive growth and reproductive behavior of weeds, although their efficacy is yet to be tested. Their popularity in insect pest management has increased, however, with the advent of CRISPR-Cas9 technology, which provides specificity and precision in editing the target gene. This review focuses on the different types of gene drive systems, including the use of CRISPR-Cas9-based systems and their success stories in pest management, while also exploring their possible applications in weed species. Factors that govern the success of a gene drive system in weeds, including the mode of reproduction, the availability of weed genome databases, and well-established transformation protocols are also discussed. Importantly, the risks associated with the release of weed populations with gene drive-bearing alleles into wild populations are also examined, along with the importance of addressing ecological consequences and ethical concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaiphabi Kumam
- Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (Y.K.); (P.V.V.P.)
| | - Harold N Trick
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA;
| | - P.V. Vara Prasad
- Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (Y.K.); (P.V.V.P.)
| | - Mithila Jugulam
- Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (Y.K.); (P.V.V.P.)
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13
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Dalla Benetta E, López-Denman AJ, Li HH, Masri RA, Brogan DJ, Bui M, Yang T, Li M, Dunn M, Klein MJ, Jackson S, Catalan K, Blasdell KR, Tng P, Antoshechkin I, Alphey LS, Paradkar PN, Akbari OS. Engineered Antiviral Sensor Targets Infected Mosquitoes. CRISPR J 2023; 6:543-556. [PMID: 38108518 PMCID: PMC11085028 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2023.0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Escalating vector disease burdens pose significant global health risks, as such innovative tools for targeting mosquitoes are critical. CRISPR-Cas technologies have played a crucial role in developing powerful tools for genome manipulation in various eukaryotic organisms. Although considerable efforts have focused on utilizing class II type II CRISPR-Cas9 systems for DNA targeting, these modalities are unable to target RNA molecules, limiting their utility against RNA viruses. Recently, the Cas13 family has emerged as an efficient tool for RNA targeting; however, the application of this technique in mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti, has yet to be fully realized. In this study, we engineered an antiviral strategy termed REAPER (vRNA Expression Activates Poisonous Effector Ribonuclease) that leverages the programmable RNA-targeting capabilities of CRISPR-Cas13 and its potent collateral activity. REAPER remains concealed within the mosquito until an infectious blood meal is uptaken. Upon target viral RNA infection, REAPER activates, triggering programmed destruction of its target arbovirus such as chikungunya. Consequently, Cas13-mediated RNA targeting significantly reduces viral replication and viral prevalence of infection, and its promiscuous collateral activity can even kill infected mosquitoes within a few days. This innovative REAPER technology adds to an arsenal of effective molecular genetic tools to combat mosquito virus transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dalla Benetta
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Adam J. López-Denman
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Hsing-Han Li
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Reem A. Masri
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Daniel J. Brogan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Michelle Bui
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ting Yang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Michael Dunn
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Melissa J. Klein
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Sarah Jackson
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Kyle Catalan
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Kim R. Blasdell
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Priscilla Tng
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, United Kingdom
| | - Igor Antoshechkin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Luke S. Alphey
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Prasad N. Paradkar
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Omar S. Akbari
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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14
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Ma YF, Zhang MQ, Gong LL, Liu XZ, Long GJ, Guo H, Hull JJ, Dewer Y, He M, He P. Efficient nanoparticle-based CRISPR-Cas13d induced mRNA disruption of an eye pigmentation gene in the white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:1552-1564. [PMID: 37202920 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) system has driven gene manipulation technology to a new era with applications reported in organisms that span the tree of life. The utility of CRISPR-mediated editing was further expanded to mRNA following identification of the RNA-targeting Cas13 family of smaller endonuclease proteins. Application of this family to insect research, however, has been more limited. In this study, the smallest Cas13 family member, Cas13d, and guide RNAs (gRNAs) were complexed with a versatile nanomaterial (star polycation, SPc) to generate a proof-of-concept RNA-editing platform capable of disrupting mRNA expression of the eye pigmentation gene tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (SfTO) in white-backed planthoppers (WBPHs). The resulting red-eye phenotype was present in 19.76% (with SPc) and 22.99% (without SPc) of the treatment groups and was comparable to the red-eye phenotype generated following conventional RNA interference knockdown (22.22%). Furthermore, the Cas13/gRNA phenotype manifested more quickly than RNA interference. Consistent with the expected Cas13d mechanism, SfTO transcript levels were significantly reduced. Taken together, the results indicate that the SPc-CRISPR-Cas13d/gRNA complex negatively impacted expression of the target gene. These findings confirm the utility of this novel mRNA disruption system in insects and lay the foundation for further development of these tools in the implementation of green agricultural pest management tactics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Feng Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Meng-Qi Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Lang-Lang Gong
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xuan-Zheng Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Gui-Jun Long
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Huan Guo
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - J Joe Hull
- USDA-ARS Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Maricopa, AZ, USA
| | - Youssef Dewer
- Phytotoxicity Research Department, Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ming He
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Peng He
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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15
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Overton MS, Guy SE, Chen X, Martsul A, Carolino K, Akbari OS, Meyer JR, Kryazhimskiy S. Upper Bound on the Mutational Burden Imposed by a CRISPR-Cas9 Gene-Drive Element. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.28.569142. [PMID: 38076841 PMCID: PMC10705488 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.28.569142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 gene drives (CCGDs) are powerful tools for genetic control of wild populations, useful for eradication of disease vectors, conservation of endangered species and other applications. However, Cas9 alone and in a complex with gRNA can cause double-stranded DNA breaks at off-target sites, which could increase the mutational load and lead to loss of heterozygosity (LOH). These undesired effects raise potential concerns about the long-term evolutionary safety of CCGDs, but the magnitude of these effects is unknown. To estimate how the presence of a CCGD or a Cas9 alone in the genome affects the rates of LOH events and de novo mutations, we carried out a mutation accumulation experiment in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Despite its substantial statistical power, our experiment revealed no detectable effect of CCGD or Cas9 alone on the genome-wide rates of mutations or LOH events, suggesting that these rates are affected by less than 30%. Nevertheless, we found that Cas9 caused a slight but significant shift towards more interstitial and fewer terminal LOH events, and the CCGD caused a significant difference in the distribution of LOH events on Chromosome V. Taken together, our results show that these genetic elements impose a weak and likely localized additional mutational burden in the yeast model. Although the mutagenic effects of CCGDs need to be further evaluated in other systems, our results suggest that the effect of CCGDs on off-target mutation rates and genetic diversity may be acceptable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S. Overton
- Department of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Sean E. Guy
- Department of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Current address: Bionano Genomics, San Diego, CA 92121
| | - Xingsen Chen
- Department of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Current address: Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Alena Martsul
- Department of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Current address: Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA 92122
| | - Krypton Carolino
- Department of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Omar S. Akbari
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Justin R. Meyer
- Department of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Sergey Kryazhimskiy
- Department of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
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16
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Raban R, Marshall JM, Hay BA, Akbari OS. Manipulating the Destiny of Wild Populations Using CRISPR. Annu Rev Genet 2023; 57:361-390. [PMID: 37722684 PMCID: PMC11064769 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-031623-105059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Genetic biocontrol aims to suppress or modify populations of species to protect public health, agriculture, and biodiversity. Advancements in genome engineering technologies have fueled a surge in research in this field, with one gene editing technology, CRISPR, leading the charge. This review focuses on the current state of CRISPR technologies for genetic biocontrol of pests and highlights the progress and ongoing challenges of using these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn Raban
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
| | - John M Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Bruce A Hay
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
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17
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Li M, Kandul NP, Sun R, Yang T, Benetta ED, Brogan DJ, Antoshechkin I, Sánchez C. HM, Zhan Y, DeBeaubien NA, Loh YM, Su MP, Montell C, Marshall JM, Akbari OS. Targeting Sex Determination to Suppress Mosquito Populations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.18.537404. [PMID: 37131747 PMCID: PMC10153225 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.18.537404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Each year, hundreds of millions of people are infected with arboviruses such as dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika, which are all primarily spread by the notorious mosquito Aedes aegypti. Traditional control measures have proven insufficient, necessitating innovations. In response, here we generate a next generation CRISPR-based precision-guided sterile insect technique (pgSIT) for Aedes aegypti that disrupts genes essential for sex determination and fertility, producing predominantly sterile males that can be deployed at any life stage. Using mathematical models and empirical testing, we demonstrate that released pgSIT males can effectively compete with, suppress, and eliminate caged mosquito populations. This versatile species-specific platform has the potential for field deployment to effectively control wild populations of disease vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nikolay P. Kandul
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ruichen Sun
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ting Yang
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Elena D. Benetta
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Daniel J. Brogan
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Igor Antoshechkin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Héctor M. Sánchez C.
- Divisions of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Yinpeng Zhan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Nicolas A. DeBeaubien
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - YuMin M. Loh
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Matthew P. Su
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Craig Montell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - John M. Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Omar S. Akbari
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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18
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Wolf S, Collatz J, Enkerli J, Widmer F, Romeis J. Assessing potential hybridization between a hypothetical gene drive-modified Drosophila suzukii and nontarget Drosophila species. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2023; 43:1921-1932. [PMID: 36693350 DOI: 10.1111/risa.14096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Genetically engineered gene drives (geGD) are potentially powerful tools for suppressing or even eradicating populations of pest insects. Before living geGD insects can be released into the environment, they must pass an environmental risk assessment to ensure that their release will not cause unacceptable harm to non-targeted entities of the environment. A key research question concerns the likelihood that nontarget species will acquire the functional GD elements; such acquisition could lead to reduced abundance or loss of those species and to a disruption of the ecosystem services they provide. The main route for gene flow is through hybridization between the geGD insect strain and closely related species that co-occur in the area of release and its expected dispersal. Using the invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, as a case study, we provide a generally applicable strategy on how a combination of interspecific hybridization experiments, behavioral observations, and molecular genetic analyses can be used to assess the potential for hybridization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Wolf
- Research Division Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jana Collatz
- Research Division Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Enkerli
- Molecular Ecology, Agroscope, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Jörg Romeis
- Research Division Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zürich, Switzerland
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19
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Sun R, Raban R, Akbari OS. CRISPR-Cas9 Methods and Key Considerations in the Production of Aedes aegypti Mutant Strains. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2023; 2023:607-613. [PMID: 36931732 PMCID: PMC10901255 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top107693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Since the characterization of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in prokaryotes, it has become the prime choice in gene editing because of its exceptional flexibility, ease of use, high efficiency, and superior specificity. As a result, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene-editing technologies have enabled researchers not only to engineer transgenic animal strains with site-directed insertions more efficiently but also to generate desired mutants for previously intractable species. One such species is the invasive yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, which is notorious for its ability to transmit many blood-borne human pathogens. Methods for developing new transgenic strains of the yellow fever mosquito may aid in the effort to control its populations and provide significant benefits for the public. Here, we provide an overview of injection and noninjection methods for generating transgenic mosquitoes and also highlight important experimental design features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruichen Sun
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Robyn Raban
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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20
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Sun R, Raban R, Akbari OS. Generating Aedes aegypti Mutant Strains with Transgenic Cas9. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2023; 2023:671-678. [PMID: 36931733 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot108085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Here, we provide a protocol for generating Aedes aegypti mutant strains via end-joining (EJ) or homology-directed repair (HDR) mechanisms using genetically encoded Cas9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruichen Sun
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Robyn Raban
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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21
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Kim J, Harris KD, Kim IK, Shemesh S, Messer PW, Greenbaum G. Incorporating ecology into gene drive modelling. Ecol Lett 2023; 26 Suppl 1:S62-S80. [PMID: 37840022 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Gene drive technology, in which fast-spreading engineered drive alleles are introduced into wild populations, represents a promising new tool in the fight against vector-borne diseases, agricultural pests and invasive species. Due to the risks involved, gene drives have so far only been tested in laboratory settings while their population-level behaviour is mainly studied using mathematical and computational models. The spread of a gene drive is a rapid evolutionary process that occurs over timescales similar to many ecological processes. This can potentially generate strong eco-evolutionary feedback that could profoundly affect the dynamics and outcome of a gene drive release. We, therefore, argue for the importance of incorporating ecological features into gene drive models. We describe the key ecological features that could affect gene drive behaviour, such as population structure, life-history, environmental variation and mode of selection. We review previous gene drive modelling efforts and identify areas where further research is needed. As gene drive technology approaches the level of field experimentation, it is crucial to evaluate gene drive dynamics, potential outcomes, and risks realistically by including ecological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaehee Kim
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Keith D Harris
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Isabel K Kim
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Shahar Shemesh
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Philipp W Messer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Gili Greenbaum
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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22
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Smidler AL, Apte RA, Pai JJ, Chow ML, Chen S, Mondal A, Sánchez C. HM, Antoshechkin I, Marshall JM, Akbari OS. Eliminating Malaria Vectors with Precision Guided Sterile Males. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.20.549947. [PMID: 37503146 PMCID: PMC10370176 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.20.549947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Controlling the principal African malaria vector, the mosquito Anopheles gambiae, is considered essential to curtail malaria transmission. However existing vector control technologies rely on insecticides, which are becoming increasingly ineffective. Sterile insect technique (SIT) is a powerful suppression approach that has successfully eradicated a number of insect pests, yet the A. gambiae toolkit lacks the requisite technologies for its implementation. SIT relies on iterative mass-releases of non-biting, non-driving, sterile males which seek out and mate with monandrous wild females. Once mated, females are permanently sterilized due to mating-induced refractoriness, which results in population suppression of the subsequent generation. However, sterilization by traditional methods renders males unfit, making the creation of precise genetic sterilization methods imperative. Here we develop precision guided Sterile Insect Technique (pgSIT) in the mosquito A. gambiae for inducible, programmed male-sterilization and female-elimination for wide scale use in SIT campaigns. Using a binary CRISPR strategy, we cross separate engineered Cas9 and gRNA strains to disrupt male-fertility and female-essential genes, yielding >99.5% male-sterility and >99.9% female-lethality in hybrid progeny. We demonstrate that these genetically sterilized males have good longevity, are able to induce population suppression in cage trials, and are predicted to eliminate wild A. gambiae populations using mathematical models, making them ideal candidates for release. This work provides a valuable addition to the malaria genetic biocontrol toolkit, for the first time enabling scalable SIT-like confinable suppression in the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L. Smidler
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Reema A. Apte
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - James J. Pai
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Martha L. Chow
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Sanle Chen
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Agastya Mondal
- Divisions of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Héctor M. Sánchez C.
- Divisions of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Igor Antoshechkin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA91125, USA
| | - John M. Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Omar S. Akbari
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
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23
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Smidler AL, Pai JJ, Apte RA, Sánchez C. HM, Corder RM, Jeffrey Gutiérrez E, Thakre N, Antoshechkin I, Marshall JM, Akbari OS. A confinable female-lethal population suppression system in the malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade8903. [PMID: 37406109 PMCID: PMC10321730 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade8903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is among the world's deadliest diseases, predominantly affecting Sub-Saharan Africa and killing over half a million people annually. Controlling the principal vector, the mosquito Anopheles gambiae, as well as other anophelines, is among the most effective methods to control disease spread. Here, we develop a genetic population suppression system termed Ifegenia (inherited female elimination by genetically encoded nucleases to interrupt alleles) in this deadly vector. In this bicomponent CRISPR-based approach, we disrupt a female-essential gene, femaleless (fle), demonstrating complete genetic sexing via heritable daughter gynecide. Moreover, we demonstrate that Ifegenia males remain reproductively viable and can load both fle mutations and CRISPR machinery to induce fle mutations in subsequent generations, resulting in sustained population suppression. Through modeling, we demonstrate that iterative releases of nonbiting Ifegenia males can act as an effective, confinable, controllable, and safe population suppression and elimination system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L. Smidler
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - James J. Pai
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Reema A. Apte
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Héctor M. Sánchez C.
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Rodrigo M. Corder
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Eileen Jeffrey Gutiérrez
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Oxitec Ltd., Abingdon, OX14 4RQ, UK
| | - Neha Thakre
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Igor Antoshechkin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - John M. Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Omar S. Akbari
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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24
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Cutter AD. Guerrilla eugenics: gene drives in heritable human genome editing. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2023:jme-2023-109061. [PMID: 37407027 DOI: 10.1136/jme-2023-109061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing can and has altered human genomes, bringing bioethical debates about this capability to the forefront of philosophical and policy considerations. Here, I consider the underexplored implications of CRISPR-Cas9 gene drives for heritable human genome editing. Modification gene drives applied to heritable human genome editing would introduce a novel form of involuntary eugenic practice that I term guerrilla eugenics. Once introduced into a genome, stealth genetic editing by a gene drive genetic element would occur each subsequent generation irrespective of whether reproductive partners consent to it and irrespective of whether the genetic change confers any benefit. By overriding the ability to 'opt in' to genome editing, gene drives compromise the autonomy of carrier individuals and their reproductive partners to choose to use or avoid genome editing and impose additional burdens on those who hope to 'opt out' of further genome editing. High incidence of an initially rare gene drive in small human communities could occur within 200 years, with evolutionary fixation globally in a timeframe that is thousands of times sooner than achievable by non-drive germline editing. Following any introduction of heritable gene drives into human genomes, practices intended for surveillance or reversal also create fundamental ethical problems. Current policy guidelines do not comment explicitly on gene drives in humans. These considerations motivate an explicit moratorium as being warranted on gene drive development in heritable human genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asher D Cutter
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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25
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Combs MA, Golnar AJ, Overcash JM, Lloyd AL, Hayes KR, O'Brochta DA, Pepin KM. Leveraging eco-evolutionary models for gene drive risk assessment. Trends Genet 2023:S0168-9525(23)00090-2. [PMID: 37198063 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Engineered gene drives create potential for both widespread benefits and irreversible harms to ecosystems. CRISPR-based systems of allelic conversion have rapidly accelerated gene drive research across diverse taxa, putting field trials and their necessary risk assessments on the horizon. Dynamic process-based models provide flexible quantitative platforms to predict gene drive outcomes in the context of system-specific ecological and evolutionary features. Here, we synthesize gene drive dynamic modeling studies to highlight research trends, knowledge gaps, and emergent principles, organized around their genetic, demographic, spatial, environmental, and implementation features. We identify the phenomena that most significantly influence model predictions, discuss limitations of biological complexity and uncertainty, and provide insights to promote responsible development and model-assisted risk assessment of gene drives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Combs
- National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA.
| | - Andrew J Golnar
- National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Justin M Overcash
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, 20737, USA
| | - Alun L Lloyd
- North Carolina State University, Biomathematics Graduate Program and Department of Mathematics, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Keith R Hayes
- The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Data 61, Hobart, TAS, 7004, Australia
| | - David A O'Brochta
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, North Bethesda, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Kim M Pepin
- National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
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26
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Akbari O, Li M, Kandul N, Sun R, Yang T, Dalla Benetta E, Brogan D, Antoshechkin I, Sánchez C H, Zhan YP, DeBeaubien N, Loh Y, Su M, Montell C, Marshall J. Targeting Sex Determination to Suppress Mosquito Populations. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2834069. [PMID: 37162925 PMCID: PMC10168471 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2834069/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Each year, hundreds of millions of people are infected with arboviruses such as dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika, which are all primarily spread by the notorious mosquito Aedes aegypti. Traditional control measures have proven insuficient, necessitating innovations. In response, here we generate a next generation CRISPR-based precision-guided sterile insect technique (pgSIT) for Aedes aegypti that disrupts genes essential for sex determination and fertility, producing predominantly sterile males that can be deployed at any life stage. Using mathematical models and empirical testing, we demonstrate that released pgSIT males can effectively compete with, suppress, and eliminate caged mosquito populations. This versatile species-specific platform has the potential for field deployment to control wild populations, safely curtailing disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Akbari
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California
| | - Ming Li
- University of California, San Diego
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Héctor Sánchez C
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Yin Peng Zhan
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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27
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Warsinger-Pepe N, Chang C, Desroberts CR, Akbari OS. Polycomb response elements reduce leaky expression of Cas9 under temperature-inducible Hsp70Bb promoter in Drosophila melanogaster. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkad024. [PMID: 36705519 PMCID: PMC10085756 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Heat-shock-inducible expression of genes through the use of heat-inducible promoters is commonly used in research despite leaky expression of downstream genes of interest without targeted induction (i.e. heat shock). The development of non-leaky inducible expression systems is of broad interest for both basic and applied studies, to precisely control gene expression. Here we characterize the use of Polycomb response elements and the inducible Heat-shock protein 70Bb promoter, previously described as a non-leaky inducible system, to regulate Cas9 endonuclease levels and function in Drosophila melanogaster after varying both heat-shock durations and rearing temperatures. We show that Polycomb response elements can significantly reduce expression of Cas9 under Heat-shock protein 70Bb promoter control using a range of conditions, corroborating previously published results. We further demonstrate that this low transcript level of heat-induced Cas9 is sufficient to induce mutant mosaic phenotypes. Incomplete suppression of an inducible Cas9 system by Polycomb response elements with no heat-shock suggests that further regulatory elements are required to precisely control Cas9 expression and abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Warsinger-Pepe
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Carly Chang
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Connor R Desroberts
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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28
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Cutter AD. Synthetic gene drives as an anthropogenic evolutionary force. Trends Genet 2023; 39:347-357. [PMID: 36997427 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Genetic drive represents a fundamental evolutionary force that can exact profound change to the genetic composition of populations by biasing allele transmission. Herein I propose that the use of synthetic homing gene drives, the human-mediated analog of endogenous genetic drives, warrants the designation of 'genetic welding' as an anthropogenic evolutionary force. Conceptually, this distinction parallels that of artificial and natural selection. Genetic welding is capable of imposing complex and rapid heritable phenotypic change on entire populations, whether motivated by biodiversity conservation or public health. Unanticipated possible long-term evolutionary outcomes, however, demand further investigation and bioethical consideration. The emerging importance of genetic welding also compels our explicit recognition of genetic drive as an addition to the other four fundamental forces of evolution.
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29
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Meiborg AB, Faber NR, Taylor BA, Harpur BA, Gorjanc G. The suppressive potential of a gene drive in populations of invasive social wasps is currently limited. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1640. [PMID: 36717606 PMCID: PMC9886928 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28867-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Social insects are very successful invasive species, and the continued increase of global trade and transportation has exacerbated this problem. The yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina nigrithorax (henceforth Asian hornet), is drastically expanding its range in Western Europe. As an apex insect predator, this hornet poses a serious threat to the honey bee industry and endemic pollinators. Current suppression methods have proven too inefficient and expensive to limit its spread. Gene drives might be an effective tool to control this species, but their use has not yet been thoroughly investigated in social insects. Here, we built a model that matches the hornet's life history and modelled the effect of different gene drive scenarios on an established invasive population. To test the broader applicability and sensitivity of the model, we also incorporated the invasive European paper wasp Polistes dominula. We find that, due to the haplodiploidy of social hymenopterans, only a gene drive targeting female fertility is promising for population control. Our results show that although a gene drive can suppress a social wasp population, it can only do so under fairly stringent gene drive-specific conditions. This is due to a combination of two factors: first, the large number of surviving offspring that social wasp colonies produce make it possible that, even with very limited formation of resistance alleles, such alleles can quickly spread and rescue the population. Second, due to social wasp life history, infertile individuals do not compete with fertile ones, allowing fertile individuals to maintain a large population size even when drive alleles are widespread. Nevertheless, continued improvements in gene drive technology may make it a promising method for the control of invasive social insects in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriaan B Meiborg
- HighlanderLab, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK. .,Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Nicky R Faber
- HighlanderLab, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK.,Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Benjamin A Taylor
- Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Brock A Harpur
- Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Gregor Gorjanc
- HighlanderLab, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
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30
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Zhang H, Goh FG, Ng LC, Chen CH, Cai Y. Aedes aegypti exhibits a distinctive mode of late ovarian development. BMC Biol 2023; 21:11. [PMID: 36690984 PMCID: PMC9872435 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01511-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insects live in almost every habitat on earth. To adapt to their diverse environments, insects have developed a myriad of different strategies for reproduction reflected in diverse anatomical and behavioral features that the reproductive systems of females exhibit. Yet, ovarian development remains largely uncharacterized in most species except Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster), a high Diptera model. In this study, we investigated the detailed developmental process of the ovary in Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti), a major vector of various disease-causing pathogens that inhabits tropical and subtropical regions. RESULTS Compared with Drosophila melanogaster, a model of higher Diptera, the processes of pole cell formation and gonad establishment during embryonic stage are highly conserved in Ae. aegypti. However, Ae. aegypti utilizes a distinct strategy to form functional ovaries during larval/pupal development. First, during larval stage, Ae. aegypti primordial germ cells (PGCs) undergo a cyst-like proliferation with synchronized divisions and incomplete cytokinesis, leading to the formation of one tightly packed "PGC mass" containing several interconnected cysts, different from D. melanogaster PGCs that divide individually. This cyst-like proliferation is regulated by the target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway upon nutritional status. Second, ecdysone-triggered ovariole formation during metamorphosis exhibits distinct events, including "PGC mass" breakdown, terminal filament cell degeneration, and pre-ovariole migration. These unique developmental features might explain the structural and behavioral differences between Aedes and Drosophila ovaries. Importantly, both cyst-like proliferation and distinct ovariole formation are also observed in Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles sinensis, suggesting a conserved mode of ovarian development among mosquito species. In comparison with Drosophila, the ovarian development in Aedes and other mosquitoes might represent a primitive mode in the lower Diptera. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals a new mode of ovarian development in mosquitoes, providing insights into a better understanding of the reproductive system and evolutionary relationship among insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Zhang
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117604, Singapore
| | - Feng Guang Goh
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117604, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Lee Ching Ng
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, #06-05/08, Helios Block, Singapore, 138667, Singapore
| | - Chun Hong Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, 350401, Taiwan
| | - Yu Cai
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117604, Singapore.
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
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31
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Li J, Champer J. Harnessing Wolbachia cytoplasmic incompatibility alleles for confined gene drive: A modeling study. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010591. [PMID: 36689491 PMCID: PMC9894560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Wolbachia are maternally-inherited bacteria, which can spread rapidly in populations by manipulating reproduction. cifA and cifB are genes found in Wolbachia phage that are responsible for cytoplasmic incompatibility, the most common type of Wolbachia reproductive interference. In this phenomenon, no viable offspring are produced when a male with both cifA and cifB (or just cifB in some systems) mates with a female lacking cifA. Utilizing this feature, we propose new types of toxin-antidote gene drives that can be constructed with only these two genes in an insect genome, instead of the whole Wolbachia bacteria. By using both mathematical and simulation models, we found that a drive containing cifA and cifB together creates a confined drive with a moderate to high introduction threshold. When introduced separately, they act as a self-limiting drive. We observed that the performance of these drives is substantially influenced by various ecological parameters and drive characteristics. Extending our models to continuous space, we found that the drive individual release distribution has a critical impact on drive persistence. Our results suggest that these new types of drives based on Wolbachia transgenes are safe and flexible candidates for genetic modification of populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahe Li
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jackson Champer
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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32
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Sun H, Bu LA, Su SC, Guo D, Gao CF, Wu SF. Knockout of the odorant receptor co-receptor, orco, impairs feeding, mating and egg-laying behavior in the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 152:103889. [PMID: 36493964 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The olfactory transduction system of insects is involved in multiple behavioral processes such as foraging, mating, and egg-laying behavior. In the insect olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), the odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) is an obligatory component that is required for dimerization with odorant receptors (ORs) to form a ligand-gated ion channel complex. The ORs/Orco heteromeric complex plays a crucial role in insect olfaction. To explore the function of OR-mediated olfaction in the physiological behavior of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, we applied CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to mutate its Orco gene and constructed a homozygous mutant strain of Orco (Orco-/-) by genetic crosses. Electroantennogram (EAG) analysis showed that the responses of Orco-/- male moths to two universal sex pheromones, Z9-14: Ac and Z7-12: Ac, were abolished. We found that Orco-/- males cannot successfully mate with female moths. An oviposition preference assay confirmed that Orco-/- female moths had a reduced preference for the optimal host plant maize. A larval feeding assay revealed that the time for Orco-/- larvae to locate the food source was significantly longer than in the wild-type. Overall, in the absence of Orco, the OR-dependent olfactory behavior was impaired in both larval and adult stages. Our results confirm that Orco is essential for multiple behavioral processes related to olfaction in the fall armyworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Sun
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Weigang Road 1, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ling-Ao Bu
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Weigang Road 1, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shao-Cong Su
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Weigang Road 1, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Di Guo
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Weigang Road 1, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cong-Fen Gao
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Weigang Road 1, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shun-Fan Wu
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Weigang Road 1, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China.
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33
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Asad M, Liu D, Chen J, Yang G. Applications of gene drive systems for population suppression of insect pests. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2022; 112:724-733. [PMID: 36043456 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485322000268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Population suppression is an effective way for controlling insect pests and disease vectors, which cause significant damage to crop and spread contagious diseases to plants, animals and humans. Gene drive systems provide innovative opportunities for the insect pests population suppression by driving genes that impart fitness costs on populations of pests or disease vectors. Different gene-drive systems have been developed in insects and applied for their population suppression. Here, different categories of gene drives such as meiotic drive (MD), under-dominance (UD), homing endonuclease-based gene drive (HEGD) and especially the CRISPR/Cas9-based gene drive (CCGD) were reviewed, including the history, types, process and mechanisms. Furthermore, the advantages and limitations of applying different gene-drive systems to suppress the insect population were also summarized. This review provides a foundation for developing a specific gene-drive system for insect population suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Asad
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Dan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Guang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
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Xing S, Deng D, wen W, Peng W. Functional transcriptome analyses of Drosophila suzukii midgut reveal mating-dependent reproductive plasticity in females. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:726. [PMID: 36284272 PMCID: PMC9598023 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08962-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insect females undergo a huge transition in energy homeostasis after mating to compensate for nutrient investment during reproduction. To manage with this shift in metabolism, mated females experience extensive morphological, behavioral and physiological changes, including increased food intake and altered digestive processes. However, the mechanisms by which the digestive system responds to mating in females remain barely characterized. Here we performed transcriptomic analysis of the main digestive organ, the midgut, to investigate how gene expression varies with female mating status in Drosophila suzukii, a destructive and invasive soft fruit pest. RESULTS We sequenced 15,275 unique genes with an average length of 1,467 bp. In total, 652 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected between virgin and mated D. suzukii female midgut libraries. The DEGs were functionally annotated utilizing the GO and KEGG pathway annotation methods. Our results showed that the major GO terms associated with the DEGs from the virgin versus mated female midgut were largely appointed to the metabolic process, response to stimulus and immune system process. We obtained a mass of protein and lipid metabolism genes which were up-regulated and carbohydrate metabolism and immune-related genes which were down-regulated at different time points after mating in female midgut by qRT-PCR. These changes in metabolism and immunity may help supply the female with the nutrients and energy required to sustain egg production. CONCLUSION Our study characterizes the transcriptional mechanisms driven by mating in the D. suzukii female midgut. Identification and characterization of the DEGs between virgin and mated females midgut will not only be crucial to better understand molecular research related to intestine plasticity during reproduction, but may also provide abundant target genes for the development of effective and ecofriendly pest control strategies against this economically important species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shisi Xing
- grid.411427.50000 0001 0089 3695Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, HunanInternational Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081 China
| | - Dan Deng
- grid.411427.50000 0001 0089 3695Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, HunanInternational Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081 China
| | - Wen wen
- grid.411427.50000 0001 0089 3695Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, HunanInternational Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081 China
| | - Wei Peng
- grid.411427.50000 0001 0089 3695Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, HunanInternational Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081 China
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35
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Raban R, Gendron WAC, Akbari OS. A perspective on the expansion of the genetic technologies to support the control of neglected vector-borne diseases and conservation. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.999273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic-based technologies are emerging as promising tools to support vector population control. Vectors of human malaria and dengue have been the main focus of these development efforts, but in recent years these technologies have become more flexible and adaptable and may therefore have more wide-ranging applications. Culex quinquefasciatus, for example, is the primary vector of avian malaria in Hawaii and other tropical islands. Avian malaria has led to the extinction of numerous native bird species and many native bird species continue to be threatened as climate change is expanding the range of this mosquito. Genetic-based technologies would be ideal to support avian malaria control as they would offer alternatives to interventions that are difficult to implement in natural areas, such as larval source reduction, and limit the need for chemical insecticides, which can harm beneficial species in these natural areas. This mosquito is also an important vector of human diseases, such as West Nile and Saint Louis encephalitis viruses, so genetic-based control efforts for this species could also have a direct impact on human health. This commentary will discuss the current state of development and future needs for genetic-based technologies in lesser studied, but important disease vectors, such as C. quinquefasciatus, and make comparisons to technologies available in more studied vectors. While most current genetic control focuses on human disease, we will address the impact that these technologies could have on both disease and conservation focused vector control efforts and what is needed to prepare these technologies for evaluation in the field. The versatility of genetic-based technologies may result in the development of many important tools to control a variety of vectors that impact human, animal, and ecosystem health.
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Dilani PVD, Dassanayake RS, Tyagi BK, Gunawardene YINS. The impact of transgenesis on mosquito fitness: A review. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 2:957570. [PMID: 38468772 PMCID: PMC10926467 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2022.957570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Transgenic mosquitoes developed by genetic manipulation, offer a promising strategy for the sustainable and effective control of mosquito-borne diseases. This strategy relies on the mass release of transgenic mosquitoes into the wild, where their transgene is expected to persist in the natural environment, either permanently or transiently, within the mosquito population. In such circumstances, the fitness of transgenic mosquitoes is an important factor in determining their survival in the wild. The impact of transgene expression, insertional mutagenesis, inbreeding depression related to laboratory adaptation, and the hitchhiking effect involved in developing homozygous mosquito lines can all have an effect on the fitness of transgenic mosquitoes. Therefore, real-time estimation of transgene-associated fitness cost is imperative for modeling and planning transgenic mosquito release programs. This can be achieved by directly comparing fitness parameters in individuals homozygous or hemizygous for the transgene and their wild-type counterparts, or by cage invasion experiments to monitor the frequency of the transgenic allele over multiple generations. Recent advancements such as site-specific integration systems and gene drives, provide platforms to address fitness issues in transgenic mosquitoes. More research on the fitness of transgenic individuals is required to develop transgenic mosquitoes with a low fitness cost.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Brij Kishore Tyagi
- Sponsored Research & Industrial Centre, VIT University, Vellore (TN), India
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Langmüller AM, Champer J, Lapinska S, Xie L, Metzloff M, Champer SE, Liu J, Xu Y, Du J, Clark AG, Messer PW. Fitness effects of CRISPR endonucleases in Drosophila melanogaster populations. eLife 2022; 11:e71809. [PMID: 36135925 PMCID: PMC9545523 DOI: 10.7554/elife.71809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 provides a highly efficient and flexible genome editing technology with numerous potential applications ranging from gene therapy to population control. Some proposed applications involve the integration of CRISPR/Cas9 endonucleases into an organism's genome, which raises questions about potentially harmful effects to the transgenic individuals. One example for which this is particularly relevant are CRISPR-based gene drives conceived for the genetic alteration of entire populations. The performance of such drives can strongly depend on fitness costs experienced by drive carriers, yet relatively little is known about the magnitude and causes of these costs. Here, we assess the fitness effects of genomic CRISPR/Cas9 expression in Drosophila melanogaster cage populations by tracking allele frequencies of four different transgenic constructs that allow us to disentangle 'direct' fitness costs due to the integration, expression, and target-site activity of Cas9, from fitness costs due to potential off-target cleavage. Using a maximum likelihood framework, we find that a model with no direct fitness costs but moderate costs due to off-target effects fits our cage data best. Consistent with this, we do not observe fitness costs for a construct with Cas9HF1, a high-fidelity version of Cas9. We further demonstrate that using Cas9HF1 instead of standard Cas9 in a homing drive achieves similar drive conversion efficiency. These results suggest that gene drives should be designed with high-fidelity endonucleases and may have implications for other applications that involve genomic integration of CRISPR endonucleases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Langmüller
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Institut für Populationsgenetik, Vetmeduni ViennaViennaAustria
- Vienna Graduate School of Population Genetics, Vetmeduni ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Jackson Champer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Sandra Lapinska
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Lin Xie
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Matthew Metzloff
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Samuel E Champer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Jingxian Liu
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Yineng Xu
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Jie Du
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Andrew G Clark
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Philipp W Messer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
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Ma WJ, Knoles EM, Patch KB, Shoaib MM, Unckless RL. Hoisted with his own petard: How sex-ratio meiotic drive in Drosophila affinis creates resistance alleles that limit its spread. J Evol Biol 2022; 35:1765-1776. [PMID: 35997297 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Meiotic drivers are selfish genetic elements that tinker with gametogenesis to bias their own transmission into the next generation of offspring. Such tinkering can have significant consequences on gametogenesis and end up hampering the spread of the driver. In Drosophila affinis, sex-ratio meiotic drive is caused by an X-linked complex that, when in males with a susceptible Y chromosome, results in broods that are typically more than 95% female. Interestingly, D. affinis males lacking a Y chromosome (XO) are fertile and males with the meiotic drive X and no Y produce only sons-effectively reversing the sex-ratio effect. Here, we show that meiotic drive dramatically increases the rate of nondisjunction of the Y chromosome (at least 750X), meaning that the driver is creating resistant alleles through the process of driving. We then model how the O might influence the spread, dynamics and equilibrium of the sex-ratio X chromosome. We find that the O can prevent the spread or reduce the equilibrium frequency of the sex-ratio X chromosome, and it can even lead to oscillations in frequency. Finally, with reasonable parameters, the O is unlikely to lead to the loss of the Y chromosome, but we discuss how it might lead to sex-chromosome turnover indirectly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Juan Ma
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Emma M Knoles
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Kistie B Patch
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Murtaza M Shoaib
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Robert L Unckless
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
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Melesse Vergara M, Labbé J, Tannous J. Reflection on the Challenges, Accomplishments, and New Frontiers of Gene Drives. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2022; 2022:9853416. [PMID: 37850135 PMCID: PMC10521683 DOI: 10.34133/2022/9853416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ongoing pest and disease outbreaks pose a serious threat to human, crop, and animal lives, emphasizing the need for constant genetic discoveries that could serve as mitigation strategies. Gene drives are genetic engineering approaches discovered decades ago that may allow quick, super-Mendelian dissemination of genetic modifications in wild populations, offering hopes for medicine, agriculture, and ecology in combating diseases. Following its first discovery, several naturally occurring selfish genetic elements were identified and several gene drive mechanisms that could attain relatively high threshold population replacement have been proposed. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in gene drive research with a particular emphasis on CRISPR-Cas gene drives, the technology that has revolutionized the process of genome engineering. Herein, we discuss the benefits and caveats of this technology and place it within the context of natural gene drives discovered to date and various synthetic drives engineered. Later, we elaborate on the strategies for designing synthetic drive systems to address resistance issues and prevent them from altering the entire wild populations. Lastly, we highlight the major applications of synthetic CRISPR-based gene drives in different living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesse Labbé
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- Invaio Sciences, Cambridge, MA 02138USA
| | - Joanna Tannous
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
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40
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Stochastic models of Mendelian and reverse transcriptional inheritance in state-structured cancer populations. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13079. [PMID: 35906318 PMCID: PMC9338039 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17456-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that a polyaneuploid cancer cell (PACC) state may play a key role in the adaptation of cancer cells to stressful environments and in promoting therapeutic resistance. The PACC state allows cancer cells to pause cell division and to avoid DNA damage and programmed cell death. Transition to the PACC state may also lead to an increase in the cancer cell’s ability to generate heritable variation (evolvability). One way this can occur is through evolutionary triage. Under this framework, cells gradually gain resistance by scaling hills on a fitness landscape through a process of mutation and selection. Another way this can happen is through self-genetic modification whereby cells in the PACC state find a viable solution to the stressor and then undergo depolyploidization, passing it on to their heritably resistant progeny. Here, we develop a stochastic model to simulate both of these evolutionary frameworks. We examine the impact of treatment dosage and extent of self-genetic modification on eco-evolutionary dynamics of cancer cells with aneuploid and PACC states. We find that under low doses of therapy, evolutionary triage performs better whereas under high doses of therapy, self-genetic modification is favored. This study generates predictions for teasing apart these biological hypotheses, examines the implications of each in the context of cancer, and provides a modeling framework to compare Mendelian and non-traditional forms of inheritance.
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41
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Leung S, Windbichler N, Wenger EA, Bever CA, Selvaraj P. Population replacement gene drive characteristics for malaria elimination in a range of seasonal transmission settings: a modelling study. Malar J 2022; 21:226. [PMID: 35883100 PMCID: PMC9327287 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04242-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene drives are a genetic engineering method where a suite of genes is inherited at higher than Mendelian rates and has been proposed as a promising new vector control strategy to reinvigorate the fight against malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS Using an agent-based model of malaria transmission with vector genetics, the impacts of releasing population-replacement gene drive mosquitoes on malaria transmission are examined and the population replacement gene drive system parameters required to achieve local elimination within a spatially-resolved, seasonal Sahelian setting are quantified. The performance of two different gene drive systems-"classic" and "integral"-are evaluated. Various transmission regimes (low, moderate, and high-corresponding to annual entomological inoculation rates of 10, 30, and 80 infectious bites per person) and other simultaneous interventions, including deployment of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and passive healthcare-seeking, are also simulated. RESULTS Local elimination probabilities decreased with pre-existing population target site resistance frequency, increased with transmission-blocking effectiveness of the introduced antiparasitic gene and drive efficiency, and were context dependent with respect to fitness costs associated with the introduced gene. Of the four parameters, transmission-blocking effectiveness may be the most important to focus on for improvements to future gene drive strains because a single release of classic gene drive mosquitoes is likely to locally eliminate malaria in low to moderate transmission settings only when transmission-blocking effectiveness is very high (above ~ 80-90%). However, simultaneously deploying ITNs and releasing integral rather than classic gene drive mosquitoes significantly boosts elimination probabilities, such that elimination remains highly likely in low to moderate transmission regimes down to transmission-blocking effectiveness values as low as ~ 50% and in high transmission regimes with transmission-blocking effectiveness values above ~ 80-90%. CONCLUSION A single release of currently achievable population replacement gene drive mosquitoes, in combination with traditional forms of vector control, can likely locally eliminate malaria in low to moderate transmission regimes within the Sahel. In a high transmission regime, higher levels of transmission-blocking effectiveness than are currently available may be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Leung
- Institute for Disease Modeling, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nikolai Windbichler
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, UK
| | - Edward A Wenger
- Institute for Disease Modeling, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Caitlin A Bever
- Institute for Disease Modeling, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Prashanth Selvaraj
- Institute for Disease Modeling, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Saakian DB, Koonin EV. Gene-influx-driven evolution. Phys Rev E 2022; 106:014403. [PMID: 35974500 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.106.014403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Here we analyze the evolutionary process in the presence of continuous influx of genotypes with submaximum fitness from the outside to the given habitat with finite resources. We show that strong influx from the outside allows the low-fitness genotype to win the competition with the higher fitness genotype, and in a finite population, drive the latter to extinction. We analyze a mathematical model of this phenomenon and obtain the conditions for the transition from the high-fitness to the low-fitness genotype caused by the influx of the latter. We calculate the time to extinction of the high-fitness genotype in a finite population with two alleles and find the exact analytical dynamics of extinction for the case of many genes with epistasis. We solve a related quasispecies model for a single peak (random) fitness landscape as well as for a symmetric fitness landscape. In the symmetric landscape, a nonperturbative effect is observed such that even an extremely low influx of the low-fitness genotype drastically changes the steady state fitness distribution. A similar nonperturbative phenomenon is observed for the allele fixation time as well. The identified regime of influx-driven evolution appears to be relevant for a broad class of biological systems and could be central to the evolution of prokaryotes and viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Saakian
- A.I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory (Yerevan Physics Institute) Foundation, 2 Alikhanian Brothers St., Yerevan 375036, Armenia
| | - Eugene V Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20894, USA
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Asad M, Liu D, Li J, Chen J, Yang G. Development of CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene-Drive Construct Targeting the Phenotypic Gene in Plutella xylostella. Front Physiol 2022; 13:938621. [PMID: 35845988 PMCID: PMC9277308 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.938621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene-drive system can ensure that desirable traits are transmitted to the progeny more than the normal Mendelian segregation. The clustered regularly interspersed palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) mediated gene-drive system has been demonstrated in dipteran insect species, including Drosophila and Anopheles, not yet in other insect species. Here, we have developed a single CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene-drive construct for Plutella xylostella, a highly-destructive lepidopteran pest of cruciferous crops. The gene-drive construct was developed containing a Cas9 gene, a marker gene (EGFP) and a gRNA sequence targeting the phenotypic marker gene (Pxyellow) and site-specifically inserted into the P. xylostella genome. This homing-based gene-drive copied ∼12 kb of a fragment containing Cas9 gene, gRNA, and EGFP gene along with their promoters to the target site. Overall, 6.67%–12.59% gene-drive efficiency due to homology-directed repair (HDR), and 80.93%–86.77% resistant-allele formation due to non-homologous-end joining (NHEJ) were observed. Furthermore, the transgenic progeny derived from male parents showed a higher gene-drive efficiency compared with transgenic progeny derived from female parents. This study demonstrates the feasibility of the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene-drive construct in P. xylostella that inherits the desired traits to the progeny. The finding of this study provides a foundation to develop an effective CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene-drive system for pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Asad
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Dan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jianwen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Guang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pest Control, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, China
- Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Guang Yang,
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Miranda Paez A, Chalkowski K, Zohdy S, Willoughby JR. Management of avian malaria in populations of high conservation concern. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:208. [PMID: 35705963 PMCID: PMC9199230 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05327-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian malaria is a vector-borne disease that is caused by Plasmodium parasites. These parasites are transmitted via mosquito bites and can cause sickness or death in a wide variety of birds, including many threatened and endangered species. This Primer first provides contextual background for the avian malaria system including the life cycle, geographic distribution and spread. Then, we focus on recent advances in understanding avian malaria ecology, including how avian malaria can lead to large ecosystem changes and variation in host immune responses to Plasmodium infection. Finally, we review advances in avian malaria management in vulnerable bird populations including genetic modification methods suitable for limiting the effects of this disease in wild populations and the use of sterile insect techniques to reduce vector abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Miranda Paez
- College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
| | - Kayleigh Chalkowski
- College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Sarah Zohdy
- College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment and College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Janna R Willoughby
- College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
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Yang E, Metzloff M, Langmüller AM, Xu X, Clark AG, Messer PW, Champer J. A homing suppression gene drive with multiplexed gRNAs maintains high drive conversion efficiency and avoids functional resistance alleles. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkac081. [PMID: 35394026 PMCID: PMC9157102 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Gene drives are engineered alleles that can bias inheritance in their favor, allowing them to spread throughout a population. They could potentially be used to modify or suppress pest populations, such as mosquitoes that spread diseases. CRISPR/Cas9 homing drives, which copy themselves by homology-directed repair in drive/wild-type heterozygotes, are a powerful form of gene drive, but they are vulnerable to resistance alleles that preserve the function of their target gene. Such resistance alleles can prevent successful population suppression. Here, we constructed a homing suppression drive in Drosophila melanogaster that utilized multiplexed gRNAs to inhibit the formation of functional resistance alleles in its female fertility target gene. The selected gRNA target sites were close together, preventing reduction in drive conversion efficiency. The construct reached a moderate equilibrium frequency in cage populations without apparent formation of resistance alleles. However, a moderate fitness cost prevented elimination of the cage population, showing the importance of using highly efficient drives in a suppression strategy, even if resistance can be addressed. Nevertheless, our results experimentally demonstrate the viability of the multiplexed gRNAs strategy in homing suppression gene drives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Yang
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Matthew Metzloff
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Anna M Langmüller
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Institut für Populationsgenetik, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Wien, Austria
- Vienna Graduate School of Population Genetics, 1210 Wien, Austria
| | - Xuejiao Xu
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Andrew G Clark
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Philipp W Messer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Jackson Champer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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Metzloff M, Yang E, Dhole S, Clark AG, Messer PW, Champer J. Experimental demonstration of tethered gene drive systems for confined population modification or suppression. BMC Biol 2022; 20:119. [PMID: 35606745 PMCID: PMC9128227 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01292-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Homing gene drives hold great promise for the genetic control of natural populations. However, current homing systems are capable of spreading uncontrollably between populations connected by even marginal levels of migration. This could represent a substantial sociopolitical barrier to the testing or deployment of such drives and may generally be undesirable when the objective is only local population control, such as suppression of an invasive species outside of its native range. Tethered drive systems, in which a locally confined gene drive provides the CRISPR nuclease needed for a homing drive, could provide a solution to this problem, offering the power of a homing drive and confinement of the supporting drive. RESULTS Here, we demonstrate the engineering of a tethered drive system in Drosophila, using a regionally confined CRISPR Toxin-Antidote Recessive Embryo (TARE) drive to support modification and suppression homing drives. Each drive was able to bias inheritance in its favor, and the TARE drive was shown to spread only when released above a threshold frequency in experimental cage populations. After the TARE drive had established in the population, it facilitated the spread of a subsequently released split homing modification drive (to all individuals in the cage) and of a homing suppression drive (to its equilibrium frequency). CONCLUSIONS Our results show that the tethered drive strategy is a viable and easily engineered option for providing confinement of homing drives to target populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Metzloff
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Emily Yang
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Sumit Dhole
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Andrew G Clark
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Philipp W Messer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Jackson Champer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Present Address: Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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Propagation of seminal toxins through binary expression gene drives could suppress populations. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6332. [PMID: 35428855 PMCID: PMC9012762 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10327-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene drives can be highly effective in controlling a target population by disrupting a female fertility gene. To spread across a population, these drives require that disrupted alleles be largely recessive so as not to impose too high of a fitness penalty. We argue that this restriction may be relaxed by using a double gene drive design to spread a split binary expression system. One drive carries a dominant lethal/toxic effector alone and the other a transactivator factor, without which the effector will not act. Only after the drives reach sufficiently high frequencies would individuals have the chance to inherit both system components and the effector be expressed. We explore through mathematical modeling the potential of this design to spread dominant lethal/toxic alleles and suppress populations. We show that this system could be implemented to spread engineered seminal proteins designed to kill females, making it highly effective against polyandrous populations.
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Carballar-Lejarazú R, Tushar T, Pham TB, James AA. Cas9-mediated maternal-effect and derived resistance alleles in a gene-drive strain of the African malaria vector mosquito, Anopheles gambiae. Genetics 2022; 221:6564662. [PMID: 35389492 PMCID: PMC9157122 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 technologies are important tools for the development of gene-drive systems to modify mosquito vector populations to control the transmission of pathogens that cause diseases such as malaria. However, one of the challenges for current Cas9-based drive systems is their ability to produce drive-resistant alleles resulting from insertions and deletions (indels) caused principally by nonhomologous end-joining following chromosome cleavage. Rapid increases in the frequency of such alleles may impair gene-drive dynamics. We explored the generation of indels in the germline and somatic cells in female gene-drive lineages using a series of selective crosses between a gene-drive line, AgNosCd-1, and wild-type mosquitoes. We find that potential drive-resistant mutant alleles are generated largely during embryonic development, most likely caused by deposition of the Cas9 endonuclease and guide RNAs in oocytes and resulting embryos by homozygous and hemizygous gene-drive mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Carballar-Lejarazú
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA
| | - Taylor Tushar
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA
| | - Thai Binh Pham
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, USA
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Li X, Liu Q, Bi H, Wang Y, Xu X, Sun W, Zhang Z, Huang Y. piggyBac-based transgenic RNAi of serine protease 2 results in male sterility in Hyphantria cunea. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 143:103726. [PMID: 35131470 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea, is a global invasive forest pest that causes serious damage to the economy and ecosystem of agriculture and forestry. Due to the extent of the problem and the difficulty of conventional chemical control, new technologies must be pursued, such as genetic-based inheritable insect sterile technology (gSIT), which exhibits promise for pest control. In the present study, we established a piggyBac-based transgenic system in fall webworm and generated a dominant male-sterile strain by targeting the seminal fluid protein serine protease 2 (Hcser2), displaying an outstanding trait of gSIT. First, an RNA polymerase type III (Pol III) promoter, the HcU62 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) gene promoter, was identified and characterized through direct injection of RNAi plasmids in vivo. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that HcU62 had the greatest knockdown efficiency of the Hcyellow gene among five short hairpin RNA (shRNA) plasmids tested, designated HcU61-HcU65. Second, subsequent application of piggyBac-based transgenic RNAi (HcU62: shHcyellow, Ysh2) significantly reduced the expression level of the Hcyellow gene, resulting in a stable yellow observable phenotype from the larval to pupal stages in Ysh2 transgenic mutants. Finally, an HcU62-driven transgenic RNAi strain targeting the Hcser2 gene was obtained, resulting in a dominant male-sterile phenotype. Significantly, this process did not affect the growth, development, mating behavior or egg laying of the mutants, and the dominant sterile trait could be inherited in the next generation through female Hcser2 mutants. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of the Hcser2 gene further confirmed the dominant sterile phenotype, supporting it as a generalized target for genetic control of H. cunea. This study reports the first piggyBac-mediated transgenic system in H. cunea, providing a promising genetic method for controlling this pest by targeting Hcser2 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Li
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Qun Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Honglun Bi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yaohui Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Xia Xu
- Institute of Sericulture and Tea Research, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Ze Zhang
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China.
| | - Yongping Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, 200030, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Wang GH, Du J, Chu CY, Madhav M, Hughes GL, Champer J. Symbionts and gene drive: two strategies to combat vector-borne disease. Trends Genet 2022; 38:708-723. [PMID: 35314082 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Mosquitoes bring global health problems by transmitting parasites and viruses such as malaria and dengue. Unfortunately, current insecticide-based control strategies are only moderately effective because of high cost and resistance. Thus, scalable, sustainable, and cost-effective strategies are needed for mosquito-borne disease control. Symbiont-based and genome engineering-based approaches provide new tools that show promise for meeting these criteria, enabling modification or suppression approaches. Symbiotic bacteria like Wolbachia are maternally inherited and manipulate mosquito host reproduction to enhance their vertical transmission. Genome engineering-based gene drive methods, in which mosquitoes are genetically altered to spread drive alleles throughout wild populations, are also proving to be a potentially powerful approach in the laboratory. Here, we review the latest developments in both symbionts and gene drive-based methods. We describe some notable similarities, as well as distinctions and obstacles, relating to these promising technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan-Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Jie Du
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Chen Yi Chu
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Mukund Madhav
- Departments of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Grant L Hughes
- Departments of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Jackson Champer
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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