1
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Pescod P, Bevivino G, Anthousi A, Shepherd J, Shelton R, Lombardo F, Nolan T. Homing gene drives can transfer rapidly between Anopheles gambiae strains with minimal carryover of flanking sequences. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6846. [PMID: 39122734 PMCID: PMC11315913 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51225-9] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 homing gene drives are designed to induce a targeted double-stranded DNA break at a wild type allele ('recipient'), which, when repaired by the host cell, is converted to the drive allele from the homologous ('donor') chromosome. Germline localisation of this process leads to super-Mendelian inheritance of the drive and the rapid spread of linked traits, offering a novel strategy for population control through the deliberate release of drive individuals. During the homology-based DNA repair, additional segments of the recipient chromosome may convert to match the donor, potentially impacting carrier fitness and strategy success. Using Anopheles gambiae strains with variations around the drive target site, here we assess the extent and nature of chromosomal conversion. We show both homing and meiotic drive contribute as mechanisms of inheritance bias. Additionally, over 80% of homing events resolve within 50 bp of the chromosomal break, enabling rapid gene drive transfer into locally-adapted genetic backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poppy Pescod
- Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Giulia Bevivino
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome "la Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Amalia Anthousi
- Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Josephine Shepherd
- Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ruth Shelton
- Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Fabrizio Lombardo
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome "la Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Tony Nolan
- Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.
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2
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Collier TC, Lee Y, Mathias DK, López Del Amo V. CRISPR-Cas9 and Cas12a target site richness reflects genomic diversity in natural populations of Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:700. [PMID: 39020310 PMCID: PMC11253549 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10597-4] [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: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to limitations in conventional disease vector control strategies including the rise of insecticide resistance in natural populations of mosquitoes, genetic control strategies using CRISPR gene drive systems have been under serious consideration. The identification of CRISPR target sites in mosquito populations is a key aspect for developing efficient genetic vector control strategies. While genome-wide Cas9 target sites have been explored in mosquitoes, a precise evaluation of target sites focused on coding sequence (CDS) is lacking. Additionally, target site polymorphisms have not been characterized for other nucleases such as Cas12a, which require a different DNA recognition site (PAM) and would expand the accessibility of mosquito genomes for genetic engineering. We undertook a comprehensive analysis of potential target sites for both Cas9 and Cas12a nucleases within the genomes of natural populations of Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti from multiple continents. We demonstrate that using two nucleases increases the number of targets per gene. Also, we identified differences in nucleotide diversity between North American and African Aedes populations, impacting the abundance of good target sites with a minimal degree of polymorphisms that can affect the binding of gRNA. Lastly, we screened for gRNAs targeting sex-determination genes that could be widely applicable for developing field genetic control strategies. Overall, this work highlights the utility of employing both Cas9 and Cas12a nucleases and underscores the importance of designing universal genetic strategies adaptable to diverse mosquito populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yoosook Lee
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32962, USA
| | - Derrick K Mathias
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32962, USA
| | - Víctor López Del Amo
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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3
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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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4
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Chae K, Contreras B, Romanowski JS, Dawson C, Myles KM, Adelman ZN. Transgene removal using an in cis programmed homing endonuclease via single-strand annealing in the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Commun Biol 2024; 7:660. [PMID: 38811748 PMCID: PMC11137009 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06348-6] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
While gene drive strategies have been proposed to aid in the control of mosquito-borne diseases, additional genome engineering technologies may be required to establish a defined end-of-product-life timeline. We previously demonstrated that single-strand annealing (SSA) was sufficient to program the scarless elimination of a transgene while restoring a disrupted gene in the disease vector mosquito Aedes aegypti. Here, we extend these findings by establishing that complete transgene removal (four gene cassettes comprising ~8-kb) can be programmed in cis. Reducing the length of the direct repeat from 700-bp to 200-bp reduces, but does not eliminate, SSA activity. In contrast, increasing direct repeat length to 1.5-kb does not increase SSA rates, suggesting diminishing returns above a certain threshold size. Finally, we show that while the homing endonuclease Y2-I-AniI triggered both SSA and NHEJ at significantly higher rates than I-SceI at one genomic locus (P5-EGFP), repair events are heavily skewed towards NHEJ at another locus (kmo), suggesting the nuclease used and the genomic region targeted have a substantial influence on repair outcomes. Taken together, this work establishes the feasibility of engineering temporary transgenes in disease vector mosquitoes, while providing critical details concerning important operational parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keun Chae
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Bryan Contreras
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Joseph S Romanowski
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Chanell Dawson
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Kevin M Myles
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Zach N Adelman
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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5
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Filipović I, Marshall JM, Rašić G. Finding divergent sequences of homomorphic sex chromosomes via diploidized nanopore-based assembly from a single male. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.29.582759. [PMID: 38464271 PMCID: PMC10925256 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.29.582759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Although homomorphic sex chromosomes can have non-recombining regions with elevated sequence divergence between its complements, such divergence signals can be difficult to detect bioinformatically. If found in genomes of e.g. insect pests, these sequences could be targeted by the engineered genetic sexing and control systems. Here, we report an approach that can leverage long-read nanopore sequencing of a single XY male to identify divergent regions of homomorphic sex chromosomes. Long-read data are used for de novo genome assembly that is diploidized in a way that maximizes sex-specific differences between its haploid complements. We show that the correct assembly phasing is supported by the mapping of nanopore reads from the male's haploid Y-bearing sperm cells. The approach revealed a highly divergent region (HDR) near the centromere of the homomorphic sex chromosome of Aedes aegypti, the most important arboviral vector, for which there is a great interest in creating new genetic control tools. HDR is located ~5Mb downstream of the known male-determining locus on chromosome 1 and is significantly enriched for ovary-biased genes. While recombination in HDR ceased relatively recently (~1.4 MYA), HDR gametologs have divergent exons and introns of protein coding genes, and most lncRNA genes became X-specific. Megabases of previously invisible sex-linked sequences provide new putative targets for engineering the genetic systems to control this deadly mosquito. Broadly, our approach expands the toolbox for studying cryptic structure of sex chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Filipović
- Mosquito Genomics, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston QLD 4006, Australia
- The University of Queensland, School of Biological Sciences, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - John M Marshall
- Divisions of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Gordana Rašić
- Mosquito Genomics, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston QLD 4006, Australia
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6
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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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7
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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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8
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Harvey-Samuel T, Feng X, Okamoto EM, Purusothaman DK, Leftwich PT, Alphey L, Gantz VM. CRISPR-based gene drives generate super-Mendelian inheritance in the disease vector Culex quinquefasciatus. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7561. [PMID: 37985762 PMCID: PMC10662442 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41834-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Culex mosquitoes pose a significant public health threat as vectors for a variety of diseases including West Nile virus and lymphatic filariasis, and transmit pathogens threatening livestock, companion animals, and endangered birds. Rampant insecticide resistance makes controlling these mosquitoes challenging and necessitates the development of new control strategies. Gene drive technologies have made significant progress in other mosquito species, although similar advances have been lagging in Culex. Here we test a CRISPR-based homing gene drive for Culex quinquefasciatus, and show that the inheritance of two split-gene-drive transgenes, targeting different loci, are biased in the presence of a Cas9-expressing transgene although with modest efficiencies. Our findings extend the list of disease vectors where engineered homing gene drives have been demonstrated to include Culex alongside Anopheles and Aedes, and pave the way for future development of these technologies to control Culex mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Harvey-Samuel
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Xuechun Feng
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Guangdong, 518106, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Emily M Okamoto
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Deepak-Kumar Purusothaman
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Philip T Leftwich
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Luke Alphey
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK.
- Biology Department, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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9
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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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10
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Seth RK, Yadav P, Reynolds SE. Dichotomous sperm in Lepidopteran insects: a biorational target for pest management. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 3:1198252. [PMID: 38469506 PMCID: PMC10926456 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1198252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Lepidoptera are unusual in possessing two distinct kinds of sperm, regular nucleated (eupyrene) sperm and anucleate (apyrene) sperm ('parasperm'). Sperm of both types are transferred to the female and are required for male fertility. Apyrene sperm play 'helper' roles, assisting eupyrene sperm to gain access to unfertilized eggs and influencing the reproductive behavior of mated female moths. Sperm development and behavior are promising targets for environmentally safer, target-specific biorational control strategies in lepidopteran pest insects. Sperm dimorphism provides a wide window in which to manipulate sperm functionality and dynamics, thereby impairing the reproductive fitness of pest species. Opportunities to interfere with spermatozoa are available not only while sperm are still in the male (before copulation), but also in the female (after copulation, when sperm are still in the male-provided spermatophore, or during storage in the female's spermatheca). Biomolecular technologies like RNAi, miRNAs and CRISPR-Cas9 are promising strategies to achieve lepidopteran pest control by targeting genes directly or indirectly involved in dichotomous sperm production, function, or persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh K. Seth
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Priya Yadav
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Stuart E. Reynolds
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
- Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
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11
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Harvey-Samuel T, Feng X, Okamoto EM, Purusothaman DK, Leftwich PT, Alphey L, Gantz VM. CRISPR-based gene drives generate super-Mendelian inheritance in the disease vector Culex quinquefasciatus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.12.544656. [PMID: 37398284 PMCID: PMC10312623 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.12.544656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Culex mosquitoes pose a significant public health threat as vectors for a variety of diseases including West Nile virus and lymphatic filariasis, and transmit pathogens threatening livestock, companion animals, and endangered birds. Rampant insecticide resistance makes controlling these mosquitoes challenging and necessitates the development of new control strategies. Gene drive technologies have made significant progress in other mosquito species, although similar advances have been lagging in Culex. Here we test the first CRISPR-based homing gene drive for Culex quinquefasciatus, demonstrating the possibility of using this technology to control Culex mosquitoes. Our results show that the inheritance of two split-gene-drive transgenes, targeting different loci, are biased in the presence of a Cas9-expressing transgene although with modest efficiencies. Our findings extend the list of disease vectors where engineered homing gene drives have been demonstrated to include Culex alongside Anopheles and Aedes, and pave the way for future development of these technologies to control Culex mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Harvey-Samuel
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, UK, GU24 0NF
| | - Xuechun Feng
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA 92093
| | - Emily M Okamoto
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA 92093
| | - Deepak-Kumar Purusothaman
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, UK, GU24 0NF
- Present address: MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK G12 8QQ
| | - Philip T Leftwich
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK, NR4 7TJ
| | - Luke Alphey
- Present address: Biology Department, University of York, York, UK, YO10 5DD
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA 92093
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12
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Benetta ED, 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. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.27.525922. [PMID: 36747634 PMCID: PMC9900881 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.27.525922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Escalating vector disease burdens pose significant global health risks, so innovative tools for targeting mosquitoes are critical. 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. Akin to a stealthy Trojan Horse hiding in stealth awaiting the presence of its enemy, REAPER remains concealed within the mosquito until an infectious blood meal is up taken. 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 its promiscuous collateral activity can even kill infected mosquitoes. 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
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Adam J. López-Denman
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, AU
| | - Hsing-Han Li
- 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
| | - Daniel J. Brogan
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Michelle Bui
- 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
| | - Ming Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Michael Dunn
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, AU
| | - Melissa J. Klein
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, AU
| | - Sarah Jackson
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, AU
| | - Kyle Catalan
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, AU
| | - Kim R. Blasdell
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, AU
| | - Priscilla Tng
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Igor Antoshechkin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Luke S. Alphey
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright GU24 0NF, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Prasad N. Paradkar
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, AU
| | - 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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