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Figueiredo Galvao HB, Lieu M, Moodley S, Diep H, Jelinic M, Bobik A, Sobey CG, Drummond GR, Vinh A. Depletion of follicular B cell-derived antibody secreting cells does not attenuate angiotensin II-induced hypertension or vascular compliance. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1419958. [PMID: 38883991 PMCID: PMC11176447 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1419958] [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: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Marginal zone and follicular B cells are known to contribute to the development of angiotensin II-induced hypertension in mice, but the effector function(s) mediating this effect (e.g., antigen presentation, antibody secretion and/or cytokine production) are unknown. B cell differentiation into antibody secreting cells (ASCs) requires the transcription factor Blimp-1. Here, we studied mice with a Blimp-1 deficiency in follicular B cells to evaluate whether antibody secretion underlies the pro-hypertensive action of B cells. Methods 10- to 14-week-old male follicular B cell Blimp-1 knockout (FoB-Blimp-1-KO) and floxed control mice were subcutaneously infused with angiotensin II (0.7 mg/kg/d) or vehicle (0.1% acetic acid in saline) for 28 days. BP was measured by tail-cuff plethysmography or radiotelemetry. Pulse wave velocity was measured by ultrasound. Aortic collagen was quantified by Masson's trichrome staining. Cell types and serum antibodies were quantified by flow cytometry and a bead-based multiplex assay, respectively. Results In control mice, angiotensin II modestly increased serum IgG3 levels and markedly increased BP, cardiac hypertrophy, aortic stiffening and fibrosis. FoB-Blimp-1-KO mice exhibited impaired IgG1, IgG2a and IgG3 production despite having comparable numbers of B cells and ASCs to control mice. Nevertheless, FoB-Blimp-1-KO mice still developed hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, aortic stiffening and fibrosis following angiotensin II infusion. Conclusions Inhibition of follicular B cell differentiation into ASCs did not protect against angiotensin II-induced hypertension or vascular compliance. Follicular B cell functions independent of their differentiation into ASCs and ability to produce high-affinity antibodies, or other B cell subtypes, are likely to be involved in angiotensin II-induced hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hericka Bruna Figueiredo Galvao
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research (CCBDR), La Trobe Institute of Medical Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Maggie Lieu
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research (CCBDR), La Trobe Institute of Medical Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Seyuri Moodley
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research (CCBDR), La Trobe Institute of Medical Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Henry Diep
- Victorian Heart Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Maria Jelinic
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research (CCBDR), La Trobe Institute of Medical Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexander Bobik
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Prahran, VIC, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Center for Inflammatory Diseases, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Christopher G Sobey
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research (CCBDR), La Trobe Institute of Medical Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Prahran, VIC, Australia
| | - Grant R Drummond
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research (CCBDR), La Trobe Institute of Medical Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Prahran, VIC, Australia
| | - Antony Vinh
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research (CCBDR), La Trobe Institute of Medical Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Deem KD, Halfon MS, Tomoyasu Y. A new suite of reporter vectors and a novel landing site survey system to study cis-regulatory elements in diverse insect species. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10078. [PMID: 38698030 PMCID: PMC11066043 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60432-9] [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: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Comparative analyses between traditional model organisms, such as the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and more recent model organisms, such as the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum, have provided a wealth of insight into conserved and diverged aspects of gene regulation. While the study of trans-regulatory components is relatively straightforward, the study of cis-regulatory elements (CREs, or enhancers) remains challenging outside of Drosophila. A central component of this challenge has been finding a core promoter suitable for enhancer-reporter assays in diverse insect species. Previously, we demonstrated that a Drosophila Synthetic Core Promoter (DSCP) functions in a cross-species manner in Drosophila and Tribolium. Given the over 300 million years of divergence between the Diptera and Coleoptera, we reasoned that DSCP-based reporter constructs will be useful when studying cis-regulation in a variety of insect models across the holometabola and possibly beyond. To this end, we sought to create a suite of new DSCP-based reporter vectors, leveraging dual compatibility with piggyBac and PhiC31-integration, the 3xP3 universal eye marker, GATEWAY cloning, different colors of reporters and markers, as well as Gal4-UAS binary expression. While all constructs functioned properly with a Tc-nub enhancer in Drosophila, complications arose with tissue-specific Gal4-UAS binary expression in Tribolium. Nevertheless, the functionality of these constructs across multiple holometabolous orders suggests a high potential compatibility with a variety of other insects. In addition, we present the piggyLANDR (piggyBac-LoxP AttP Neutralizable Destination Reporter) platform for the establishment of proper PhiC31 landing sites free from position effects. As a proof-of-principle, we demonstrated the workflow for piggyLANDR in Drosophila. The potential utility of these tools ranges from molecular biology research to pest and disease-vector management, and will help advance the study of gene regulation beyond traditional insect models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D Deem
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Marc S Halfon
- Department of Biochemistry, University at Buffalo-State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
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Häcker I, Rehling T, Schlosser H, Mayorga-Ch D, Heilig M, Yan Y, Armbruster PA, Schetelig MF. Improved piggyBac Transformation with Capped Transposase mRNA in Pest Insects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15155. [PMID: 37894833 PMCID: PMC10606561 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015155] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Creating transgenic insects is a key technology in insect genetics and molecular biology. A widely used instrument in insect transgenesis is the piggyBac transposase, resulting in essentially random genomic integrations. In contrast, site-specific recombinases allow the targeted integration of the transgene construct into a specific genomic target site. Both strategies, however, often face limitations due to low transgenesis efficiencies. We aimed to enhance transgenesis efficiencies by utilizing capped mRNA as a source of transposase or recombinase instead of a helper plasmid. A systematic comparison of transgenesis efficiencies in Aedes mosquitoes, as models for hard-to-transform insects, showed that suppling piggyBac transposase as mRNA increased the average transformation efficiency in Aedes aegypti from less than 5% with the plasmid source to about 50% with mRNA. Similar high activity was observed in Ae. albopictus with pBac mRNA. No efficiency differences between plasmid and mRNA were observed in recombination experiments. Furthermore, a hyperactive version of piggyBac transposase delivered as a plasmid did not improve the transformation efficiency in Ae. aegypti or the agricultural pest Drosophila suzukii. We believe that the use of mRNA has strong potential for enhancing piggyBac transformation efficiencies in other mosquitoes and important agricultural pests, such as tephritids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Häcker
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Winchesterstr. 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany (H.S.); (Y.Y.); (M.F.S.)
- Liebig Centre for Agroecology & Climate Impact Research, 35394 Giessen, Germany
| | - Tanja Rehling
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Winchesterstr. 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany (H.S.); (Y.Y.); (M.F.S.)
- Liebig Centre for Agroecology & Climate Impact Research, 35394 Giessen, Germany
| | - Henrik Schlosser
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Winchesterstr. 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany (H.S.); (Y.Y.); (M.F.S.)
| | - Daniela Mayorga-Ch
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Winchesterstr. 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany (H.S.); (Y.Y.); (M.F.S.)
| | - Mara Heilig
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Streets NW, Washington, DC 20057-1229, USA; (M.H.); (P.A.A.)
| | - Ying Yan
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Winchesterstr. 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany (H.S.); (Y.Y.); (M.F.S.)
- Liebig Centre for Agroecology & Climate Impact Research, 35394 Giessen, Germany
| | - Peter A. Armbruster
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Streets NW, Washington, DC 20057-1229, USA; (M.H.); (P.A.A.)
| | - Marc F. Schetelig
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Winchesterstr. 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany (H.S.); (Y.Y.); (M.F.S.)
- Liebig Centre for Agroecology & Climate Impact Research, 35394 Giessen, Germany
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Carabajal Paladino LZ, Wilson R, Tng PYL, Dhokiya V, Keen E, Cuber P, Larner W, Rooney S, Nicholls M, Uglow A, Williams L, Anderson MAE, Basu S, Leftwich PT, Alphey L. Optimizing CRE and PhiC31 mediated recombination in Aedes aegypti. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1254863. [PMID: 37811374 PMCID: PMC10557486 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1254863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Genetic manipulation of Aedes aegypti is key to developing a deeper understanding of this insects' biology, vector-virus interactions and makes future genetic control strategies possible. Despite some advances, this process remains laborious and requires highly skilled researchers and specialist equipment. Methods: Here we present two improved methods for genetic manipulation in this species. Use of transgenic lines which express Cre recombinase and a plasmid-based method for expressing PhiC31 when injected into early embryos. Results: Use of transgenic lines which express Cre recombinase allowed, by simple crossing schemes, germline or somatic recombination of transgenes, which could be utilized for numerous genetic manipulations. PhiC31 integrase based methods for site-specific integration of genetic elements was also improved, by developing a plasmid which expresses PhiC31 when injected into early embryos, eliminating the need to use costly and unstable mRNA as is the current standard. Discussion: Here we have expanded the toolbox for synthetic biology in Ae. aegypti. These methods can be easily transferred into other mosquito and even insect species by identifying appropriate promoter sequences. This advances the ability to manipulate these insects for fundamental studies, and for more applied approaches for pest control.
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Li J, Qin Y, Shen C, Zhang J, Tu S, Yang J, Wang Y, Zhou R, Zhang K, Chen J, Yang W. A new miniMOS tool kit capable of visualizing single copy insertion in C. elegans. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15433. [PMID: 37214099 PMCID: PMC10199674 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15433] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The miniMOS technique has been widely used in the C. elegans community to generate single copy insertions. A worm is considered as a potential insertion candidate if it is resistant to G418 antibiotics and does not express a co-injected fluorescence marker. If the expression of the extrachromosomal array is very low, it is possible for a worm to be mistakenly identified as a miniMOS candidate, as this low expression level can still confer resistance to G418 without producing a detectable fluorescence signal from the co-injection marker. This may increase the workload for identifying the insertion locus in the subsequent steps. In the present study, we modified the plasmid platform for miniMOS insertion by incorporating a myo-2 promoter-driven TagRFP or a ubiquitous H2B::GFP expression cassette into the targeting vector and introducing two loxP sites flanking the selection cassettes. Based on this new miniMOS tool kit, the removable fluorescence reporters can be used to visualize the single copy insertions, greatly reducing insertion locus identification efforts. In our experience, this new platform greatly facilitates the isolation of the miniMOS mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangyun Li
- Department of Physiology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuang Qin
- Department of Physiology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chengchen Shen
- Department of Physiology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Forensic Pathology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shasha Tu
- Department of Physiology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jingxuan Yang
- Department of Physiology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Physiology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ruyun Zhou
- Department of Anatomy, Bioimaging and Neuro-cell Science, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Kui Zhang
- Department of Forensic Pathology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jianping Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wenxing Yang
- Department of Physiology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Kan M, Huang T, Zhao P. Artificial chromosome technology and its potential application in plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:970943. [PMID: 36186059 PMCID: PMC9519882 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.970943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plant genetic engineering and transgenic technology are powerful ways to study the function of genes and improve crop yield and quality in the past few years. However, only a few genes could be transformed by most available genetic engineering and transgenic technologies, so changes still need to be made to meet the demands for high throughput studies, such as investigating the whole genetic pathway of crop traits and avoiding undesirable genes simultaneously in the next generation. Plant artificial chromosome (PAC) technology provides a carrier which allows us to assemble multiple and specific genes to produce a variety of products by minichromosome. However, PAC technology also have limitations that may hinder its further development and application. In this review, we will introduce the current state of PACs technology from PACs formation, factors on PACs formation, problems and potential solutions of PACs and exogenous gene(s) integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manman Kan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tengbo Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Panpan Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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Pacheco ID, Walling LL, Atkinson PW. Gene Editing and Genetic Control of Hemipteran Pests: Progress, Challenges and Perspectives. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:900785. [PMID: 35747496 PMCID: PMC9209771 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.900785] [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: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The origin of the order Hemiptera can be traced to the late Permian Period more than 230 MYA, well before the origin of flowering plants 100 MY later in during the Cretaceous period. Hemipteran species consume their liquid diets using a sucking proboscis; for phytophagous hemipterans their mouthparts (stylets) are elegant structures that enable voracious feeding from plant xylem or phloem. This adaptation has resulted in some hemipteran species becoming globally significant pests of agriculture resulting in significant annual crop losses. Due to the reliance on chemical insecticides for the control of insect pests in agricultural settings, many hemipteran pests have evolved resistance to insecticides resulting in an urgent need to develop new, species-specific and environmentally friendly methods of pest control. The rapid advances in CRISPR/Cas9 technologies in model insects such as Drosophila melanogaster, Tribolium castaneum, Bombyx mori, and Aedes aegypti has spurred a new round of innovative genetic control strategies in the Diptera and Lepidoptera and an increased interest in assessing genetic control technologies for the Hemiptera. Genetic control approaches in the Hemiptera have, to date, been largely overlooked due to the problems of introducing genetic material into the germline of these insects. The high frequency of CRISPR-mediated mutagenesis in model insect species suggest that, if the delivery problem for Hemiptera could be solved, then gene editing in the Hemiptera might be quickly achieved. Significant advances in CRISPR/Cas9 editing have been realized in nine species of Hemiptera over the past 4 years. Here we review progress in the Hemiptera and discuss the challenges and opportunities for extending contemporary genetic control strategies into species in this agriculturally important insect orderr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inaiara D. Pacheco
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Linda L. Walling
- Department of Botany & Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Peter W. Atkinson
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Peter W. Atkinson,
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Bai SK, Hong Y, Wu YR. Emerging technologies for genetic modification of solventogenic clostridia: From tool to strategy development. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 334:125222. [PMID: 33951568 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Solventogenic clostridia has been considered as one of the most potential microbial cell factories for biofuel production in the biorefinery industry. However, the inherent shortcomings of clostridia strains such as low productivity, by-products formation and toxic tolerance still strongly restrict the large-scale application. Therefore, concerns regarding the genetic modification of solventogenic clostridia have spurred interests into the development of modern gene-editing tools. In this review, we summarize the latest advances of genetic tools involved in modifying solventogenic clostridia. Following a systematic comparison on their respective characteristics, we then review the corresponding strategies for overcoming the obstacles to the enhanced production. Discussing the progress of other microbial cell factories for solventogenesis, we finally describe the key challenges and trends with valuable recommendations for future large-scale biosolvent industrial application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Kai Bai
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong 515063, China
| | - Ying Hong
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong 515063, China
| | - Yi-Rui Wu
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong 515063, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong 515063, China; Institute of Marine Sciences, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong 515063, China.
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Zhao Z, Tian D, McBride CS. Development of a pan-neuronal genetic driver in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2021; 1:100042. [PMID: 34590074 PMCID: PMC8478256 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2021.100042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The recent development of neurogenetic tools in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes is beginning to shed light on the neural basis of behaviors that make this species a major vector of human disease. However, we still lack a pan-neuronal expression driver-a key tool that provides genetic access to all neurons. Here, we describe our efforts to fill this gap via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in of reporters to broadly expressed neural genes and report on the generation of two strains, a Syt1:GCaMP6s strain that expresses synaptically localized GCaMP and a brp-T2A-QF2w driver strain that can be used to drive and amplify expression of any effector via the Q binary system. Both manipulations broadly and uniformly label the nervous system with only modest effects on behavior. We expect these strains to facilitate neurobiological research in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and document both successful and failed manipulations as a roadmap for similar tool development in other non-model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilei Zhao
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - David Tian
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Carolyn S. McBride
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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Caragata EP, Dong S, Dong Y, Simões ML, Tikhe CV, Dimopoulos G. Prospects and Pitfalls: Next-Generation Tools to Control Mosquito-Transmitted Disease. Annu Rev Microbiol 2021; 74:455-475. [PMID: 32905752 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-011320-025557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Mosquito-transmitted diseases, including malaria and dengue, are a major threat to human health around the globe, affecting millions each year. A diverse array of next-generation tools has been designed to eliminate mosquito populations or to replace them with mosquitoes that are less capable of transmitting key pathogens. Many of these new approaches have been built on recent advances in CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing. These initiatives have driven the development of pathogen-resistant lines, new genetics-based sexing methods, and new methods of driving desirable genetic traits into mosquito populations. Many other emerging tools involve microorganisms, including two strategies involving Wolbachia that are achieving great success in the field. At the same time, other mosquito-associated bacteria, fungi, and even viruses represent untapped sources of new mosquitocidal or antipathogen compounds. Although there are still hurdles to be overcome, the prospect that such approaches will reduce the impact of these diseases is highly encouraging.
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Affiliation(s)
- E P Caragata
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA; , , , , ,
| | - S Dong
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Y Dong
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA; , , , , ,
| | - M L Simões
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA; , , , , ,
| | - C V Tikhe
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA; , , , , ,
| | - G Dimopoulos
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA; , , , , ,
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Macias VM, Palatini U, Bonizzoni M, Rasgon JL. Leaning Into the Bite: The piRNA Pathway as an Exemplar for the Genetic Engineering Need in Mosquitoes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:614342. [PMID: 33520739 PMCID: PMC7840538 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.614342] [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: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The piRNA pathway is a specialized small RNA interference that in mosquitoes is mechanistically distant from analogous biology in the Drosophila model. Current genetic engineering methods, such as targeted genome manipulation, have a high potential to tease out the functional complexity of this intricate molecular pathway. However, progress in utilizing these methods in arthropod vectors has been geared mostly toward the development of new vector control strategies rather than to study cellular functions. Herein we propose that genetic engineering methods will be essential to uncover the full functionality of PIWI/piRNA biology in mosquitoes and that extending the applications of genetic engineering on other aspects of mosquito biology will grant access to a much larger pool of knowledge in disease vectors that is just out of reach. We discuss motivations for and impediments to expanding the utility of genetic engineering to study the underlying biology and disease transmission and describe specific areas where efforts can be placed to achieve the full potential for genetic engineering in basic biology in mosquito vectors. Such efforts will generate a refreshed intellectual source of novel approaches to disease control and strong support for the effective use of approaches currently in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa M Macias
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Umberto Palatini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Jason L Rasgon
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.,Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.,Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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Häcker I, Koller R, Eichner G, Martin J, Liapi E, Rühl J, Rehling T, Schetelig MF. Evaluation of Hydrogen Peroxide Fumigation and Heat Treatment for Standard Emergency Arthropod Inactivation in BSL-3 Insectaries. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:602937. [PMID: 33304894 PMCID: PMC7701145 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.602937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change and global movements of people and goods have accelerated the spread of invasive species, including insects that vector infectious diseases, which threaten the health of more than half of the world’s population. Increasing research efforts to control these diseases include the study of vector – pathogen interactions, involving the handling of pathogen-infected vector insects under biosafety level (BSL) 2 and 3 conditions. Like microbiology BSL-3 laboratories, BSL-3 insectaries are usually subjected to fixed-term or emergency room decontamination using recognized methods such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or formaldehyde fumigation. While these procedures have been standardized and approved for the inactivation of diverse pathogens on surfaces, to date, there are no current standards for effective room-wide inactivation of insects in BSL-3 facilities in case of an emergency such as the accidental release of a large number of infected vectors. As H2O2 is often used for standard room decontamination in BSL-3 facilities, we evaluated H2O2 fumigation as a potential standard method for the safe, room-wide deactivation of insects in BSL-3 insectaries in comparison to heat treatment. To account for physiological diversity in vector insect species, six species from three different orders were tested. For the H2O2 fumigation we observed a strong but also varying resilience across all species. Lethal exposure time for the tested dipterans ranged from nine to more than 24 h. Furthermore, the coleopteran, Tribolium castaneum, did not respond to continuous H2O2 exposure for 48 h under standard room decontamination conditions. In contrast, temperatures of 50°C effectively killed all the tested species within 2 to 10 min. The response to lower temperatures (40–48°C) again showed a strong variation between species. In summary, results suggest that H2O2 fumigation, especially in cases where a gas generator is part of the laboratory equipment, may be used for the inactivation of selected species but is not suitable as a general emergency insect inactivation method under normal room decontamination conditions. In contrast, heat treatment at 48 to 50°C has the potential to be developed as an approved standard procedure for the effective inactivation of insects in BSL-3 facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Häcker
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, Germany.,Department of Insect Pest and Vector Control, Division of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Gießen, Germany
| | - Roland Koller
- Ortner Reinraumtechnik GmbH (Ortner Cleanrooms Unlimited), Villach, Austria
| | - Gerrit Eichner
- Mathematical Institute, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Jakob Martin
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Eleni Liapi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Johanna Rühl
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Tanja Rehling
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Marc F Schetelig
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, Germany.,Department of Insect Pest and Vector Control, Division of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Gießen, Germany
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Schetelig MF, Yan Y, Zhao Y, Handler AM. Genomic targeting by recombinase-mediated cassette exchange in the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 28:187-195. [PMID: 30187585 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Drosophila suzukii is a significant pest of stone and small fruits. The genome of this species has been sequenced and manipulated by transposon-mediated transformation and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. These technologies open a variety of possibilities for functional genomics and genetic modifications that might improve biologically based population control strategies. Both of these approaches, however, would benefit from genome targeting that would avoid position effects and insertional mutations associated with random transposon vector insertions, and the limited DNA fragment insertion size allowed by gene editing. Here, we describe an efficient recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) system for D. suzukii in which heterospecific lox recombination sites were integrated into the genome by transposon-mediated transformation and subsequently targeted for double recombination by a donor vector in the presence of Cre recombinase. Three loxN/lox2272 landing site lines have previously been created in D. suzukii, and quantitative PCR determined that polyubiquitin-regulated enhanced green fluorescent protein expression is least susceptible to position effect suppression in the 443_M26m1 line. We presume that RMCE target sites may also be inserted more specifically into the genome by homology-directed repair gene editing, thereby avoiding position effects and mutations, while eliminating restrictions on the size of donor constructs for subsequent insertion.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Schetelig
- Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Giessen, Germany
- Fraunhofer IME, Project Group Bioresources, Giessen, Germany
- USDA/ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Y Yan
- Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Y Zhao
- USDA/ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - A M Handler
- USDA/ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Abstract
Vector control programs based on population reduction by matings with mass-released sterile insects require the release of only male mosquitoes, as the release of females, even if sterile, would increase the number of biting and potentially disease-transmitting individuals. While small-scale releases demonstrated the applicability of sterile males releases to control the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti, large-scale programs for mosquitoes are currently prevented by the lack of efficient sexing systems in any of the vector species.Different approaches of sexing are pursued, including classical genetic and mechanical methods of sex separation. Another strategy is the development of transgenic sexing systems. Such systems already exist in other insect pests. Genome modification tools could be used to apply similar strategies to mosquitoes. Three major tools to modify mosquito genomes are currently used: transposable elements, site-specific recombination systems, and genome editing via TALEN or CRISPR/Cas. All three can serve the purpose of developing sexing systems and vector control strains in mosquitoes in two ways: first, via their use in basic research. A better understanding of mosquito biology, including the sex-determining pathways and the involved genes can greatly facilitate the development of sexing strains. Moreover, basic research can help to identify other regulatory elements and genes potentially useful for the construction of transgenic sexing systems. Second, these genome modification tools can be used to apply the gained knowledge to build and test mosquito sexing strains for vector control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Häcker
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Marc F Schetelig
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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