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Mamai W, Bueno-Masso O, Wallner T, Nikièma SA, Meletiou S, Deng L, Balestrino F, Yamada H, Bouyer J. Efficiency assessment of a novel automatic mosquito pupae sex separation system in support of area-wide male-based release strategies. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9170. [PMID: 38649700 PMCID: PMC11035561 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58067-x] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This study provides a comparative analysis of two state-of-the-art automatic mosquito pupae sex sorters currently available: the ORINNO and the WOLBAKI Biotech pupae sex separation systems, which both exploit the sexual size dimorphism of pupae. In Aedes aegypti, the WOLBAKI sex sorter and the ORINNO with a sieve mesh size of 1.050 mm achieved sex separation with female contamination rates below 1%, low pupae mortality rates and high male flight capacity. However, in Ae. albopictus, there was more variability, with female contamination rates above the 1% threshold and pupae mortality reaching 27% when using the ORINNO sorter. On the other hand, the WOLBAKI sorter achieved a male pupae recovery of 47.99 ± 8.81% and 50.91 ± 11.77% in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, respectively, while the ORINNO sorter with a smaller sieve size achieved male pupae recoveries of 38.08 ± 9.69% and 40.16 ± 2.73% in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, respectively. This study provides valuable information for researchers and practitioners in the field, assisting in the selection of the most suitable system for mosquito control, management and research programs depending on their specific requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Mamai
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria.
- Institut de Recherche Agricole pour le Développement (IRAD), Yaoundé, Cameroun.
| | - O Bueno-Masso
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
| | - T Wallner
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
| | - S A Nikièma
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Direction Régionale de l'Ouest (IRSS/DRO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - S Meletiou
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
- Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - L Deng
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - F Balestrino
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
| | - H Yamada
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
| | - J Bouyer
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE CIRAD-INRA "Animals, Health, Territories, Risks and Ecosystems", Campus International de Baillarguet, 34398, Montpellier Cedex 05, France
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2
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Weng SC, Antoshechkin I, Marois E, Akbari OS. Efficient sex separation by exploiting differential alternative splicing of a dominant marker in Aedes aegypti. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1011065. [PMID: 38011259 PMCID: PMC10703412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011065] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Only female mosquitoes consume blood giving them the opportunity to transmit deadly human pathogens. Therefore, it is critical to remove females before conducting releases for genetic biocontrol interventions. Here we describe a robust sex-sorting approach termed SEPARATOR (Sexing Element Produced by Alternative RNA-splicing of A Transgenic Observable Reporter) that exploits sex-specific alternative splicing of an innocuous reporter to ensure exclusive dominant male-specific expression. Using SEPARATOR, we demonstrate reliable sex selection from early larval and pupal stages in Aedes aegypti, and use a Complex Object Parametric Analyzer and Sorter (COPAS) to demonstrate scalable high-throughput sex-selection of first instar larvae. Additionally, we use this approach to sequence the transcriptomes of early larval males and females and find several genes that are sex-specifically expressed. SEPARATOR can simplify mass production of males for release programs and is designed to be cross-species portable and should be instrumental for genetic biocontrol interventions.
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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, California, United States of America
| | - Igor Antoshechkin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Eric Marois
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Omar S. Akbari
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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3
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Weng SC, Antoshechkin I, Marois E, Akbari OS. Efficient Sex Separation by Exploiting Differential Alternative Splicing of a Dominant Marker in Aedes aegypti. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.16.545348. [PMID: 37398094 PMCID: PMC10312783 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.16.545348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Only female mosquitoes consume blood and transmit deadly human pathogens. Therefore, it is critical to remove females before conducting releases for genetic biocontrol interventions. Here we describe a robust sex-sorting approach termed SEPARATOR (Sexing Element Produced by Alternative RNA-splicing of A Transgenic Observable Reporter) that exploits sex-specific alternative splicing of an innocuous reporter to ensure exclusive dominant male-specific expression. Using SEPARATOR, we demonstrate reliable sex selection from larval and pupal stages in Aedes aegypti, and use a Complex Object Parametric Analyzer and Sorter (COPAS®) to demonstrate scalable high-throughput sex-selection of first instar larvae. Additionally, we use this approach to sequence the transcriptomes of early larval males and females and find several genes that are sex-specifically expressed in males. SEPARATOR can simplify mass production of males for release programs and is designed to be cross-species portable and should be instrumental for genetic biocontrol interventions.
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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
| | - Igor Antoshechkin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA91125, USA
| | - Eric Marois
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Université de Strasbourg, France
| | - 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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4
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Lutrat C, Burckbuchler M, Olmo RP, Beugnon R, Fontaine A, Akbari OS, Argilés-Herrero R, Baldet T, Bouyer J, Marois E. Combining two genetic sexing strains allows sorting of non-transgenic males for Aedes genetic control. Commun Biol 2023; 6:646. [PMID: 37328568 PMCID: PMC10275924 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05030-7] [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: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemical control of disease vectoring mosquitoes Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti is costly, unsustainable, and increasingly ineffective due to the spread of insecticide resistance. The Sterile Insect Technique is a valuable alternative but is limited by slow, error-prone, and wasteful sex-separation methods. Here, we present four Genetic Sexing Strains (two for each Aedes species) based on fluorescence markers linked to the m and M sex loci, allowing for the isolation of transgenic males. Furthermore, we demonstrate how combining these sexing strains enables the production of non-transgenic males. In a mass-rearing facility, 100,000 first instar male larvae could be sorted in under 1.5 h with an estimated 0.01-0.1% female contamination on a single machine. Cost-efficiency analyses revealed that using these strains could result in important savings while setting up and running a mass-rearing facility. Altogether, these Genetic Sexing Strains should enable a major upscaling in control programmes against these important vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célia Lutrat
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34398, Montpellier, France.
- ASTRE, CIRAD, INRA, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
| | | | | | - Rémy Beugnon
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Puschstrasse 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Albin Fontaine
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et maladies infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées (IRBA), Marseille, France
| | - Omar S Akbari
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
| | | | - Thierry Baldet
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34398, Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Sainte-Clotilde, F-97490, Reunion, France
| | - Jérémy Bouyer
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34398, Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Saint-Pierre, F-97410, Reunion, France
- Insect Pest Control Sub-Programme, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria
| | - Eric Marois
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
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5
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Wong ML, Zulzahrin Z, Vythilingam I, Lau YL, Sam IC, Fong MY, Lee WC. Perspectives of vector management in the control and elimination of vector-borne zoonoses. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1135977. [PMID: 37025644 PMCID: PMC10070879 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1135977] [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: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex transmission profiles of vector-borne zoonoses (VZB) and vector-borne infections with animal reservoirs (VBIAR) complicate efforts to break the transmission circuit of these infections. To control and eliminate VZB and VBIAR, insecticide application may not be conducted easily in all circumstances, particularly for infections with sylvatic transmission cycle. As a result, alternative approaches have been considered in the vector management against these infections. In this review, we highlighted differences among the environmental, chemical, and biological control approaches in vector management, from the perspectives of VZB and VBIAR. Concerns and knowledge gaps pertaining to the available control approaches were discussed to better understand the prospects of integrating these vector control approaches to synergistically break the transmission of VZB and VBIAR in humans, in line with the integrated vector management (IVM) developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2004.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Li Wong
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Zulhisham Zulzahrin
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Indra Vythilingam
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yee Ling Lau
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - I-Ching Sam
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mun Yik Fong
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wenn-Chyau Lee
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR ID Labs), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Wenn-Chyau Lee,
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6
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Chen C, Compton A, Nikolouli K, Wang A, Aryan A, Sharma A, Qi Y, Dellinger C, Hempel M, Potters M, Augustinos A, Severson DW, Bourtzis K, Tu Z. Marker-assisted mapping enables forward genetic analysis in Aedes aegypti, an arboviral vector with vast recombination deserts. Genetics 2022; 222:iyac140. [PMID: 36083009 PMCID: PMC9630976 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti is a major vector of arboviruses that cause dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika. Although recent success in reverse genetics has facilitated rapid progress in basic and applied research, integration of forward genetics with modern technologies remains challenging in this important species, as up to 47% of its chromosome is refractory to genetic mapping due to extremely low rate of recombination. Here, we report the development of a marker-assisted mapping strategy to readily screen for and genotype only the rare but informative recombinants, drastically increasing both the resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. Using marker-assisted mapping, we mapped a transgene that was inserted in a >100-Mb recombination desert and a sex-linked spontaneous red-eye (re) mutation just outside the region. We subsequently determined, by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout, that cardinal is the causal gene of re, which is the first forward genetic identification of a causal gene in Ae. aegypti. The identification of the causal gene of the sex-linked re mutation provides the molecular foundation for using gene editing to develop versatile and stable genetic sexing methods. To facilitate genome-wide forward genetics in Ae. aegypti, we generated and compiled a number of lines with markers throughout the genome. Thus, by overcoming the challenges presented by the vast recombination deserts and the scarcity of markers, we have shown that effective forward genetic analysis is increasingly feasible in this important arboviral vector species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chujia Chen
- Genetics Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Austin Compton
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Katerina Nikolouli
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA Laboratories, 2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Aihua Wang
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Azadeh Aryan
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Atashi Sharma
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Yumin Qi
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Camden Dellinger
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Melanie Hempel
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Mark Potters
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Antonios Augustinos
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA Laboratories, 2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - David W Severson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Kostas Bourtzis
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA Laboratories, 2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Zhijian Tu
- Genetics Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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7
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Spinner SAM, Barnes ZH, Puinean AM, Gray P, Dafa’alla T, Phillips CE, Nascimento de Souza C, Frazon TF, Ercit K, Collado A, Naish N, Sulston E, Ll. Phillips GC, Greene KK, Poletto M, Sperry BD, Warner SA, Rose NR, Frandsen GK, Verza NC, Gorman KJ, Matzen KJ. New self-sexing Aedes aegypti strain eliminates barriers to scalable and sustainable vector control for governments and communities in dengue-prone environments. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:975786. [PMID: 36394032 PMCID: PMC9650594 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.975786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
For more than 60 years, efforts to develop mating-based mosquito control technologies have largely failed to produce solutions that are both effective and scalable, keeping them out of reach of most governments and communities in disease-impacted regions globally. High pest suppression levels in trials have yet to fully translate into broad and effective Aedes aegypti control solutions. Two primary challenges to date-the need for complex sex-sorting to prevent female releases, and cumbersome processes for rearing and releasing male adult mosquitoes-present significant barriers for existing methods. As the host range of Aedes aegypti continues to advance into new geographies due to increasing globalisation and climate change, traditional chemical-based approaches are under mounting pressure from both more stringent regulatory processes and the ongoing development of insecticide resistance. It is no exaggeration to state that new tools, which are equal parts effective and scalable, are needed now more than ever. This paper describes the development and field evaluation of a new self-sexing strain of Aedes aegypti that has been designed to combine targeted vector suppression, operational simplicity, and cost-effectiveness for use in disease-prone regions. This conditional, self-limiting trait uses the sex-determination gene doublesex linked to the tetracycline-off genetic switch to cause complete female lethality in early larval development. With no female progeny survival, sex sorting is no longer required, eliminating the need for large-scale mosquito production facilities or physical sex-separation. In deployment operations, this translates to the ability to generate multiple generations of suppression for each mosquito released, while being entirely self-limiting. To evaluate these potential benefits, a field trial was carried out in densely-populated urban, dengue-prone neighbourhoods in Brazil, wherein the strain was able to suppress wild mosquito populations by up to 96%, demonstrating the utility of this self-sexing approach for biological vector control. In doing so, it has shown that such strains offer the critical components necessary to make these tools highly accessible, and thus they harbour the potential to transition mating-based approaches to effective and sustainable vector control tools that are within reach of governments and at-risk communities who may have only limited resources.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pam Gray
- Oxitec Ltd., Abingdon, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Natalia C. Verza
- Oxitec Ltd., Abingdon, United Kingdom
- Oxitec do Brasil, Campinas, Brazil
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8
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Misbah-ul-Haq M, Augustinos AA, Carvalho DO, Duran de la Fuente L, Bourtzis K. The Effect of an Irradiation-Induced Recombination Suppressing Inversion on the Genetic Stability and Biological Quality of a White Eye-Based Aedes aegypti Genetic Sexing Strain. INSECTS 2022; 13:946. [PMID: 36292893 PMCID: PMC9604213 DOI: 10.3390/insects13100946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika fever, and yellow fever. The sterile insect technique (SIT) has been proposed as a species-specific and environment-friendly tool for the suppression of mosquito vector populations as a major component of integrated vector management strategies. As female mosquitoes are blood-feeders and may transmit pathogenic microorganisms, mosquito SIT depends on the release of sterile males. Genetic sexing strains (GSS) can be used for the efficient and robust separation of males from females. Two Ae. aegypti GSS were recently developed by exploiting eye colour mutations, resulting in the Red-eye GSS (RGSS) and the White-eye GSS (WGSS). In this study, we compared two WGSS, with and without the chromosomal inversion 35 (Inv35), and evaluated their biological quality, including genetic stability. Our results suggest that the WGSS/Inv35 presents a low recombination rate and long-term genetic stability when recombinants are removed from the colony (filtering) and a slow accumulation of recombinants when they are not removed from the colony (non-filtering). The two strains were similar with respect to fecundity, pupal and adult recovery rates, pupation curve, and pupal weight. However, differences were detected in fertility, survival rate of females, and flight ability of males. The WGSS/Inv35 presented lower fertility, higher survival rate of females, and better flight ability of males compared to the WGSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Misbah-ul-Haq
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, 2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
- Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture, Peshawar 446, Pakistan
| | - Antonios A. Augustinos
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, 2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Danilo O. Carvalho
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, 2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Lucia Duran de la Fuente
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, 2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Kostas Bourtzis
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, 2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
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9
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Kojin BB, Compton A, Adelman ZN, Tu Z. Selective targeting of biting females to control mosquito-borne infectious diseases. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:791-804. [PMID: 35952630 PMCID: PMC9372635 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Mosquitoes are vectors for a number of infectious diseases. Only females feed on blood to provision for their embryos and, in doing so, transmit pathogens to the associated vertebrate hosts. Therefore, sex is an important phenotype in the context of genetic control programs, both for sex separation in the rearing facilities to avoid releasing biting females and for ways to distort the sex ratio towards nonbiting males. We review recent progress in the fundamental knowledge of sex determination and sex chromosomes in mosquitoes and discuss new methods to achieve sex separation and sex ratio distortion to help control mosquito-borne infectious diseases. We conclude by suggesting a few critical areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca B Kojin
- Department of Entomology and Agrilife Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Austin Compton
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA; Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Zach N Adelman
- Department of Entomology and Agrilife Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - Zhijian Tu
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA; Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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10
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Misbah-ul-Haq M, Carvalho DO, Duran De La Fuente L, Augustinos AA, Bourtzis K. Genetic Stability and Fitness of Aedes aegypti Red-Eye Genetic Sexing Strains With Pakistani Genomic Background for Sterile Insect Technique Applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:871703. [PMID: 35433649 PMCID: PMC9009520 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.871703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The mosquito species Aedes aegypti is the primary transmitter of viruses that cause endemic diseases like dengue in Pakistan. It is also a cause of other vector-borne diseases like yellow fever, Zika fever, and chikungunya, which significantly impact human health worldwide. In the absence of efficient vaccines (except for yellow fever) or drugs, vector control methods, such as the sterile insect technique (SIT), have been proposed as additional tools for the management of these diseases. Mosquito SIT programs are based on the release of sterile males and it is important female releases to be ideally zero or to be kept at a minimum, since females are the ones that bite, blood-feed and transmit pathogens. Recently, an Ae. aegypti genetic sexing strain (GSS), with and without a recombination-suppressing inversion (Inv35), was developed using the eye color as a selectable marker, with males having black eyes and females red eyes. In the present study, we introgressed the sexing features and the Inv35 of the Ae. aegypti red-eye GSS into the Pakistani genomic background aiming to their future use for SIT applications in the country. Both introgressed strains, the Red-eye GSS-PAK and the Red-eye GSS/Inv35-PAK, were evaluated in respect to their genetic stability and biological quality by assessing parameters like recombination rate, fecundity, fertility, pupal and adult recovery, time of development, pupal weight, survival, and flight ability in comparison with a wild Pakistani population (PAK). The results suggest that the sexing features and the recombination suppression properties of Inv35 were not affected after their introgression into the local genomic background; however, some biological traits of the two newly constructed strains were affected, positively or negatively, suggesting that a thorough quality control analysis should be performed after the introgression of a GSS into a new genomic background prior to its use in SIT field trials or applications. The importance of using GSS with local genomic background for SIT applications against Aedes aegypti is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Misbah-ul-Haq
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Seibersdorf, Austria
- Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan
- *Correspondence: Muhammad Misbah-ul-Haq, ; Kostas Bourtzis,
| | - Danilo O. Carvalho
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Lucia Duran De La Fuente
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Antonios A. Augustinos
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Kostas Bourtzis
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Seibersdorf, Austria
- *Correspondence: Muhammad Misbah-ul-Haq, ; Kostas Bourtzis,
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11
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Moretti R, Lampazzi E, Damiani C, Fabbri G, Lombardi G, Pioli C, Desiderio A, Serrao A, Calvitti M. Increased biting rate and decreased Wolbachia density in irradiated Aedes mosquitoes. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:67. [PMID: 35209944 PMCID: PMC8867665 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05188-9] [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: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Releasing considerable numbers of radiation-sterilized males is a promising strategy to suppress mosquito vectors. However, releases may also include small percentages of biting females, which translate to non-negligible numbers when releases are large. Currently, the effects of irradiation on host-seeking and host-biting behaviors have not been exhaustively investigated. Information is also lacking regarding the effects of sterilizing treatment on the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia, which is known to affect the vector competence of infected mosquitos. Methods To ascertain the effects of irradiation on females, the pupae of two Aedes albopictus strains, differing in their natural or artificial Wolbachia infection type, and Aedes aegypti—which is not infected by Wolbachia—were treated with various doses of X-rays and monitored for key fitness parameters and biting behavior over a period of 2 weeks. The effect of radiation on Wolbachia was investigated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. Results Partial Aedes albopictus female sterility was achieved at 28 Gy, but the number of weekly bites more than doubled compared to that of the controls. Radiation doses of 35 and 45 Gy completely inhibited progeny production but did not significantly affect the survival or flight ability of Ae. albopictus females and caused a tripling of the number of bites per female per week (compared to untreated controls). These results were also confirmed in Ae. aegypti after treatment at 50 Gy. Wolbachia density decreased significantly in 45-Gy-irradiated females, with the greatest decreases in the early irradiation group (26 ± 2-h-old pupae). Wolbachia density also decreased as adults aged. This trend was confirmed in ovaries but not in extra-ovarian tissues. FISH analysis showed a strongly reduced Wolbachia-specific fluorescence in the ovaries of 13 ± 1-day-old females. Conclusions These results suggest that, under sterile insect technique (SIT) programs, the vector capacity of a target population could increase with the frequency of the irradiated females co-released with the sterile males due to an increased biting rate. In the context of successful suppression, the related safety issues are expected to be generally negligible, but they should be conservatively evaluated when large-scale programs relying on imperfect sexing and high overflooding release ratios are run for long periods in areas endemic for arboviral diseases. Also, the effects of irradiation on the vector competence deserve further investigation. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05188-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Moretti
- Biotechnology and Agroindustry Division, ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development), Casaccia Research Center, Rome, Italy.
| | - Elena Lampazzi
- Biotechnology and Agroindustry Division, ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development), Casaccia Research Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Damiani
- School of Biosciences and Medical Veterinary, University of Camerino, Camerino, MC, Italy.,Biovecblok S.r.L, Camerino, MC, Italy
| | - Giulia Fabbri
- Biotechnology and Agroindustry Division, ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development), Casaccia Research Center, Rome, Italy.,School of Biosciences and Medical Veterinary, University of Camerino, Camerino, MC, Italy
| | - Giulia Lombardi
- Biotechnology and Agroindustry Division, ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development), Casaccia Research Center, Rome, Italy.,School of Biosciences and Medical Veterinary, University of Camerino, Camerino, MC, Italy
| | - Claudio Pioli
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development), Casaccia Research Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Angiola Desiderio
- Biotechnology and Agroindustry Division, ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development), Casaccia Research Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Aurelio Serrao
- School of Biosciences and Medical Veterinary, University of Camerino, Camerino, MC, Italy.,Biovecblok S.r.L, Camerino, MC, Italy
| | - Maurizio Calvitti
- Biotechnology and Agroindustry Division, ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development), Casaccia Research Center, Rome, Italy
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12
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Augustinos AA, Nikolouli K, Duran de la Fuente L, Misbah-ul-Haq M, Carvalho DO, Bourtzis K. Introgression of the Aedes aegypti Red-Eye Genetic Sexing Strains Into Different Genomic Backgrounds for Sterile Insect Technique Applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:821428. [PMID: 35186905 PMCID: PMC8847382 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.821428] [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: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti is an invasive mosquito species and major vector of human arboviruses. A wide variety of control methods have been employed to combat mosquito populations. One of them is the sterile insect technique (SIT) that has recently attracted considerable research efforts due to its proven record of success and the absence of harmful environmental footprints. The efficiency and cost-effectiveness of SIT is significantly enhanced by male-only releases. For mosquito SIT, male-only releases are ideally needed since females bite, blood-feed and transmit the pathogens. Ae. aegypti genetic sexing strains (GSS) have recently become available and are based on eye colour mutations that were chosen as selectable markers. These genetic sexing strains were developed through classical genetics and it was shown to be subjected to genetic recombination, a phenomenon that is not suppressed in males as is the case in many Diptera. The genetic stability of these GSS was strengthened by the induction and isolation of radiation-induced inversions. In this study, we used the red eye mutation and the inversion Inv35 line of the Ae. aegypti red-eye GSS s and introgressed them in six different genomic backgrounds to develop GSS with the respective local genomic backgrounds. Our goal was to assess whether the recombination frequencies in the strains with and without the inversion are affected by the different genomic backgrounds. In all cases the recombination events were suppressed in all Inv35 GSS strains, thus indicating that the genomic background does not negatively affect the inversion result. Absence of any effect that could be ascribed to genetic differences, enables the introgression of the key elements of the GSS into the local genomic background prior to release to the target areas. Maintaining the local background increases the chances for successful matings between released males and wild females and addresses potential regulatory concerns regarding biosafety and biosecurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios A. Augustinos
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA Laboratories, Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Katerina Nikolouli
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA Laboratories, Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Lucia Duran de la Fuente
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA Laboratories, Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Muhammad Misbah-ul-Haq
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA Laboratories, Seibersdorf, Austria
- Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Danilo O. Carvalho
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA Laboratories, Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Kostas Bourtzis
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA Laboratories, Seibersdorf, Austria
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13
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Xu X, Harvey-Samuel T, Yang J, You M, Alphey L. CRISPR/Cas9-based functional characterization of the pigmentation gene ebony in Plutella xylostella. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 30:615-623. [PMID: 34414615 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Body pigmentation is an important character of insects in adapting to biotic and abiotic environmental challenges. Additionally, based on the relative ease of screening, several genes involved in insect melanization have been used in classic genetic studies or as visual markers in constructing transgenic insects. Here, a homologue of the Bombyx mori melanization-inhibiting gene ebony, associated with the conversion of dopamine to N-β-alanyl dopamine, was identified in a global pest, Plutella xylostella. The CRISPR/Cas9 system was applied to generate multiple Pxebony knockout alleles which were crossed to produce a Pxebony knockout strain, showing darker pigmentation in larvae, pupae and adults, compared with wildtype. Interestingly, we observed that Pxebony heterozygotes displayed an intermediate darkened phenotype, indicating partial dominance between the knockout and wildtype alleles. The fitness costs of Pxebony deficiency were also assessed in the mutant strain, indicating that embryo hatchability and larval survival were significantly reduced, while the eclosion rate was not obviously affected. Our work provides a potential target for exploring CRISPR-based genetics-control systems in this economically important pest lepidopteran.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Xu
- 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, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
| | - T Harvey-Samuel
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, UK
| | - J 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, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
| | - M You
- 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, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou, China
| | - L Alphey
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, UK
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14
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Vreysen MJB, Abd-Alla AMM, Bourtzis K, Bouyer J, Caceres C, de Beer C, Oliveira Carvalho D, Maiga H, Mamai W, Nikolouli K, Yamada H, Pereira R. The Insect Pest Control Laboratory of the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme: Ten Years (2010-2020) of Research and Development, Achievements and Challenges in Support of the Sterile Insect Technique. INSECTS 2021; 12:346. [PMID: 33924539 PMCID: PMC8070182 DOI: 10.3390/insects12040346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre (formerly called Division) of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture was established in 1964 and its accompanying laboratories in 1961. One of its subprograms deals with insect pest control, and has the mandate to develop and implement the sterile insect technique (SIT) for selected key insect pests, with the goal of reducing the use of insecticides, reducing animal and crop losses, protecting the environment, facilitating international trade in agricultural commodities and improving human health. Since its inception, the Insect Pest Control Laboratory (IPCL) (formerly named Entomology Unit) has been implementing research in relation to the development of the SIT package for insect pests of crops, livestock and human health. This paper provides a review of research carried out between 2010 and 2020 at the IPCL. Research on plant pests has focused on the development of genetic sexing strains, characterizing and assessing the performance of these strains (e.g., Ceratitis capitata), elucidation of the taxonomic status of several members of the Bactrocera dorsalis and Anastrepha fraterculus complexes, the use of microbiota as probiotics, genomics, supplements to improve the performance of the reared insects, and the development of the SIT package for fruit fly species such as Bactrocera oleae and Drosophila suzukii. Research on livestock pests has focused on colony maintenance and establishment, tsetse symbionts and pathogens, sex separation, morphology, sterile male quality, radiation biology, mating behavior and transportation and release systems. Research with human disease vectors has focused on the development of genetic sexing strains (Anopheles arabiensis, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), the development of a more cost-effective larvae and adult rearing system, assessing various aspects of radiation biology, characterizing symbionts and pathogens, studying mating behavior and the development of quality control procedures, and handling and release methods. During the review period, 13 coordinated research projects (CRPs) were completed and six are still being implemented. At the end of each CRP, the results were published in a special issue of a peer-reviewed journal. The review concludes with an overview of future challenges, such as the need to adhere to a phased conditional approach for the implementation of operational SIT programs, the need to make the SIT more cost effective, to respond with demand driven research to solve the problems faced by the operational SIT programs and the use of the SIT to address a multitude of exotic species that are being introduced, due to globalization, and established in areas where they could not survive before, due to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hanano Yamada
- Insect Pest Control Subprogramme, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, A-1400 Vienna, Austria; (M.J.B.V.); (A.M.M.A.-A.); (K.B.); (J.B.); (C.C.); (C.d.B.); (D.O.C.); (H.M.); (W.M.); (K.N.); (R.P.)
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15
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Tur C, Almenar D, Benlloch-Navarro S, Argilés-Herrero R, Zacarés M, Dalmau V, Pla I. Sterile Insect Technique in an Integrated Vector Management Program against Tiger Mosquito Aedes albopictus in the Valencia Region (Spain): Operating Procedures and Quality Control Parameters. INSECTS 2021; 12:272. [PMID: 33807092 PMCID: PMC8004901 DOI: 10.3390/insects12030272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are the main vectors of arboviral diseases such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses. About a third of the world population is currently at risk of contracting Aedes-borne epidemics. In recent years, A. albopictus has drastically increased its distribution in many countries. In the absence of efficient mosquito vector control methods, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is presented as a very promising and environment-friendly control tool. The Agriculture Department of the Valencian Region is promoting an ongoing pilot project to evaluate the efficacy of an integrated vector management program (IVM) based on the use of the SIT as the main method of control. The laboratory studies for evaluating the entomological efficacy of SIT through the phased conditional testing process recommended by World Health Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency (WHO-IAEA) are addressed. This study describes the routine operating procedures and quality control parameters for the medium-scale rearing of sterile male A. albopictus. More than 15 million sterile males have been produced and released in an area of 80 ha between 2018 and 2020. Of the initial L1 larvae, we recovered 17.2% of male pupae after sex sorting to be sterilized and released on the field, while the rest of the pupae remained available to maintain the rearing colony. The residual percentage of females after sex sorting was on average 0.17%. The obtained values in terms of production and quality control as well as the proposed rearing methodology can be useful for designing a medium-scale mosquito-rearing pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Tur
- Empresa de Transformación Agraria S.A., S.M.E, M.P. (TRAGSA), Avenida de la Industria 26, 46980 Paterna, Spain; (D.A.); (S.B.-N.); (I.P.)
- Escuela de Doctorado, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
| | - David Almenar
- Empresa de Transformación Agraria S.A., S.M.E, M.P. (TRAGSA), Avenida de la Industria 26, 46980 Paterna, Spain; (D.A.); (S.B.-N.); (I.P.)
| | - Sandra Benlloch-Navarro
- Empresa de Transformación Agraria S.A., S.M.E, M.P. (TRAGSA), Avenida de la Industria 26, 46980 Paterna, Spain; (D.A.); (S.B.-N.); (I.P.)
| | - Rafael Argilés-Herrero
- Insect Pest Control Section, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Wagramerstrasse 5, P.O. Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Mario Zacarés
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas y Transversales, Facultad de Veterinaria y Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, C/Guillem de Castro 94, 46001 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Vicente Dalmau
- Conselleria de Agricultura, Desarrollo Rural, Emergencia Climática y Transición Ecológica, Ctra Alicante-Valencia s/n Apdo correos 125, 46460 Silla, Spain;
| | - Ignacio Pla
- Empresa de Transformación Agraria S.A., S.M.E, M.P. (TRAGSA), Avenida de la Industria 26, 46980 Paterna, Spain; (D.A.); (S.B.-N.); (I.P.)
- Escuela de Doctorado, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
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16
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Nguyen TNM, Choo A, Baxter SW. Lessons from Drosophila: Engineering Genetic Sexing Strains with Temperature-Sensitive Lethality for Sterile Insect Technique Applications. INSECTS 2021; 12:243. [PMID: 33805657 PMCID: PMC8001749 DOI: 10.3390/insects12030243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A major obstacle of sterile insect technique (SIT) programs is the availability of robust sex-separation systems for conditional removal of females. Sterilized male-only releases improve SIT efficiency and cost-effectiveness for agricultural pests, whereas it is critical to remove female disease-vector pests prior to release as they maintain the capacity to transmit disease. Some of the most successful Genetic Sexing Strains (GSS) reared and released for SIT control were developed for Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), Ceratitis capitata, and carry a temperature sensitive lethal (tsl) mutation that eliminates female but not male embryos when heat treated. The Medfly tsl mutation was generated by random mutagenesis and the genetic mechanism causing this valuable heat sensitive phenotype remains unknown. Conditional temperature sensitive lethal mutations have also been developed using random mutagenesis in the insect model, Drosophila melanogaster, and were used for some of the founding genetic research published in the fields of neuro- and developmental biology. Here we review mutations in select D. melanogaster genes shibire, Notch, RNA polymerase II 215kDa, pale, transformer-2, Dsor1 and CK2α that cause temperature sensitive phenotypes. Precise introduction of orthologous point mutations in pest insect species with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology holds potential to establish GSSs with embryonic lethality to improve and advance SIT pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thu N. M. Nguyen
- Bio21 Institute, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
| | - Amanda Choo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
| | - Simon W. Baxter
- Bio21 Institute, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
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17
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Oliva CF, Benedict MQ, Collins CM, Baldet T, Bellini R, Bossin H, Bouyer J, Corbel V, Facchinelli L, Fouque F, Geier M, Michaelakis A, Roiz D, Simard F, Tur C, Gouagna LC. Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) against Aedes Species Mosquitoes: A Roadmap and Good Practice Framework for Designing, Implementing and Evaluating Pilot Field Trials. INSECTS 2021; 12:191. [PMID: 33668374 PMCID: PMC7996155 DOI: 10.3390/insects12030191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are invasive mosquito species that impose a substantial risk to human health. To control the abundance and spread of these arboviral pathogen vectors, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is emerging as a powerful complement to most commonly-used approaches, in part, because this technique is ecologically benign, specific, and non-persistent in the environment if releases are stopped. Because SIT and other similar vector control strategies are becoming of increasing interest to many countries, we offer here a pragmatic and accessible 'roadmap' for the pre-pilot and pilot phases to guide any interested party. This will support stakeholders, non-specialist scientists, implementers, and decision-makers. Applying these concepts will ensure, given adequate resources, a sound basis for local field trialing and for developing experience with the technique in readiness for potential operational deployment. This synthesis is based on the available literature, in addition to the experience and current knowledge of the expert contributing authors in this field. We describe a typical path to successful pilot testing, with the four concurrent development streams of Laboratory, Field, Stakeholder Relations, and the Business and Compliance Case. We provide a graphic framework with criteria that must be met in order to proceed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clélia F. Oliva
- Centre Technique Interprofessionnel des Fruits et Légumes (CTIFL), Centre Opérationnel de Balandran, 751 Chemin de Balandran, 30127 Bellegarde, France;
- Collectif TIS (Technique de l’Insecte Stérile), 751 Chemin de Balandran, 30127 Bellegarde, France
| | | | - C Matilda Collins
- Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London SW7 1NE, UK;
| | - Thierry Baldet
- ASTRE (Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques, Ecosystèmes), Cirad, Univ Montpellier, 34398 Montpellier, France; (T.B.); (J.B.)
| | - Romeo Bellini
- Centro Agricoltura Ambiente “Giorgio Nicoli”, S.r.l. Via Sant’Agata, 835, 40014 Crevalcore, Italy;
| | - Hervé Bossin
- Institut Louis Malardé, Papeete, 98713 Tahiti, French Polynesia;
| | - Jérémy Bouyer
- ASTRE (Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques, Ecosystèmes), Cirad, Univ Montpellier, 34398 Montpellier, France; (T.B.); (J.B.)
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, IAEA Vienna, Wagramer Strasse 5, 1400 Vienna, Austria
| | - Vincent Corbel
- UMR MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle), IRD-CNRS-Univ. Montpellier, 34394 Montpellier, France; (V.C.); (D.R.); (F.S.)
| | - Luca Facchinelli
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
| | - Florence Fouque
- TDR (Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases), WHO, 20 Avenue Appia, 1121 Geneva, Switzerland;
| | - Martin Geier
- Biogents AG, Weissenburgstr. 22, 93055 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Antonios Michaelakis
- Benaki Phytopathological Institute. 8, S. Delta str., Kifissia, 14561 Athens, Greece;
| | - David Roiz
- UMR MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle), IRD-CNRS-Univ. Montpellier, 34394 Montpellier, France; (V.C.); (D.R.); (F.S.)
| | - Frédéric Simard
- UMR MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle), IRD-CNRS-Univ. Montpellier, 34394 Montpellier, France; (V.C.); (D.R.); (F.S.)
| | - Carlos Tur
- Grupo Tragsa–KM. 4,5 Bajo, A28476208-EMPRE, Moncada, 46113 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Louis-Clément Gouagna
- UMR MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle), IRD-CNRS-Univ. Montpellier, 34394 Montpellier, France; (V.C.); (D.R.); (F.S.)
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18
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Jones RT, Ant TH, Cameron MM, Logan JG. Novel control strategies for mosquito-borne diseases. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20190802. [PMID: 33357056 PMCID: PMC7776938 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases are an increasing global health challenge, threatening over 40% of the world's population. Despite major advances in malaria control since 2000, recent progress has stalled. Additionally, the risk of Aedes-borne arboviruses is rapidly growing, with the unprecedented spread of dengue and chikungunya viruses, outbreaks of yellow fever and the 2015 epidemic of Zika virus in Latin America. To counteract this growing problem, diverse and innovative mosquito control technologies are currently under development. Conceptually, these span an impressive spectrum of approaches, from invasive transgene cassettes with the potential to crash mosquito populations or reduce the vectorial capacity of a population, to low-cost alterations in housing design that restrict mosquito entry. This themed issue will present articles providing insight into the breadth of mosquito control research, while demonstrating the requirement for an interdisciplinary approach. The issue will highlight mosquito control technologies at varying stages of development and includes both opinion pieces and research articles with laboratory and field-based data on control strategy development. This article is part of the theme issue 'Novel control strategies for mosquito-borne diseases'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert T. Jones
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Thomas H. Ant
- Centre for Virus Research, Bearsden Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Mary M. Cameron
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - James G. Logan
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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Bourtzis K, Cáceres C, Schetelig MF. Joint FAO/IAEA coordinated research project on "comparing rearing efficiency and competitiveness of sterile male strains produced by genetic, transgenic or symbiont-based technologies". BMC Genet 2020; 21:148. [PMID: 33339502 PMCID: PMC7747360 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-020-00931-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kostas Bourtzis
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carlos Cáceres
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marc F. Schetelig
- Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Winchesterstr. 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany
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Augustinos AA, Misbah-Ul-Haq M, Carvalho DO, de la Fuente LD, Koskinioti P, Bourtzis K. Irradiation induced inversions suppress recombination between the M locus and morphological markers in Aedes aegypti. BMC Genet 2020; 21:142. [PMID: 33339503 PMCID: PMC7747368 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-020-00949-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of arthropod-borne viruses and one of the most widespread and invasive mosquito species. Due to the lack of efficient specific drugs or vaccination strategies, vector population control methods, such as the sterile insect technique, are receiving renewed interest. However, availability of a reliable genetic sexing strategy is crucial, since there is almost zero tolerance for accidentally released females. Development of genetic sexing strains through classical genetics is hindered by genetic recombination that is not suppressed in males as is the case in many Diptera. Isolation of naturally-occurring or irradiation-induced inversions can enhance the genetic stability of genetic sexing strains developed through genetically linking desirable phenotypes with the male determining region. RESULTS For the induction and isolation of inversions through irradiation, 200 male pupae of the 'BRA' wild type strain were irradiated at 30 Gy and 100 isomale lines were set up by crossing with homozygous 'red-eye' (re) mutant females. Recombination between re and the M locus and the white (w) gene (causing a recessive white eye phenotype when mutated) and the M locus was tested in 45 and 32 lines, respectively. One inversion (Inv35) reduced recombination between both re and the M locus, and wand the M locus, consistent with the presence of a rather extended inversion between the two morphological mutations, that includes the M locus. Another inversion (Inv5) reduced recombination only between w and the M locus. In search of naturally-occurring, recombination-suppressing inversions, homozygous females from the red eye and the white eye strains were crossed with seventeen and fourteen wild type strains collected worldwide, representing either recently colonized or long-established laboratory populations. Despite evidence of varying frequencies of recombination, no combination led to the elimination or substantial reduction of recombination. CONCLUSION Inducing inversions through irradiation is a feasible strategy to isolate recombination suppressors either on the M or the m chromosome for Aedes aegypti. Such inversions can be incorporated in genetic sexing strains developed through classical genetics to enhance their genetic stability and support SIT or other approaches that aim to population suppression through male-delivered sterility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios A Augustinos
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, A-1400, Vienna, Austria.
- Present address: Department of Plant Protection, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Demeter, Institute of Industrial and Forage Crops, 26442, Patras, Greece.
| | - Muhammad Misbah-Ul-Haq
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, A-1400, Vienna, Austria
- Present address: Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Danilo O Carvalho
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, A-1400, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lucia Duran de la Fuente
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, A-1400, Vienna, Austria
| | - Panagiota Koskinioti
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, A-1400, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 41500, Larissa, Greece
| | - Kostas Bourtzis
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, A-1400, Vienna, Austria.
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