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Benetta ED, López-Denman AJ, Li HH, Masri RA, Brogan DJ, Bui M, Yang T, Li M, Dunn M, Klein MJ, Jackson S, Catalan K, Blasdell KR, Tng P, Antoshechkin I, Alphey LS, Paradkar PN, Akbari OS. Engineered Antiviral Sensor Targets Infected Mosquitoes. bioRxiv 2023:2023.01.27.525922. [PMID: 36747634 PMCID: PMC9900881 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.27.525922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Escalating vector disease burdens pose significant global health risks, so innovative tools for targeting mosquitoes are critical. We engineered an antiviral strategy termed REAPER (vRNA Expression Activates Poisonous Effector Ribonuclease) that leverages the programmable RNA-targeting capabilities of CRISPR Cas13 and its potent collateral activity. Akin to a stealthy Trojan Horse hiding in stealth awaiting the presence of its enemy, REAPER remains concealed within the mosquito until an infectious blood meal is up taken. Upon target viral RNA infection, REAPER activates, triggering programmed destruction of its target arbovirus such as chikungunya. Consequently, Cas13 mediated RNA targeting significantly reduces viral replication and its promiscuous collateral activity can even kill infected mosquitoes. This innovative REAPER technology adds to an arsenal of effective molecular genetic tools to combat mosquito virus transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dalla Benetta
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Adam J. López-Denman
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, AU
| | - Hsing-Han Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Reem A. Masri
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Daniel J. Brogan
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Michelle Bui
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ting Yang
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ming Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Michael Dunn
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, AU
| | - Melissa J. Klein
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, AU
| | - Sarah Jackson
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, AU
| | - Kyle Catalan
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, AU
| | - Kim R. Blasdell
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, AU
| | - Priscilla Tng
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Igor Antoshechkin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Luke S. Alphey
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright GU24 0NF, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Prasad N. Paradkar
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, AU
| | - Omar S. Akbari
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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