401
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Paulo DF, Williamson ME, Arp AP, Li F, Sagel A, Skoda SR, Sanchez-Gallego J, Vasquez M, Quintero G, Pérez de León AA, Belikoff EJ, Azeredo-Espin AML, McMillan WO, Concha C, Scott MJ. Specific Gene Disruption in the Major Livestock Pests Cochliomyia hominivorax and Lucilia cuprina Using CRISPR/Cas9. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2019; 9:3045-3055. [PMID: 31340950 PMCID: PMC6723136 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cochliomyia hominivorax and Lucilia cuprina are major pests of livestock. Their larvae infest warm-blooded vertebrates and feed on host's tissues, resulting in severe industry losses. As they are serious pests, considerable effort has been made to develop genomic resources and functional tools aiming to improve their management and control. Here, we report a significant addition to the pool of genome manipulation tools through the establishment of efficient CRISPR/Cas9 protocols for the generation of directed and inheritable modifications in the genome of these flies. Site-directed mutations were introduced in the C hominivorax and L cuprina yellow genes (ChY and LcY) producing lightly pigmented adults. High rates of somatic mosaicism were induced when embryos were injected with Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) pre-assembled with guide RNAs (sgRNAs) at high concentrations. Adult flies carrying disrupted yellow alleles lacked normal pigmentation (brown body phenotype) and efficiently transmitted the mutated alleles to the subsequent generation, allowing the rapid creation of homozygous strains for reverse genetics of candidate loci. We next used our established CRISPR protocol to disrupt the C hominivorax transformer gene (Chtra). Surviving females carrying mutations in the Chtra locus developed mosaic phenotypes of transformed ovipositors with characteristics of male genitalia while exhibiting abnormal reproductive tissues. The CRISPR protocol described here is a significant improvement on the existing toolkit of molecular methods in calliphorids. Our results also suggest that Cas9-based systems targeting Chtra and Lctra could be an effective means for controlling natural populations of these important pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Paulo
- Centre for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas
- Laboratory of Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Gamboa, Panama
| | - Megan E Williamson
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC
| | - Alex P Arp
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Kerrville TX, and
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC
| | - Agustin Sagel
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Screwworm Research Site, Pacora, Panama
| | - Steven R Skoda
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Screwworm Research Site, Pacora, Panama
| | - Joel Sanchez-Gallego
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Screwworm Research Site, Pacora, Panama
| | - Mario Vasquez
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Screwworm Research Site, Pacora, Panama
| | - Gladys Quintero
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Screwworm Research Site, Pacora, Panama
| | - Adalberto A Pérez de León
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Kerrville TX, and
| | - Esther J Belikoff
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC
| | - Ana M L Azeredo-Espin
- Centre for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas
| | - W Owen McMillan
- Laboratory of Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Gamboa, Panama
| | - Carolina Concha
- Laboratory of Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Gamboa, Panama
| | - Maxwell J Scott
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC
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402
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Wang Y, Chen X, Liu Z, Xu J, Li X, Bi H, Andongma AA, Niu C, Huang Y. Mutation of doublesex induces sex-specific sterility of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 112:103180. [PMID: 31278987 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
DOUBLESEX (DSX): the downstream gene in the insect sex determination pathway, plays a critical role in sexual differentiation and development. The functions of dsx have been characterized in several model insect species. However, the molecular mechanism and functions of sex determination of dsx in Plutella xylostella, an agricultural pest, are still unknown. In present study, we identified a male-specific and three female-specific Pxdsx transcripts in P. xylostella. Phylogenetic analyses and multiple sequence alignment revealed that Pxdsx is highly conserved in lepidopterans. The CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to induce mutations in the male-specific isoform, the female-specific isoform, and common regions of Pxdsx. Disruptions of Pxdsx sex-specific isoforms caused sex-specific defects in external genitals and partial sexual reversal. In addition, we found that female specific transcripts were detected in PxdsxM male mutants and male-specific transcripts were detected in PxdsxF female mutants. Mutations also caused changes in expression of several sex-biased genes and induced sex-specific sterility. This study demonstrates that Pxdsx plays a key role in sex determination of P. xylostella and suggests novel genetic control approaches for the management of P. xylostella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaohui Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, 200032, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resource Application and Sustainable Pest Control, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xi'en Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zulian Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jun Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaowei Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Honglun Bi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Awawing A Andongma
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resource Application and Sustainable Pest Control, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Changying Niu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resource Application and Sustainable Pest Control, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Yongping Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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403
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Snow AA. Genetically Engineering Wild Mice to Combat Lyme Disease: An Ecological Perspective. Bioscience 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biz080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Genetic engineering of wild populations has been proposed for reducing human diseases by altering pathogens’ hosts. For example, CRISPR-based genome editing may be used to create white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) that are resistant to the Lyme disease spirochete vectored by blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis). Toward this goal, academic researchers are developing Lyme-resistant and tick-resistant white-footed mice, which are a primary pathogen reservoir for Lyme disease in the United States. If field trials on small, experimental islands are successful, the project would scale up to the larger islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, and possibly to the mainland, most likely with a local gene drive to speed the traits’ proliferation, pending approvals from relevant constituents. Despite considerable publicity, this project has yet to be evaluated by independent professional ecologists. In the present article, I discuss key ecological and evolutionary questions that should be considered before such genetically engineered mice are released into natural habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison A Snow
- Distinguished professor emerita of arts and sciences, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
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404
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Dhole S, Lloyd AL, Gould F. Tethered homing gene drives: A new design for spatially restricted population replacement and suppression. Evol Appl 2019; 12:1688-1702. [PMID: 31462923 PMCID: PMC6708424 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Optimism regarding potential epidemiological and conservation applications of modern gene drives is tempered by concern about the possibility of unintended spread of engineered organisms beyond the target population. In response, several novel gene drive approaches have been proposed that can, under certain conditions, locally alter characteristics of a population. One challenge for these gene drives is the difficulty of achieving high levels of localized population suppression without very large releases in the face of gene flow. We present a new gene drive system, tethered homing (TH), with improved capacity for both localization and population suppression. The TH drive is based on driving a payload gene using a homing construct that is anchored to a spatially restricted gene drive. We use a proof-of-concept mathematical model to show the dynamics of a TH drive that uses engineered underdominance as an anchor. This system is composed of a split homing drive and a two-locus engineered underdominance drive linked to one part of the split drive (the Cas endonuclease). We use simple population genetic simulations to show that the tethered homing technique can offer improved localized spread of costly transgenic payload genes. Additionally, the TH system offers the ability to gradually adjust the genetic load in a population after the initial alteration, with minimal additional release effort. We discuss potential solutions for improving localization and the feasibility of creating TH drive systems. Further research with models that include additional biological details will be needed to better understand how TH drives would behave in natural populations, but the preliminary results shown here suggest that tethered homing drives can be a useful addition to the repertoire of localized gene drives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Dhole
- Department of Entomology and Plant PathologyNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth Carolina
| | - Alun L. Lloyd
- Biomathematics Graduate Program and Department of MathematicsNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth Carolina
- Genetic Engineering and Society CenterNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth Carolina
| | - Fred Gould
- Department of Entomology and Plant PathologyNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth Carolina
- Genetic Engineering and Society CenterNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth Carolina
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405
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Meccariello A, Salvemini M, Primo P, Hall B, Koskinioti P, Dalíková M, Gravina A, Gucciardino MA, Forlenza F, Gregoriou ME, Ippolito D, Monti SM, Petrella V, Perrotta MM, Schmeing S, Ruggiero A, Scolari F, Giordano E, Tsoumani KT, Marec F, Windbichler N, Arunkumar KP, Bourtzis K, Mathiopoulos KD, Ragoussis J, Vitagliano L, Tu Z, Papathanos PA, Robinson MD, Saccone G. Maleness-on-the-Y ( MoY) orchestrates male sex determination in major agricultural fruit fly pests. Science 2019; 365:1457-1460. [PMID: 31467189 DOI: 10.1126/science.aax1318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In insects, rapidly evolving primary sex-determining signals are transduced by a conserved regulatory module controlling sexual differentiation. In the agricultural pest Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly, or Medfly), we identified a Y-linked gene, Maleness-on-the-Y (MoY), encoding a small protein that is necessary and sufficient for male development. Silencing or disruption of MoY in XY embryos causes feminization, whereas overexpression of MoY in XX embryos induces masculinization. Crosses between transformed XY females and XX males give rise to males and females, indicating that a Y chromosome can be transmitted by XY females. MoY is Y-linked and functionally conserved in other species of the Tephritidae family, highlighting its potential to serve as a tool for developing more effective control strategies against these major agricultural insect pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Meccariello
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II," 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Marco Salvemini
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II," 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Pasquale Primo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II," 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Brantley Hall
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Panagiota Koskinioti
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, A-1400 Vienna, Austria.,Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - Martina Dalíková
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Gravina
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II," 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Federica Forlenza
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II," 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria-Eleni Gregoriou
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - Domenica Ippolito
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II," 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Simona Maria Monti
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Petrella
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II," 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Stephan Schmeing
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences and SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alessia Ruggiero
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Scolari
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Ennio Giordano
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II," 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Konstantina T Tsoumani
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - František Marec
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Nikolai Windbichler
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Kallare P Arunkumar
- Centre of Excellence for Genetics and Genomics of Silkmoths, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad 500 039, India
| | - Kostas Bourtzis
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, A-1400 Vienna, Austria
| | - Kostas D Mathiopoulos
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - Jiannis Ragoussis
- Department of Human Genetics and Bioengineering, McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), CNR, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Zhijian Tu
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Philippos Aris Papathanos
- Section of Genomics and Genetics, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy. .,Department of Entomology, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Mark D Robinson
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences and SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Giuseppe Saccone
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II," 80126 Napoli, Italy.
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406
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Genetic and genomic evolution of sexual reproduction: echoes from LECA to the fungal kingdom. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2019; 58-59:70-75. [PMID: 31473482 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2019.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction is vastly diverse and yet highly conserved across the eukaryotic domain. This ubiquity suggests that the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA) was sexual. It is hypothesized that several critical processes in sexual reproduction, including cell fusion and meiosis, were acquired during the evolution from the first eukaryotic common ancestor (FECA) to the sexual LECA. However, it is challenging to delineate the exact origin and evolution of sexual reproduction given that both FECA and LECA are extinct. Studies of diverse eukaryotes have helped to shed light on this sexual evolutionary trajectory, revealing that a primordial sexual ploidy cycle likely involved endoreplication followed by concerted chromosome loss and that cell-cell fusion, meiosis, and sex determination later arose to shape modern sexual reproduction. Despite the general conservation of sexual reproduction processes throughout eukaryotes, modern sexual cycles are immensely diverse and complex. This diversity and complexity has become readily apparent in the fungal kingdom with the recent rapid expansion of whole-genome sequencing. This abundance of data, the variety of genetic tools available to manipulate and characterize fungi, and the thorough characterization of many fungal sexual cycles make the fungal kingdom an excellent forum, in which to study the conservation and diversification of sexual reproduction.
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407
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Pixley KV, Falck-Zepeda JB, Giller KE, Glenna LL, Gould F, Mallory-Smith CA, Stelly DM, Stewart CN. Genome Editing, Gene Drives, and Synthetic Biology: Will They Contribute to Disease-Resistant Crops, and Who Will Benefit? ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2019; 57:165-188. [PMID: 31150590 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-phyto-080417-045954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Genetically engineered crops have been grown for more than 20 years, resulting in widespread albeit variable benefits for farmers and consumers. We review current, likely, and potential genetic engineering (GE) applications for the development of disease-resistant crop cultivars. Gene editing, gene drives, and synthetic biology offer novel opportunities to control viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens, parasitic weeds, and insect vectors of plant pathogens. We conclude that there will be no shortage of GE applications totackle disease resistance and other farmer and consumer priorities for agricultural crops. Beyond reviewing scientific prospects for genetically engineered crops, we address the social institutional forces that are commonly overlooked by biological scientists. Intellectual property regimes, technology regulatory frameworks, the balance of funding between public- and private-sector research, and advocacy by concerned civil society groups interact to define who uses which GE technologies, on which crops, and for the benefit of whom. Ensuring equitable access to the benefits of genetically engineered crops requires affirmative policies, targeted investments, and excellent science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin V Pixley
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), 56237 Texcoco, Mexico;
| | - Jose B Falck-Zepeda
- International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, DC 20005-3915, USA
| | - Ken E Giller
- Plant Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), 6700 AK Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Leland L Glenna
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Fred Gould
- Genetic Engineering and Society Center and Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | - Carol A Mallory-Smith
- Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA
| | - David M Stelly
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2474, USA
| | - C Neal Stewart
- Department of Plant Sciences and Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA
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408
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LeMieux J. CRISPR-Accelerated Gene Drives Pump the Brakes. CRISPR J 2019; 2:196-198. [PMID: 31436503 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2019.29069.jlm] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Julianna LeMieux
- Julianna LeMieux is a senior science writer with Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. This article was adapted from an article originally published in GEN
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409
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410
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Yosef I, Edry‐Botzer L, Globus R, Shlomovitz I, Munitz A, Gerlic M, Qimron U. A genetic system for biasing the sex ratio in mice. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:e48269. [PMID: 31267640 PMCID: PMC6680165 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201948269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Biasing the sex ratio of populations of different organisms, including plants, insects, crustacean, and fish, has been demonstrated by genetic and non-genetic approaches. However, biasing the sex ratio of mammalian populations has not been demonstrated genetically. Here, we provide a first proof of concept for such a genetic system in mammals by crossing two genetically engineered mouse lines. The maternal line encodes a functional Cas9 protein on an autosomal chromosome, whereas the paternal line encodes guide RNAs on the Y chromosome targeting vital mouse genes. After fertilization, the presence of both the Y-encoded guide RNAs from the paternal sperm and the Cas9 protein from the maternal egg targets the vital genes in males. We show that these genes are specifically targeted in males and that this breeding consequently self-destructs solely males. Our results pave the way for a genetic system that allows biased sex production of livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ido Yosef
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Liat Edry‐Botzer
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Rea Globus
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Inbar Shlomovitz
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Ariel Munitz
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Motti Gerlic
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Udi Qimron
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
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411
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Breed MF, Harrison PA, Blyth C, Byrne M, Gaget V, Gellie NJC, Groom SVC, Hodgson R, Mills JG, Prowse TAA, Steane DA, Mohr JJ. The potential of genomics for restoring ecosystems and biodiversity. Nat Rev Genet 2019; 20:615-628. [PMID: 31300751 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-019-0152-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Billions of hectares of natural ecosystems have been degraded through human actions. The global community has agreed on targets to halt and reverse these declines, and the restoration sector faces the important but arduous task of implementing programmes to meet these objectives. Existing and emerging genomics tools offer the potential to improve the odds of achieving these targets. These tools include population genomics that can improve seed sourcing, meta-omics that can improve assessment and monitoring of restoration outcomes, and genome editing that can generate novel genotypes for restoring challenging environments. We identify barriers to adopting these tools in a restoration context and emphasize that regulatory and ethical frameworks are required to guide their use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin F Breed
- School of Biological Sciences and the Environment Institute, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Peter A Harrison
- School of Natural Sciences, Australian Research Council Training Centre for Forest Value, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Colette Blyth
- School of Biological Sciences and the Environment Institute, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, South Australia, Australia
| | - Margaret Byrne
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Virginie Gaget
- School of Biological Sciences and the Environment Institute, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, South Australia, Australia
| | - Nicholas J C Gellie
- School of Biological Sciences and the Environment Institute, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, South Australia, Australia
| | - Scott V C Groom
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, South Australia, Australia
| | - Riley Hodgson
- School of Biological Sciences and the Environment Institute, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jacob G Mills
- School of Biological Sciences and the Environment Institute, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, South Australia, Australia
| | - Thomas A A Prowse
- School of Biological Sciences and the Environment Institute, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, South Australia, Australia.,School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, South Australia, Australia
| | - Dorothy A Steane
- School of Natural Sciences, Australian Research Council Training Centre for Forest Value, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Jakki J Mohr
- College of Business, Institute on Ecosystems, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
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412
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Devos Y, Craig W, Devlin RH, Ippolito A, Leggatt RA, Romeis J, Shaw R, Svendsen C, Topping CJ. Using problem formulation for fit-for-purpose pre-market environmental risk assessments of regulated stressors. EFSA J 2019; 17:e170708. [PMID: 32626445 PMCID: PMC7055725 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2019.e170708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pre‐market/prospective environmental risk assessments (ERAs) contribute to risk analyses performed to facilitate decisions about the market introduction of regulated stressors. Robust ERAs begin with an explicit problem formulation, which involves among other steps: (1) formally devising plausible pathways to harm that describe how the deployment of a regulated stressor could be harmful; (2) formulating risk hypotheses about the likelihood and severity of such events; (3) identifying the information that will be useful to test the risk hypotheses; and (4) developing a plan to acquire new data for hypothesis testing should tests with existing information be insufficient for decision‐making. Here, we apply problem formulation to the assessment of possible adverse effects of RNA interference‐based insecticidal genetically modified (GM) plants, GM growth hormone coho salmon, gene drive‐modified mosquitoes and classical biological weed control agents on non‐target organisms in a prospective manner, and of neonicotinoid insecticides on bees in a retrospective manner. In addition, specific considerations for the problem formulation for the ERA of nanomaterials and for landscape‐scale population‐level ERAs are given. We argue that applying problem formulation to ERA maximises the usefulness of ERA studies for decision‐making, through an iterative process, because: (1) harm is defined explicitly from the start; (2) the construction of risk hypotheses is guided by policy rather than an exhaustive attempt to address any possible differences; (3) existing information is used effectively; (4) new data are collected with a clear purpose; (5) risk is characterised against well‐defined criteria of hypothesis corroboration or falsification; and (6) risk assessment conclusions can be communicated clearly. However, problem formulation is still often hindered by the absence of clear policy goals and decision‐making criteria (e.g. definition of protection goals and what constitutes harm) that are needed to guide the interpretation of scientific information. We therefore advocate further dialogue between risk assessors and risk managers to clarify how ERAs can address policy goals and decision‐making criteria. Ideally, this dialogue should take place for all classes of regulated stressors, as this can promote alignment and consistency on the desired level of protection and maximum tolerable impacts across regulated stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Devos
- GMO Unit European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Italy
| | - Wendy Craig
- Biosafety Group International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB) Italy
| | | | | | | | - Jörg Romeis
- Research Division Agroecology and Environment Agroscope Switzerland
| | - Richard Shaw
- Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) United Kingdom
| | - Claus Svendsen
- Ecotoxicology and Chemical Risk Group United Kingdom Research and Innovation Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) United Kingdom
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Corbel V, Durot C, Achee NL, Chandre F, Coulibaly MB, David JP, Devine GJ, Dusfour I, Fonseca DM, Griego J, Juntarajumnong W, Lenhart A, Kasai S, Martins AJ, Moyes C, Ng LC, Pinto J, Pompon JF, Muller P, Raghavendra K, Roiz D, Vatandoost H, Vontas J, Weetman D. Second WIN International Conference on "Integrated approaches and innovative tools for combating insecticide resistance in vectors of arboviruses", October 2018, Singapore. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:331. [PMID: 31269996 PMCID: PMC6610869 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3591-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The past 40 years have seen a dramatic emergence of epidemic arboviral diseases transmitted primarily by mosquitoes. The frequency and magnitude of the epidemics, especially those transmitted by urban Aedes species, have progressively increased over time, accelerating in the past 10 years. To reduce the burden and threat of vector-borne diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently adopted the Global Vector Control Response (GVCR) in order to support countries in implementing effective sustainable vector control. The evidence-base to support vector control is however limited for arboviral diseases which make prioritization difficult. Knowledge gaps in the distribution, mechanisms and impact of insecticide resistance on vector control impedes the implementation of locally tailored Aedes control measures. This report summarizes the main outputs of the second international conference of the Worldwide Insecticide resistance Network (WIN) on "Integrated approaches and innovative tools for combating insecticide resistance in arbovirus vectors" held in Singapore, 1-3 October 2018. The aims of the conference were to review progress and achievements made in insecticide resistance surveillance worldwide, and to discuss the potential of integrated vector management and innovative technologies for efficiently controlling arboviral diseases. The conference brought together 150 participants from 26 countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Corbel
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC UM1-CNRS 5290-IRD 224), B.P. 64501, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Claire Durot
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC UM1-CNRS 5290-IRD 224), B.P. 64501, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Nicole L. Achee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame (UND), 239 Galvin Life Science Center, Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
| | - Fabrice Chandre
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC UM1-CNRS 5290-IRD 224), B.P. 64501, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | | | - Jean-Philippe David
- Laboratoire d’Ecologie Alpine (LECA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR 5553, CNRS, Université Grenoble-Alpes, Domaine universitaire de Saint-Martin d’Hères, 2233 rue de la piscine, 38041 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Gregor J. Devine
- Mosquito Control Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Queensland 4006 Australia
| | - Isabelle Dusfour
- Institut Pasteur de la Guyane (IPG), 23 avenue Pasteur B.P. 6010, 97306 Cayenne Cedex, French Guiana
| | - Dina M. Fonseca
- Rutgers University (RU), Center for Vector Biology, 180 Jones Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
| | - John Griego
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame (UND), 239 Galvin Life Science Center, Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
| | - Waraporn Juntarajumnong
- Department of Entomology, Kasetsart University (KU), 50 Ngam Wong Wan Rd, Ladyaow Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900 Thailand
| | - Audrey Lenhart
- Center for Global Health/Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria/Entomology Branch, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, MS G-49; Bldg. 23, Atlanta, GA 30329 USA
| | - Shinji Kasai
- Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjukuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ademir J. Martins
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ CEP: 21040-360 Brazil
| | - Catherine Moyes
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF UK
| | - Lee Ching Ng
- Environmental Health Institute (EHI), National Environment Agency (NEA), 11 Biopolis Way, Helios Block, #04-03/04 & #06-05/08, Singapore, Singapore
| | - João Pinto
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Julien F. Pompon
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, 169857 Singapore
| | - Pie Muller
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, PO Box 4002, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kamaraju Raghavendra
- Department of Health Research, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), GoI Sector 8, Dwarka, Delhi 110 077 India
| | - David Roiz
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC UM1-CNRS 5290-IRD 224), B.P. 64501, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Hassan Vatandoost
- Department of Medical Entomology & Vector Control, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), School of Public Health and Institute for Environmental Research, Pour Sina Street, P.O. Box: 14155-6446, Tehran, Iran
| | - John Vontas
- Institute Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation for Research and Technology (FORTH), Panepistimioupoli, Voutes, 70013 Heraklio, Crete Greece
- Pesticide Science Laboratory, Agricultural University of Athens, Ieara Odoes 75, 118 Athens, Greece
| | - David Weetman
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L35QA UK
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Smanski MJ, Zarkower D. Genetic manipulation of sex ratio in mammals: the Reaper comes for Mickey. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:e48577. [PMID: 31267656 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201948577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In most animals, sexual reproduction results in a 1:1 ratio of females to males. For several sectors of agriculture, for example, milk or egg production, only a single sex is needed. Biasing the sex ratio so that only offspring of the desired sex are produced has the potential to increase breeding efficiency. In this issue of EMBO Reports, Yosef et al [1] demonstrate a genetic approach to bias the sex ratio in mice by specifically disrupting essential genes in male embryos. Their approach is an important first step toward generating sex-ratio biasing applications for agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Smanski
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David Zarkower
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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415
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Zhao S, Xing Z, Liu Z, Liu Y, Liu X, Chen Z, Li J, Yan R. Efficient somatic and germline genome engineering of Bactrocera dorsalis by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2019; 75:1921-1932. [PMID: 30565410 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), a very destructive insect pest of many fruits and vegetables, is widespread in many Asian countries. To facilitate control of this pest, it is essential to investigate its genetics and gene function using targeted gene disruption. RESULTS Here, we describe successful targeted mutagenesis of the white and transformer genes in B. dorsalis through use of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system. Co-injection of the white sgRNA and Cas9 mRNA into B. dorsalis embryos caused eye color change, and the white mutations in the germline were heritable. CRISPR-mediated knockout of the sex determination gene transformer (tra) in B. dorsalis resulted in a male-biased sex ratio and adult flies with abnormal outer and interior reproductive organs. Small indels and substitutions were induced by CRIRPR for both genes. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrate that somatic and germline genome engineering of the pest B. dorsalis can be performed efficiently using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, opening the door to the use of the CRISPR-mediated method for functional annotations of genes in B. dorsalis and for its population control using, for example, such as gene drive. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santao Zhao
- College of Plant Protection, Hainan University/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests (Hainan University), Ministry of Education, Haikou, China
| | - Zengzhu Xing
- College of Plant Protection, Hainan University/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests (Hainan University), Ministry of Education, Haikou, China
| | - Zhonggeng Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Hainan University/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests (Hainan University), Ministry of Education, Haikou, China
| | - Yanhui Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Hainan University/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests (Hainan University), Ministry of Education, Haikou, China
| | - Xiangrui Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Hainan University/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests (Hainan University), Ministry of Education, Haikou, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- College of Plant Protection, Hainan University/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests (Hainan University), Ministry of Education, Haikou, China
| | - Jiahui Li
- College of Plant Protection, Hainan University/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests (Hainan University), Ministry of Education, Haikou, China
| | - Rihui Yan
- College of Plant Protection, Hainan University/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests (Hainan University), Ministry of Education, Haikou, China
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417
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Lai HE, Canavan C, Cameron L, Moore S, Danchenko M, Kuiken T, Sekeyová Z, Freemont PS. Synthetic Biology and the United Nations. Trends Biotechnol 2019; 37:1146-1151. [PMID: 31257057 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2019.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is a rapidly emerging interdisciplinary field of science and engineering that aims to redesign living systems through reprogramming genetic information. The field has catalysed global debate among policymakers and publics. Here we describe how synthetic biology relates to these international deliberations, particularly the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-En Lai
- Section of Structural Biology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Caoimhe Canavan
- Section of Structural Biology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Loren Cameron
- Section of Structural Biology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Simon Moore
- Section of Structural Biology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Monika Danchenko
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Centre, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Todd Kuiken
- Genetic Engineering and Society Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7565, USA.
| | - Zuzana Sekeyová
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Centre, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Paul S Freemont
- Section of Structural Biology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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418
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Lutrat C, Giesbrecht D, Marois E, Whyard S, Baldet T, Bouyer J. Sex Sorting for Pest Control: It's Raining Men! Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:649-662. [PMID: 31255488 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In the pursuit of better pest- and vector-control strategies, attention returns to an old proven technology, the sterile insect technique (SIT) and related insect population-suppression methods. A major obstacle for any of these approaches that involves the release of sterile males is the separation of males from females during the mass rearing stage, in order to improve the cost-efficiency of these methods and to prevent the release of biting and disease-vectoring females. This review describes recent sex-sorting developments in dipteran flies with an emphasis on assessing the suitability of these methods for large-scale rearing of male vectors for mass release.
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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
| | - David Giesbrecht
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Eric Marois
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U963, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Steve Whyard
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Thierry Baldet
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34398, Montpellier, France; ASTRE, CIRAD, INRA, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jérémy Bouyer
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34398, Montpellier, France; Insect Pest Control, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria. @cirad.fr
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419
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Petrella V, Aceto S, Colonna V, Saccone G, Sanges R, Polanska N, Volf P, Gradoni L, Bongiorno G, Salvemini M. Identification of sex determination genes and their evolution in Phlebotominae sand flies (Diptera, Nematocera). BMC Genomics 2019; 20:522. [PMID: 31238870 PMCID: PMC6593557 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5898-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera, Nematocera) are important vectors of several pathogens, including Leishmania parasites, causing serious diseases of humans and dogs. Despite their importance as disease vectors, most aspects of sand fly biology remain unknown including the molecular basis of their reproduction and sex determination, aspects also relevant for the development of novel vector control strategies. Results Using comparative genomics/transcriptomics data mining and transcriptional profiling, we identified the sex determining genes in phlebotomine sand flies and proposed the first model for the sex determination cascade of these insects. For all the genes identified, we produced manually curated gene models, developmental gene expression profile and performed evolutionary molecular analysis. We identified and characterized, for the first time in a Nematocera species, the transformer (tra) homolog which exhibits both conserved and novel features. The analysis of the tra locus in sand flies and its expression pattern suggest that this gene is able to autoregulate its own splicing, as observed in the fruit fly Ceratitis capitata and several other insect species. Conclusions Our results permit to fill the gap about sex determination in sand flies, contribute to a better understanding of this developmental pathway in Nematocera and open the way for the identification of sex determining orthologs in other species of this important Diptera sub-order. Furthermore, the sex determination genes identified in our work also provide the opportunity of future biotechnological applications to control natural population of sand flies, reducing their impact on public health. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5898-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Petrella
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Serena Aceto
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenza Colonna
- National Research Council, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Saccone
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Remo Sanges
- Stazione Zoologica "Anton Dohrn", Naples, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Nikola Polanska
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Luigi Gradoni
- Unit of Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Gioia Bongiorno
- Unit of Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Salvemini
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
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Qureshi A, Aldersley A, Hollis B, Ponlawat A, Cator LJ. Male competition and the evolution of mating and life-history traits in experimental populations of Aedes aegypti. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20190591. [PMID: 31185872 PMCID: PMC6571471 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.0591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti is an important disease vector and a major target of reproductive control efforts. We manipulated the opportunity for sexual selection in populations of Ae. aegypti by controlling the number of males competing for a single female. Populations exposed to higher levels of male competition rapidly evolved higher male competitive mating success relative to populations evolved in the absence of competition, with an evolutionary response visible after only five generations. We also detected correlated evolution in other important mating and life-history traits, such as acoustic signalling, fecundity and body size. Our results indicate that there is ample segregating variation for determinants of male mating competitiveness in wild populations and that increased male mating success trades-off with other important life-history traits. The mating conditions imposed on laboratory-reared mosquitoes are likely a significant determinant of male mating success in populations destined for release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alima Qureshi
- 1 Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London , Silwood Park, Ascot SL5 7PY , UK
| | - Andrew Aldersley
- 1 Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London , Silwood Park, Ascot SL5 7PY , UK
| | - Brian Hollis
- 2 School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne , Lausanne , Switzerland
| | - Alongkot Ponlawat
- 3 Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences , Bangkok 10400 , Thailand
| | - Lauren J Cator
- 1 Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London , Silwood Park, Ascot SL5 7PY , UK
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421
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Bryant JM, Baumgarten S, Glover L, Hutchinson S, Rachidi N. CRISPR in Parasitology: Not Exactly Cut and Dried! Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:409-422. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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422
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Chen X, Cao Y, Zhan S, Tan A, Palli SR, Huang Y. Disruption of sex-specific doublesex exons results in male- and female-specific defects in the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2019; 75:1697-1706. [PMID: 30520231 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Doublesex (dsx), the downstream gene in the insect sex-determination pathway, is a key regulator of sexually dimorphic development and behavior across a variety of insects. Manipulating expression of dsx could be useful in the genetic control of insects. However, information on the sex-specific function of dsx in non-model insects is lacking. RESULTS In this work, we isolated a dsx homolog, which is alternatively spliced into six female-specific and one male-specific isoforms, from an important agricultural pest, the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon. Studies on the expression of sex-specific Aidsx mRNA during embryonic development showed that the sixth hour post oviposition is the key stage for sex determination in A. ipsilon. Functional analysis of Aidsx was conducted using a CRISPR/Cas9 system targeting female- and male-specific Aidsx exons. Disruptions of sex-specific Aidsx exons resulted in sex-specific, sexually dimorphic defects in external genitals, gonads and antennae, and expression of sex-specific genes as well as production of offspring in both sexes. CONCLUSION Our results not only demonstrate that dsx is a key player determining A. ipsilon sexually dimorphic traits, but also provide a potential method for the genetic control of this pest. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xien Chen
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Yanghui Cao
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Shuai Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Anjiang Tan
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Subba Reddy Palli
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Yongping Huang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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423
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Pleydell DRJ, Bouyer J. Biopesticides improve efficiency of the sterile insect technique for controlling mosquito-driven dengue epidemics. Commun Biol 2019; 2:201. [PMID: 31149645 PMCID: PMC6541632 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0451-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Various mosquito control methods use factory raised males to suppress vector densities. But the efficiency of these methods is currently insufficient to prevent epidemics of arbovirus diseases such as dengue, chikungunya or Zika. Suggestions that the sterile insect technique (SIT) could be "boosted" by applying biopesticides to sterile males remain unquantified. Here, we assess mathematically the gains to SIT for Aedes control of either: boosting with the pupicide pyriproxifen (BSIT); or, contaminating mosquitoes at auto-dissemination stations. Thresholds in sterile male release rate and competitiveness are identified, above which mosquitoes are eliminated asymptotically. Boosting reduces these thresholds and aids population destabilisation, even at sub-threshold release rates. No equivalent bifurcation exists in the auto-dissemination sub-model. Analysis suggests that BSIT can reduce by over 95% the total release required to circumvent dengue epidemics compared to SIT. We conclude, BSIT provides a powerful new tool for the integrated management of mosquito borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R. J. Pleydell
- CIRAD, INRA, University of Montpellier, UMR ASTRE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
- INRA, CIRAD, University of Montpellier, UMR ASTRE, F-97170 Petit Bourg Guadeloupe, France
| | - Jérémy Bouyer
- CIRAD, INRA, University of Montpellier, UMR ASTRE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, IAEA, Vienna, Austria
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424
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Bull JJ, Remien CH, Krone SM. Gene-drive-mediated extinction is thwarted by population structure and evolution of sib mating. EVOLUTION MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 2019:66-81. [PMID: 31191905 PMCID: PMC6556056 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eoz014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives Genetic engineering combined with CRISPR technology has developed to the point that gene drives can, in theory, be engineered to cause extinction in countless species. Success of extinction programs now rests on the possibility of resistance evolution, which is largely unknown. Depending on the gene-drive technology, resistance may take many forms, from mutations in the nuclease target sequence (e.g. for CRISPR) to specific types of non-random population structures that limit the drive (that may block potentially any gene-drive technology). Methodology We develop mathematical models of various deviations from random mating to consider escapes from extinction-causing gene drives. A main emphasis here is sib mating in the face of recessive-lethal and Y-chromosome drives. Results Sib mating easily evolves in response to both kinds of gene drives and maintains mean fitness above 0, with equilibrium fitness depending on the level of inbreeding depression. Environmental determination of sib mating (as might stem from population density crashes) can also maintain mean fitness above 0. A version of Maynard Smith’s haystack model shows that pre-existing population structure can enable drive-free subpopulations to be maintained against gene drives. Conclusions and implications Translation of mean fitness into population size depends on ecological details, so understanding mean fitness evolution and dynamics is merely the first step in predicting extinction. Nonetheless, these results point to possible escapes from gene-drive-mediated extinctions that lie beyond the control of genome engineering. Lay summary Recent gene drive technologies promise to suppress and even eradicate pests and disease vectors. Simple models of gene-drive evolution in structured populations show that extinction-causing gene drives can be thwarted both through the evolution of sib mating as well as from purely demographic processes that cluster drive-free individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Bull
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | - Stephen M Krone
- Department of Mathematics, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
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425
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Frieß JL, von Gleich A, Giese B. Gene drives as a new quality in GMO releases-a comparative technology characterization. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6793. [PMID: 31110918 PMCID: PMC6501761 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Compared to previous releases of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) which were primarily plants, gene drives represent a paradigm shift in the handling of GMOs: Current regulation of the release of GMOs assumes that for specific periods of time a certain amount of GMOs will be released in a particular region. However, now a type of genetic technology arises whose innermost principle lies in exceeding these limits-the transformation or even eradication of wild populations. The invasive character of gene drives demands a thorough analysis of their functionalities, reliability and potential impact. But such investigations are hindered by the fact that an experimental field test would hardly be reversible. Therefore, an appropriate prospective assessment is of utmost importance for an estimation of the risk potential associated with the application of gene drives. This work is meant to support the inevitable characterization of gene drives by a comparative approach of prospective technology assessment with a focus on potential sources of risk. Therein, the hazard and exposure potential as well as uncertainties with regard to the performance of synthetic gene drives are addressed. Moreover, a quantitative analysis of their invasiveness should enable a differentiated evaluation of their power to transform wild populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes L Frieß
- Institute for Safety/Security and Risk Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Austria
| | - Arnim von Gleich
- Department of Technology Design and Development, Faculty of Production Engineering, University of Bremen, Germany
| | - Bernd Giese
- Institute for Safety/Security and Risk Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Austria
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426
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Taracena ML, Hunt CM, Benedict MQ, Pennington PM, Dotson EM. Downregulation of female doublesex expression by oral-mediated RNA interference reduces number and fitness of Anopheles gambiae adult females. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:170. [PMID: 30992032 PMCID: PMC6466716 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3437-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mosquito-borne diseases affect millions worldwide, with malaria alone killing over 400 thousand people per year and affecting hundreds of millions. To date, the best strategy to prevent the disease remains insecticide-based mosquito control. However, insecticide resistance as well as economic and social factors reduce the effectiveness of the current methodologies. Alternative control technologies are in development, including genetic control such as the sterile insect technique (SIT). The SIT is a pivotal tool in integrated agricultural pest management and could be used to improve malaria vector control. To apply the SIT and most other newer technologies against disease transmitting mosquitoes, it is essential that releases are composed of males with minimal female contamination. The removal of females is an essential requirement because released females can themselves contribute towards nuisance biting and disease transmission. Thus, females need to be eliminated from the cohorts prior to release. Manual separation of Anopheles gambiae pupae or adult mosquitoes based on morphology is time consuming, is not feasible on a large scale and has limited the implementation of the SIT technique. The doublesex (dsx) gene is one of the effector switches of sex determination in the process of sex differentiation in insects. Both males and females have specific splicing variants that are expressed across the different life stages. Using RNA interference (RNAi) to reduce expression of the female specific (dsxF) variant of this gene has proven to have detrimental effects to the females in other mosquito species, such as Aedes aegypti. We tested oral RNAi on dsx (AgdsxF) in An. gambiae. Methods We studied the expression pattern of the dsx gene in the An. gambiae G3 strain. We knocked down AgdsxF expression in larvae through oral delivery of double stranded RNA (dsRNA) produced by bacteria and observed its effects in adults. Results Our results show that feeding of AgdsxF dsRNA can effectively reduce (> 66%) the mRNA of female dsx transcript and that there is a concomitant reduction in the number of female larvae that achieve adulthood. Control groups produced 52% (± 3.9% SE) of adult males and 48% (± 4.0% SE) females, while AgdsxF dsRNA treated groups had 72.1% (± 4.0% SE) males vs 27.8% females (± 3.3% SE). In addition, the female adults produce fewer progeny, 37.1% (± 8.2% SE) less than the controls. The knockdown was sex-specific and had no impact on total numbers of viable male adults, in the male dsx transcripts or male fitness parameters such as longevity or body size. Conclusions These findings indicate that RNAi could be used to improve novel mosquito control strategies that require efficient sex separation and male-only release of An. gambiae by targeting sex determination genes such as AgdsxF. The advantages of using RNAi in a controlled setting for mosquito rearing are numerous, as the dose and time of exposure are controlled, and the possibility of off-target effects and the waste of female production would be significantly reduced. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3437-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mabel L Taracena
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329-4027, MS G49, USA.
| | - Catherine M Hunt
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329-4027, MS G49, USA
| | - Mark Q Benedict
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329-4027, MS G49, USA
| | - Pamela M Pennington
- Centro de Estudios en Biotecnologia, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, 18 Avenida 11-95, 01015, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Ellen M Dotson
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329-4027, MS G49, USA
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427
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Simard F. [Next-generation vector control]. Biol Aujourdhui 2019; 212:137-145. [PMID: 30973142 DOI: 10.1051/jbio/2019006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Vector control is a cornerstone of vector-borne infectious disease control, a group of emerging and re-emerging diseases of major public health concern at a global scale. The history and evolution of mosquito disease vectors control, mainly based on the use of chemical insecticides, is emblematic of the successes, failures, lessons learned and experiences gained in setting-up and implementing vector control, and of the challenges that pave the way to sustainable disease vector management. This paper provides a non-exhaustive and non-exclusive overview of some of the most promising cutting-edge technical and strategic innovations that are committed to this endeavour, assessing the strength of scientific evidences for proof of concept, perspectives for scaling-up, and expected impact and outcomes in a rapidly changing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Simard
- MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle), UMR IRD-CNRS-Université de Montpellier, 911 avenue Agropolis, 34080 Montpellier, France
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428
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Safe CRISPR: Challenges and Possible Solutions. Trends Biotechnol 2019; 37:389-401. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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429
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Rode NO, Estoup A, Bourguet D, Courtier-Orgogozo V, Débarre F. Population management using gene drive: molecular design, models of spread dynamics and assessment of ecological risks. CONSERV GENET 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-019-01165-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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430
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North AR, Burt A, Godfray HCJ. Modelling the potential of genetic control of malaria mosquitoes at national scale. BMC Biol 2019; 17:26. [PMID: 30922310 PMCID: PMC6440076 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-019-0645-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The persistence of malaria in large parts of sub-Saharan Africa has motivated the development of novel tools to complement existing control programmes, including gene-drive technologies to modify mosquito vector populations. Here, we use a stochastic simulation model to explore the potential of using a driving-Y chromosome to suppress vector populations in a 106 km2 area of West Africa including all of Burkina Faso. RESULTS The consequence of driving-Y introductions is predicted to vary across the landscape, causing elimination of the target species in some regions and suppression in others. We explore how this variation is determined by environmental conditions, mosquito behaviour, and the properties of the gene-drive. Seasonality is particularly important, and we find population elimination is more likely in regions with mild dry seasons whereas suppression is more likely in regions with strong seasonality. CONCLUSIONS Despite the spatial heterogeneity, we suggest that repeated introductions of modified mosquitoes over a few years into a small fraction of human settlements may be sufficient to substantially reduce the overall number of mosquitoes across the entire geographic area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ace R North
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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431
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CRISPR Gene Drive Efficiency and Resistance Rate Is Highly Heritable with No Common Genetic Loci of Large Effect. Genetics 2019; 212:333-341. [PMID: 30918006 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene drives could allow for control of vector-borne diseases by directly suppressing vector populations or spreading genetic payloads designed to reduce pathogen transmission. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) homing gene drives work by cleaving wild-type alleles, which are then converted to drive alleles by homology-directed repair, increasing the frequency of the drive in a population over time. However, resistance alleles can form when end-joining repair takes place in lieu of homology-directed repair. Such alleles cannot be converted to drive alleles, which would eventually halt the spread of a drive through a population. To investigate the effects of natural genetic variation on resistance formation, we developed a CRISPR homing gene drive in Drosophila melanogaster and crossed it into the genetically diverse Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) lines, measuring several performance parameters. Most strikingly, resistance allele formation postfertilization in the early embryo ranged from 7 to 79% among lines and averaged 42 ± 18%. We performed a genome-wide association study using our results in the DGRP lines, and found that the resistance and conversion rates were not explained by common alleles of large effect, but instead there were several genetic polymorphisms showing weak association. RNA interference knockdown of several genes containing these polymorphisms confirmed their effect, but the small effect sizes imply that their manipulation would likely yield only modest improvements to the efficacy of gene drives.
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432
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Oberhofer G, Ivy T, Hay BA. Cleave and Rescue, a novel selfish genetic element and general strategy for gene drive. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:6250-6259. [PMID: 30760597 PMCID: PMC6442612 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1816928116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
There is great interest in being able to spread beneficial traits throughout wild populations in ways that are self-sustaining. Here, we describe a chromosomal selfish genetic element, CleaveR [Cleave and Rescue (ClvR)], able to achieve this goal. ClvR comprises two linked chromosomal components. One, germline-expressed Cas9 and guide RNAs (gRNAs)-the Cleaver-cleaves and thereby disrupts endogenous copies of a gene whose product is essential. The other, a recoded version of the essential gene resistant to cleavage and gene conversion with cleaved copies-the Rescue-provides essential gene function. ClvR enhances its transmission, and that of linked genes, by creating conditions in which progeny lacking ClvR die because they have no functional copies of the essential gene. In contrast, those who inherit ClvR survive, resulting in an increase in ClvR frequency. ClvR is predicted to spread to fixation under diverse conditions. To test these predictions, we generated a ClvR element in Drosophila melanogasterClvRtko is located on chromosome 3 and uses Cas9 and four gRNAs to disrupt melanogaster technical knockout (tko), an X-linked essential gene. Rescue activity is provided by tko from Drosophila virilisClvRtko results in germline and maternal carryover-dependent inactivation of melanogaster tko (>99% per generation); lethality caused by this loss is rescued by the virilis transgene; ClvRtko activities are robust to genetic diversity in strains from five continents; and uncleavable but functional melanogaster tko alleles were not observed. Finally, ClvRtko spreads to transgene fixation. The simplicity of ClvR suggests it may be useful for altering populations in diverse species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Oberhofer
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125
| | - Tobin Ivy
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125
| | - Bruce A Hay
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125
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433
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Qi Y, Wu Y, Saunders R, Chen XG, Mao C, Biedler JK, Tu ZJ. Guy1, a Y-linked embryonic signal, regulates dosage compensation in Anopheles stephensi by increasing X gene expression. eLife 2019; 8:43570. [PMID: 30888319 PMCID: PMC6440743 DOI: 10.7554/elife.43570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously showed that Guy1, a primary signal expressed from the Y chromosome, is a strong candidate for a male-determining factor that confers female-specific lethality in Anopheles stephensi (Criscione et al., 2016). Here, we present evidence that Guy1 increases X gene expression in Guy1-transgenic females from two independent lines, providing a mechanism underlying the Guy1-conferred female lethality. The median level gene expression (MGE) of X-linked genes is significantly higher than autosomal genes in Guy1-transgenic females while there is no significant difference in MGE between X and autosomal genes in wild-type females. Furthermore, Guy1 significantly upregulates at least 40% of the 996 genes across the X chromosome in transgenic females. Guy1-conferred female-specific lethality is remarkably stable and completely penetrant. These findings indicate that Guy1 regulates dosage compensation in An. stephensi and components of dosage compensation may be explored to develop novel strategies to control mosquito-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Qi
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States.,Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
| | - Yang Wu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China
| | - Randy Saunders
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States.,Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
| | - Xiao-Guang Chen
- Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
| | - Chunhong Mao
- Biocomplexity Institute of Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
| | - James Kite Biedler
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States.,Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
| | - Zhijian Jake Tu
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States.,Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
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434
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435
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Prowse TA, Adikusuma F, Cassey P, Thomas P, Ross JV. A Y-chromosome shredding gene drive for controlling pest vertebrate populations. eLife 2019; 8:41873. [PMID: 30767891 PMCID: PMC6398975 DOI: 10.7554/elife.41873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-replicating gene drives that modify sex ratios or infer a fitness cost could be used to control populations of invasive alien species. The targeted deletion of Y sex chromosomes using CRISPR technology offers a new approach for sex bias that could be incorporated within gene-drive designs. We introduce a novel gene-drive strategy termed Y-CHromosome deletion using Orthogonal Programmable Endonucleases (Y-CHOPE), incorporating a programmable endonuclease that ‘shreds’ the Y chromosome, thereby converting XY males into fertile XO females. Firstly, we demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas12a system can eliminate the Y chromosome in embryonic stem cells with high efficiency (c. 90%). Next, using stochastic, individual-based models of a pest mouse population, we show that a Y-shredding drive that progressively depletes the pool of XY males could effect population eradication through mate limitation. Our molecular and modeling data suggest that a Y-CHOPE gene drive could be a viable tool for vertebrate pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Aa Prowse
- School of Mathematical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Fatwa Adikusuma
- School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Phillip Cassey
- The Centre for Applied Conservation Science, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Paul Thomas
- School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Joshua V Ross
- School of Mathematical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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436
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437
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The Perfect Appetizer: A Pharmacological Strategy for a Non-biting Mosquito. Cell 2019; 176:679-681. [PMID: 30735629 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
New possibilities for vector-borne disease control are revealed by Duvall et al. (2019), who link host-seeking behavioral modulation in Aedes aegypti to neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like receptor 7. Small-molecule screening yields agonist compounds able to activate NPYLR7 and suppress attraction to hosts.
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438
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Facchinelli L, North AR, Collins CM, Menichelli M, Persampieri T, Bucci A, Spaccapelo R, Crisanti A, Benedict MQ. Large-cage assessment of a transgenic sex-ratio distortion strain on populations of an African malaria vector. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:70. [PMID: 30728060 PMCID: PMC6366042 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3289-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Novel transgenic mosquito control methods require progressively more realistic evaluation. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of a transgene that causes a male-bias sex ratio on Anopheles gambiae target populations in large insectary cages. Methods Life history characteristics of Anopheles gambiae wild type and Ag(PMB)1 (aka gfp124L-2) transgenic mosquitoes, whose progeny are 95% male, were measured in order to parameterize predictive population models. Ag(PMB)1 males were then introduced at two ratios into large insectary cages containing target wild type populations with stable age distributions and densities. The predicted proportion of females and those observed in the large cages were compared. A related model was then used to predict effects of male releases on wild mosquitoes in a west African village. Results The frequency of transgenic mosquitoes in target populations reached an average of 0.44 ± 0.02 and 0.56 ± 0.02 after 6 weeks in the 1:1 and in the 3:1 release ratio treatments (transgenic male:wild male) respectively. Transgenic males caused sex-ratio distortion of 73% and 80% males in the 1:1 and 3:1 treatments, respectively. The number of eggs laid in the transgenic treatments declined as the experiment progressed, with a steeper decline in the 3:1 than in the 1:1 releases. The results of the experiment are partially consistent with predictions of the model; effect size and variability did not conform to the model in two out of three trials, effect size was over-estimated by the model and variability was greater than anticipated, possibly because of sampling effects in restocking. The model estimating the effects of hypothetical releases on the mosquito population of a West African village demonstrated that releases could significantly reduce the number of females in the wild population. The interval of releases is not expected to have a strong effect. Conclusions The biological data produced to parameterize the model, the model itself, and the results of the experiments are components of a system to evaluate and predict the performance of transgenic mosquitoes. Together these suggest that the Ag(PMB)1 strain has the potential to be useful for reversible population suppression while this novel field develops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Facchinelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.,Present address: Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Ace R North
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, New Radcliffe House, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - C Matilda Collins
- Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, 16-18 Princes Gardens, London, SW7 1NE, UK
| | - Miriam Menichelli
- Polo di Genomica Genetica e Biologia, Via mazzieri 3, 05100, Terni, Italy
| | - Tania Persampieri
- Polo di Genomica Genetica e Biologia, Via mazzieri 3, 05100, Terni, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bucci
- Polo di Genomica Genetica e Biologia, Via mazzieri 3, 05100, Terni, Italy
| | - Roberta Spaccapelo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Andrea Crisanti
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building Imperial College Road South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Mark Q Benedict
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
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439
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Xu J, Xu X, Zhan S, Huang Y. Genome editing in insects: current status and challenges. Natl Sci Rev 2019; 6:399-401. [PMID: 34691890 PMCID: PMC8291555 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwz008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Xia Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Shuai Zhan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Yongping Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
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440
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Grunwald HA, Gantz VM, Poplawski G, Xu XRS, Bier E, Cooper KL. Super-Mendelian inheritance mediated by CRISPR-Cas9 in the female mouse germline. Nature 2019; 566:105-109. [PMID: 30675057 PMCID: PMC6367021 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-0875-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
A gene drive biases the transmission of one of the two copies of a gene such that it is inherited more frequently than by random segregation. Highly efficient gene drive systems have recently been developed in insects, which leverage the sequence-targeted DNA cleavage activity of CRISPR-Cas9 and endogenous homology-directed repair mechanisms to convert heterozygous genotypes to homozygosity1-4. If implemented in laboratory rodents, similar systems would enable the rapid assembly of currently impractical genotypes that involve multiple homozygous genes (for example, to model multigenic human diseases). To our knowledge, however, such a system has not yet been demonstrated in mammals. Here we use an active genetic element that encodes a guide RNA, which is embedded in the mouse tyrosinase (Tyr) gene, to evaluate whether targeted gene conversion can occur when CRISPR-Cas9 is active in the early embryo or in the developing germline. Although Cas9 efficiently induces double-stranded DNA breaks in the early embryo and male germline, these breaks are not corrected by homology-directed repair. By contrast, Cas9 expression limited to the female germline induces double-stranded breaks that are corrected by homology-directed repair, which copies the active genetic element from the donor to the receiver chromosome and increases its rate of inheritance in the next generation. These results demonstrate the feasibility of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated systems that bias inheritance of desired alleles in mice and that have the potential to transform the use of rodent models in basic and biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah A Grunwald
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gunnar Poplawski
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiang-Ru S Xu
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kimberly L Cooper
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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441
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Gangopadhyay SA, Cox KJ, Manna D, Lim D, Maji B, Zhou Q, Choudhary A. Precision Control of CRISPR-Cas9 Using Small Molecules and Light. Biochemistry 2019; 58:234-244. [PMID: 30640437 PMCID: PMC6586488 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b01202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)-Cas system is an adaptive immune system of bacteria that has furnished several RNA-guided DNA endonucleases (e.g., Cas9) that are revolutionizing the field of genome engineering. Cas9 is being used to effect genomic alterations as well as in gene drives, where a particular trait may be propagated through a targeted species population over several generations. The ease of targeting catalytically impaired Cas9 to any genomic loci has led to development of technologies for base editing, chromatin imaging and modeling, epigenetic editing, and gene regulation. Unsurprisingly, Cas9 is being developed for numerous applications in biotechnology and biomedical research and as a gene therapy agent for multiple pathologies. There is a need for precise control of Cas9 activity over several dimensions, including those of dose, time, and space in these applications. Such precision controls, which are required of therapeutic agents, are particularly important for Cas9 as off-target effects, chromosomal translocations, immunogenic response, genotoxicity, and embryonic mosaicism are observed at elevated levels and with prolonged activity of Cas9. Here, we provide a perspective on advances in the precision control of Cas9 over aforementioned dimensions using external stimuli (e.g., small molecules or light) for controlled activation, inhibition, or degradation of Cas9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumyashree A. Gangopadhyay
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Kurt J. Cox
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Debasish Manna
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Donghyun Lim
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Basudeb Maji
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Qingxuan Zhou
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Amit Choudhary
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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442
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Champer J, Chung J, Lee YL, Liu C, Yang E, Wen Z, Clark AG, Messer PW. Molecular safeguarding of CRISPR gene drive experiments. eLife 2019; 8:e41439. [PMID: 30666960 PMCID: PMC6358215 DOI: 10.7554/elife.41439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-based homing gene drives have sparked both enthusiasm and deep concerns due to their potential for genetically altering entire species. This raises the question about our ability to prevent the unintended spread of such drives from the laboratory into a natural population. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the suitability of synthetic target site drives as well as split drives as flexible safeguarding strategies for gene drive experiments by showing that their performance closely resembles that of standard homing drives in Drosophila melanogaster. Using our split drive system, we further find that maternal deposition of both Cas9 and gRNA is required to form resistance alleles in the early embryo and that maternally-deposited Cas9 alone can power germline drive conversion in individuals that lack a genomic source of Cas9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson Champer
- Department of Biological Statistics and Computational BiologyCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology and GeneticsCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Joan Chung
- Department of Biological Statistics and Computational BiologyCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology and GeneticsCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Yoo Lim Lee
- Department of Biological Statistics and Computational BiologyCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology and GeneticsCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Biological Statistics and Computational BiologyCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology and GeneticsCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Emily Yang
- Department of Biological Statistics and Computational BiologyCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology and GeneticsCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Zhaoxin Wen
- Department of Biological Statistics and Computational BiologyCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Andrew G Clark
- Department of Biological Statistics and Computational BiologyCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Philipp W Messer
- Department of Biological Statistics and Computational BiologyCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
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443
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Abstract
Vector-borne infectious diseases continue to be a major threat to public health. Although some prevention and treatment modalities exist for these diseases, resistance to such modalities, exacerbated by global climate change, remains a fundamental challenge. Developments in genomic engineering technologies present a new front in battling vector-borne illnesses; however, there is a lack of consensus over the scope and consequences of these approaches. In this article, we use malaria as a case study to address the developments and controversies surrounding gene drives, a novel genomic engineering technology. We draw attention to the themes of infection control, resistance, and reversibility using a science and technology studies framework. Unlike other current prevention and treatment modalities, gene drives have the capacity to alter not only single organisms but also entire species and ecologies. Therefore, broader public and scientific engagement is needed to inform a more inclusive discussion between clinicians, researchers, policy makers, and society.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter F Martelli
- Department of Healthcare Administration, Sawyer Business School, Suffolk University, Boston, MA, USA,
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444
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Kandul NP, Liu J, Sanchez C HM, Wu SL, Marshall JM, Akbari OS. Transforming insect population control with precision guided sterile males with demonstration in flies. Nat Commun 2019; 10:84. [PMID: 30622266 PMCID: PMC6325135 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07964-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environmentally safe and proven technology to suppress wild populations. To further advance its utility, a novel CRISPR-based technology termed precision guided SIT (pgSIT) is described. PgSIT mechanistically relies on a dominant genetic technology that enables simultaneous sexing and sterilization, facilitating the release of eggs into the environment ensuring only sterile adult males emerge. Importantly, for field applications, the release of eggs will eliminate burdens of manually sexing and sterilizing males, thereby reducing overall effort and increasing scalability. Here, to demonstrate efficacy, we systematically engineer multiple pgSIT systems in Drosophila which consistently give rise to 100% sterile males. Importantly, we demonstrate that pgSIT-generated sterile males are fit and competitive. Using mathematical models, we predict pgSIT will induce substantially greater population suppression than can be achieved by currently-available self-limiting suppression technologies. Taken together, pgSIT offers to potentially transform our ability to control insect agricultural pests and disease vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay P Kandul
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, California, USA
| | - Junru Liu
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, California, USA
| | - Hector M Sanchez C
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, California, USA
| | - Sean L Wu
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, California, USA
| | - John M Marshall
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, California, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, California, USA.
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, California, USA.
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445
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Nash A, Urdaneta GM, Beaghton AK, Hoermann A, Papathanos PA, Christophides GK, Windbichler N. Integral gene drives for population replacement. Biol Open 2019; 8:bio037762. [PMID: 30498016 PMCID: PMC6361204 DOI: 10.1242/bio.037762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
A first generation of CRISPR-based gene drives has now been tested in the laboratory in a number of organisms, including malaria vector mosquitoes. Challenges for their use in the area-wide genetic control of vector-borne disease have been identified, including the development of target site resistance, their long-term efficacy in the field, their molecular complexity, and practical and legal limitations for field testing of both gene drive and coupled anti-pathogen traits. We have evaluated theoretically the concept of integral gene drive (IGD) as an alternative paradigm for population replacement. IGDs incorporate a minimal set of molecular components, including drive and anti-pathogen effector elements directly embedded within endogenous genes - an arrangement that in theory allows targeting functionally conserved coding sequences without disrupting their function. Autonomous and non-autonomous IGD strains could be generated, optimized, regulated and imported independently. We performed quantitative modeling comparing IGDs with classical replacement drives and show that selection for the function of the hijacked host gene can significantly reduce the establishment of resistant alleles in the population, while drive occurring at multiple genomic loci prolongs the duration of transmission blockage in the face of pre-existing target site variation. IGD thus has potential as a more durable and flexible population replacement strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Nash
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Giulia Mignini Urdaneta
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Andrea K Beaghton
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Astrid Hoermann
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Philippos Aris Papathanos
- Centre of Functional Genomics, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy
- Department of Entomology, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - George K Christophides
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Nikolai Windbichler
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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446
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Ruzzante L, Reijnders MJ, Waterhouse RM. Of Genes and Genomes: Mosquito Evolution and Diversity. Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:32-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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447
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Hemingway J. Vectors: recognising the challenge and reducing neglect. Int Health 2019; 11:341-343. [DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihz050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Vector control is essential for the prevention and reduction of malaria transmission and is increasingly recognised as a key element of several neglected tropical disease (NTD) elimination programmes. Very few vector control interventions have a strong evidence base for their public health impact, and those that do are insecticide-based and threatened by resistance. The pipeline of new interventions and new insecticides is being filled and several are undergoing randomised controlled trials. If these are subsequently to be used sustainably, interventions will need to be combined. The major challenge will be to generate the evidence base and funding to achieve this sustainable combination at the country level. Unless this is done, the selection pressure for resistance to the new generation of vector control tools is likely to rapidly reduce our ability to control insect vectors in the foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Hemingway
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA
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448
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Burrows J, Slater H, Macintyre F, Rees S, Thomas A, Okumu F, Hooft van Huijsduijnen R, Duparc S, Wells TNC. A discovery and development roadmap for new endectocidal transmission-blocking agents in malaria. Malar J 2018; 17:462. [PMID: 30526594 PMCID: PMC6287360 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2598-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Reaching the overall goal of eliminating malaria requires halting disease transmission. One approach to blocking transmission is to prevent passage of the parasite to a mosquito, by preventing formation or transmission of gametocytes. An alternative approach, pioneered in the veterinary field, is to use endectocides, which are molecules that render vertebrate blood meals toxic for the mosquito vector, also killing the parasite. Field studies and modelling suggest that reducing the lifespan of the mosquito may significantly reduce transmission, given the lengthy maturation process of the parasite. To guide the development of new endectocides, or the reformulation of existing molecules, it is important to construct a framework of the required attributes, commonly called the target candidate profile. Here, using a combination of insights from current endectocides, mathematical models of the malaria transmission dynamics, and known impacts of vector control, a target candidate profile (TCP-6) and a regulatory strategy are proposed for a transmission reducing agent. The parameters chosen can be used to assess the potential of a new medicine, independent of whether it has classical endectocide activity, reduces the insect and parasite lifespan or any combination of all three, thereby constituting an ‘endectocidal transmission blocking’ paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Burrows
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland.
| | - Hannah Slater
- PATH, 2201 Westlake Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98121, USA.,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, MRC Centre for Global Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Fiona Macintyre
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Rees
- Innovative Vector Control Consortium, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Anna Thomas
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Fredros Okumu
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Off Mlabani Passage, Ifakara, Morogoro, United Republic of Tanzania.,School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, Republic of South Africa.,Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Stephan Duparc
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Timothy N C Wells
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
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449
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Lau CH. Applications of CRISPR-Cas in Bioengineering, Biotechnology, and Translational Research. CRISPR J 2018; 1:379-404. [PMID: 31021245 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2018.0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR technology is rapidly evolving, and the scope of CRISPR applications is constantly expanding. CRISPR was originally employed for genome editing. Its application was then extended to epigenome editing, karyotype engineering, chromatin imaging, transcriptome, and metabolic pathway engineering. Now, CRISPR technology is being harnessed for genetic circuits engineering, cell signaling sensing, cellular events recording, lineage information reconstruction, gene drive, DNA genotyping, miRNA quantification, in vivo cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, genomic diversification, and proteomic analysis in situ. It has also been implemented in the translational research of human diseases such as cancer immunotherapy, antiviral therapy, bacteriophage therapy, cancer diagnosis, pathogen screening, microbiota remodeling, stem-cell reprogramming, immunogenomic engineering, vaccine development, and antibody production. This review aims to summarize the key concepts of these CRISPR applications in order to capture the current state of play in this fast-moving field. The key mechanisms, strategies, and design principles for each technological advance are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cia-Hin Lau
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong, SAR, China
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