1
|
Wudarski J, Aliabadi S, Gulia-Nuss M. Arthropod promoters for genetic control of disease vectors. Trends Parasitol 2024:S1471-4922(24)00093-X. [PMID: 38824066 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) impose devastating effects on human health and a heavy financial burden. Malaria, Lyme disease, and dengue fever are just a few examples of VBDs that cause severe illnesses. The current strategies to control VBDs consist mainly of environmental modification and chemical use, and to a small extent, genetic approaches. The genetic approaches, including transgenesis/genome modification and gene-drive technologies, provide the basis for developing new tools for VBD prevention by suppressing vector populations or reducing their capacity to transmit pathogens. The regulatory elements such as promoters are required for a robust sex-, tissue-, and stage-specific transgene expression. As discussed in this review, information on the regulatory elements is available for mosquito vectors but is scant for other vectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Wudarski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Simindokht Aliabadi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Monika Gulia-Nuss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Anderson MAE, Gonzalez E, Edgington MP, Ang JXD, Purusothaman DK, Shackleford L, Nevard K, Verkuijl SAN, Harvey-Samuel T, Leftwich PT, Esvelt K, Alphey L. A multiplexed, confinable CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive can propagate in caged Aedes aegypti populations. Nat Commun 2024; 15:729. [PMID: 38272895 PMCID: PMC10810878 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44956-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti is the main vector of several major pathogens including dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses. Classical mosquito control strategies utilizing insecticides are threatened by rising resistance. This has stimulated interest in new genetic systems such as gene drivesHere, we test the regulatory sequences from the Ae. aegypti benign gonial cell neoplasm (bgcn) homolog to express Cas9 and a separate multiplexing sgRNA-expressing cassette inserted into the Ae. aegypti kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (kmo) gene. When combined, these two elements provide highly effective germline cutting at the kmo locus and act as a gene drive. Our target genetic element drives through a cage trial population such that carrier frequency of the element increases from 50% to up to 89% of the population despite significant fitness costs to kmo insertions. Deep sequencing suggests that the multiplexing design could mitigate resistance allele formation in our gene drive system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A E Anderson
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, GU24 0HN, UK
- The Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Estela Gonzalez
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, GU24 0HN, UK
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Matthew P Edgington
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, GU24 0HN, UK
- The Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Joshua X D Ang
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, GU24 0HN, UK
- The Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Deepak-Kumar Purusothaman
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, GU24 0HN, UK
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Henry Wellcome Building, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Lewis Shackleford
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, GU24 0HN, UK
- The Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Katherine Nevard
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, GU24 0HN, UK
| | - Sebald A N Verkuijl
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, GU24 0HN, UK
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | | | - Philip T Leftwich
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, GU24 0HN, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Kevin Esvelt
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Luke Alphey
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, GU24 0HN, UK.
- The Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Harvey-Samuel T, Feng X, Okamoto EM, Purusothaman DK, Leftwich PT, Alphey L, Gantz VM. CRISPR-based gene drives generate super-Mendelian inheritance in the disease vector Culex quinquefasciatus. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7561. [PMID: 37985762 PMCID: PMC10662442 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41834-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Culex mosquitoes pose a significant public health threat as vectors for a variety of diseases including West Nile virus and lymphatic filariasis, and transmit pathogens threatening livestock, companion animals, and endangered birds. Rampant insecticide resistance makes controlling these mosquitoes challenging and necessitates the development of new control strategies. Gene drive technologies have made significant progress in other mosquito species, although similar advances have been lagging in Culex. Here we test a CRISPR-based homing gene drive for Culex quinquefasciatus, and show that the inheritance of two split-gene-drive transgenes, targeting different loci, are biased in the presence of a Cas9-expressing transgene although with modest efficiencies. Our findings extend the list of disease vectors where engineered homing gene drives have been demonstrated to include Culex alongside Anopheles and Aedes, and pave the way for future development of these technologies to control Culex mosquitoes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim Harvey-Samuel
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Xuechun Feng
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Guangdong, 518106, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Emily M Okamoto
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Deepak-Kumar Purusothaman
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Philip T Leftwich
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Luke Alphey
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK.
- Biology Department, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Harvey-Samuel T, Feng X, Okamoto EM, Purusothaman DK, Leftwich PT, Alphey L, Gantz VM. CRISPR-based gene drives generate super-Mendelian inheritance in the disease vector Culex quinquefasciatus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.12.544656. [PMID: 37398284 PMCID: PMC10312623 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.12.544656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Culex mosquitoes pose a significant public health threat as vectors for a variety of diseases including West Nile virus and lymphatic filariasis, and transmit pathogens threatening livestock, companion animals, and endangered birds. Rampant insecticide resistance makes controlling these mosquitoes challenging and necessitates the development of new control strategies. Gene drive technologies have made significant progress in other mosquito species, although similar advances have been lagging in Culex. Here we test the first CRISPR-based homing gene drive for Culex quinquefasciatus, demonstrating the possibility of using this technology to control Culex mosquitoes. Our results show that the inheritance of two split-gene-drive transgenes, targeting different loci, are biased in the presence of a Cas9-expressing transgene although with modest efficiencies. Our findings extend the list of disease vectors where engineered homing gene drives have been demonstrated to include Culex alongside Anopheles and Aedes, and pave the way for future development of these technologies to control Culex mosquitoes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim Harvey-Samuel
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, UK, GU24 0NF
| | - Xuechun Feng
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA 92093
| | - Emily M Okamoto
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA 92093
| | - Deepak-Kumar Purusothaman
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, UK, GU24 0NF
- Present address: MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK G12 8QQ
| | - Philip T Leftwich
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK, NR4 7TJ
| | - Luke Alphey
- Present address: Biology Department, University of York, York, UK, YO10 5DD
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA 92093
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Raban R, Gendron WAC, Akbari OS. A perspective on the expansion of the genetic technologies to support the control of neglected vector-borne diseases and conservation. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.999273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic-based technologies are emerging as promising tools to support vector population control. Vectors of human malaria and dengue have been the main focus of these development efforts, but in recent years these technologies have become more flexible and adaptable and may therefore have more wide-ranging applications. Culex quinquefasciatus, for example, is the primary vector of avian malaria in Hawaii and other tropical islands. Avian malaria has led to the extinction of numerous native bird species and many native bird species continue to be threatened as climate change is expanding the range of this mosquito. Genetic-based technologies would be ideal to support avian malaria control as they would offer alternatives to interventions that are difficult to implement in natural areas, such as larval source reduction, and limit the need for chemical insecticides, which can harm beneficial species in these natural areas. This mosquito is also an important vector of human diseases, such as West Nile and Saint Louis encephalitis viruses, so genetic-based control efforts for this species could also have a direct impact on human health. This commentary will discuss the current state of development and future needs for genetic-based technologies in lesser studied, but important disease vectors, such as C. quinquefasciatus, and make comparisons to technologies available in more studied vectors. While most current genetic control focuses on human disease, we will address the impact that these technologies could have on both disease and conservation focused vector control efforts and what is needed to prepare these technologies for evaluation in the field. The versatility of genetic-based technologies may result in the development of many important tools to control a variety of vectors that impact human, animal, and ecosystem health.
Collapse
|
6
|
Bhujbal S, Bhujbal R, Giram P. An overview: CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing for viral vaccine development. Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:1581-1593. [PMID: 35959589 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2112952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Gene-editing technology revolutionized vaccine manufacturing and offers a variety of benefits over traditional vaccinations, such as improved immune response, higher production rate, stability, precise immunogenic activity, and fewer adverse effects. The more recently discovered Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/associated protein 9 (Cas9) system has become the most widely utilized technology based on its efficiency, utility, flexibility, versatility, ease of use, and cheaper compared to other gene-editing techniques. Considering its wider scope for genomic modification, CRISPR/Cas9-based technology's potential is explored for vaccine development. AREAS COVERED : In this review, we will address the recent advances in the CRISPR/Cas system for the development of vaccines and viral vectors for delivery. In addition, we will discuss strategies for the development of the vaccine, as well as the limitations and future prospects of the CRISPR/Cas system. EXPERT OPINION : Human and animal viruses have been exposed to antiviral CRISPR/Cas9-based engineering to prevent infection, which uses knockout, knock-in, gene activation/deactivation, RNA targeting, and editing cell lines strategies for gene editing of viruses. Because of that CRISPR/Cas system is used to boost the vaccine production yield by removing unwanted genes that cause disease or are required for viral infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Bhujbal
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Sant. Tukaram Nagar Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra (India) -411018
| | - Rushikesh Bhujbal
- Department of Quality Assurance Technique, Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Sant. Tukaram Nagar Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra (India) -411018
| | - Prabhanjan Giram
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Sant. Tukaram Nagar Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra (India) -411018.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA- 14260-1660
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang Y, He X, Qiao L, Yu Z, Chen B, He Z. CRISPR/Cas9 mediates efficient site-specific mutagenesis of the odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) in the malaria vector Anopheles sinensis. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:3294-3304. [PMID: 35484862 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anopheles sinensis is the most widely distributed mosquito species and is the main transmitter of Plasmodium vivax malaria in China. Most previous research has focused on the mechanistic understanding of biological processes in An. sinensis and novel ways of interrupting malaria transmission. However, the development of functional genomics and genetics-based vector control strategies against An. sinensis remain limited because of insufficient site-specific genome editing tools. RESULTS We report the first successful application of the CRISPR/Cas9 mediated knock-in for highly efficient, site-specific mutagenesis in An. sinensis. The EGFP marker gene driven by the 3 × P3 promoter was precisely integrated into the odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) by direct injections of Cas9 protein, double-stranded DNA donor, and Orco-gRNA. We achieved a mutation rate of 3.77%, similar to rates in other mosquito species. Precise knock-in at the intended locus was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing. The Orco mutation severely impaired mosquito sensitivity to some odors and their ability to locate and discriminate a human host. CONCLUSION Orco was confirmed as a key mediator of multiple olfactory-driven behaviors in the An. sinensis life cycle, highlighting the importance of Orco as a key molecular target for malaria control. The results also demonstrated that CRISPR/Cas9 was a simple and highly efficient genome editing technique for An. sinensis and could be used to develop genetic control tools for this vector. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- You Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Vector Insects; Institute of Entomology and Molecular Biology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xingfei He
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Vector Insects; Institute of Entomology and Molecular Biology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liang Qiao
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Vector Insects; Institute of Entomology and Molecular Biology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhengrong Yu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Vector Insects; Institute of Entomology and Molecular Biology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Vector Insects; Institute of Entomology and Molecular Biology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhengbo He
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Vector Insects; Institute of Entomology and Molecular Biology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
Insects have evolved highly diverse genetic sex-determination mechanisms and a relatively balanced male to female sex ratio is generally expected. However, selection may shift the optimal sex ratio while meiotic drive and endosymbiont manipulation can result in sex ratio distortion (SRD). Recent advances in sex chromosome genomics and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing brought significant insights into the molecular regulators of sex determination in an increasing number of insects and provided new ways to engineer SRD. We review these advances and discuss both naturally occurring and engineered SRD in the context of the Anthropocene. We emphasize SRD-mediated biological control of insects to help improve One Health, sustain agriculture, and conserve endangered species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Austin Compton
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Zhijian Tu
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Comparison of Mosquito Larvicidal Formulations of Diflubenzuron on Culex Pipiens Mosquitoes in Belgrade, Serbia. ACTA VET-BEOGRAD 2022. [DOI: 10.2478/acve-2022-0007] [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] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Culex mosquitos are important infectious diseases vectors in temperate and tropical regions of the World, affecting nearly 350 million people in both developed and developing countries. Our approach was to “recycle” the well-established larvicide, and by studying the tablets, pellets and granules as floating or sinking formulations, we found a method to optimise the use of diflubenzuron against Culex pipiens mosquitoes in field conditions.
A standard WHO procedure was used to test the larvicide efficacy. The combined efficacy of all floating formulations was 10.7% higher than sinking preparations (p-value =0.002) and that maximised throughout the experiment on days 14 and 21, (p-values 0.012 and 0.008, respectively). All floating formulations kept their efficacies above 70% until day 21 of the experiment, while the mortality of sinking designs dropped significantly after day 14. The lowest efficacy was observed when sinking granules were used and the highest when floating tablets were applied in the canals. Only the floating tablets showed no significant changes in efficacy from day 1 to 21, but then that efficacy drops sharp until day 35.
Since the larvae spend most of their time on the surface of the slow-moving waters to breathe, and floating pellets and tablets are made of materials that can serve as food sources, we conclude that these formulations have a higher efficacy, at least in conditions of non- or slow-moving waters. This study shows the importance of a systematic approach to reformulation of old, already proven and environmentally safe larvicides which can control the mosquito populations and their spreading of various pathogens.
Collapse
|
10
|
Xu X, Harvey-Samuel T, Siddiqui HA, Ang JXD, Anderson ME, Reitmayer CM, Lovett E, Leftwich PT, You M, Alphey L. Toward a CRISPR-Cas9-based Gene Drive in the Diamondback Moth Plutella xylostella. CRISPR J 2022; 5:224-236. [PMID: 35285719 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2021.0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Promising to provide powerful genetic control tools, gene drives have been constructed in multiple dipteran insects, yeast, and mice for the purposes of population elimination or modification. However, it remains unclear whether these techniques can be applied to lepidopterans. Here, we used endogenous regulatory elements to drive Cas9 and single guide RNA (sgRNA) expression in the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, and test the first split gene drive system in a lepidopteran. The DBM is an economically important global agriculture pest of cruciferous crops and has developed severe resistance to various insecticides, making it a prime candidate for such novel control strategy development. A very high level of somatic editing was observed in Cas9/sgRNA transheterozygotes, although no significant homing was revealed in the subsequent generation. Although heritable Cas9-medated germline cleavage as well as maternal and paternal Cas9 deposition were observed, rates were far lower than for somatic cleavage events, indicating robust somatic but limited germline activity of Cas9/sgRNA under the control of selected regulatory elements. Our results provide valuable experience, paving the way for future construction of gene drives or other Cas9-based genetic control strategies in DBM and other lepidopterans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuejiao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, P.R. China.,School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Tim Harvey-Samuel
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, Pirbright, United Kingdom
| | - Hamid Anees Siddiqui
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Joshua Xin De Ang
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, Pirbright, United Kingdom
| | | | - Christine M Reitmayer
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, Pirbright, United Kingdom
| | - Erica Lovett
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, Pirbright, United Kingdom
| | - Philip T Leftwich
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Minsheng You
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, P.R. China
| | - Luke Alphey
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, P.R. China.,Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, Pirbright, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Heryanto C, Hanly JJ, Mazo-Vargas A, Tendolkar A, Martin A. Mapping and CRISPR homology-directed repair of a recessive white eye mutation in Plodia moths. iScience 2022; 25:103885. [PMID: 35243245 PMCID: PMC8861637 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The pantry moth Plodia interpunctella is a worldwide pest of stored food products and a promising laboratory model system for lepidopteran functional genomics. Here we describe efficient methods for precise genome editing in this insect. A spontaneous recessive white-eyed phenotype maps to a frameshift deletion (c.737delC) in the white gene. CRISPR NHEJ mutagenesis of white replicates this phenotype with high rates of somatic biallelic knockout. G0 individuals with mutant clones on both eyes produced 100% mutant progeny, making white an ideal marker for co-conversion when targeting other genes. CRISPR HDR experiments corrected c.737delC and reverted white eyes to a pigmented state in 37% of G0 mosaic adults. These repaired alleles showed practical rates of germline transmission in backcrosses, demonstrating the potential of the technique for precise genome editing. Plodia offers a promising avenue for research in this taxon because of its lab-ready features, egg injectability, and editability. Plodia pantry moths are an emerging model organism for functional genomics in Lepidoptera Spontaneous and CRISPR-induced white mutations yield recessive-white eye phenotypes CRISPR HDR repair with ssODN donor result in practical rates of base editing We provide optimized protocols for Plodia handling and genome editing
Collapse
|
12
|
Quinn C, Anthousi A, Wondji C, Nolan T. CRISPR-mediated knock-in of transgenes into the malaria vector Anopheles funestus. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2021; 11:6303614. [PMID: 34849822 PMCID: PMC8496255 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The ability to introduce mutations, or transgenes, of choice to precise genomic locations has revolutionized our ability to understand how genes and organisms work. In many mosquito species that are vectors of various human diseases, the advent of CRISPR genome editing tools has shed light on basic aspects of their biology that are relevant to their efficiency as disease vectors. This allows a better understanding of how current control tools work and opens up the possibility of novel genetic control approaches, such as gene drives, that deliberately introduce genetic traits into populations. Yet for the Anopheles funestus mosquito, a significant vector of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa and indeed the dominant vector species in many countries, transgenesis has yet to be achieved. We describe herein an optimized transformation system based on the germline delivery of CRISPR components that allows efficient cleavage of a previously validated genomic site and preferential repair of these cut sites via homology-directed repair (HDR), which allows the introduction of exogenous template sequence, rather than end-joining repair. The rates of transformation achieved are sufficiently high that it should be able to introduce alleles of choice to a target locus, and recover these, without the need to include additional dominant marker genes. Moreover, the high rates of HDR observed suggest that gene drives, which employ an HDR-type mechanism to ensure their proliferation in the genome, may be well suited to work in A. funestus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Amalia Anthousi
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion 700 13, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion 700 13, Greece
| | - Charles Wondji
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
- Department of Medical Entomology, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID), Yaoundé 5, Cameroon
| | - Tony Nolan
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
- Corresponding author:
| |
Collapse
|