1
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Kefi M, Cardoso-Jaime V, Saab SA, Dimopoulos G. Curing mosquitoes with genetic approaches for malaria control. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:487-499. [PMID: 38760256 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Malaria remains a persistent global public health challenge because of the limitations of current prevention tools. The use of transgenic mosquitoes incapable of transmitting malaria, in conjunction with existing methods, holds promise for achieving elimination of malaria and preventing its reintroduction. In this context, population modification involves the spread of engineered genetic elements through mosquito populations that render them incapable of malaria transmission. Significant progress has been made in this field over the past decade in revealing promising targets, optimizing genetic tools, and facilitating the transition from the laboratory to successful field deployments, which are subject to regulatory scrutiny. This review summarizes recent advances and ongoing challenges in 'curing' Anopheles vectors of the malaria parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Kefi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Victor Cardoso-Jaime
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sally A Saab
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - George Dimopoulos
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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2
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Sánchez C. HM, Smith DL, Marshall JM. MGSurvE: A framework to optimize trap placement for genetic surveillance of mosquito populations. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1012046. [PMID: 38709820 PMCID: PMC11098508 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic surveillance of mosquito populations is becoming increasingly relevant as genetics-based mosquito control strategies advance from laboratory to field testing. Especially applicable are mosquito gene drive projects, the potential scale of which leads monitoring to be a significant cost driver. For these projects, monitoring will be required to detect unintended spread of gene drive mosquitoes beyond field sites, and the emergence of alternative alleles, such as drive-resistant alleles or non-functional effector genes, within intervention sites. This entails the need to distribute mosquito traps efficiently such that an allele of interest is detected as quickly as possible-ideally when remediation is still viable. Additionally, insecticide-based tools such as bednets are compromised by insecticide-resistance alleles for which there is also a need to detect as quickly as possible. To this end, we present MGSurvE (Mosquito Gene SurveillancE): a computational framework that optimizes trap placement for genetic surveillance of mosquito populations such that the time to detection of an allele of interest is minimized. A key strength of MGSurvE is that it allows important biological features of mosquitoes and the landscapes they inhabit to be accounted for, namely: i) resources required by mosquitoes (e.g., food sources and aquatic breeding sites) can be explicitly distributed through a landscape, ii) movement of mosquitoes may depend on their sex, the current state of their gonotrophic cycle (if female) and resource attractiveness, and iii) traps may differ in their attractiveness profile. Example MGSurvE analyses are presented to demonstrate optimal trap placement for: i) an Aedes aegypti population in a suburban landscape in Queensland, Australia, and ii) an Anopheles gambiae population on the island of São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe. Further documentation and use examples are provided in project's documentation. MGSurvE is intended as a resource for both field and computational researchers interested in mosquito gene surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor M. Sánchez C.
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - David L. Smith
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - John M. Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
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3
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Li M, Kandul NP, Sun R, Yang T, Benetta ED, Brogan DJ, Antoshechkin I, Sánchez C HM, Zhan Y, DeBeaubien NA, Loh YM, Su MP, Montell C, Marshall JM, Akbari OS. Targeting sex determination to suppress mosquito populations. eLife 2024; 12:RP90199. [PMID: 38289340 PMCID: PMC10945564 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90199] [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] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Each year, hundreds of millions of people are infected with arboviruses such as dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika, which are all primarily spread by the notorious mosquito Aedes aegypti. Traditional control measures have proven insufficient, necessitating innovations. In response, here we generate a next-generation CRISPR-based precision-guided sterile insect technique (pgSIT) for Ae. aegypti that disrupts genes essential for sex determination and fertility, producing predominantly sterile males that can be deployed at any life stage. Using mathematical models and empirical testing, we demonstrate that released pgSIT males can effectively compete with, suppress, and eliminate caged mosquito populations. This versatile species-specific platform has the potential for field deployment to effectively control wild populations of disease vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Nikolay P Kandul
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Ruichen Sun
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Ting Yang
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Elena D Benetta
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Daniel J Brogan
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Igor Antoshechkin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE), California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Héctor M Sánchez C
- Divisions of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Yinpeng Zhan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research, Institute, University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraUnited States
| | - Nicolas A DeBeaubien
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research, Institute, University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraUnited States
| | - YuMin M Loh
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya UniversityNagoyaJapan
| | - Matthew P Su
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya UniversityNagoyaJapan
- Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya UniversityNagoyaJapan
| | - Craig Montell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research, Institute, University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraUnited States
| | - John M Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Innovative Genomics InstituteBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Omar S Akbari
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
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4
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Weng SC, Masri RA, Akbari OS. Advances and challenges in synthetic biology for mosquito control. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:75-88. [PMID: 38000957 PMCID: PMC11064511 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.11.001] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne illnesses represent a significant global health peril, resulting in approximately one million fatalities annually. West Nile, dengue, Zika, and malaria are continuously expanding their global reach, driven by factors that escalate mosquito populations and pathogen transmission. Innovative control measures are imperative to combat these catastrophic ailments. Conventional approaches, such as eliminating breeding sites and using insecticides, have been helpful, but they face challenges such as insecticide resistance and environmental harm. Given the mounting severity of mosquito-borne diseases, there is promise in exploring innovative approaches using synthetic biology to bolster mosquitoes' resistance to pathogens, or even eliminate the mosquito vectors, as a means of control. This review outlines current strategies, future goals, and the importance of gene editing for global health defenses against mosquito-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Che Weng
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Reem A Masri
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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5
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Mishra P, Balaraman V, Fraser MJ. Maxizyme-mediated suppression of chikungunya virus replication and transmission in transgenic Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1286519. [PMID: 38188571 PMCID: PMC10766806 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1286519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne pathogen of significant public health importance. There are currently no prophylactic vaccines or therapeutics available to control CHIKV. One approach to arbovirus control that has been proposed is the replacement of transmission-competent mosquitoes with those that are refractory to virus infection. Several transgene effectors are being examined as potentially useful for this population replacement approach. We previously demonstrated the successful use of hammerhead ribozymes (hRzs) as an antiviral effector transgene to control CHIKV infection of, and transmission by, Aedes mosquitoes. In this report we examine a maxizyme approach to enhance the catalytic activity and prevent virus mutants from escaping these ribozymes. We designed a maxizyme containing minimized (monomer) versions of two hRzs we previously demonstrated to be the most effective in CHIKV suppression. Three versions of CHIKV maxizyme were designed: Active (Mz), inactive (ΔMz), and a connected CHIKV maxizyme (cMz). The maxizymes with their expression units (Ae-tRNA val promoter and its termination signal) were incorporated into lentivirus vectors with selection and visualization markers. Following transformation, selection, and single-cell sorting of Vero cells, clonal cell populations were infected with CHIKV at 0.05 and 0.5 MOI, and virus suppression was assessed using TCID50-IFA, RT-qPCR, and caspase-3 assays. Five transgenic mosquito lines expressing cMz were generated and transgene insertion sites were confirmed by splinkerette PCR. Our results demonstrate that Vero cell clones expressing Mz exhibited complete inhibition of CHIKV replication compared to their respective inactive control version or the two parent hRzs. Upon oral challenge of transgenic mosquitoes with CHIKV, three out of the five lines were completely refractory to CHIKV infection, and all five lines tested negative for salivary transmission. Altogether, this study demonstrates that maxizymes can provide a higher catalytic activity and viral suppression than hRzs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Malcolm J. Fraser
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
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6
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Green EI, Jaouen E, Klug D, Proveti Olmo R, Gautier A, Blandin S, Marois E. A population modification gene drive targeting both Saglin and Lipophorin impairs Plasmodium transmission in Anopheles mosquitoes. eLife 2023; 12:e93142. [PMID: 38051195 PMCID: PMC10786457 DOI: 10.7554/elife.93142] [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: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipophorin is an essential, highly expressed lipid transport protein that is secreted and circulates in insect hemolymph. We hijacked the Anopheles coluzzii Lipophorin gene to make it co-express a single-chain version of antibody 2A10, which binds sporozoites of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The resulting transgenic mosquitoes show a markedly decreased ability to transmit Plasmodium berghei expressing the P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein to mice. To force the spread of this antimalarial transgene in a mosquito population, we designed and tested several CRISPR/Cas9-based gene drives. One of these is installed in, and disrupts, the pro-parasitic gene Saglin and also cleaves wild-type Lipophorin, causing the anti-malarial modified Lipophorin version to replace the wild type and hitch-hike together with the Saglin drive. Although generating drive-resistant alleles and showing instability in its gRNA-encoding multiplex array, the Saglin-based gene drive reached high levels in caged mosquito populations and efficiently promoted the simultaneous spread of the antimalarial Lipophorin::Sc2A10 allele. This combination is expected to decrease parasite transmission via two different mechanisms. This work contributes to the design of novel strategies to spread antimalarial transgenes in mosquitoes, and illustrates some expected and unexpected outcomes encountered when establishing a population modification gene drive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily I Green
- Inserm U1257, CNRS UPR9022, University of StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
| | - Etienne Jaouen
- Inserm U1257, CNRS UPR9022, University of StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
| | - Dennis Klug
- Inserm U1257, CNRS UPR9022, University of StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
| | | | - Amandine Gautier
- Inserm U1257, CNRS UPR9022, University of StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
| | - Stéphanie Blandin
- Inserm U1257, CNRS UPR9022, University of StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
| | - Eric Marois
- Inserm U1257, CNRS UPR9022, University of StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
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7
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Raban R, Marshall JM, Hay BA, Akbari OS. Manipulating the Destiny of Wild Populations Using CRISPR. Annu Rev Genet 2023; 57:361-390. [PMID: 37722684 PMCID: PMC11064769 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-031623-105059] [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] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Genetic biocontrol aims to suppress or modify populations of species to protect public health, agriculture, and biodiversity. Advancements in genome engineering technologies have fueled a surge in research in this field, with one gene editing technology, CRISPR, leading the charge. This review focuses on the current state of CRISPR technologies for genetic biocontrol of pests and highlights the progress and ongoing challenges of using these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn Raban
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
| | - John M Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Bruce A Hay
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
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8
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Li M, Kandul NP, Sun R, Yang T, Benetta ED, Brogan DJ, Antoshechkin I, Sánchez C. HM, Zhan Y, DeBeaubien NA, Loh YM, Su MP, Montell C, Marshall JM, Akbari OS. Targeting Sex Determination to Suppress Mosquito Populations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.18.537404. [PMID: 37131747 PMCID: PMC10153225 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.18.537404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Each year, hundreds of millions of people are infected with arboviruses such as dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika, which are all primarily spread by the notorious mosquito Aedes aegypti. Traditional control measures have proven insufficient, necessitating innovations. In response, here we generate a next generation CRISPR-based precision-guided sterile insect technique (pgSIT) for Aedes aegypti that disrupts genes essential for sex determination and fertility, producing predominantly sterile males that can be deployed at any life stage. Using mathematical models and empirical testing, we demonstrate that released pgSIT males can effectively compete with, suppress, and eliminate caged mosquito populations. This versatile species-specific platform has the potential for field deployment to effectively control wild populations of disease vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nikolay P. Kandul
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ruichen Sun
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ting Yang
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Elena D. Benetta
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Daniel J. Brogan
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Igor Antoshechkin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Héctor M. Sánchez C.
- Divisions of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Yinpeng Zhan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Nicolas A. DeBeaubien
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - YuMin M. Loh
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Matthew P. Su
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Craig Montell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - John M. Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Omar S. Akbari
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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9
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Sánchez C. HM, Smith DL, Marshall JM. MGSurvE: A framework to optimize trap placement for genetic surveillance of mosquito population. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.26.546301. [PMID: 37425729 PMCID: PMC10327167 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.26.546301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Genetic surveillance of mosquito populations is becoming increasingly relevant as genetics-based mosquito control strategies advance from laboratory to field testing. Especially applicable are mosquito gene drive projects, the potential scale of which leads monitoring to be a significant cost driver. For these projects, monitoring will be required to detect unintended spread of gene drive mosquitoes beyond field sites, and the emergence of alternative alleles, such as drive-resistant alleles or non-functional effector genes, within intervention sites. This entails the need to distribute mosquito traps efficiently such that an allele of interest is detected as quickly as possible - ideally when remediation is still viable. Additionally, insecticide-based tools such as bednets are compromised by insecticide-resistance alleles for which there is also a need to detect as quickly as possible. To this end, we present MGSurvE (Mosquito Gene SurveillancE): a computational framework that optimizes trap placement for genetic surveillance of mosquito populations such that the time to detection of an allele of interest is minimized. A key strength of MGSurvE is that it allows important biological features of mosquitoes and the landscapes they inhabit to be accounted for, namely: i) resources required by mosquitoes (e.g., food sources and aquatic breeding sites) can be explicitly distributed through a landscape, ii) movement of mosquitoes may depend on their sex, the current state of their gonotrophic cycle (if female) and resource attractiveness, and iii) traps may differ in their attractiveness profile. Example MGSurvE analyses are presented to demonstrate optimal trap placement for: i) an Aedes aegypti population in a suburban landscape in Queensland, Australia, and ii) an Anopheles gambiae population on the island of São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe. Further documentation and use examples are provided in project's documentation. MGSurvE is freely available as an open-source Python package on pypi (https://pypi.org/project/MGSurvE/). It is intended as a resource for both field and computational researchers interested in mosquito gene surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor M. Sánchez C.
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - David L. Smith
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - John M. Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
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10
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Akbari O, Li M, Kandul N, Sun R, Yang T, Dalla Benetta E, Brogan D, Antoshechkin I, Sánchez C H, Zhan YP, DeBeaubien N, Loh Y, Su M, Montell C, Marshall J. Targeting Sex Determination to Suppress Mosquito Populations. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2834069. [PMID: 37162925 PMCID: PMC10168471 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2834069/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Each year, hundreds of millions of people are infected with arboviruses such as dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika, which are all primarily spread by the notorious mosquito Aedes aegypti. Traditional control measures have proven insuficient, necessitating innovations. In response, here we generate a next generation CRISPR-based precision-guided sterile insect technique (pgSIT) for Aedes aegypti that disrupts genes essential for sex determination and fertility, producing predominantly sterile males that can be deployed at any life stage. Using mathematical models and empirical testing, we demonstrate that released pgSIT males can effectively compete with, suppress, and eliminate caged mosquito populations. This versatile species-specific platform has the potential for field deployment to control wild populations, safely curtailing disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Akbari
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California
| | - Ming Li
- University of California, San Diego
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Héctor Sánchez C
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Yin Peng Zhan
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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11
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Nourani L, Mehrizi AA, Pirahmadi S, Pourhashem Z, Asadollahi E, Jahangiri B. CRISPR/Cas advancements for genome editing, diagnosis, therapeutics, and vaccine development for Plasmodium parasites, and genetic engineering of Anopheles mosquito vector. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 109:105419. [PMID: 36842543 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
Malaria as vector-borne disease remains important health concern with over 200 million cases globally. Novel antimalarial medicines and more effective vaccines must be developed to eliminate and eradicate malaria. Appraisal of preceding genome editing approaches confirmed the CRISPR/Cas nuclease system as a novel proficient genome editing system and a tool for species-specific diagnosis, and drug resistance researches for Plasmodium species, and gene drive to control Anopheles population. CRISPR/Cas technology, as a handy tool for genome editing can be justified for the production of transgenic malaria parasites like Plasmodium transgenic lines expressing Cas9, chimeric Plasmodium transgenic lines, knockdown and knockout transgenic parasites, and transgenic parasites expressing alternative alleles, and also mutant strains of Anopheles such as only male mosquito populations, generation of wingless mosquitoes, and creation of knock-out/ knock-in mutants. Though, the incorporation of traditional methods and novel molecular techniques could noticeably enhance the quality of results. The striking development of a CRISPR/Cas-based diagnostic kit that can specifically diagnose the Plasmodium species or drug resistance markers is highly required in malaria settings with affordable cost and high-speed detection. Furthermore, the advancement of genome modifications by CRISPR/Cas technologies resolves contemporary restrictions to culturing, maintaining, and analyzing these parasites, and the aptitude to investigate parasite genome functions opens up new vistas in the better understanding of pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Nourani
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram Abouie Mehrizi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Sakineh Pirahmadi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeinab Pourhashem
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elahe Asadollahi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Babak Jahangiri
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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12
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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.
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13
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Rašić G, Lobo NF, Jeffrey Gutiérrez EH, Sánchez C HM, Marshall JM. Monitoring Needs for Gene Drive Mosquito Projects: Lessons From Vector Control Field Trials and Invasive Species. Front Genet 2022; 12:780327. [PMID: 35069682 PMCID: PMC8770328 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.780327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
As gene drive mosquito projects advance from contained laboratory testing to semi-field testing and small-scale field trials, there is a need to assess monitoring requirements to: i) assist with the effective introduction of the gene drive system at field sites, and ii) detect unintended spread of gene drive mosquitoes beyond trial sites, or resistance mechanisms and non-functional effector genes that spread within trial and intervention sites. This is of particular importance for non-localized gene drive projects, as the potential scale of intervention means that monitoring is expected to be more costly than research, development and deployment. Regarding monitoring needs for population replacement systems, lessons may be learned from experiences with Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, and for population suppression systems, from experiences with releases of genetically sterile male mosquitoes. For population suppression systems, assessing monitoring requirements for tracking population size and detecting rare resistant alleles are priorities, while for population replacement systems, allele frequencies must be tracked, and pressing concerns include detection of gene drive alleles with non-functional effector genes, and resistance of pathogens to functional effector genes. For spread to unintended areas, open questions relate to the optimal density and placement of traps and frequency of sampling in order to detect gene drive alleles, drive-resistant alleles or non-functional effector genes while they can still be effectively managed. Invasive species management programs face similar questions, and lessons may be learned from these experiences. We explore these monitoring needs for gene drive mosquito projects progressing through the phases of pre-release, release and post-release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordana Rašić
- Mosquito Genomics, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Neil F Lobo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
| | - Eileen H Jeffrey Gutiérrez
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Héctor M Sánchez C
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - John M Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States.,Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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14
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Adelman ZN, Kojin BB. Malaria-Resistant Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae); The Principle is Proven, But Will the Effectors Be Effective? JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1997-2005. [PMID: 34018548 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Over the last few decades, a substantial number of anti-malarial effector genes have been evaluated for their ability to block parasite infection in the mosquito vector. While many of these approaches have yielded significant effects on either parasite intensity or prevalence of infection, just a few have been able to completely block transmission. Additionally, many approaches, while effective against the parasite, also disrupt or alter important aspects of mosquito physiology, leading to corresponding changes in lifespan, reproduction, and immunity. As the most promising approaches move towards field-based evaluation, questions of effector gene robustness and durability move to the forefront. In this forum piece, we critically evaluate past effector gene approaches with an eye towards developing a deeper pipeline to augment the current best candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zach N Adelman
- Department of Entomology and AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Bianca B Kojin
- Department of Entomology and AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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15
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Wang GH, Gamez S, Raban RR, Marshall JM, Alphey L, Li M, Rasgon JL, Akbari OS. Combating mosquito-borne diseases using genetic control technologies. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4388. [PMID: 34282149 PMCID: PMC8290041 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24654-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria, pose significant global health burdens. Unfortunately, current control methods based on insecticides and environmental maintenance have fallen short of eliminating the disease burden. Scalable, deployable, genetic-based solutions are sought to reduce the transmission risk of these diseases. Pathogen-blocking Wolbachia bacteria, or genome engineering-based mosquito control strategies including gene drives have been developed to address these problems, both requiring the release of modified mosquitoes into the environment. Here, we review the latest developments, notable similarities, and critical distinctions between these promising technologies and discuss their future applications for mosquito-borne disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan-Hong Wang
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Stephanie Gamez
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Robyn R Raban
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - John M Marshall
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Luke Alphey
- Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, UK
| | - Ming Li
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jason L Rasgon
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- The Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
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16
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Devos Y, Mumford JD, Bonsall MB, Camargo AM, Firbank LG, Glandorf DCM, Nogué F, Paraskevopoulos K, Wimmer EA. Potential use of gene drive modified insects against disease vectors, agricultural pests and invasive species poses new challenges for risk assessment. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2021; 42:254-270. [PMID: 34167401 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2021.1933891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Potential future application of engineered gene drives (GDs), which bias their own inheritance and can spread genetic modifications in wild target populations, has sparked both enthusiasm and concern. Engineered GDs in insects could potentially be used to address long-standing challenges in control of disease vectors, agricultural pests and invasive species, or help to rescue endangered species, and thus provide important public benefits. However, there are concerns that the deliberate environmental release of GD modified insects may pose different or new harms to animal and human health and the wider environment, and raise novel challenges for risk assessment. Risk assessors, risk managers, developers, potential applicants and other stakeholders at many levels are currently discussing whether there is a need to develop new or additional risk assessment guidance for the environmental release of GD modified organisms, including insects. Developing new or additional guidance that is useful and practical is a challenge, especially at an international level, as risk assessors, risk managers and many other stakeholders have different, often contrasting, opinions and perspectives toward the environmental release of GD modified organisms, and on the adequacy of current risk assessment frameworks for such organisms. Here, we offer recommendations to overcome some of the challenges associated with the potential future development of new or additional risk assessment guidance for GD modified insects and provide considerations on areas where further risk assessment guidance may be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Devos
- GMO Unit, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy
| | - John D Mumford
- Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, Ascot, UK
| | | | - Ana M Camargo
- GMO Unit, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy
| | | | - Debora C M Glandorf
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Fabien Nogué
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Versailles, France
| | | | - Ernst A Wimmer
- Johann Friedrich Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, GZMB, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
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17
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Kandul NP, Liu J, Bennett JB, Marshall JM, Akbari OS. A confinable home-and-rescue gene drive for population modification. eLife 2021; 10:e65939. [PMID: 33666174 PMCID: PMC7968924 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Homing-based gene drives, engineered using CRISPR/Cas9, have been proposed to spread desirable genes throughout populations. However, invasion of such drives can be hindered by the accumulation of resistant alleles. To limit this obstacle, we engineer a confinable population modification home-and-rescue (HomeR) drive in Drosophila targeting an essential gene. In our experiments, resistant alleles that disrupt the target gene function were recessive lethal and therefore disadvantaged. We demonstrate that HomeR can achieve an increase in frequency in population cage experiments, but that fitness costs due to the Cas9 insertion limit drive efficacy. Finally, we conduct mathematical modeling comparing HomeR to contemporary gene drive architectures for population modification over wide ranges of fitness costs, transmission rates, and release regimens. HomeR could potentially be adapted to other species, as a means for safe, confinable, modification of wild populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay P Kandul
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Junru Liu
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Jared B Bennett
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - John M Marshall
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
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18
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Nolan T. Control of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes using gene drives. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20190803. [PMID: 33357060 PMCID: PMC7776936 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene drives are selfish genetic elements that can be re-designed to invade a population and they hold tremendous potential for the control of mosquitoes that transmit disease. Much progress has been made recently in demonstrating proof of principle for gene drives able to suppress populations of malarial mosquitoes, or to make them refractory to the Plasmodium parasites they transmit. This has been achieved using CRISPR-based gene drives. In this article, I will discuss the relative merits of this type of gene drive, as well as barriers to its technical development and to its deployment in the field as malaria control. This article is part of the theme issue 'Novel control strategies for mosquito-borne diseases'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Nolan
- Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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19
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Shults P, Cohnstaedt LW, Adelman ZN, Brelsfoard C. Next-generation tools to control biting midge populations and reduce pathogen transmission. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:31. [PMID: 33413518 PMCID: PMC7788963 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04524-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Biting midges of the genus Culicoides transmit disease-causing agents resulting in a significant economic impact on livestock industries in many parts of the world. Localized control efforts, such as removal of larval habitat or pesticide application, can be logistically difficult, expensive and ineffective if not instituted and maintained properly. With these limitations, a population-level approach to the management of Culicoides midges should be investigated as a means to replace or supplement existing control strategies. Next-generation control methods such as Wolbachia- and genetic-based population suppression and replacement are being investigated in several vector species. Here we assess the feasibility and applicability of these approaches for use against biting midges. We also discuss the technical and logistical hurdles needing to be addressed for each method to be successful, as well as emphasize the importance of addressing community engagement and involving stakeholders in the investigation and development of these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Shults
- Texas A&M University, 370 Olsen Blvd, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | - Lee W Cohnstaedt
- USDA-ARS Arthropod Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, 1515 College Ave, Manhattan, KS, 66502, USA
| | - Zach N Adelman
- Texas A&M University, 370 Olsen Blvd, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
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20
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Nesbitt JE, Swei A, Hunt C, Dotson EM, Toner M, Sandlin RD. Cryoprotectant toxicity and hypothermic sensitivity among Anopheles larvae. Cryobiology 2020; 99:106-113. [PMID: 33382993 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Laboratory rearing of mosquitoes is commonly practiced by researchers studying mosquito-borne infectious diseases and vector control methods. In the absence of cryopreservation methods to stabilize unique or genetically modified strains, mosquito lines must be continuously maintained, a laborious process that risks selection effects, contamination, and genetic drift. Towards the development of a cryopreservation protocol, several commonly used cryoprotectants were systematically characterized here both individually and as cocktails. Among first instar, feeding-stage An. gambiae and An. stephensi larvae, cryoprotectant toxicity followed the order of dimethyl sulfoxide > ethylene glycol > methanol. The resulting LD50 values were used as the basis for the development of cryoprotectant cocktail solutions, where formulation optimization was streamlined using Taguchi methods of experimental design. Sensitivity to hypothermia was further evaluated to determine the feasibility of cryoprotectant loading at reduced temperatures and slow cooling approaches to cryopreservation. The information described here contributes to the knowledge base necessary to inform the development of a cryopreservation protocol for Anopheles larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny E Nesbitt
- BioMEMS Resource Center, Center for Engineering in Medicine, & Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Anisa Swei
- BioMEMS Resource Center, Center for Engineering in Medicine, & Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Catherine Hunt
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Ellen M Dotson
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Mehmet Toner
- BioMEMS Resource Center, Center for Engineering in Medicine, & Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Rebecca D Sandlin
- BioMEMS Resource Center, Center for Engineering in Medicine, & Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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21
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Tennessen JA, Ingham VA, Toé KH, Guelbéogo WM, Sagnon N, Kuzma R, Ranson H, Neafsey DE. A population genomic unveiling of a new cryptic mosquito taxon within the malaria-transmitting Anopheles gambiae complex. Mol Ecol 2020; 30:775-790. [PMID: 33253481 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The Anopheles gambiae complex consists of multiple morphologically indistinguishable mosquito species including the most important vectors of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum in sub-Saharan Africa. Nine cryptic species have been described so far within the complex. The ecological, immunological and reproductive differences among these species will critically impact population responses to disease control strategies and environmental changes. Here, we examine whole-genome sequencing data from a longitudinal study of putative A. coluzzii in western Burkina Faso. Surprisingly, many specimens are genetically divergent from A. coluzzii and all other Anopheles species and represent a new taxon, here designated Anopheles TENGRELA (AT). Population genetic analysis suggests that the cryptic GOUNDRY subgroup, previously collected as larvae in central Burkina Faso, represents an admixed population descended from both A. coluzzii and AT. AT harbours low nucleotide diversity except for the 2La inversion polymorphism which is maintained by overdominance. It shows numerous fixed differences with A. coluzzii concentrated in several regions reflecting selective sweeps, but the two taxa are identical at standard diagnostic loci used for taxon identification, and thus, AT may often go unnoticed. We present an amplicon-based genotyping assay for identifying AT which could be usefully applied to numerous existing samples. Misidentified cryptic taxa could seriously confound ongoing studies of Anopheles ecology and evolution in western Africa, including phenotypic and genotypic surveys of insecticide resistance. Reproductive barriers between cryptic species may also complicate novel vector control efforts, for example gene drives, and hinder predictions about evolutionary dynamics of Anopheles and Plasmodium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A Tennessen
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Kobié Hyacinthe Toé
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | - N'Falé Sagnon
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Rebecca Kuzma
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Hilary Ranson
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Daniel E Neafsey
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
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22
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Adolfi A, Gantz VM, Jasinskiene N, Lee HF, Hwang K, Terradas G, Bulger EA, Ramaiah A, Bennett JB, Emerson JJ, Marshall JM, Bier E, James AA. Efficient population modification gene-drive rescue system in the malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5553. [PMID: 33144570 PMCID: PMC7609566 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19426-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cas9/gRNA-mediated gene-drive systems have advanced development of genetic technologies for controlling vector-borne pathogen transmission. These technologies include population suppression approaches, genetic analogs of insecticidal techniques that reduce the number of insect vectors, and population modification (replacement/alteration) approaches, which interfere with competence to transmit pathogens. Here, we develop a recoded gene-drive rescue system for population modification of the malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi, that relieves the load in females caused by integration of the drive into the kynurenine hydroxylase gene by rescuing its function. Non-functional resistant alleles are eliminated via a dominantly-acting maternal effect combined with slower-acting standard negative selection, and rare functional resistant alleles do not prevent drive invasion. Small cage trials show that single releases of gene-drive males robustly result in efficient population modification with ≥95% of mosquitoes carrying the drive within 5-11 generations over a range of initial release ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Adolfi
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3900, USA
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Vector Biology Department, L3 5QA, Liverpool, UK
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA
| | - Nijole Jasinskiene
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3900, USA
| | - Hsu-Feng Lee
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3900, USA
| | - Kristy Hwang
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3900, USA
| | - Gerard Terradas
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS)-UCSD, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Emily A Bulger
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS)-UCSD, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- The Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Arunachalam Ramaiah
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-2525, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS)-India, Bangalore, KA, 560065, India
| | - Jared B Bennett
- Biophysics Graduate Group, Division of Biological Sciences, College of Letters and Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - J J Emerson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-2525, USA
| | - John M Marshall
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS)-UCSD, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3900, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-4025, USA.
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23
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Naegeli H, Bresson J, Dalmay T, Dewhurst IC, Epstein MM, Guerche P, Hejatko J, Moreno FJ, Mullins E, Nogué F, Rostoks N, Sánchez Serrano JJ, Savoini G, Veromann E, Veronesi F, Bonsall MB, Mumford J, Wimmer EA, Devos Y, Paraskevopoulos K, Firbank LG. Adequacy and sufficiency evaluation of existing EFSA guidelines for the molecular characterisation, environmental risk assessment and post-market environmental monitoring of genetically modified insects containing engineered gene drives. EFSA J 2020; 18:e06297. [PMID: 33209154 PMCID: PMC7658669 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in molecular and synthetic biology are enabling the engineering of gene drives in insects for disease vector/pest control. Engineered gene drives (that bias their own inheritance) can be designed either to suppress interbreeding target populations or modify them with a new genotype. Depending on the engineered gene drive system, theoretically, a genetic modification of interest could spread through target populations and persist indefinitely, or be restricted in its spread or persistence. While research on engineered gene drives and their applications in insects is advancing at a fast pace, it will take several years for technological developments to move to practical applications for deliberate release into the environment. Some gene drive modified insects (GDMIs) have been tested experimentally in the laboratory, but none has been assessed in small-scale confined field trials or in open release trials as yet. There is concern that the deliberate release of GDMIs in the environment may have possible irreversible and unintended consequences. As a proactive measure, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been requested by the European Commission to review whether its previously published guidelines for the risk assessment of genetically modified animals (EFSA, 2012 and 2013), including insects (GMIs), are adequate and sufficient for GDMIs, primarily disease vectors, agricultural pests and invasive species, for deliberate release into the environment. Under this mandate, EFSA was not requested to develop risk assessment guidelines for GDMIs. In this Scientific Opinion, the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) concludes that EFSA's guidelines are adequate, but insufficient for the molecular characterisation (MC), environmental risk assessment (ERA) and post-market environmental monitoring (PMEM) of GDMIs. While the MC,ERA and PMEM of GDMIs can build on the existing risk assessment framework for GMIs that do not contain engineered gene drives, there are specific areas where further guidance is needed for GDMIs.
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24
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Dhole S, Lloyd AL, Gould F. Gene Drive Dynamics in Natural Populations: The Importance of Density Dependence, Space, and Sex. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND SYSTEMATICS 2020; 51:505-531. [PMID: 34366722 PMCID: PMC8340601 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-031120-101013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The spread of synthetic gene drives is often discussed in the context of panmictic populations connected by gene flow and described with simple deterministic models. Under such assumptions, an entire species could be altered by releasing a single individual carrying an invasive gene drive, such as a standard homing drive. While this remains a theoretical possibility, gene drive spread in natural populations is more complex and merits a more realistic assessment. The fate of any gene drive released in a population would be inextricably linked to the population's ecology. Given the uncertainty often involved in ecological assessment of natural populations, understanding the sensitivity of gene drive spread to important ecological factors is critical. Here we review how different forms of density dependence, spatial heterogeneity, and mating behaviors can impact the spread of self-sustaining gene drives. We highlight specific aspects of gene drive dynamics and the target populations that need further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Dhole
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | - Alun L Lloyd
- Biomathematics Graduate Program and Department of Mathematics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8213, USA
- Genetic Engineering and Society Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7565, USA
| | - Fred Gould
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
- Genetic Engineering and Society Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7565, USA
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25
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Tennessen JA, Bollmann SR, Peremyslova E, Kronmiller BA, Sergi C, Hamali B, Blouin MS. Clusters of polymorphic transmembrane genes control resistance to schistosomes in snail vectors. eLife 2020; 9:59395. [PMID: 32845238 PMCID: PMC7494358 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a debilitating parasitic disease infecting hundreds of millions of people. Schistosomes use aquatic snails as intermediate hosts. A promising avenue for disease control involves leveraging innate host mechanisms to reduce snail vectorial capacity. In a genome-wide association study of Biomphalaria glabrata snails, we identify genomic region PTC2 which exhibits the largest known correlation with susceptibility to parasite infection (>15 fold effect). Using new genome assemblies with substantially higher contiguity than the Biomphalaria reference genome, we show that PTC2 haplotypes are exceptionally divergent in structure and sequence. This variation includes multi-kilobase indels containing entire genes, and orthologs for which most amino acid residues are polymorphic. RNA-Seq annotation reveals that most of these genes encode single-pass transmembrane proteins, as seen in another resistance region in the same species. Such groups of hyperdiverse snail proteins may mediate host-parasite interaction at the cell surface, offering promising targets for blocking the transmission of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A Tennessen
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States.,Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
| | - Stephanie R Bollmann
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
| | - Ekaterina Peremyslova
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
| | - Brent A Kronmiller
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States.,Center for Genome Research and Biocomputing, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
| | - Clint Sergi
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
| | - Bulut Hamali
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
| | - Michael Scott Blouin
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States
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26
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Palatini U, Masri RA, Cosme LV, Koren S, Thibaud-Nissen F, Biedler JK, Krsticevic F, Johnston JS, Halbach R, Crawford JE, Antoshechkin I, Failloux AB, Pischedda E, Marconcini M, Ghurye J, Rhie A, Sharma A, Karagodin DA, Jenrette J, Gamez S, Miesen P, Masterson P, Caccone A, Sharakhova MV, Tu Z, Papathanos PA, Van Rij RP, Akbari OS, Powell J, Phillippy AM, Bonizzoni M. Improved reference genome of the arboviral vector Aedes albopictus. Genome Biol 2020; 21:215. [PMID: 32847630 PMCID: PMC7448346 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-020-02141-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is globally expanding and has become the main vector for human arboviruses in Europe. With limited antiviral drugs and vaccines available, vector control is the primary approach to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. A reliable and accurate DNA sequence of the Ae. albopictus genome is essential to develop new approaches that involve genetic manipulation of mosquitoes. RESULTS We use long-read sequencing methods and modern scaffolding techniques (PacBio, 10X, and Hi-C) to produce AalbF2, a dramatically improved assembly of the Ae. albopictus genome. AalbF2 reveals widespread viral insertions, novel microRNAs and piRNA clusters, the sex-determining locus, and new immunity genes, and enables genome-wide studies of geographically diverse Ae. albopictus populations and analyses of the developmental and stage-dependent network of expression data. Additionally, we build the first physical map for this species with 75% of the assembled genome anchored to the chromosomes. CONCLUSION The AalbF2 genome assembly represents the most up-to-date collective knowledge of the Ae. albopictus genome. These resources represent a foundation to improve understanding of the adaptation potential and the epidemiological relevance of this species and foster the development of innovative control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Palatini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Reem A Masri
- Department of Entomology and the Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Luciano V Cosme
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511-8934, USA
| | - Sergey Koren
- Genome Informatics Section, Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, 20892-2152, MD, USA
| | - Françoise Thibaud-Nissen
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, 20894, MD, USA
| | - James K Biedler
- Department of Entomology and the Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Flavia Krsticevic
- Department of Entomology, Robert H Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - J Spencer Johnston
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Rebecca Halbach
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Igor Antoshechkin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Department of Virology, Arbovirus and Insect Vectors Units, Institut Pasteur, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Elisa Pischedda
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Michele Marconcini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Jay Ghurye
- Genome Informatics Section, Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, 20892-2152, MD, USA
| | - Arang Rhie
- Genome Informatics Section, Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, 20892-2152, MD, USA
| | - Atashi Sharma
- Department of Entomology and the Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Dmitry A Karagodin
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genomics of Insects, The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Jeremy Jenrette
- Department of Entomology and the Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Stephanie Gamez
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA
| | - Pascal Miesen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick Masterson
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, 20894, MD, USA
| | - Adalgisa Caccone
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511-8934, USA
| | - Maria V Sharakhova
- Department of Entomology and the Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genomics of Insects, The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
- Laboratory of Ecology, Genetics and Environment Protection, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, 634041, Russia
| | - Zhijian Tu
- Department of Entomology and the Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Philippos A Papathanos
- Department of Entomology, Robert H Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ronald P Van Rij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA
| | - Jeffrey Powell
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511-8934, USA
| | - Adam M Phillippy
- Genome Informatics Section, Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, 20892-2152, MD, USA
| | - Mariangela Bonizzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, 27100, Italy.
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27
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Quinn CM, Nolan T. Nuclease-based gene drives, an innovative tool for insect vector control: advantages and challenges of the technology. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 39:77-83. [PMID: 32339930 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Genetic control of insects involves the release of modified insects that contain altered genetic traits and are competent to mate with target populations to introduce the traits therein. Since it relies on mating, this type of control is species-specific, non-toxic, and has the advantage that the released insects can do the difficult task of reaching remote and otherwise inaccessible insect niches. Gene drives are capable of drastically biasing their own transmission and are being developed as a new type of genetic control, one that would be self-sustaining, requiring low numbers in the initial release in order to spread and persist within a population. In this review, the advantages and challenges of building and deploying this technology will be discussed, using mosquito control as an example.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tony Nolan
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.
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Abstract
Vector-borne diseases, such as dengue, Zika and malaria, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. These diseases have proven difficult to control and currently available management tools are insufficient to eliminate them in many regions. Gene drives have the potential to revolutionize vector-borne disease control. This suite of technologies has advanced rapidly in recent years as a result of the availability of new, more efficient gene editing technologies. Gene drives can favorably bias the inheritance of a linked disease-refractory gene, which could possibly be exploited (i) to generate a vector population incapable of transmitting disease or (ii) to disrupt an essential gene for viability or fertility, which could eventually eliminate a population. Importantly, gene drives vary in characteristics such as their transmission efficiency, confinability and reversibility, and their potential to develop resistance to the drive mechanism. Here, we discuss recent advancements in the gene drive field, and contrast the benefits and limitations of a variety of technologies, as well as approaches to overcome these limitations. We also discuss the current state of each gene drive technology and the technical considerations that need to be addressed on the pathway to field implementation. While there are still many obstacles to overcome, recent progress has brought us closer than ever before to genetic-based vector modification as a tool to support vector-borne disease elimination efforts worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn R Raban
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - John M Marshall
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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29
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Kandul NP, Liu J, Buchman A, Gantz VM, Bier E, Akbari OS. Assessment of a Split Homing Based Gene Drive for Efficient Knockout of Multiple Genes. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2020; 10:827-837. [PMID: 31882406 PMCID: PMC7003086 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Homing based gene drives (HGD) possess the potential to spread linked cargo genes into natural populations and are poised to revolutionize population control of animals. Given that host encoded genes have been identified that are important for pathogen transmission, targeting these genes using guide RNAs as cargo genes linked to drives may provide a robust method to prevent disease transmission. However, effectiveness of the inclusion of additional guide RNAs that target separate genes has not been thoroughly explored. To test this approach, we generated a split-HGD in Drosophila melanogaster that encoded a drive linked effector consisting of a second gRNA engineered to target a separate host-encoded gene, which we term a gRNA-mediated effector (GME). This design enabled us to assess homing and knockout efficiencies of two target genes simultaneously, and also explore the timing and tissue specificity of Cas9 expression on cleavage/homing rates. We demonstrate that inclusion of a GME can result in high efficiency of disruption of both genes during super-Mendelian propagation of split-HGD. Furthermore, both genes were knocked out one generation earlier than expected indicating the robust somatic expression of Cas9 driven by Drosophila germline-limited promoters. We also assess the efficiency of 'shadow drive' generated by maternally deposited Cas9 protein and accumulation of drive-induced resistance alleles along multiple generations, and discuss design principles of HGD that could mitigate the accumulation of resistance alleles while incorporating a GME.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Junru Liu
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology and
| | | | | | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology and
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology and
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
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30
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Li M, Yang T, Kandul NP, Bui M, Gamez S, Raban R, Bennett J, Sánchez C HM, Lanzaro GC, Schmidt H, Lee Y, Marshall JM, Akbari OS. Development of a confinable gene drive system in the human disease vector Aedes aegypti. eLife 2020; 9:e51701. [PMID: 31960794 PMCID: PMC6974361 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti is the principal mosquito vector for many arboviruses that increasingly infect millions of people every year. With an escalating burden of infections and the relative failure of traditional control methods, the development of innovative control measures has become of paramount importance. The use of gene drives has sparked significant enthusiasm for genetic control of mosquitoes; however, no such system has been developed in Ae. aegypti. To fill this void, here we develop several CRISPR-based split gene drives for use in this vector. With cleavage rates up to 100% and transmission rates as high as 94%, mathematical models predict that these systems could spread anti-pathogen effector genes into wild populations in a safe, confinable and reversible manner appropriate for field trials and effective for controlling disease. These findings could expedite the development of effector-linked gene drives that could safely control wild populations of Ae. aegypti to combat local pathogen transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Section of Cell and Developmental BiologyUniversity of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Ting Yang
- Section of Cell and Developmental BiologyUniversity of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Nikolay P Kandul
- Section of Cell and Developmental BiologyUniversity of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Michelle Bui
- Section of Cell and Developmental BiologyUniversity of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Stephanie Gamez
- Section of Cell and Developmental BiologyUniversity of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Robyn Raban
- Section of Cell and Developmental BiologyUniversity of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Jared Bennett
- Department of BiophysicsUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Héctor M Sánchez C
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public HealthUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Gregory C Lanzaro
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Hanno Schmidt
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Yoosook Lee
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - John M Marshall
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public HealthUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Innovative Genomics InstituteBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Section of Cell and Developmental BiologyUniversity of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Tata Institute for Genetics and SocietyUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
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