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Xiao X, Kong L, Xie Z, Liu H, Cai L, Zhao S, Zhou J, Liu S, Wu J, Wu Y, Wu P, James AA, Chen XG. miR-2940-1 is involved in the circadian regulation of oviposition in Aedes albopictus. Insect Sci 2024. [PMID: 38556782 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The vast majority of all global species have circadian rhythm cycles that allow them to adapt to natural environments. These regular rhythms are regulated by core clock genes and recent studies have also implicated roles for microRNAs in this regulation. Oviposition is an important circadian behavior in the reproductive cycle of insect vectors of diseases, and little is known about the rhythm or its regulation in mosquitoes. Aedes albopictus is a diurnal mosquito that transmits arboviruses and is the major cause of outbreaks of dengue fever in China. We analyzed the oviposition rhythm patterns of A. albopictus under different light/dark conditions and show that the mosquitoes have an oviposition peak between zeitgeber time 9 (ZT 9) and ZT 12. Furthermore, the antagomir-mediated knockdown of expression of the microRNA miR-2940-1 affected the oviposition rhythm of A. albopictus. These data support the conclusion that miR-2940-1 is involved in the regulation of oviposition rhythm in A. albopictus and provide a foundation for using oviposition rhythms as a new target for vector mosquito control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Xiao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Kong
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhensheng Xie
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongkai Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lijun Cai
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siyu Zhao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiayong Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiming Wu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peilin Wu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Xiao-Guang Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Kormos A, Dimopoulos G, Bier E, Lanzaro GC, Marshall JM, James AA. Conceptual risk assessment of mosquito population modification gene-drive systems to control malaria transmission: preliminary hazards list workshops. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1261123. [PMID: 37965050 PMCID: PMC10641379 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1261123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The field-testing and eventual adoption of genetically-engineered mosquitoes (GEMs) to control vector-borne pathogen transmission will require them meeting safety criteria specified by regulatory authorities in regions where the technology is being considered for use and other locales that might be impacted. Preliminary risk considerations by researchers and developers may be useful for planning the baseline data collection and field research used to address the anticipated safety concerns. Part of this process is to identify potential hazards (defined as the inherent ability of an entity to cause harm) and their harms, and then chart the pathways to harm and evaluate their probability as part of a risk assessment. The University of California Malaria Initiative (UCMI) participated in a series of workshops held to identify potential hazards specific to mosquito population modification strains carrying gene-drive systems coupled to anti-parasite effector genes and their use in a hypothetical island field trial. The hazards identified were placed within the broader context of previous efforts discussed in the scientific literature. Five risk areas were considered i) pathogens, infections and diseases, and the impacts of GEMs on human and animal health, ii) invasiveness and persistence of GEMs, and interactions of GEMs with target organisms, iii) interactions of GEMs with non-target organisms including horizontal gene transfer, iv) impacts of techniques used for the management of GEMs and v) evolutionary and stability considerations. A preliminary hazards list (PHL) was developed and is made available here. This PHL is useful for internal project risk evaluation and is available to regulators at prospective field sites. UCMI project scientists affirm that the subsequent processes associated with the comprehensive risk assessment for the application of this technology should be driven by the stakeholders at the proposed field site and areas that could be affected by this intervention strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Kormos
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - George Dimopoulos
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ethan Bier
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Gregory C. Lanzaro
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - John M. Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Anthony A. James
- Departments of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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Bottino-Rojas V, James AA. Generating and Validating Transgenic Mosquitoes with Transposon-Mediated Transgenesis. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2023:pdb.prot108194. [PMID: 37816603 PMCID: PMC11008536 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot108194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Transposon-mediated transgenesis has revolutionized both basic and applied studies of mosquito vectors of disease. Currently, techniques such as enhancer traps and transposon tagging, which rely on remobilizable insertional mutagenesis, are only possible with transposon-based vector systems. Here, we provide general descriptions of methods and applications of transposon-based mosquito transgenesis. The exact procedures must be adapted to each mosquito species and comparisons of some differences among different mosquito species are outlined. A number of excellent publications showing detailed and specific protocols and methods are featured and referenced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Bottino-Rojas
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-4500, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-4500, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3900, USA
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Bottino-Rojas V, James AA. Mosquito Transposon-Mediated Transgenesis. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2023:pdb.top107687. [PMID: 37816607 PMCID: PMC11025883 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top107687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Transposon-mediated transgenesis of mosquito vectors of disease pathogens followed the early success of transgenesis in the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster The P transposable element used in Drosophila does not function canonically in mosquitoes, and repeatable, routine transgenesis in mosquitoes was not accomplished until new transposable elements were discovered and validated. A number of distinct transposons were subsequently identified that mediate the introduction of exogenous DNA in a stable and heritable manner in mosquito species, including members of the genera Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex The most versatile element, piggyBac, is functional in all of these mosquito genera, as well as in many other insects in diverse orders, and has been used extensively outside the class. Transposon-mediated transgenesis of recessive and dominant marker genes and reporter systems has been used to define functional fragments of gene control sequences, introduce exogenous DNA encoding products beneficial to medical interests, and act as "enhancer traps" to identify endogenous genes with specific expression characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Bottino-Rojas
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-4500, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-4500, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3900, USA
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Guo Y, Hu K, Zhou J, Xie Z, Zhao Y, Zhao S, Gu J, Zhou X, Yan G, James AA, Chen XG. The dynamics of deltamethrin resistance evolution in Aedes albopictus has an impact on fitness and dengue virus type-2 vectorial capacity. BMC Biol 2023; 21:194. [PMID: 37704988 PMCID: PMC10500878 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01693-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Worldwide invasion and expansion of Aedes albopictus, an important vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, has become a serious concern in global public health. Chemical insecticides are the primary means currently available to control the mosquito populations. However, long-term and large-scale use of insecticides has selected for resistance in the mosquito that is accompanied by a genetic load that impacts fitness. RESULTS A number of laboratory strains representing different resistance mechanisms were isolated and identified from laboratory-derived, deltamethrin-resistant Ae. albopictus recovered in previous work. Resistance levels and fitness costs of the strains were evaluated and compared to characterize the evolution of the resistance genotypes and phenotypes. The heterozygous F1534S mutation (1534F/S) in the voltage gated sodium channel (vgsc) gene product (VGSC), first detected in early stages of resistance evolution, not only confers high-level resistance, but also produces no significant fitness costs, leading to the rapid spread of resistance in the population. This is followed by the increase in frequency of homozygous F1534S (1534S/S) mosquitoes that have significant fitness disadvantages, prompting the emergence of an unlinked I1532T mutation with fewer side effects and a mating advantage better adapted to the selection and reproductive pressures imposed in the experiments. Metabolic resistance with no significant fitness cost and mediating a high-tolerance resistance phenotype may play a dominant role in the subsequent evolution of resistance. The different resistant strains had similar vector competence for dengue virus type-2 (DENV-2). Furthermore, a comparative analysis of vectorial capacity revealed that increased survival due to deltamethrin resistance balanced the negative fitness cost effects and contributed to the risk of dengue virus (DENV) transmission by resistant populations. The progressive evolution of resistance results in mosquitoes with both target-site insensitivity and metabolic resistance with lower fitness costs, which further leads to resistant populations with both high resistance levels and vectorial capacity. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals a possible mechanism for the evolution of deltamethrin resistance in Aedes albopictus. These findings will help guide practical strategies for insecticide use, resistance management and the prevention and control of mosquito-borne disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijia Guo
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ke Hu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingni Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Yijie Zhao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siyu Zhao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinbao Gu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-4025, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3900, USA.
- , Irvine, USA.
| | - Xiao-Guang Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Chen K, Yu Y, Zhang Z, Hu B, Liu X, James AA, Tan A. Engineering a complex, multiple enzyme-mediated synthesis of natural plant pigments in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2306322120. [PMID: 37549256 PMCID: PMC10433459 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306322120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants produce various pigments that not only appear as attractive colors but also provide valuable resources in applications in daily life and scientific research. Biosynthesis pathways for these natural plant pigments are well studied, and most have multiple enzymes that vary among plant species. However, adapting these pathways to animals remains a challenge. Here, we describe successful biosynthesis of betalains, water-soluble pigments found only in a single plant order, Caryophyllales, in transgenic silkworms by coexpressing three betalain synthesis genes, cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP76AD1, DOPA 4,5-dioxygenase, and betanidin 5-O-glucosyltransferase. Betalains can be synthesized in various tissues under the control of the ubiquitous IE1 promoter but accumulate mainly in the hemolymph with yields as high as 274 μg/ml. Additionally, transformed larvae and pupae show a strong red color easily distinguishable from wild-type animals. In experiments in which expression is controlled by the promoter of silk gland-specific gene, fibroin heavy-chain, betalains are found predominantly in the silk glands and can be secreted into cocoons through spinning. Betalains in transformed cocoons are easily recovered from cocoon shells in water with average yields reaching 14.4 μg/mg. These data provide evidence that insects can synthesize natural plant pigments through a complex, multiple enzyme-mediated synthesis pathway. Such pigments also can serve as dominant visible markers in insect transgenesis applications. This study provides an approach to producing valuable plant-derived compounds by using genetically engineered silkworms as a bioreactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang212100, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang212100, China
| | - Ye Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang212100, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang212100, China
| | - Zhongjie Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang212100, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang212100, China
| | - Bo Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang212100, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang212100, China
| | - Xiaojing Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang212100, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang212100, China
| | - Anthony A. James
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA92697-3900
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA92697-3900
| | - Anjiang Tan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang212100, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang212100, China
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Carballar-Lejarazú R, Dong Y, Pham TB, Tushar T, Corder RM, Mondal A, Sánchez C. HM, Lee HF, Marshall JM, Dimopoulos G, James AA. Dual effector population modification gene-drive strains of the African malaria mosquitoes, Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2221118120. [PMID: 37428915 PMCID: PMC10629562 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221118120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Proposed genetic approaches for reducing human malaria include population modification, which introduces genes into vector mosquitoes to reduce or prevent parasite transmission. We demonstrate the potential of Cas9/guide RNA (gRNA)-based gene-drive systems linked to dual antiparasite effector genes to spread rapidly through mosquito populations. Two strains have an autonomous gene-drive system coupled to dual anti-Plasmodium falciparum effector genes comprising single-chain variable fragment monoclonal antibodies targeting parasite ookinetes and sporozoites in the African malaria mosquitoes Anopheles gambiae (AgTP13) and Anopheles coluzzii (AcTP13). The gene-drive systems achieved full introduction within 3 to 6 mo after release in small cage trials. Life-table analyses revealed no fitness loads affecting AcTP13 gene-drive dynamics but AgTP13 males were less competitive than wild types. The effector molecules reduced significantly both parasite prevalence and infection intensities. These data supported transmission modeling of conceptual field releases in an island setting that shows meaningful epidemiological impacts at different sporozoite threshold levels (2.5 to 10 k) for human infection by reducing malaria incidence in optimal simulations by 50 to 90% within as few as 1 to 2 mo after a series of releases, and by ≥90% within 3 mo. Modeling outcomes for low sporozoite thresholds are sensitive to gene-drive system fitness loads, gametocytemia infection intensities during parasite challenges, and the formation of potentially drive-resistant genome target sites, extending the predicted times to achieve reduced incidence. TP13-based strains could be effective for malaria control strategies following validation of sporozoite transmission threshold numbers and testing field-derived parasite strains. These or similar strains are viable candidates for future field trials in a malaria-endemic region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuemei Dong
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - Thai Binh Pham
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA92697-4025
| | - Taylor Tushar
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA92697-4025
| | - Rodrigo M. Corder
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Agastya Mondal
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Héctor M. Sánchez C.
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Hsu-Feng Lee
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA92697-4025
| | - John M. Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - George Dimopoulos
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - Anthony A. James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA92697-4025
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA92697-3900
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Liu P, Yang W, Kong L, Zhao S, Xie Z, Zhao Y, Wu Y, Guo Y, Xie Y, Liu T, Jin B, Gu J, Tu ZJ, James AA, Chen XG. A DBHS family member regulates male determination in the filariasis vector Armigeres subalbatus. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2292. [PMID: 37085529 PMCID: PMC10121658 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37983-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The initial signals governing sex determination vary widely among insects. Here we show that Armigeres subalbatus M factor (AsuMf), a male-specific duplication of an autosomal gene of the Drosophila behaviour/human splicing (DBHS) gene family, is the potential primary signal for sex determination in the human filariasis vector mosquito, Ar. subalbatus. Our results show that AsuMf satisfies two fundamental requirements of an M factor: male-specific expression and early embryonic expression. Ablations of AsuMf result in a shift from male- to female-specific splicing of doublesex and fruitless, leading to feminization of males both in morphology and general transcription profile. These data support the conclusion that AsuMf is essential for male development in Ar. subalbatus and reveal a male-determining factor that is derived from duplication and subsequent neofunctionalization of a member of the conserved DBHS family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiwen Liu
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Wenqiang Yang
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Ling Kong
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Siyu Zhao
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Zhensheng Xie
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Yijie Zhao
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Yang Wu
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Yijia Guo
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Yugu Xie
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Tong Liu
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Binbin Jin
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Jinbao Gu
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Zhijian Jake Tu
- Department of Biochemistry and the Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
| | - Xiao-Guang Chen
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China.
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Carvalho DO, Costa-da-Silva AL, Petersen V, de Souza MS, Ioshino RS, Marques ICS, Franz AWE, Olson KE, James AA, Capurro ML. Transgene-induced cell death following dengue-2 virus infection in Aedes aegypti. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5958. [PMID: 37045866 PMCID: PMC10097671 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32895-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue viruses (DENVs) are mosquito-borne flaviviruses causing millions of human infections each year and pose a challenge for public health systems worldwide. Aedes aegypti is the principal vector species transmitting DENVs to humans. Controlling Ae. aegypti is difficult due to the abundance of breeding sites and increasing insecticide resistance in the vector populations. Developing new vector control strategies is critical for decreasing the disease burden. One potential approach is genetically replacing Ae. aegypti populations with vector populations highly resistant to DENV transmission. Here, we focus on an alternative strategy for generating dengue 2 virus (DENV-2) resistance in genetically-modified Ae. aegypti in which the mosquitoes express an inactive form of Michelob_x (Mx), an antagonist of the Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP), to induce apoptosis in those cells in which actively replicating DENV-2 is present. The inactive form of Mx was flanked by the RRRRSAG cleavage motif, which was recognized by the NS2B/NS3 protease of the infecting DENV-2 thereby releasing and activating Mx which then induced apoptosis. Our transgenic strain exhibited a significantly higher mortality rate than the non-transgenic control when infected with DENV-2. We also transfected a DNA construct containing inactive Mx fused to eGFP into C6/36 mosquito cells and indirectly observed Mx activation on days 3 and 6 post-DENV-2 infections. There were clear signs that the viral NS2B/NS3 protease cleaved the transgene, thereby releasing Mx protein into the cytoplasm, as was confirmed by the detection of eGFP expression in infected cells. The present study represents proof of the concept that virus infection can be used to induce apoptosis in infected mosquito cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo O Carvalho
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508, Brazil.
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Andre L Costa-da-Silva
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vivian Petersen
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508, Brazil
| | - Micael Santana de Souza
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafaella S Ioshino
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabel C S Marques
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexander W E Franz
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Ken E Olson
- Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases (CVID), Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1685, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Margareth L Capurro
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508, Brazil.
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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10
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Zhang G, Niu G, Hooker–Romera D, Shabani S, Ramelow J, Wang X, Butler NS, James AA, Li J. Targeting plasmodium α-tubulin-1 to block malaria transmission to mosquitoes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1132647. [PMID: 37009496 PMCID: PMC10064449 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1132647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium ookinetes use an invasive apparatus to invade mosquito midguts, and tubulins are the major structural proteins of this apical complex. We examined the role of tubulins in malaria transmission to mosquitoes. Our results demonstrate that the rabbit polyclonal antibodies (pAb) against human α-tubulin significantly reduced the number of P. falciparum oocysts in Anopheles gambiae midguts, while rabbit pAb against human β-tubulin did not. Further studies showed that pAb, specifically against P. falciparum α-tubulin-1, also significantly limited P. falciparum transmission to mosquitoes. We also generated mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAb) using recombinant P. falciparum α-tubulin-1. Out of 16 mAb, two mAb, A3 and A16, blocked P. falciparum transmission with EC50 of 12 μg/ml and 2.8 μg/ml. The epitopes of A3 and A16 were determined to be a conformational and linear sequence of EAREDLAALEKDYEE, respectively. To understand the mechanism of the antibody-blocking activity, we studied the accessibility of live ookinete α-tubulin-1 to antibodies and its interaction with mosquito midgut proteins. Immunofluorescent assays showed that pAb could bind to the apical complex of live ookinetes. Moreover, both ELISA and pull-down assays demonstrated that insect cell-expressed mosquito midgut protein, fibrinogen-related protein 1 (FREP1), interacts with P. falciparum α-tubulin-1. Since ookinete invasion is directional, we conclude that the interaction between Anopheles FREP1 protein and Plasmodium α-tubulin-1 anchors and orients the ookinete invasive apparatus towards the midgut PM and promotes the efficient parasite infection in the mosquito.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genwei Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| | - Guodong Niu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecule Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Diana Hooker–Romera
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecule Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Sadeq Shabani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecule Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Julian Ramelow
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecule Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Noah S. Butler
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Anthony A. James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecule Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
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11
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Bui M, Dalla Benetta E, Dong Y, Zhao Y, Yang T, Li M, Antoshechkin IA, Buchman A, Bottino-Rojas V, James AA, Perry MW, Dimopoulos G, Akbari OS. CRISPR mediated transactivation in the human disease vector Aedes aegypti. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1010842. [PMID: 36656895 PMCID: PMC9888728 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
As a major insect vector of multiple arboviruses, Aedes aegypti poses a significant global health and economic burden. A number of genetic engineering tools have been exploited to understand its biology with the goal of reducing its impact. For example, current tools have focused on knocking-down RNA transcripts, inducing loss-of-function mutations, or expressing exogenous DNA. However, methods for transactivating endogenous genes have not been developed. To fill this void, here we developed a CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) system in Ae. aegypti to transactivate target gene expression. Gene expression is activated through pairing a catalytically-inactive ('dead') Cas9 (dCas9) with a highly-active tripartite activator, VP64-p65-Rta (VPR) and synthetic guide RNA (sgRNA) complementary to a user defined target-gene promoter region. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate that engineered Ae. aegypti mosquitoes harboring a binary CRISPRa system can be used to effectively overexpress two developmental genes, even-skipped (eve) and hedgehog (hh), resulting in observable morphological phenotypes. We also used this system to overexpress the positive transcriptional regulator of the Toll immune pathway known as AaRel1, which resulted in a significant suppression of dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV2) titers in the mosquito. This system provides a versatile tool for research pathways not previously possible in Ae. aegypti, such as programmed overexpression of endogenous genes, and may aid in gene characterization studies and the development of innovative vector control tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Bui
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Elena Dalla Benetta
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Yuemei Dong
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yunchong Zhao
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Ting Yang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Igor A. Antoshechkin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Anna Buchman
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Vanessa Bottino-Rojas
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Anthony A. James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Michael W. Perry
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - George Dimopoulos
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Omar S. Akbari
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
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12
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Bottino-Rojas V, James AA. Use of Insect Promoters in Genetic Engineering to Control Mosquito-Borne Diseases. Biomolecules 2022; 13:biom13010016. [PMID: 36671401 PMCID: PMC9855440 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito transgenesis and gene-drive technologies provide the basis for developing promising new tools for vector-borne disease prevention by either suppressing wild mosquito populations or reducing their capacity from transmitting pathogens. Many studies of the regulatory DNA and promoters of genes with robust sex-, tissue- and stage-specific expression profiles have supported the development of new tools and strategies that could bring mosquito-borne diseases under control. Although the list of regulatory elements available is significant, only a limited set of those can reliably drive spatial-temporal expression. Here, we review the advances in our ability to express beneficial and other genes in mosquitoes, and highlight the information needed for the development of new mosquito-control and anti-disease strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Bottino-Rojas
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Anthony A. James
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Correspondence:
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13
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Liu S, Zhou J, Kong L, Cai Y, Liu H, Xie Z, Xiao X, James AA, Chen XG. Clock genes regulate mating activity rhythms in the vector mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010965. [PMID: 36455055 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endogenous circadian rhythms result from genetically-encoded molecular clocks, whose components and downstream output factors cooperate to generate cyclic changes in activity. Mating is an important activity of mosquitoes, however, the key aspects of mating rhythm patterns and their regulatory mechanisms in two vector mosquito species, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus, remain unclear. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We determined and compared the diel mating activity rhythms of these two mosquito species and discovered that Ae. albopictus had mating peaks in the light/dark transition periods (ZT0-3 and ZT9-12), while Cx. quinquefasciatus only had a mating peak at ZT12-15. Knockouts of the clock (clk) orthologous genes (Aalclk and Cxqclk) resulted in phase delay or phase reversal of the mating peaks in Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus, respectively. In addition, the temporal expression pattern of the desaturase orthologous genes, desat1, in both mosquito species was also different in respective wild-type strains and showed phase changes similar to the mating rhythms in clk mutant strains. Inhibition of desat1 expression resulted in decreased mating activity in male mosquitoes of both species but not females. In addition, desat1 regulated cuticular hydrocarbons' synthesis in both species. Silencing desat1 in male Ae. albopictus resulted in decreases of nonadecane and tricosane, which promoted mating, with concomitant increases of heptacosane, which inhibited mating. Silencing desat1 in male Cx. quinquefasciatus also resulted in decreases of tricosane, which promoted mating. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE These results suggest that Aalclk and Cxqclk have significant roles in the mating activity rhythms in both Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus by regulating the temporal expression of the desat1 gene under LD cycles, which affects sex pheromone synthesis and mating. This work provides insights into the molecular regulatory mechanism of distinct mating rhythm of Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus and may provide a basis for the control of these two important vector mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiayong Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Kong
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiquan Cai
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongkai Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhensheng Xie
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Xiao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine California, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine California, United States of America
| | - Xiao-Guang Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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14
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Lai Z, Wu J, Xiao X, Xie L, Liu T, Zhou J, Xu Y, Cai Y, Lin F, Li B, Gan L, James AA, Chen XG. Development and evaluation of an efficient and real-time monitoring system for the vector mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010701. [PMID: 36074773 PMCID: PMC9455839 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
The surveillance of vector mosquitoes is essential for prevention and control of mosquito-borne diseases. In this study, we developed an internet-based vector mosquito monitor, MS-300, and evaluated its efficiency for the capture of the important vector mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus, in laboratory and field trials.
Methodology/Principal findings
The linear sizes of adult Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus were measured and an infrared window was designed based on these data. A device to specifically attract these two species and automatically transmit the number of captured mosquitoes to the internet was developed. The efficiency of the device in capturing the two species was tested in laboratory, semi-field and open field trials. The efficiency results for MS-300 for catching and identifying Ae. albopictus in laboratory mosquito-net cages were 98.5% and 99.3%, and 95.8% and 98.6%, respectively, for Cx. quinquefasciatus. In a wire-gauze screened house in semi-field trials, the efficiencies of MS-300 baited with a lure in catching Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus were 54.2% and 51.3%, respectively, which were significantly higher than 4% and 4.2% without the lure. The real-time monitoring data revealed two daily activity peaks for Ae. albopictus (8:00–10:00 and 17:00–19:00), and one peak for Cx. quinquefasciatus (20:00–24:00). During a 98-day surveillance trial in the field, totals of 1,118 Ae. albopictus and 2,302 Cx. quinquefasciatus were captured by MS-300. There is a close correlation between the number of captured mosquitoes and the temperature in the field, and a positive correlation in the species composition of the captured samples among the mosquitoes using MS-300, BioGents Sentinel traps and human landing catches.
Conclusions/Significance
The data support the conclusion that MS-300 can specifically and efficiently capture Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus, and monitor their density automatically in real-time. Therefore, MS-300 has potential for use as a surveillance tool for prevention and control of vector mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zetian Lai
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Xiao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lihua Xie
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tong Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingni Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ye Xu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiquan Cai
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Li
- Guangzhou NewVision Electronic and Technology Co. Ltd, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu Gan
- Guangdong Huilimin Pest Control Engineering Co. Ltd, Guangzhou, China
| | - Anthony A. James
- Departments of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Xiao-Guang Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail:
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15
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Zhao Y, Jin B, Liu P, Xiao X, Cai L, Xie Z, Kong L, Liu T, Yang W, Wu Y, Gu J, Tu Z, James AA, Chen XG. The AalNix3&4 isoform is required and sufficient to convert Aedes albopictus females into males. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010280. [PMID: 35737710 PMCID: PMC9258803 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes albopictus is one of the most invasive insect species in the world and an effective vector for many important arboviruses. We reported previously that Ae. albopictus Nix (AalNix) is the male-determining factor of this species. However, whether AalNix alone is sufficient to initiate male development is unknown. Transgenic lines that express each of the three AalNix isoforms from the native promoter were obtained using piggyBac transformation. We verified the stable expression of AalNix isoforms in the transgenic lines and confirm that one isoform, AalNix3&4, is sufficient to convert females into fertile males (pseudo-males) that are indistinguishable from wild-type males. We also established a stable sex-converted female mosquito strain, AalNix3&4-♂4-pseudo-male. The pseudo-male mosquitoes can fly and mate normally with wild-type female, although their mating competitiveness is lower than wild-type. This work further clarifies the role of AalNix in the sex determination pathway and will facilitate the development of Ae. albopictus control strategies that rely on male-only releases such as SIT and sex-ratio distortion. Nix serves as a conserved male-determining factor in the two most important mosquito arboviral vectors, Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. AaeNix alone can convert Ae. aegypti females into fertile but flightless males. AalNix has four alternative splice isoforms whereas AaeNix has one. Little was known previously about which AalNix isoform(s) serve as the primary signal for sex determination. We cloned the promoter region of AalNix gene and constructed piggybac-based AalNix overexpression constructs with different isoform variants. Following transformation and recovery of transgenic lines, we observed that expression of the AalNix3&4 isoform could shift the alternative splicing of the sex determination genes, doublesex and fruitless, from female to male isoforms, and phenotypically masculinize females or completely convert females into males. Importantly, the sex-converted pseudo-males are fertile and capable of flight. Thus, AalNix is the primary signal for male sex determination in Aedes albopictus and provides a basis for sex segregation and further Cas9-mediated gene-drive population suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Zhao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Binbin Jin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peiwen Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Xiao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lijun Cai
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhensheng Xie
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Kong
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tong Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenqiang Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Wu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinbao Gu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhijian Tu
- Department of Biochemistry and the Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Anthony A. James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine California United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine California United States of America
| | - Xiao-Guang Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail:
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16
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Chakraborty M, Ramaiah A, Adolfi A, Halas P, Kaduskar B, Ngo LT, Jayaprasad S, Paul K, Whadgar S, Srinivasan S, Subramani S, Bier E, James AA, Emerson JJ. Author Correction: Hidden genomic features of an invasive malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi, revealed by a chromosome-level genome assembly. BMC Biol 2022; 20:96. [PMID: 35501892 PMCID: PMC9059397 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01314-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mahul Chakraborty
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Arunachalam Ramaiah
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0335, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Adriana Adolfi
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Paige Halas
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Bhagyashree Kaduskar
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0335, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Luna Thanh Ngo
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Suvratha Jayaprasad
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Kiran Paul
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Saurabh Whadgar
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Subhashini Srinivasan
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.,Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Suresh Subramani
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.,Section of Molecular Biology, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0322, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0335, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0335, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - J J Emerson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA. .,Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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17
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Zhou J, Liu S, Liu H, Xie Z, Liu L, Lin L, Jiang J, Yang M, Zhou G, Gu J, Zhou X, Yan G, James AA, Chen XG. Interspecific mating bias may drive Aedes albopictus displacement of Aedes aegypti during its range expansion. PNAS Nexus 2022; 1:pgac041. [PMID: 35601361 PMCID: PMC9112929 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Aedes albopictus is the most invasive mosquito in the world and often displaces Ae. aegypti in regions where their populations overlap. Interspecific mating has been proposed as a possible cause for this displacement, but whether this applies across the range of their sympatry remains unclear. Aedes albopictus and Ae. aegypti collected from allopatric and sympatric areas in China were allowed to interact in cage experiments with different crosses and sex-choices. The results confirm that asymmetric interspecific mating occurs in these populations with matings between allopatric Ae. albopictus males and Ae. aegypti females being significantly higher (55.2%) than those between Ae. aegypti males and Ae. albopictus females (27.0%), and sympatric mosquitoes showed a similar but lower frequency bias, 25.7% versus 6.2%, respectively. The cross-mated females can mate second time (remate) with the respective conspecific males and the 66.7% remating success of female Ae. albopictus was significantly higher than the 9.3% of Ae. aegypti females. Furthermore, 17.8% of the matings of Ae. albopictus males exposed to mixed pools of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti females and 9.3% of the matings of Ae. aegypti males with mixed Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus females were interspecific. The difference in the length of clasper between male Ae. albopictus (0.524 mm) and Ae. aegypti (0.409 mm) may be correlated with corresponding mates. We conclude that stronger Ae. albopictus male interspecific mating and more avid female intraspecific remating result in a satyr effect and contribute to competitive displacement of Ae. aegypti as allopatric Ae. albopictus invade during range expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayong Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Hongkai Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zhensheng Xie
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Liping Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 511430, China
| | - Lifeng Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 511430, China
| | - Jinyong Jiang
- Yunnan Provincial Institute of Parasitic Disease Control, Simao 665099, China
| | - Mingdong Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Institute of Parasitic Disease Control, Simao 665099, China
| | - Guofa Zhou
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jinbao Gu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Xiao-Guang Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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18
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Carballar-Lejarazú R, Tushar T, Pham TB, James AA. Cas9-mediated maternal-effect and derived resistance alleles in a gene-drive strain of the African malaria vector mosquito, Anopheles gambiae. Genetics 2022; 221:6564662. [PMID: 35389492 PMCID: PMC9157122 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 technologies are important tools for the development of gene-drive systems to modify mosquito vector populations to control the transmission of pathogens that cause diseases such as malaria. However, one of the challenges for current Cas9-based drive systems is their ability to produce drive-resistant alleles resulting from insertions and deletions (indels) caused principally by nonhomologous end-joining following chromosome cleavage. Rapid increases in the frequency of such alleles may impair gene-drive dynamics. We explored the generation of indels in the germline and somatic cells in female gene-drive lineages using a series of selective crosses between a gene-drive line, AgNosCd-1, and wild-type mosquitoes. We find that potential drive-resistant mutant alleles are generated largely during embryonic development, most likely caused by deposition of the Cas9 endonuclease and guide RNAs in oocytes and resulting embryos by homozygous and hemizygous gene-drive mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Carballar-Lejarazú
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA
| | - Taylor Tushar
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA
| | - Thai Binh Pham
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, USA
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19
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Bottino-Rojas V, Ferreira-Almeida I, Nunes RD, Feng X, Pham TB, Kelsey A, Carballar-Lejarazú R, Gantz V, Oliveira PL, James AA. Beyond the eye: Kynurenine pathway impairment causes midgut homeostasis dysfunction and survival and reproductive costs in blood-feeding mosquitoes. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 142:103720. [PMID: 34999199 PMCID: PMC11055609 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Insect ommochrome biosynthesis pathways metabolize tryptophan to generate eye-color pigments and wild-type alleles of pathway genes are useful phenotypic markers in transgenesis studies. Pleiotropic effects of mutations in some genes exert a load on both survival and reproductive success in blood-feeding species. Here, we investigated the challenges imposed on mosquitoes by the increase of tryptophan metabolites resulting from blood meal digestion and the impact of disruptions of the ommochrome biosynthesis pathway. Female mosquitoes with spontaneous and induced mutations in the orthologs of the genes encoding kynurenine hydroxylase in Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus exhibited impaired survival and reproductive phenotypes that varied in type and severity among the species. A compromised midgut permeability barrier function was also observed in An. stephensi. Surprisingly, mutant mosquitoes displayed an increase in microbiota compared to controls that was not accompanied by a general induction of immune genes. Antibiotic treatment rescued some deleterious traits implicating a role for the kynurenine pathway (KP) in midgut homeostasis. Supplemental xanthurenic acid, a KP end-product, rescued lethality and limited microbiota proliferation in Ae. aegypti. These data implicate the KP in the regulation of the host/microbiota interface. These pleiotropic effects on mosquito physiology are important in the development of genetic strategies targeting vector mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Bottino-Rojas
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Igor Ferreira-Almeida
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo D Nunes
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Xuechun Feng
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Thai Binh Pham
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Adam Kelsey
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Valentino Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Pedro L Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
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20
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Kormos A, Lanzaro GC, Bier E, Santos V, Nazaré L, Pinto J, Aguiar dos Santos A, James AA. Ethical Considerations for Gene Drive: Challenges of Balancing Inclusion, Power and Perspectives. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:826727. [PMID: 35127663 PMCID: PMC8814439 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.826727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Progress in gene-drive research has stimulated discussion and debate on ethical issues including community engagement and consent, policy and governance, and decision-making involved in development and deployment. Many organizations, academic institutions, foundations, and individual professionals have contributed to ensuring that these issues are considered prior to the application of gene-drive technology. Central topics include co-development of the technology with local stakeholders and communities and reducing asymmetry between developers and end-users. Important questions include with whom to conduct engagement and how to define community acceptance, develop capacity-building activities, and regulate this technology. Experts, academics, and funders have suggested that global frameworks, standards, and guidelines be developed to direct research in answering these important questions. Additionally, it has been suggested that ethical principles or commitments be established to further guide research practices. The challenging and interesting contradiction that we explore here is that the vast majority of these conversations transpire with little or no input from potential end-users or stakeholders who, we contend, should ultimately determine the fate of the technology in their communities. The question arises, whose concerns regarding marginalization, disempowerment, and inequity should be included in discussions and decisions concerning how inequities are perceived and how they may be addressed? At what stage will true co-development occur and how will opinions, perspectives and knowledge held by low-income country stakeholders be applied in determining answers to the questions regarding the ethics being debated on the academic stage? Our opinion is that the time is now.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Kormos
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Ana Kormos,
| | - Gregory C. Lanzaro
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | | | - Lodney Nazaré
- United Nations Development Program, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
| | - João Pinto
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Anthony A. James
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, Irvine, United States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, Irvine, United States
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21
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Terradas G, Hermann A, James AA, McGinnis W, Bier E. High-resolution in situ analysis of Cas9 germline transcript distributions in gene-drive Anopheles mosquitoes. G3 (Bethesda) 2021; 12:6428532. [PMID: 34791161 PMCID: PMC8728002 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Gene drives are programmable genetic elements that can spread beneficial traits into wild populations to aid in vector-borne pathogen control. Two different drives have been developed for population modification of mosquito vectors. The Reckh drive (vasa-Cas9) in Anopheles stephensi displays efficient allelic conversion through males but generates frequent drive-resistant mutant alleles when passed through females. In contrast, the AgNos-Cd1 drive (nos-Cas9) in An. gambiae achieves almost complete allelic conversion through both genders. Here, we examined the subcellular localization of RNA transcripts in the mosquito germline. In both transgenic lines, Cas9 is strictly co-expressed with endogenous genes in stem and pre-meiotic cells of the testes, where both drives display highly efficient conversion. However, we observed distinct co-localization patterns for the two drives in female reproductive tissues. These studies suggest potential determinants underlying efficient drive through the female germline. We also evaluated expression patterns of alternative germline genes for future gene-drive designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Terradas
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Anita Hermann
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - William McGinnis
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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22
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Abstract
In response to growing concerns regarding mosquito-borne diseases, scientists are developing novel systems of vector control. Early examples include Oxitec's OX513A genetically-engineered mosquito and MosquitoMate's Wolbachia-infected mosquito, and systems using 'gene-drive' are in development. Systems based on genetic engineering are controversial and institutions around the world are grappling with the question of who should have a say in how such technologies are field-tested and used. Based on media coverage and public records, we created comparative timelines of the efforts of Oxitec and MosquitoMate to navigate federal and local governance and bring their products to market in the United States. We analyze these timelines with particular attention to the role of public input in technology governance. These cases illustrate how governance of technology in the US is diverse, complex, and opaque. Further, the public response to proposed field trials of the Oxitec product highlights inconsistencies between public expectations for governance and actual practice. As gene-drive mosquito control products develop, both federal and local agencies will find their legitimacy tested without a better procedure for transparently integrating public input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia E. Schairer
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - James Najera
- Department of Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anthony A. James
- Departments of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Omar S. Akbari
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cinnamon S. Bloss
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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23
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Ogunleye AJ, Olaolu OS, Ibrahim NB, James AA. Molecular Docking, QSAR and Microscopic Studies of Anti-trypanosomal Compounds from the Pathogen Box. Curr Comput Aided Drug Des 2021; 17:378-386. [PMID: 32703140 DOI: 10.2174/1573409916666200722140704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) is the cause of the deadly human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) with a case fatality ratio of 10%. OBJECTIVE Targeting the essential Trypanosomal glucose metabolism pathway through the inhibition of phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a valid strategy for anti-T. brucei drug development. METHODS Here, quantitative structure activity relationship, molecular docking and microscopic studies were used to describe the mode of inhibition of selected compounds from the pathogen box PGK and GAPDH. RESULTS We identified 4 hit compounds from the pathogen box with optimal binding and chemical interactions. Notably, it was identified that interacting charge surface and atomic mass were key aspects of both PGK and GAPDH inhibition. Also, novel anti-trypanosomal compounds were identified from the pathogen box and their half maximal inhibitory concentrations were described. CONCLUSION Our study presents new anti-trypanosomal compounds with optimal pharmacological profiles and an optimization strategy for improving target specificity in the rational design of novel anti-trypanosomal compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adewale J Ogunleye
- School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Olushola S Olaolu
- Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Nuraddeen B Ibrahim
- National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, Ahmadu Bello Univerity, Zaria, Nigeria
| | - Anthony A James
- Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria
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24
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Carballar-Lejarazú R, Tushar T, Pham TB, James AA. Microinjection Method for Anopheles gambiae Embryos. J Vis Exp 2021. [PMID: 34309597 DOI: 10.3791/62591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryo microinjection techniques are essential for many molecular and genetic studies of insect species. They provide a means to introduce exogenous DNA fragments encoding genes of interest as well as favorable traits into the insect germline in a stable and heritable manner. The resulting transgenic strains can be studied for phenotypic changes resulting from the expression of the integrated DNA to answer basic questions or used in practical applications. Although the technology is straightforward, it requires of the investigator patience and practice to achieve a level of skill that maximizes efficiency. Shown here is a method for microinjection of embryos of the African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae. The objective is to deliver by microinjection exogenous DNA to the embryo so that it can be taken up in the developing germline (pole) cells. Expression from the injected DNA of transposases, integrases, recombinases, or other nucleases (for example CRISPR-associated proteins, Cas) can trigger events that lead to its covalent insertion into chromosomes. Transgenic An. gambiae generated from these technologies have been used for basic studies of immune system components, genes involved in blood-feeding, and elements of the olfactory system. In addition, these techniques have been used to produce An. gambiae strains with traits that may help control the transmission of malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Taylor Tushar
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine
| | - Thai Binh Pham
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine; Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine;
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25
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Carballar-Lejarazú R, Pham TB, Kelsey A, Tushar T, James AA. Digital-Droplet PCR to Detect Indels Mutations in Genetically Modified Anopheline Mosquito Populations. J Vis Exp 2021. [PMID: 34251367 DOI: 10.3791/62607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in mosquito genomics and genetic engineering technologies have fostered a need for quick and efficient methods for detecting targeted DNA sequence variation on a large scale. Specifically, detecting insertions and deletions (indels) at gene-edited sites generated by CRISPR guide RNA (gRNA)/Cas9-mediated non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) is important for assessing the fidelity of the mutagenesis and the frequency of unintended changes. We describe here a protocol for digital-droplet PCR (ddPCR) that is well-suited for high-throughput NHEJ analysis. While this method does not produce data that identifies individual sequence variation, it provides a quantitative estimate of the sequence variation within a population. Additionally, with appropriate resources, this protocol can be implemented in a field-site laboratory setting more easily than next-generation or Sanger sequencing. ddPCR also has a faster turn-around time for results than either of those methods, which allows a more quick and complete analysis of genetic variation in wild populations during field trials of genetically-engineered organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thai Binh Pham
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine
| | - Adam Kelsey
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine
| | - Taylor Tushar
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine; Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine;
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26
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Lanzaro GC, Sánchez C HM, Collier TC, Marshall JM, James AA. Population modification strategies for malaria vector control are uniquely resilient to observed levels of gene drive resistance alleles. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2000282. [PMID: 34151435 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cas9/guide RNA (gRNA)-based gene drive systems are expected to play a transformative role in malaria elimination efforts., whether through population modification, in which the drive system contains parasite-refractory genes, or population suppression, in which the drive system induces a severe fitness load resulting in population decline or extinction. DNA sequence polymorphisms representing alternate alleles at gRNA target sites may confer a drive-resistant phenotype in individuals carrying them. Modeling predicts that, for observed levels of SGV at potential target sites and observed rates of de novo DRA formation, population modification strategies are uniquely resilient to DRAs. We conclude that gene drives can succeed when fitness costs incurred by drive-carrying mosquitoes are low enough to prevent strong positive selection for DRAs produced de novo or as part of the SGV and that population modification strategies are less prone to failure due to drive resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory C Lanzaro
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Hector M Sánchez C
- Divisions of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Travis C Collier
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - John M Marshall
- Divisions of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, California, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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27
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Carballar-Lejarazú R, Pham TB, Bottino-Rojas V, Adolfi A, James AA. Small-Cage Laboratory Trials of Genetically-Engineered Anopheline Mosquitoes. J Vis Exp 2021. [PMID: 33999017 DOI: 10.3791/62588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Control of mosquito-borne pathogens using genetically-modified vectors has been proposed as a promising tool to complement conventional control strategies. CRISPR-based homing gene drive systems have made transgenic technologies more accessible within the scientific community. Evaluation of transgenic mosquito performance and comparisons with wild-type counterparts in small laboratory cage trials provide valuable data for the design of subsequent field cage experiments and experimental assessments to refine the strategies for disease prevention. Here, we present three different protocols used in laboratory settings to evaluate transgene spread in anopheline mosquito vectors of malaria. These include inundative releases (no gene-drive system), and gene-drive overlapping and non-overlapping generation trials. The three trials vary in a number of parameters and can be adapted to desired experimental settings. Moreover, insectary studies in small cages are part of the progressive transition of engineered insects from the laboratory to open field releases. Therefore, the protocols described here represent invaluable tools to provide empirical values that will ultimately aid field implementation of new technologies for malaria elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thai Binh Pham
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine
| | | | - Adriana Adolfi
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine; Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine; Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine;
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28
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Kormos A, Lanzaro GC, Bier E, Dimopoulos G, Marshall JM, Pinto J, Aguiar dos Santos A, Bacar A, Sousa Pontes Sacramento Rompão H, James AA. Application of the Relationship-Based Model to Engagement for Field Trials of Genetically Engineered Malaria Vectors. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 104:805-811. [PMID: 33350374 PMCID: PMC7941841 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The transition of new technologies for public health from laboratory to field is accompanied by a broadening scope of engagement challenges. Recent developments of vector control strategies involving genetically engineered mosquitoes with gene drives to assist in the eradication of malaria have drawn significant attention. Notably, questions have arisen surrounding community and regulatory engagement activities and of the need for examples of models or frameworks that can be applied to guide engagement. A relationship-based model (RBM) provides a framework that places stakeholders and community members at the center of decision-making processes, rather than as recipients of predetermined strategies, methods, and definitions. Successful RBM application in the transformation of healthcare delivery has demonstrated the importance of open dialogue and relationship development in establishing an environment where individuals are actively engaged in decision-making processes regarding their health. Although guidelines and recommendations for engagement for gene drives have recently been described, we argue here that communities and stakeholders should lead the planning, development, and implementation phases of engagement. The RBM provides a new approach to the development of ethical, transparent, and effective engagement strategies for malaria control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Kormos
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, University of California, Davis, California;,Address correspondence to Ana Kormos, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr., Davis, CA 95616. E-mail:
| | | | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, California;,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS)-UCSD, San Diego, California
| | - George Dimopoulos
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute (JHMRI), Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - John M. Marshall
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California;,Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, California
| | - João Pinto
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Affane Bacar
- Ministry of Health, Programme Nationale de Lutte Contre le Paludisme, Moroni, Union of the Comoros
| | | | - Anthony A. James
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, California;,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
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29
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Chakraborty M, Ramaiah A, Adolfi A, Halas P, Kaduskar B, Ngo LT, Jayaprasad S, Paul K, Whadgar S, Srinivasan S, Subramani S, Bier E, James AA, Emerson JJ. Hidden genomic features of an invasive malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi, revealed by a chromosome-level genome assembly. BMC Biol 2021; 19:28. [PMID: 33568145 PMCID: PMC7876825 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-00963-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mosquito Anopheles stephensi is a vector of urban malaria in Asia that recently invaded Africa. Studying the genetic basis of vectorial capacity and engineering genetic interventions are both impeded by limitations of a vector's genome assembly. The existing assemblies of An. stephensi are draft-quality and contain thousands of sequence gaps, potentially missing genetic elements important for its biology and evolution. RESULTS To access previously intractable genomic regions, we generated a reference-grade genome assembly and full transcript annotations that achieve a new standard for reference genomes of disease vectors. Here, we report novel species-specific transposable element (TE) families and insertions in functional genetic elements, demonstrating the widespread role of TEs in genome evolution and phenotypic variation. We discovered 29 previously hidden members of insecticide resistance genes, uncovering new candidate genetic elements for the widespread insecticide resistance observed in An. stephensi. We identified 2.4 Mb of the Y chromosome and seven new male-linked gene candidates, representing the most extensive coverage of the Y chromosome in any mosquito. By tracking full-length mRNA for > 15 days following blood feeding, we discover distinct roles of previously uncharacterized genes in blood metabolism and female reproduction. The Y-linked heterochromatin landscape reveals extensive accumulation of long-terminal repeat retrotransposons throughout the evolution and degeneration of this chromosome. Finally, we identify a novel Y-linked putative transcription factor that is expressed constitutively throughout male development and adulthood, suggesting an important role. CONCLUSION Collectively, these results and resources underscore the significance of previously hidden genomic elements in the biology of malaria mosquitoes and will accelerate the development of genetic control strategies of malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahul Chakraborty
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Arunachalam Ramaiah
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Adriana Adolfi
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Paige Halas
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Bhagyashree Kaduskar
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Luna Thanh Ngo
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Suvratha Jayaprasad
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Kiran Paul
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Saurabh Whadgar
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Subhashini Srinivasan
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Suresh Subramani
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0322, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - J J Emerson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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Adolfi A, Lynd A, Lycett GJ, James AA. Site-Directed φC31-Mediated Integration and Cassette Exchange in Anopheles Vectors of Malaria. J Vis Exp 2021. [PMID: 33616090 DOI: 10.3791/62146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional genomic analysis and related strategies for genetic control of malaria rely on validated and reproducible methods to accurately modify the genome of Anopheles mosquitoes. Amongst these methods, the φC31 system allows precise and stable site-directed integration of transgenes, or the substitution of integrated transgenic cassettes via recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (RMCE). This method relies on the action of the Streptomyces φC31 bacteriophage integrase to catalyze recombination between two specific attachment sites designated attP (derived from the phage) and attB (derived from the host bacterium). The system uses one or two attP sites that have been integrated previously into the mosquito genome and attB site(s) in the donor template DNA. Here we illustrate how to stably modify the genome of attP-bearing Anopheles docking lines using two plasmids: an attB-tagged donor carrying the integration or exchange template and a helper plasmid encoding the φC31 integrase. We report two representative results of φC31-mediated site-directed modification: the single integration of a transgenic cassette in An. stephensi and RMCE in An. gambiae mosquitoes. φC31-mediated genome manipulation offers the advantage of reproducible transgene expression from validated, fitness neutral genomic sites, allowing comparative qualitative and quantitative analyses of phenotypes. The site-directed nature of the integration also substantially simplifies the validation of the single insertion site and the mating scheme to obtain a stable transgenic line. These and other characteristics make the φC31 system an essential component of the genetic toolkit for the transgenic manipulation of malaria mosquitoes and other insect vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Adolfi
- Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine; Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California;
| | - Amy Lynd
- Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
| | - Gareth J Lycett
- Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California; Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Runtuwene LR, Kawashima S, Pijoh VD, Tuda JSB, Hayashida K, Yamagishi J, Sugimoto C, Nishiyama S, Sasaki M, Orba Y, Sawa H, Takasaki T, James AA, Kobayashi T, Eshita Y. The Lethal(2)-Essential-for-Life [ L(2)EFL] Gene Family Modulates Dengue Virus Infection in Aedes aegypti. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207520. [PMID: 33053895 PMCID: PMC7593908 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts to determine the mosquito genes that affect dengue virus replication have identified a number of candidates that positively or negatively modify amplification in the invertebrate host. We used deep sequencing to compare the differential transcript abundances in Aedes aegypti 14 days post dengue infection to those of uninfected A. aegypti. The gene lethal(2)-essential-for-life [l(2)efl], which encodes a member of the heat shock 20 protein (HSP20) family, was upregulated following dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) infection in vivo. The transcripts of this gene did not exhibit differential accumulation in mosquitoes exposed to insecticides or pollutants. The induction and overexpression of l(2)efl gene products using poly(I:C) resulted in decreased DENV-2 replication in the cell line. In contrast, the RNAi-mediated suppression of l(2)efl gene products resulted in enhanced DENV-2 replication, but this enhancement occurred only if multiple l(2)efl genes were suppressed. l(2)efl homologs induce the phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and we confirmed this finding in the cell line. However, the mechanism by which l(2)efl phosphorylates eIF2α remains unclear. We conclude that l(2)efl encodes a potential anti-dengue protein in the vector mosquito.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucky R. Runtuwene
- Department of Infectious Disease Control, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita 879-5593, Japan;
- Department of Computational Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
- AIDS Research Centre, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
- Correspondence: (L.R.R.); (Y.E.)
| | - Shuichi Kawashima
- Database Center for Life Science, Joint Support-Center for Data Science Research, Research Organization of Information and Systems, 178-4-4 Wakashiba, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0871, Japan;
| | - Victor D. Pijoh
- Faculty of Medicine, Sam Ratulangi University, Kampus Unsrat, Bahu Manado 95-115, Indonesia; (V.D.P.); (J.S.B.T.)
| | - Josef S. B. Tuda
- Faculty of Medicine, Sam Ratulangi University, Kampus Unsrat, Bahu Manado 95-115, Indonesia; (V.D.P.); (J.S.B.T.)
| | - Kyoko Hayashida
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, North 20, West 10 Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020, Japan; (K.H.); (J.Y.); (C.S.)
| | - Junya Yamagishi
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, North 20, West 10 Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020, Japan; (K.H.); (J.Y.); (C.S.)
- Global Station for Zoonosis Control, GI-CoRE, Hokkaido University, North 20, West 10 Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020, Japan
| | - Chihiro Sugimoto
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, North 20, West 10 Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020, Japan; (K.H.); (J.Y.); (C.S.)
| | - Shoko Nishiyama
- Laboratory of Zoonotic Diseases, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu-shi, Gifu 501-1193, Japan;
| | - Michihito Sasaki
- Division of Molecular Pathobiology, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, North 20, West 10 Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.O.); (H.S.)
| | - Yasuko Orba
- Division of Molecular Pathobiology, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, North 20, West 10 Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.O.); (H.S.)
| | - Hirofumi Sawa
- Division of Molecular Pathobiology, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, North 20, West 10 Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.O.); (H.S.)
| | - Tomohiko Takasaki
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan;
- Kanagawa Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Kanagawa 253-0087, Japan
| | - Anthony A. James
- Departments of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA;
| | - Takashi Kobayashi
- Department of Infectious Disease Control, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita 879-5593, Japan;
| | - Yuki Eshita
- Department of Infectious Disease Control, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita 879-5593, Japan;
- Departments of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Rajathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Hokudai Center for Zoonosis Control in Zambia, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, North 20, West 10 Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020, Japan
- Correspondence: (L.R.R.); (Y.E.)
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Cheung C, Gamez S, Carballar-Lejarazú R, Ferman V, Vásquez VN, Terradas G, Ishikawa J, Schairer CE, Bier E, Marshall JM, James AA, Akbari OS, Bloss CS. Translating gene drive science to promote linguistic diversity in community and stakeholder engagement. Glob Public Health 2020; 15:1551-1565. [PMID: 32589115 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1779328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Information about genetic engineering (GE) for vector control in the United States is disseminated primarily in English, though non-English speakers are equally, and in some geographic regions even more affected by such technologies. Non-English-speaking publics should have equal access to such information, which is especially critical when the technology in question may impact whole communities. We convened an interdisciplinary workgroup to translate previously developed narrated slideshows on gene drive mosquitoes from English into Spanish, reviewing each iteration for scientific accuracy and accessibility to laypeople. Using the finalised stimuli, we conducted five online, chat-based focus groups with Spanish-speaking adults from California. Overall, participants expressed interest in the topic and were able to summarise the information presented in their own words. Importantly, participants asked for clarification and expressed scepticism about the information presented, indicating critical engagement with the material. Through collaboration with Spanish-speaking scientists engaged in the development of GE methods of vector control, we translated highly technical scientific information into Spanish that successfully engaged Spanish-speaking participants in conversations about this topic. In this manuscript, we document the feasibility of consulting Spanish-speaking publics about a complex emerging technology by drawing on the linguistic diversity of the scientific teams developing the technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Cheung
- The Qualcomm Institute, Calit2, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie Gamez
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Victor Ferman
- Division of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, School of Public Health, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Váleri N Vásquez
- Division of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, School of Public Health, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Innovative Genomics Institute, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Energy and Resources Group, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Berkeley Institute for Data Science, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Gerard Terradas
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Judy Ishikawa
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cynthia E Schairer
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John M Marshall
- Division of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, School of Public Health, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Innovative Genomics Institute, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UC Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, UC Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cinnamon S Bloss
- The Qualcomm Institute, Calit2, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Carballar-Lejarazú R, Kelsey A, Pham TB, Bennett EP, James AA. Digital droplet PCR and IDAA for the detection of CRISPR indel edits in the malaria species Anopheles stephensi. Biotechniques 2020; 68:172-179. [PMID: 32040336 PMCID: PMC7177198 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2019-0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 technology is a powerful tool for the design of gene-drive systems to control and/or modify mosquito vector populations; however, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated nonhomologous end joining mutations can have an important impact on generating alleles resistant to the drive and thus on drive efficiency. We demonstrate and compare the insertions or deletions (indels) detection capabilities of two techniques in the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles stephensi: Indel Detection by Amplicon Analysis (IDAA™) and Droplet Digital™ PCR (ddPCR™). Both techniques showed accuracy and reproducibility for indel frequencies across mosquito samples containing different ratios of indels of various sizes. Moreover, these techniques have advantages that make them potentially better suited for high-throughput nonhomologous end joining analysis in cage trials and contained field testing of gene-drive mosquitoes. Mosquito DNA was extracted with the Promega Wizard® Genomic DNA Purification Kit protocol and quantified with Qubit® 3.0 following manufacturer protocols. PCR products for IDAA and ddPCR were generated with primers spanning 150–500 bp around the target site. IDAA amplicons were sent directly to COBO Technologies for analysis. ddPCR amplicons were analyzed using the Bio-Rad QX200™ ddPCR system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Carballar-Lejarazú
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA
| | - Adam Kelsey
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA
| | - Thai Binh Pham
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA
| | - Eric P Bennett
- Department of Odontology, Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, USA
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Xu X, Wang Y, Bi H, Xu J, Liu Z, Niu C, He L, James AA, Li K, Huang Y. Mutation of the seminal protease gene, serine protease 2, results in male sterility in diverse lepidopterans. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 116:103243. [PMID: 31541694 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Sterile insect technology (SIT) is an environmentally friendly method for pest control. As part of our efforts to develop a strategy that results in engineered male-sterile strains with minimum effects on viability and mating competition, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to disrupt Ser2, which encodes a seminal fluid protein, in the model lepidopteran insect, Bombyx mori, and an important agricultural pest, Plutella xylostella. Disruption of Ser2 resulted in dominant heritable male sterility. Wild-type females mated with Ser2-deficient males laid eggs normally, but the eggs did not hatch. We detected no differences in other reproductive behaviors in the mutant males. These results support the conclusion that Ser2 gene is necessary for male reproductive success in diverse lepidopterans. Targeting Ser2 gene has the potential to form the basis for a new strategy for pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Xu
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, 200241, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaohui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200032, Shanghai, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resource Application and Sustainable Pest Control, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, China
| | - Honglun Bi
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, 200241, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Zulian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Changying Niu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resource Application and Sustainable Pest Control, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, China
| | - Lin He
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, 200241, Shanghai, China.
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3900, USA
| | - Kai Li
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, 200241, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yongping Huang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200032, Shanghai, China.
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Adelman Z, Akbari O, Bauer J, Bier E, Bloss C, Carter SR, Callender C, Denis ACS, Cowhey P, Dass B, Delborne J, Devereaux M, Ellsworth P, Friedman RM, Gantz V, Gibson C, Hay BA, Hoddle M, James AA, James S, Jorgenson L, Kalichman M, Marshall J, McGinnis W, Newman J, Pearson A, Quemada H, Rudenko L, Shelton A, Vinetz JM, Weisman J, Wong B, Wozniak C. Rules of the road for insect gene drive research and testing. Nat Biotechnol 2019; 35:716-718. [PMID: 28787415 DOI: 10.1038/nbt.3926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zach Adelman
- Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Omar Akbari
- University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - John Bauer
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Cinnamon Bloss
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Craig Callender
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Peter Cowhey
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Brinda Dass
- US Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Jason Delborne
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mary Devereaux
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | | | - Valentino Gantz
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Clark Gibson
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Bruce A Hay
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Mark Hoddle
- University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | | | | | - Lyric Jorgenson
- Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - John Marshall
- University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | | | - Jack Newman
- Zagaya Foundation, Emeryville, California, USA
| | - Alan Pearson
- Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Hector Quemada
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Larisa Rudenko
- US Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Joseph M Vinetz
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Brenda Wong
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Chris Wozniak
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA
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37
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Wu N, Zhang S, Li X, Cao Y, Liu X, Wang Q, Liu Q, Liu H, Hu X, Zhou XJ, James AA, Zhang Z, Huang Y, Zhan S. Fall webworm genomes yield insights into rapid adaptation of invasive species. Nat Ecol Evol 2018; 3:105-115. [DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0746-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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38
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Lo E, Bonizzoni M, Hemming-Schroeder E, Ford A, Janies DA, James AA, Afrane Y, Etemesi H, Zhou G, Githeko A, Yan G. Selection and Utility of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Markers to Reveal Fine-Scale Population Structure in Human Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Front Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
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Bottino-Rojas V, Talyuli OAC, Carrara L, Martins AJ, James AA, Oliveira PL, Paiva-Silva GO. The redox-sensing gene Nrf2 affects intestinal homeostasis, insecticide resistance, and Zika virus susceptibility in the mosquito Aedes aegypti. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:9053-9063. [PMID: 29685890 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.001589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Production and degradation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are extensively regulated to ensure proper cellular responses to various environmental stimuli and stresses. Moreover, physiologically generated ROS function as secondary messengers that can influence tissue homeostasis. The cap'n'collar transcription factor known as nuclear factor erythroid-derived factor 2 (Nrf2) coordinates an evolutionarily conserved transcriptional activation pathway that mediates antioxidant and detoxification responses in many animal species, including insects and mammals. Here, we show that Nrf2-mediated signaling affects embryo survival, midgut homeostasis, and redox biology in Aedes aegypti, a mosquito species vector of dengue, Zika, and other disease-causing viruses. We observed that AeNrf2 silencing increases ROS levels and stimulates intestinal stem cell proliferation. Because ROS production is a major aspect of innate immunity in mosquito gut, we found that a decrease in Nrf2 signaling results in reduced microbiota growth and Zika virus infection. Moreover, we provide evidence that AeNrf2 signaling also controls transcriptional adaptation of A. aegypti to insecticide challenge. Therefore, we conclude that Nrf2-mediated response regulates assorted gene clusters in A. aegypti that determine cellular and midgut redox balance, affecting overall xenobiotic resistance and vectorial adaptation of the mosquito.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Bottino-Rojas
- From the Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902 Brazil
| | - Octavio A C Talyuli
- From the Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902 Brazil
| | - Luana Carrara
- Laficave, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Ademir J Martins
- Laficave, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil.,the Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, and
| | - Anthony A James
- the Departments of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3900
| | - Pedro L Oliveira
- From the Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902 Brazil.,the Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, and
| | - Gabriela O Paiva-Silva
- From the Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902 Brazil, .,the Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, and
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40
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Li Z, You L, Yan D, James AA, Huang Y, Tan A. Bombyx mori histone methyltransferase BmAsh2 is essential for silkworm piRNA-mediated sex determination. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007245. [PMID: 29474354 PMCID: PMC5841826 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex determination is a hierarchically-regulated process with high diversity in different organisms including insects. The W chromosome-derived Fem piRNA has been identified as the primary sex determination factor in the lepidopteran insect, Bombyx mori, revealing a distinctive piRNA-mediated sex determination pathway. However, the comprehensive mechanism of silkworm sex determination is still poorly understood. We show here that the silkworm PIWI protein BmSiwi, but not BmAgo3, is essential for silkworm sex determination. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated depletion of BmSiwi results in developmental arrest in oogenesis and partial female sexual reversal, while BmAgo3 depletion only affects oogenesis. We identify three histone methyltransferases (HMTs) that are significantly down-regulated in BmSiwi mutant moths. Disruption one of these, BmAsh2, causes dysregulation of piRNAs and transposable elements (TEs), supporting a role for it in the piRNA signaling pathway. More importantly, we find that BmAsh2 mutagenesis results in oogenesis arrest and partial female-to-male sexual reversal as well as dysregulation of the sex determination genes, Bmdsx and BmMasc. Mutagenesis of other two HMTs, BmSETD2 and BmEggless, does not affect piRNA-mediated sex determination. Histological analysis and immunoprecipitation results support a functional interaction between the BmAsh2 and BmSiwi proteins. Our data provide the first evidence that the HMT, BmAsh2, plays key roles in silkworm piRNA-mediated sex determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqian Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lang You
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong Yan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Anthony A. James
- Departments of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Yongping Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Anjiang Tan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Abstract
Vector control strategies based on population modification of Anopheline mosquitoes may have a significant role in the malaria eradication agenda. They could consolidate elimination gains by providing barriers to the reintroduction of parasites and competent vectors, and allow resources to be allocated to new control sites while maintaining treated areas free of malaria. Synthetic biological approaches are being used to generate transgenic mosquitoes for population modification. Proofs-of-principle exist for mosquito transgenesis, the construction of anti-parasite effector genes and gene-drive systems for rapidly introgressing beneficial genes into wild populations. Key challenges now are to develop field-ready strains of mosquitoes that incorporate features that maximize safety and efficacy, and specify pathways from discovery to development. We propose three pathways and a framework for target product profiles that maximize safety and efficacy while meeting the demands of the complexity of malaria transmission, and the regulatory and social diversity of potential end-users and stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anthony A. James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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42
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Macias VM, Jimenez AJ, Burini-Kojin B, Pledger D, Jasinskiene N, Phong CH, Chu K, Fazekas A, Martin K, Marinotti O, James AA. nanos-Driven expression of piggyBac transposase induces mobilization of a synthetic autonomous transposon in the malaria vector mosquito, Anopheles stephensi. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 87:81-89. [PMID: 28676355 PMCID: PMC5580807 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Transposons are a class of selfish DNA elements that can mobilize within a genome. If mobilization is accompanied by an increase in copy number (replicative transposition), the transposon may sweep through a population until it is fixed in all of its interbreeding members. This introgression has been proposed as the basis for drive systems to move genes with desirable phenotypes into target species. One such application would be to use them to move a gene conferring resistance to malaria parasites throughout a population of vector mosquitos. We assessed the feasibility of using the piggyBac transposon as a gene-drive mechanism to distribute anti-malarial transgenes in populations of the malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi. We designed synthetic gene constructs that express the piggyBac transposase in the female germline using the control DNA of the An. stephensi nanos orthologous gene linked to marker genes to monitor inheritance. Two remobilization events were observed with a frequency of one every 23 generations, a rate far below what would be useful to drive anti-pathogen transgenes into wild mosquito populations. We discuss the possibility of optimizing this system and the impetus to do so.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa M Macias
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, United States.
| | - Alyssa J Jimenez
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, United States.
| | - Bianca Burini-Kojin
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, United States.
| | - David Pledger
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, United States.
| | - Nijole Jasinskiene
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, United States.
| | - Celine Hien Phong
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, United States.
| | - Karen Chu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, United States.
| | - Aniko Fazekas
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, United States.
| | - Kelcie Martin
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, United States.
| | - Osvaldo Marinotti
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, United States.
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, United States; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, B240 Med Sci Bldg., School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, United States.
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43
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González-López L, Carballar-Lejarazú R, Arrevillaga Boni G, Cortés-Martínez L, Cázares-Raga FE, Trujillo-Ocampo A, Rodríguez MH, James AA, Hernández-Hernández FDLC. Lys48 ubiquitination during the intraerythrocytic cycle of the rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium chabaudi. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176533. [PMID: 28604779 PMCID: PMC5467854 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination tags proteins for different functions within the cell. One of the most abundant and studied ubiquitin modification is the Lys48 polyubiquitin chain that modifies proteins for their destruction by proteasome. In Plasmodium is proposed that post-translational regulation is fundamental for parasite development during its complex life-cycle; thus, the objective of this work was to analyze the ubiquitination during Plasmodium chabaudi intraerythrocytic stages. Ubiquitinated proteins were detected during intraerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium chabaudi by immunofluorescent microscopy, bidimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with immunoblotting and mass spectrometry. All the studied stages presented protein ubiquitination and Lys48 polyubiquitination with more abundance during the schizont stage. Three ubiquitinated proteins were identified for rings, five for trophozoites and twenty for schizonts. Only proteins detected with a specific anti- Lys48 polyubiquitin antibody were selected for Mass Spectrometry analysis and two of these identified proteins were selected in order to detect the specific amino acid residues where ubiquitin is placed. Ubiquitinated proteins during the ring and trophozoite stages were related with the invasion process and in schizont proteins were related with nucleic acid metabolism, glycolysis and protein biosynthesis. Most of the ubiquitin detection was during the schizont stage and the Lys48 polyubiquitination during this stage was related to proteins that are expected to be abundant during the trophozoite stage. The evidence that these Lys48 polyubiquitinated proteins are tagged for destruction by the proteasome complex suggests that this type of post-translational modification is important in the regulation of protein abundance during the life-cycle and may also contribute to the parasite cell-cycle progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena González-López
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), México, D.F., México
| | - Rebeca Carballar-Lejarazú
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), México, D.F., México
- Departments of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry and Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Gerardo Arrevillaga Boni
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), México, D.F., México
| | - Leticia Cortés-Martínez
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), México, D.F., México
| | - Febe Elena Cázares-Raga
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), México, D.F., México
| | - Abel Trujillo-Ocampo
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), México, D.F., México
| | - Mario H. Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Anthony A. James
- Departments of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry and Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Fidel de la Cruz Hernández-Hernández
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), México, D.F., México
- * E-mail:
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44
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Xu J, Zhan S, Chen S, Zeng B, Li Z, James AA, Tan A, Huang Y. Sexually dimorphic traits in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, are regulated by doublesex. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 80:42-51. [PMID: 27867075 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The DM domain genes, doublesex (dsx) in insects, or their structural homologs, male abnormal 3 (mab-3) in nematodes and Dmrt1 (doublesex and mab-3-related transcription factor 1) in mammals, are downstream regulators of the sex determination pathway that control sexually dimorphic development. Despite the functional importance of dsx and its potential applications in sterile insect technologies (SITs), the mechanisms by which it controls sexually dimorphic traits and the subsequent developmental gene networks in insects are poorly understood. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that insect dsx genes have sex-specific alternative splicing isoforms, whereas other taxa do not. We exploited genome editing and transgenesis technologies to induce mutations in either the male-specific isoform (dsxM) or common region (dsxC) of dsx in the somatic tissues of the lepidopteran model insect Bombyx mori. Disruptions of gene function produced either male-specific sexually-dimorphic defects or intersexual phenotypes; these results differ from those observed in other insects, including Drosophila melanogaster. Our data provide insights into the divergence of the insect sex determination pathways related to the most conserved downstream component dsx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuai Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shuqing Chen
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Baosheng Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhiqian Li
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, United States.
| | - Anjiang Tan
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Yongping Huang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
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45
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Peng Z, Caihe L, Beckett AN, Guan Q, James AA, Simons FER. rAed a 4: A New 67-kDa Aedes aegypti Mosquito Salivary Allergen for the Diagnosis of Mosquito Allergy. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2016; 170:206-10. [DOI: 10.1159/000448587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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46
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Carballar-Lejarazú R, Brennock P, James AA. Suppressor of hairy-wing, modifier of mdg4 and centrosomal protein of 190 gene orthologues of the gypsy insulator complex in the malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi. Insect Mol Biol 2016; 25:460-469. [PMID: 27110891 PMCID: PMC4935592 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
DNA insulators organize independent gene regulatory domains and can regulate interactions amongst promoter and enhancer elements. They have the potential to be important in genome enhancing and editing technologies because they can mitigate chromosomal position effects on transgenes. The orthologous genes of the Anopheles stephensi putative gypsy-like insulator protein complex were identified and expression characteristics studied. These genes encode polypeptides with all the expected protein domains (Cysteine 2 Histidine 2 (C2H2) zinc fingers and/or a bric-a-brac/poxvirus and zinc finger). The mosquito gypsy transcripts are expressed constitutively and are upregulated in ovaries of blood-fed females. We have uncovered significant experimental evidence that the gypsy insulator protein complex is widespread in vector mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Carballar-Lejarazú
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - P Brennock
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - A A James
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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47
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Huang Y, Chen Y, Zeng B, Wang Y, James AA, Gurr GM, Yang G, Lin X, Huang Y, You M. CRISPR/Cas9 mediated knockout of the abdominal-A homeotic gene in the global pest, diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 75:98-106. [PMID: 27318252 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), is a worldwide agricultural pest that has developed resistance to multiple classes of insecticides. Genetics-based approaches show promise as alternative pest management approaches but require functional studies to identify suitable gene targets. Here we use the CRISPR/Cas9 system to target a gene, abdominal-A, which has an important role in determining the identity and functionality of abdominal segments. We report that P. xylostella abdominal-A (Pxabd-A) has two structurally-similar splice isoforms (A and B) that differ only in the length of exon II, with 15 additional nucleotides in isoform A. Pxabd-A transcripts were detected in all developmental stages, and particularly in pupae and adults. CRISPR/Cas9-based mutagenesis of Pxabd-A exon I produced 91% chimeric mutants following injection of 448 eggs. Phenotypes with abnormal prolegs and malformed segments were visible in hatched larvae and unhatched embryos, and various defects were inherited by the next generation (G1). Genotyping of mutants demonstrated several mutations at the Pxabd-A genomic locus. The results indicate that a series of insertions and deletions were induced in the Pxabd-A locus, not only in G0 survivors but also in G1 individuals, and this provides a foundation for genome editing. Our study demonstrates the utility of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for targeting genes in an agricultural pest and therefore provides a foundation the development of novel pest management tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuping Huang
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yazhou Chen
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Baosheng Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yajun Wang
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA; Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, USA
| | - Geoff M Gurr
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China; Graham Centre, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia
| | - Guang Yang
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Xijian Lin
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yongping Huang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Minsheng You
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian-Taiwan Joint Centre for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fuzhou 350002, China.
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Liu H, Liu T, Xie L, Wang X, Deng Y, Chen CH, James AA, Chen XG. Functional analysis of Orco and odorant receptors in odor recognition in Aedes albopictus. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:363. [PMID: 27350348 PMCID: PMC4924234 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1644-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aedes albopictus is a globally invasive mosquito and a major vector of arboviruses, including dengue, Zika and Chikungunya. Olfactory-related behaviors, particularly host-seeking, offer opportunities to disrupt the disease-transmission process. A better understanding of odorant receptors (ORs) may assist in explaining host selection and location, and contribute to novel strategy of vector control. Methods Based on previous prediction of 158 putative odorant receptors by Ae. albopictus genome analysis, 29 AalORs were selected for tissue-specific expression profiles in the present study. AalOrco (AalOR7), AalOR10 and AalOR88, highly expressed in female olfactory tissues, were chosen for further structure predictions as well as functional validation including calcium imaging assay in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells and RNA interference assay in Ae. albopictus. We also conducted electrophysiological and behavioral assays in mosquitoes after RNA interference of the three genes to determine their roles in host-seeking. Results The results support previous conclusions that individual conventional (ORXs) and Orco can form heteromeric complexes to recognize odorants and respond to components of human volatiles in HEK293 cells. The reduction of AalOrco transcript levels led to a significant decrease in host-seeking and confusion in host preference. In contrast, AalOR10 and AalOR88 knockdown mosquitoes showed no significant behavioral differences compared with controls. The functions of conventional ORs at least AalOR10 and AalOR88 are abolished with inhibited expression of the Orco gene orthologs, along with the concomitant relevant olfactory behavior. Conclusions Combining structural and functional data, we conclude that the product of the Orco gene in this mosquito is crucial for transmitting olfactory signaling and conventional ORs contribute directly to odorant recognition. Our results provide insight into the linkage between odorant receptors and host-seeking in this important vector species. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1644-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Lihua Xie
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhua Deng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun-Hong Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Anthony A James
- Departments of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 3205 McGaugh Hall, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3900, USA
| | - Xiao-Guang Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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Ling L, Ge X, Li Z, Zeng B, Xu J, Chen X, Shang P, James AA, Huang Y, Tan A. MiR-2 family targets awd and fng to regulate wing morphogenesis in Bombyx mori. RNA Biol 2016; 12:742-8. [PMID: 26037405 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2015.1048957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post-transcriptional regulators that target specific mRNAs for repression and thus play key roles in many biological processes, including insect wing morphogenesis. miR-2 is an invertebrate-specific miRNA family that has been predicted in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, to be involved in regulating the Notch signaling pathway. We show here that miR-2 plays a critical role in wing morphogenesis in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, a lepidopteran model insect. Transgenic over-expression of a miR-2 cluster using a Gal4/UAS system results in deformed adult wings, supporting the conclusion that miR-2 regulates functions essential for normal wing morphogenesis. Two genes, abnormal wing disc (awd) and fringe (fng), which are positive regulators in Notch signaling, are identified as miR-2 targets and validated by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. The relative abundance of both awd and fng expression products was reduced significantly in transgenic animals, implicating them in the abnormal wing phenotype. Furthermore, somatic mutagenesis analysis of awd and fng using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and knock-out mutants also resulted in deformed wings similar to those observed in the miR-2 overexpression transgenic animals. The critical role of miR-2 in Bombyx wing morphogenesis may provide a potential target in future lepidopteran pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ling
- a Faculty of Life Sciences; Northwestern Polytechnical University ; Xi'an , China
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Kojin BB, Costa-da-Silva AL, Maciel C, Henriques DA, Carvalho DO, Martin K, Marinotti O, James AA, Bonaldo MC, Capurro ML. Endogenously-expressed NH2-terminus of circumsporozoite protein interferes with sporozoite invasion of mosquito salivary glands. Malar J 2016; 15:153. [PMID: 26964736 PMCID: PMC4785649 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1207-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The circumsporozoite protein is the most abundant polypeptide expressed by sporozoites, the malaria parasite stage capable of infecting humans. Sporozoite invasion of mosquito salivary glands prior to transmission is likely mediated by a receptor/ligand-like interaction of the parasites with the target tissues, and the amino (NH2)-terminal portion of CSP is involved in this interaction but not the TSR region on the carboxyl (C)-terminus. Peptides based on the NH2-terminal domain could compete with the parasites for the salivary gland receptors and thus inhibit penetration. Methods Peptides based on the NH2-terminus and TSR domains of the CSP from avian or human malaria parasites, Plasmodium gallinaceum and Plasmodium falciparum, respectively, were expressed endogenously in mosquito haemolymph using a transient (Sindbis virus-mediated) or stable (piggyBac-mediated transgenesis) system. Results Transient endogenous expression of partial NH2-terminus peptide from P. falciparum CSP in P. gallinaceum-infected Aedes aegypti resulted in a reduced number of sporozoites in the salivary glands. When a transgenic approach was used to express a partial CSP NH2-terminal domain from P. gallinaceum the number of sporozoites in the salivary glands did not show a difference when compared to controls. However, a significant difference could be observed when mosquitoes with a lower infection were analysed. The same result could not be observed with mosquitoes endogenously expressing peptides based on the TSR domain from either P. gallinaceum or P. falciparum. Conclusion These results support the conclusion that CSP partial NH2-terminal domain can be endogenously expressed to promote a competition for the receptor used by sporozoites to invade salivary glands, and they could be used to block this interaction and reduce parasite transmission. The same effect cannot be obtained with peptides based on the TSR domain. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-016-1207-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca B Kojin
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Geneticamente Modificados, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - André Luis Costa-da-Silva
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Geneticamente Modificados, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Ceres Maciel
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Geneticamente Modificados, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Dayane Alves Henriques
- BSL3+ Laboratory, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Danilo O Carvalho
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Geneticamente Modificados, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Kelcie Martin
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Osvaldo Marinotti
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Myrna C Bonaldo
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Flavivirus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Manguinhos, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Margareth Lara Capurro
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Geneticamente Modificados, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil.
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