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<p><i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i> is a major vector of West Nile virus and other pathogens, yet genetic population suppression tools for this species remain limited. Here, we develop a self-limiting, CRISPR-based suppression gene drive system targeting <i>doublesex</i>, close to the male-determining locus, promoting male transmission. A recoded <i>dsxM</i> sequence converts females into sterile intersexes, preventing population-level spread. The drive achieves super-Mendelian inheritance ( ~ 71%) and generates resistance alleles that are fully or partially dominant female sterile. Single-release cage trials show extended but self-limiting population suppression. Population modeling of this RIDD (Release of Insects carrying a Dominant-sterile Drive) system further indicates that repeated releases can substantially reduce fertile female numbers at low release ratios and intrinsic growth rates, outperforming non-drive strategies under comparable conditions. Together, these results establish a self-limiting suppression gene drive platform for <i>Culex</i>, providing a confined and sustainable framework for vector population control.</p>

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Self-limiting population suppression gene drive design in the West Nile vector mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月26日

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  • Xuechun Feng,
  • Jinying Ding,
  • Yiran Liu,
  • Victor Lopez del Amo,
  • Valentino M. Gantz,
  • Xue-xin Chen,
  • Jackson Champer,
  • Feng Liu

摘要

Culex quinquefasciatus is a major vector of West Nile virus and other pathogens, yet genetic population suppression tools for this species remain limited. Here, we develop a self-limiting, CRISPR-based suppression gene drive system targeting doublesex, close to the male-determining locus, promoting male transmission. A recoded dsxM sequence converts females into sterile intersexes, preventing population-level spread. The drive achieves super-Mendelian inheritance ( ~ 71%) and generates resistance alleles that are fully or partially dominant female sterile. Single-release cage trials show extended but self-limiting population suppression. Population modeling of this RIDD (Release of Insects carrying a Dominant-sterile Drive) system further indicates that repeated releases can substantially reduce fertile female numbers at low release ratios and intrinsic growth rates, outperforming non-drive strategies under comparable conditions. Together, these results establish a self-limiting suppression gene drive platform for Culex, providing a confined and sustainable framework for vector population control.