Scholarlink

Background <p>Genetic biocontrol systems have broad applications in population control of insects implicated in both disease spread and food security. <i>Ceratitis capitata</i> (the Mediterranean fruit fly), a major agricultural pest with a global distribution, is one of the appealing targets for such genetic control.</p> Results <p>In this study, we establish and characterise a novel split-CRISPR/Cas9 system we term Sex Conversion Induced by CRISPR (SCIC) in <i>C. capitata</i>. Using the <i>white eye</i> gene for toolkit selection we achieved up to 100% CRISPR/Cas9 efficiency, displaying the feasibility of <i>C. capitata</i> split-CRISPR/Cas9 systems using constitutive promoters. We then induce sex conversion by targeting the <i>transformer</i> gene in a SCIC approach aimed for SIT-mediated releases upon radiation-based sterilisation. Knock-out of <i>transformer</i> induced partial to full female-to-male sex conversion, with the remaining individuals all being intersex and sterile. SCIC population modelling shows a strong potential to outcompete traditional SIT, allowing for faster population elimination with fewer released sterile males.</p> Conclusion <p>Overall, we construct an appropriate CRISPR/Cas9 toolkit for the use in <i>C capitata</i>. Our results build the foundation for further genetic pest control methods in the species and related tephritid agricultural pests.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

A self-limiting sterile insect technique alternative for Ceratitis capitata

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年4月12日

查看全文
  • Serafima Davydova,
  • Junru Liu,
  • Yiran Liu,
  • Kavya Prince,
  • Jonathan Mann,
  • Nikolay P. Kandul,
  • W. Evan Braswell,
  • Jackson Champer,
  • Omar S. Akbari,
  • Angela Meccariello

摘要

Background

Genetic biocontrol systems have broad applications in population control of insects implicated in both disease spread and food security. Ceratitis capitata (the Mediterranean fruit fly), a major agricultural pest with a global distribution, is one of the appealing targets for such genetic control.

Results

In this study, we establish and characterise a novel split-CRISPR/Cas9 system we term Sex Conversion Induced by CRISPR (SCIC) in C. capitata. Using the white eye gene for toolkit selection we achieved up to 100% CRISPR/Cas9 efficiency, displaying the feasibility of C. capitata split-CRISPR/Cas9 systems using constitutive promoters. We then induce sex conversion by targeting the transformer gene in a SCIC approach aimed for SIT-mediated releases upon radiation-based sterilisation. Knock-out of transformer induced partial to full female-to-male sex conversion, with the remaining individuals all being intersex and sterile. SCIC population modelling shows a strong potential to outcompete traditional SIT, allowing for faster population elimination with fewer released sterile males.

Conclusion

Overall, we construct an appropriate CRISPR/Cas9 toolkit for the use in C capitata. Our results build the foundation for further genetic pest control methods in the species and related tephritid agricultural pests.