Insect Population Control Using a Dominant, Repressible, Lethal Genetic System

Thomas, Dean; Donnelly, Christl A.; Wood, R. J.; Alphey, Luke

doi:10.1126/science.287.5462.2474

Cited by 521 publications

(513 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(10 reference statements)

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“…Thus, simply by changing the promoter, the threat posed by rare emigrants to neighbouring populations can be avoided. The use of such engineered HEGs would be more efficient than the release of sterile males, allowing either fewer individuals to be released, or larger populations to be targeted (Thomas et al 2000; A. Burt, unpublished data).…”

Section: Other Usesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Site-specific selfish genes as tools for the control and genetic engineering of natural populations

Burt

2003

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

627

836

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Site-specific selfish genes exploit host functions to copy themselves into a defined target DNA sequence, and include homing endonuclease genes, group II introns and some LINE-like transposable elements. If such genes can be engineered to target new host sequences, then they can be used to manipulate natural populations, even if the number of individuals released is a small fraction of the entire population. For example, a genetic load sufficient to eradicate a population can be imposed in fewer than 20 generations, if the target is an essential host gene, the knockout is recessive and the selfish gene has an appropriate promoter. There will be selection for resistance, but several strategies are available for reducing the likelihood of it evolving. These genes may also be used to genetically engineer natural populations, by means of population-wide gene knockouts, gene replacements and genetic transformations. By targeting sexlinked loci just prior to meiosis one may skew the population sex ratio, and by changing the promoter one may limit the spread of the gene to neighbouring populations. The proposed constructs are evolutionarily stable in the face of the mutations most likely to arise during their spread, and strategies are also available for reversing the manipulations.

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Section: Other Usesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Site-specific selfish genes as tools for the control and genetic engineering of natural populations

Burt

2003

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

627

836

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“…Chemical control is increasingly restricted due to potential human toxicity, mortality in nontarget organisms, insecticide resistance, and other environmental impacts (7)(8)(9). Release of insects carrying a dominant lethal (RIDL) is a genetic control strategy derived from classical sterile insect technique (SIT) that provides a new solution to the challenges facing current control efforts (10)(11)(12)(13)(14).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic elimination of dengue vector mosquitoes

Valdez

Nimmo

Betz

et al. 2011

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

219

182

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An approach based on mosquitoes carrying a conditional dominant lethal gene (release of insects carrying a dominant lethal, RIDL) is being developed to control the transmission of dengue viruses by vector population suppression. A transgenic strain, designated OX3604C, of the major dengue vector, Aedes aegypti, was engineered to have a repressible female-specific flightless phenotype. This strain circumvents the need for radiation-induced sterilization, allows genetic sexing resulting in male-only releases, and permits the release of eggs instead of adult mosquitoes. OX3604C males introduced weekly into large laboratory cages containing stable target mosquito populations at initial ratios of 8.5-10∶1 OX3604C∶target eliminated the populations within 10-20 weeks. These data support the further testing of this strain in contained or confined field trials to evaluate mating competitiveness and environmental and other effects. Successful completion of the field trials should facilitate incorporation of this approach into areawide dengue control or elimination efforts as a component of an integrated vector management strategy.genetic control | sterile insect technique | cage trial

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“…Genetics‐based variants of the SIT are being developed (Thomas et al ., 2000; Alphey, 2014; Alphey & Alphey, 2014; Alphey et al ., 2014). Various insect species, crop pests and human disease vectors are undergoing trials ranging from laboratory experiments to large‐scale open releases (Gong et al ., 2005; Ant et al ., 2012; Harris et al ., 2012; Harvey‐Samuel et al ., 2015).…”

Section: Sterile Insect Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One important outcome is dominant female‐specific lethality, alternatively described as male‐selecting constructs (Heinrich & Scott, 2000; Thomas et al ., 2000; Fu et al ., 2007, 2010; Wise de Valdez et al ., 2011; Ant et al ., 2012; Labbé et al ., 2012; Jin et al ., 2013; Tan et al ., 2013) (Fig. 1B).…”

Section: Sterile Insect Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetics‐based methods for agricultural insect pest management

Alphey

Bonsall

2017

Agri and Forest Entomology

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The sterile insect technique is an area‐wide pest control method that reduces agricultural pest populations by releasing mass‐reared sterile insects, which then compete for mates with wild insects. Contemporary genetics‐based technologies use insects that are homozygous for a repressible dominant lethal genetic construct rather than being sterilized by irradiation.Engineered strains of agricultural pest species, including moths such as the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella and fruit flies such as the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata, have been developed with lethality that only operates on females.Transgenic crops expressing insecticidal toxins are widely used; the economic benefits of these crops would be lost if toxin resistance spread through the pest population. The primary resistance management method is a high‐dose/refuge strategy, requiring toxin‐free crops as refuges near the insecticidal crops, as well as toxin doses sufficiently high to kill wild‐type insects and insects heterozygous for a resistance allele.Mass‐release of toxin‐sensitive engineered males (carrying female‐lethal genes), as well as suppressing populations, could substantially delay or reverse the spread of resistance. These transgenic insect technologies could form an effective resistance management strategy.We outline some policy considerations for taking genetic insect control systems through to field implementation.

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Insect Population Control Using a Dominant, Repressible, Lethal Genetic System

Cited by 521 publications

References 15 publications

Site-specific selfish genes as tools for the control and genetic engineering of natural populations

Site-specific selfish genes as tools for the control and genetic engineering of natural populations

Genetic elimination of dengue vector mosquitoes

Genetics‐based methods for agricultural insect pest management

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