Resistance to natural and synthetic gene drive systems. (24th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Price, Tom A. R.; Windbichler, Nikolai; Unckless, Robert L.; Sutter, Andreas; Runge, Jan‐Niklas; Ross, Perran A.; Pomiankowski, Andrew; Nuckolls, Nicole L.; Montchamp‐Moreau, Catherine; Mideo, Nicole; Martin, Oliver Y.; Manser, Andri; Legros, Mathieu; Larracuente, Amanda M.; Holman, Luke; Godwin, John; Gemmell, Neil; Courret, Cécile; Buchman, Anna; Barrett, Luke G.; Lindholm, Anna K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of evolutionary biology. Volume 33:Number 10(2020)
• Page Start: 1345
• Page End: 1360
• Publication Date: 2020-09-24
• Subjects: CRISPR‐Cas9 -- fitness costs -- meiotic drive -- population suppression -- selfish genetic elements -- sex ratio distorter -- transposable element -- Wolbachia; Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; 576.8
• DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13693
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1010-061X

Abstract

Abstract: Scientists are rapidly developing synthetic gene drive elements intended for release into natural populations. These are intended to control or eradicate disease vectors and pests, or to spread useful traits through wild populations for disease control or conservation purposes. However, a crucial problem for gene drives is the evolution of resistance against them, preventing their spread. Understanding the mechanisms by which populations might evolve resistance is essential for engineering effective gene drive systems. This review summarizes our current knowledge of drive resistance in both natural and synthetic gene drives. We explore how insights from naturally occurring and synthetic drive systems can be integrated to improve the design of gene drives, better predict the outcome of releases and understand genomic conflict in general. Abstract : Gene drives manipulate reproduction to spread through populations. Here we discuss how the costs they impose can select for suppression of drive. The selection pressure for drive resistance is highest at the locus targeted by drive (1a), but organismal costs can select for unlinked loci throughout the genome to disrupt drive (1b). Finally, gene drive may create selection for mechanisms that suppress the drive at the population level (2). This has implications for the evolution and ecology of natural drives, and for the effective use of synthetic drives to suppress disease vectors and other pests.