Symbionts and gene drive: two strategies to combat vector-borne disease. Issue 7 (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Guan-Hong; Du, Jie; Chu, Chen Yi; Madhav, Mukund; Hughes, Grant L.; Champer, Jackson
• Is Part Of: Trends in genetics. Volume 38:Issue 7(2022)
• Page Start: 708
• Page End: 723
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: population suppression -- population modification -- Wolbachia -- symbiont -- gene drive -- CRISPR/Cas9; Genetics -- Periodicals; 576.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.02.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-9525

Abstract

Abstract : Mosquitoes bring global health problems by transmitting parasites and viruses such as malaria and dengue. Unfortunately, current insecticide-based control strategies are only moderately effective because of high cost and resistance. Thus, scalable, sustainable, and cost-effective strategies are needed for mosquito-borne disease control. Symbiont-based and genome engineering-based approaches provide new tools that show promise for meeting these criteria, enabling modification or suppression approaches. Symbiotic bacteria like Wolbachia are maternally inherited and manipulate mosquito host reproduction to enhance their vertical transmission. Genome engineering-based gene drive methods, in which mosquitoes are genetically altered to spread drive alleles throughout wild populations, are also proving to be a potentially powerful approach in the laboratory. Here, we review the latest developments in both symbionts and gene drive-based methods. We describe some notable similarities, as well as distinctions and obstacles, relating to these promising technologies. Highlights: Safe and sustainable approaches for mosquito control are critical due to the global increasing burden of mosquito-transmitted diseases. Novel control approaches based on symbionts are currently proposed to modify or suppress mosquito populations and Wolbachia -based methods have already achieved some success in field trials. Transgenic mosquitoes carrying gene drives that spread through populations are a promising control approach to block disease transmission or suppress vector species. Transgenic-based approaches potentially offer more power and flexibility, but symbiont-based approaches are usually more socially accepted and well-developed.