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

Abstract

A major modification to the sterile insect technique is described, in which transgenic insects homozygous for a dominant, repressible, female-specific lethal gene system are used. We demonstrate two methods that give the required genetic characteristics in an otherwise wild-type genetic background. The first system uses a sex-specific promoter or enhancer to drive the expression of a repressible transcription factor, which in turn controls the expression of a toxic gene product. The second system uses non-sex-specific expression of the repressible transcription factor to regulate a selectively lethal gene product. Both methods work efficiently in Drosophila melanogaster, and we expect these principles to be widely applicable to more economically important organisms.

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

“…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allowing either fewer individuals to be released, or larger populations to be targeted (Thomas et al 2000; A. Burt, unpublished data).…”

Genetic elimination of dengue vector mosquitoes

“…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).…”

Genetics‐based methods for agricultural insect pest management

“…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).…”

“…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).…”