Gene drive mosquitoes can aid malaria elimination by retarding Plasmodium sporogonic development
File(s)sciadv.abo1733.pdf (2.95 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Windbichler, Nikolai
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Abstract: Gene drives hold promise for the genetic control of malaria vectors. The development of vector population modification strategies hinges on the availability of effector mechanisms impeding parasite development in transgenic mosquitoes. We augmented a midgut gene of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae to secrete two exogenous antimicrobial peptides, Magainin 2 and Melittin. This small genetic modification, capable of efficient non-autonomous gene drive, hampers oocyst development in both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei. It delays the release of infectious sporozoites while it simultaneously reduces the lifespan of homozygous female transgenic mosquitoes. Modeling the spread of this modification using a large-scale agent-based model of malaria epidemiology reveals that it can break the cycle of disease transmission across a range of transmission intensities.
Date Issued
2022-09-21
Date Acceptance
2022-07-22
Citation
Science Advances, 2022, 8 (38), pp.1-9
ISSN
2375-2548
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Start Page
1
End Page
9
Journal / Book Title
Science Advances
Volume
8
Issue
38
Copyright Statement
© 2022 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CC BY).
License URL
Sponsor
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Identifier
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abo1733
Grant Number
INV-002657
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2022-09-21