Medusa: a novel gene drive system for confined suppression of insect populations

PLoS One. 2014 Jul 23;9(7):e102694. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102694. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Gene drive systems provide novel opportunities for insect population suppression by driving genes that confer a fitness cost into pest or disease vector populations; however regulatory issues arise when genes are capable of spreading across international borders. Gene drive systems displaying threshold properties provide a solution since they can be confined to local populations and eliminated through dilution with wild-types. We propose a novel, threshold-dependent gene drive system, Medusa, capable of inducing a local and reversible population crash. Medusa consists of four components--two on the X chromosome, and two on the Y chromosome. A maternally-expressed, X-linked toxin and a zygotically-expressed, Y-linked antidote results in suppression of the female population and selection for the presence of the transgene-bearing Y because only male offspring of Medusa-bearing females are protected from the effects of the toxin. At the same time, the combination of a zygotically-expressed, Y-linked toxin and a zygotically-expressed, X-linked antidote selects for the transgene-bearing X in the presence of the transgene-bearing Y. Together these chromosomes create a balanced lethal system that spreads while selecting against females when present above a certain threshold frequency. Simple population dynamic models show that an all-male release of Medusa males, carried out over six generations, is expected to induce a population crash within 12 generations for modest release sizes on the order of the wild population size. Re-invasion of non-transgenic insects into a suppressed population can result in a population rebound; however this can be prevented through regular releases of modest numbers of Medusa males. Finally, we outline how Medusa could be engineered with currently available molecular tools.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified / genetics*
  • Antidotes / metabolism*
  • Chromosomes, Insect / genetics
  • Female
  • Genetic Engineering / methods*
  • Genetics, Population / methods
  • Inheritance Patterns
  • Insect Control / methods*
  • Male
  • Models, Genetic
  • Time Factors
  • Toxins, Biological / genetics*
  • Transgenes / genetics
  • X Chromosome / genetics
  • Y Chromosome / genetics

Substances

  • Antidotes
  • Toxins, Biological