Gene Drive: Evolved and Synthetic

ACS Chem Biol. 2018 Feb 16;13(2):343-346. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.7b01031. Epub 2018 Feb 5.

Abstract

Drive is a process of accelerated inheritance from one generation to the next that allows some genes to spread rapidly through populations even if they do not contribute to-or indeed even if they detract from-organismal survival and reproduction. Genetic elements that can spread by drive include gametic and zygotic killers, meiotic drivers, homing endonuclease genes, B chromosomes, and transposable elements. The fact that gene drive can lead to the spread of fitness-reducing traits (including lethality and sterility) makes it an attractive process to consider exploiting to control disease vectors and other pests. There are a number of efforts to develop synthetic gene drive systems, particularly focused on the mosquito-borne diseases that continue to plague us.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • Endonucleases / metabolism
  • Gene Drive Technology / methods*
  • Insecta / genetics
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / genetics*

Substances

  • CRISPR-Associated Proteins
  • Endonucleases