Nix is a male-determining factor in the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus

Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 2020 Mar:118:103311. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103311. Epub 2019 Dec 31.

Abstract

The initial signal that governs sex determination is highly variable among insects. A homolog of Nix, the male-determining factor in Aedes aegypti, was previously found in the Asian tiger mosquito Ae. albopictus. Here we show that the Ae. albopictus Nix (AalNix) is more complex in gene structure and splice isoforms than its Ae. aegypti homolog (AaeNix). AalNix shows a similar transcription profile compared to AaeNix. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockouts of AalNix in vivo and in the Ae. albopictus C6/36 cells lead to a shift of dsx and fru splicing towards the female isoforms. G0 knockout males showed feminization and deformities including feminized antennae, absence or partial absence of gonocoxites, gonostyli, testes and accessory glands, and the formation of ovaries. Despite ~70 MY of divergence, Nix functions as a conserved male-determining factor in the two most important arboviral vectors, namely Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus.

Keywords: CRSPR-Cas9; Feminized; M-factor; Sex-determination.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / genetics*
  • Aedes / growth & development
  • Aedes / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Female
  • Insect Proteins / genetics*
  • Insect Proteins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sex Determination Processes

Substances

  • Insect Proteins