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A toxin-antidote CRISPR gene drive system for regional population modification

Author

Listed:
  • Jackson Champer

    (Cornell University
    Cornell University)

  • Esther Lee

    (Cornell University
    Cornell University)

  • Emily Yang

    (Cornell University
    Cornell University)

  • Chen Liu

    (Cornell University
    Cornell University)

  • Andrew G. Clark

    (Cornell University
    Cornell University)

  • Philipp W. Messer

    (Cornell University)

Abstract

Engineered gene drives based on a homing mechanism could rapidly spread genetic alterations through a population. However, such drives face a major obstacle in the form of resistance against the drive. In addition, they are expected to be highly invasive. Here, we introduce the Toxin-Antidote Recessive Embryo (TARE) drive. It functions by disrupting a target gene, forming recessive lethal alleles, while rescuing drive-carrying individuals with a recoded version of the target. Modeling shows that such drives will have threshold-dependent invasion dynamics, spreading only when introduced above a fitness-dependent frequency. We demonstrate a TARE drive in Drosophila with 88-95% transmission by female heterozygotes. This drive was able to spread through a large cage population in just six generations following introduction at 24% frequency without any apparent evolution of resistance. Our results suggest that TARE drives constitute promising candidates for the development of effective, flexible, and regionally confinable drives for population modification.

Suggested Citation

  • Jackson Champer & Esther Lee & Emily Yang & Chen Liu & Andrew G. Clark & Philipp W. Messer, 2020. "A toxin-antidote CRISPR gene drive system for regional population modification," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-14960-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14960-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Tim Harvey-Samuel & Xuechun Feng & Emily M. Okamoto & Deepak-Kumar Purusothaman & Philip T. Leftwich & Luke Alphey & Valentino M. Gantz, 2023. "CRISPR-based gene drives generate super-Mendelian inheritance in the disease vector Culex quinquefasciatus," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Silvia Grilli & Roberto Galizi & Chrysanthi Taxiarchi, 2021. "Genetic Technologies for Sustainable Management of Insect Pests and Disease Vectors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-19, May.

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