Male arthropod killing factors and methods of use thereof
The present disclosure relates to genetically modified arthropods, genetically modified bacteria, and methods for controlling and/or reducing arthropod populations.
1. A genetically modified arthropod, said arthropod comprising:
a gene encoding a male arthropod killing factor; and
a promoter operably linked to the gene encoding the male arthropod killing factor;
wherein the expression of the gene encoding the male arthropod killing factor in arthropod embryos causes a reduction in viable surviving male offspring in comparison to arthropod embryos not expressing the gene encoding the male arthropod killing factor; and
wherein the male arthropod killing factor comprises the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:1, or an amino acid sequence at least 60% identical to SEQ ID NO:1.
2. The arthropod of claim 1 , wherein the gene encoding the male arthropod killing factor is from a bacterium, a prophage, or a phage.
3. The arthropod of claim 2 , wherein the gene encoding the male arthropod killing factor is from Wolbachia.
4. The arthropod of claim 3 , wherein the male arthropod killing factor is wmk (WD0626).
5. The arthropod of claim 1 , wherein the reduction in viable male offspring is greater than 10%.
6. The arthropod of claim 1 , wherein the arthropod is an insect.
7. The arthropod of claim 6 , wherein the insect is selected from the genera consisting of Aedes, Culex and Anopheles.
8. The arthropod of claim 7 , wherein the insect is selected from the group consisting of Aedes albopictus, Aedes aegypti and Aedes polynesiensis.
9. The arthropod of claim 6 , wherein the insect is Drosophila suzukii.
10. A method for controlling a population of target arthropods, comprising:
providing a gene encoding a male arthropod killing factor, and a promoter operably linked to the gene encoding the male arthropod killing factor; and
wherein the male arthropod killing factor comprises the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:1, or an amino acid sequence at least 60% identical to SEQ ID NO:1;
transforming a population of arthropods with the gene encoding the male arthropod killing factor and the promoter operably linked to the gene encoding the male arthropod-killing factor; and
releasing the population of arthropods amongst a population of target arthropods, wherein the release of the arthropods reduces the population of target arthropods.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the gene encoding the male arthropod killing factor is from a bacterium, a prophage, or a phage.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the gene encoding the male arthropod killing factor is from Wolbachia.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the gene encoding the male arthropod killing factor is wmk (WD0626).
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the male arthropod killing factor comprises the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the reduction in viable male offspring is greater than 10%.
16. The method of claim 10 , further comprising providing an additional method of arthropod control.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the additional method of arthropod control is a sterile insect technique (SIT).
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the additional method of arthropod control is an incompatible insect technique (ITT).
19. A method for controlling a population of target arthropods, comprising:
providing a gene encoding a male arthropod killing factor, and a promoter operably linked to the gene encoding the male arthropod killing factor; and
wherein the male arthropod killing factor comprises the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:1, or an amino acid sequence at least 60% identical to SEQ ID NO:1;
genetically transforming a bacteria, phage, or prophage with the gene encoding the male arthropod killing factor operably linked to the promoter;
transinfecting a population of arthropods with the bacteria, phage, or prophage; and
releasing the population of arthropods amongst a population of target arthropods, wherein the release of the arthropods reduces the population of target arthropods.