Reversing insecticide resistance with allelic-drive in Drosophila melanogaster

TitleReversing insecticide resistance with allelic-drive in Drosophila melanogaster
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsKaduskar B, Kushwah RBS, Auradkar A, Guichard A, Li M, Bennett JB, Julio AHF, Marshall JM, Montell C, Bier E
JournalNat Commun
Volume13
Start Page10.1038/s41467-021-27654-1
Issue1
Pagination291
Date Published2022 01 12
ISSN2041-1723
KeywordsAlleles, Animals, CRISPR-Cas Systems, Culicidae, Drosophila melanogaster, Female, Genetic Engineering, Insecticide Resistance, Insecticides, Male, Mutation
Abstract

A recurring target-site mutation identified in various pests and disease vectors alters the voltage gated sodium channel (vgsc) gene (often referred to as knockdown resistance or kdr) to confer resistance to commonly used insecticides, pyrethroids and DDT. The ubiquity of kdr mutations poses a major global threat to the continued use of insecticides as a means for vector control. In this study, we generate common kdr mutations in isogenic laboratory Drosophila strains using CRISPR/Cas9 editing. We identify differential sensitivities to permethrin and DDT versus deltamethrin among these mutants as well as contrasting physiological consequences of two different kdr mutations. Importantly, we apply a CRISPR-based allelic-drive to replace a resistant kdr mutation with a susceptible wild-type counterpart in population cages. This successful proof-of-principle opens-up numerous possibilities including targeted reversion of insecticide-resistant populations to a native susceptible state or replacement of malaria transmitting mosquitoes with those bearing naturally occurring parasite resistant alleles.

DOI10.1038/s41467-021-27654-1
Alternate JournalNat Commun
PubMed ID35022402
PubMed Central IDPMC8755802
Grant ListR01 AI165575 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R01 DC007864 / DC / NIDCD NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM117321 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States