A Y-chromosome shredding gene drive for controlling pest vertebrate populations
Abstract
Self-replicating gene drives that modify sex ratios or infer a fitness cost could be used to control populations of invasive alien species. The targeted deletion of Y sex chromosomes using CRISPR technology offers a new approach for sex bias that could be incorporated within gene-drive designs. We introduce a novel gene-drive strategy termed Y-CHromosome deletion using Orthogonal Programmable Endonucleases (Y-CHOPE), incorporating a programmable endonuclease that ‘shreds’ the Y chromosome, thereby converting XY males into fertile XO females. Firstly, we demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas12a system can eliminate the Y chromosome in embryonic stem cells with high efficiency (c. 90%). Next, using stochastic, individual-based models of a pest mouse population, we show that a Y-shredding drive that progressively depletes the pool of XY males could effect population eradication through mate limitation. Our molecular and modeling data suggest that a Y-CHOPE gene drive could be a viable tool for vertebrate pest control.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Feb 15, 2019
- Source ID
- 10.7554/elife.41873
Entities
People
- Fatwa Adikusuma
- Joshua V. Ross
- Paul Thomas
- Phillip Cassey
- Thomas A A Prowse
Organizations
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
- University of Adelaide