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Review
. 2008 Nov 13;4(5):417-23.
doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2008.09.002.

Molecular genetic manipulation of vector mosquitoes

Olle Terenius  1 , Osvaldo Marinotti, Douglas Sieglaff, Anthony A James
Affiliations
Review

Molecular genetic manipulation of vector mosquitoes

Olle Terenius et al. Cell Host Microbe. .

Abstract

Genetic strategies for reducing populations of vector mosquitoes or replacing them with those that are not able to transmit pathogens benefit greatly from molecular tools that allow gene manipulation and transgenesis. Mosquito genome sequences and associated EST (expressed sequence tags) databases enable large-scale investigations to provide new insights into evolutionary, biochemical, genetic, metabolic, and physiological pathways. Additionally, comparative genomics reveals the bases for evolutionary mechanisms with particular focus on specific interactions between vectors and pathogens. We discuss how this information may be exploited for the optimization of transgenes that interfere with the propagation and development of pathogens in their mosquito hosts.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Theoretical display of transgenesis strategy impact on vector populations. In mosquito population reduction, the total population size decreases and thereby the number of infected vectors decreases as well. In mosquito population replacement, the susceptible vectors (able to transmit the pathogen) are replaced by refractory vectors that cannot transmit. The transmission threshold indicates the lowest level of transmission of infectious agents for a disease to be sustained in a population of humans or animals.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic overview of different transgenesis strategies. Strategies result in either population reduction or population replacement. Colored boxes and lines are keyed to specific strategies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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