Evaluation of horizontal gene transfer risk between the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Tephritidae) and its parasitoid Fopius ceratitivorus (Braconidae)

PLoS One. 2018 Dec 4;13(12):e0207999. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207999. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

The transgenic strain of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) VIENNA 8 1260, developed from the classical genetic sexing strain VIENNA 8, has two molecular markers that exhibit red fluorescence in the body and green fluorescence in testicles and sperm. These traits offer a precise tool to discriminate between mass-reared sterile males and wild fertile males, and they could potentially increase the effectiveness of control programs for this pest. To assess the risk of horizontal transfer of the fluorescence transgenes in natural ecosystems, we used the VIENNA 8 1260 strain and the medfly parasitoid Fopius ceratitivorus. The fluorescence signal and the inheritance of the fluorescence gene markers were monitored for over 16 generations (about two years) in both species using fluorescence microscopy and a PCR-based assay. The PCR analysis was performed in four independent laboratories. Both fluorescence microscopy and PCR analysis indicated that no horizontal gene transfer of the DsRed transgene occurred during 16 generations of medfly parasitoid rearing under experimental conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified / genetics*
  • Animals, Genetically Modified / parasitology
  • Ceratitis capitata / genetics*
  • Ceratitis capitata / parasitology
  • Female
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal*
  • Host-Parasite Interactions / genetics*
  • Hymenoptera / genetics*
  • Male
  • Pest Control, Biological / methods
  • Transgenes / genetics

Grants and funding

Partial funding was provided by the following organizations: The Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR) provided laboratory facilities and partial funding. The National Council on Science and Technology (CONACYT) granted a scholarship for ERS postgraduate studies (CVU 509334). The Emmy Noether program of the German Research Foundation SCHE 1833/1-1 (MFS) and the LOEWE Center for Insect Biotechnology & Bioresources of the HMWK (MFS) supported this work. The Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, through the Coordianted Research Project No. D4.20.16 on “Comparing Rearing Efficiency and Competitiveness of Sterile Male Strains Produced by Genetic, Transgenic or Symbiont-based Technologies” provided partial funding. There was no additional external funding received for this study.