Expanding the Toolkit for Genome Editing in a Disease Vector, Aedes aegypti: Transgenic Lines Expressing Cas9 and Single Guide RNA Induce Efficient Mutagenesis

CRISPR J. 2021 Dec;4(6):846-853. doi: 10.1089/crispr.2020.0052. Epub 2021 Jan 15.

Abstract

CRISPR-Cas9 mediated genome editing methods are being used for the analysis of gene function. However, it is hard to identify gene knockout mutants for genes whose knockout does not cause distinct phenotypes. To overcome this issue in the disease vector, Aedes aegypti, a transgenic Cas9/single guide RNA (sgRNA) method, was used to knock out the eye marker gene, kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (kmo), and the juvenile hormone receptor, Methoprene-tolerant (Met). PiggyBac transformation vectors were prepared to express sgRNAs targeting kmo and Met under the control of the U6 promoter. Transgenic Ae. aegypti expressing kmo-sgRNA or Met-sgRNA under the control of the U6 promoter and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) under the control of the hr5ie1 promoter were produced. The U6-sgRNA adults were mated with AAEL010097-Cas9 adults. The progeny were screened, and the insects expressing eGFP and DsRed were selected and evaluated for mutations in target genes. About 77% and 78% of the progeny that were positive for both eGFP and DsRed in kmo-sgRNA and Met-sgRNA groups, respectively, showed mutations in their target genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aedes* / genetics
  • Aedes* / metabolism
  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Disease Vectors
  • Gene Editing* / methods
  • Mosquito Vectors / genetics
  • Mosquito Vectors / metabolism
  • Mutagenesis
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems