A maleness gene in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae

The molecular pathways controlling gender are highly variable and have been identified in only a few nonmammalian model species. In many insects, maleness is conferred by a Y chromosome-linked M factor of unknown nature. We have isolated and characterized a gene, Yob, for the M factor in the malaria...

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Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 353; no. 6294; pp. 67 - 69
Main Authors: Krzywinska, Elzbieta, Dennison, Nathan J, Lycett, Gareth J, Krzywinski, Jaroslaw
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 01.07.2016
Subjects:
Alternative Splicing
Animals
Animals, Genetically Modified - genetics
Anopheles - embryology
Anopheles - genetics
Gene Silencing
Genes, Lethal
Insect Proteins - genetics
Insect Vectors - genetics
Malaria - parasitology
Male
Sex Determination Processes - genetics
Transcription, Genetic
Y Chromosome - genetics
ISSN:1095-9203
Online Access:Get more information
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Summary:The molecular pathways controlling gender are highly variable and have been identified in only a few nonmammalian model species. In many insects, maleness is conferred by a Y chromosome-linked M factor of unknown nature. We have isolated and characterized a gene, Yob, for the M factor in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae Yob, activated at the beginning of zygotic transcription and expressed throughout a male's life, controls male-specific splicing of the doublesex gene. Silencing embryonic Yob expression is male-lethal, whereas ectopic embryonic delivery of Yob transcripts yields male-only broods. This female-killing property may be an invaluable tool for creation of conditional male-only transgenic Anopheles strains for malaria control programs.
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ISSN:1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.aaf5605