@article {6864, title = {Hidden genomic features of an invasive malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi, revealed by a chromosome-level genome assembly.}, journal = {BMC Biol}, volume = {19}, year = {2021}, month = {2021 Feb 10}, pages = {28}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: The mosquito Anopheles stephensi is a vector of urban malaria in Asia that recently invaded Africa. Studying the genetic basis of vectorial capacity and engineering genetic interventions are both impeded by limitations of a vector{\textquoteright}s genome assembly. The existing assemblies of An. stephensi are draft-quality and contain thousands of sequence gaps, potentially missing genetic elements important for its biology and evolution.

RESULTS: To access previously intractable genomic regions, we generated a reference-grade genome assembly and full transcript annotations that achieve a new standard for reference genomes of disease vectors. Here, we report novel species-specific transposable element (TE) families and insertions in functional genetic elements, demonstrating the widespread role of TEs in genome evolution and phenotypic variation. We discovered 29 previously hidden members of insecticide resistance genes, uncovering new candidate genetic elements for the widespread insecticide resistance observed in An. stephensi. We identified 2.4 Mb of the Y chromosome and seven new male-linked gene candidates, representing the most extensive coverage of the Y chromosome in any mosquito. By tracking full-length mRNA for \> 15 days following blood feeding, we discover distinct roles of previously uncharacterized genes in blood metabolism and female reproduction. The Y-linked heterochromatin landscape reveals extensive accumulation of long-terminal repeat retrotransposons throughout the evolution and degeneration of this chromosome. Finally, we identify a novel Y-linked putative transcription factor that is expressed constitutively throughout male development and adulthood, suggesting an important role.

CONCLUSION: Collectively, these results and resources underscore the significance of previously hidden genomic elements in the biology of malaria mosquitoes and will accelerate the development of genetic control strategies of malaria transmission.

}, keywords = {Animals, Anopheles, Female, Gene Expression, Gene Expression Profiling, Genome, Insecticide Resistance, Malaria, Male, Mosquito Vectors}, issn = {1741-7007}, doi = {10.1186/s12915-021-00963-z}, author = {Chakraborty, Mahul and Ramaiah, Arunachalam and Adolfi, Adriana and Halas, Paige and Kaduskar, Bhagyashree and Ngo, Luna Thanh and Jayaprasad, Suvratha and Paul, Kiran and Whadgar, Saurabh and Srinivasan, Subhashini and Subramani, Suresh and Bier, Ethan and James, Anthony A and Emerson, J J} } @article {1936, title = {Efficient allelic-drive in Drosophila.}, journal = {Nat Commun}, volume = {10}, year = {2019}, month = {2019 04 09}, pages = {1640}, abstract = {

Gene-drive systems developed in several organisms result in super-Mendelian inheritance of transgenic insertions. Here, we generalize this "active genetic" approach to preferentially transmit allelic variants (allelic-drive) resulting from only a single or a few nucleotide alterations. We test two configurations for allelic-drive: one, copy-cutting, in which a non-preferred allele is selectively targeted for Cas9/guide RNA (gRNA) cleavage, and a more general approach, copy-grafting, that permits selective inheritance of a desired allele located in close proximity to\ the gRNA cut site. We also characterize a phenomenon we refer to as lethal-mosaicism that dominantly eliminates NHEJ-induced mutations and favors inheritance of functional cleavage-resistant alleles. These two efficient allelic-drive methods, enhanced by lethal mosaicism and a trans-generational drive process we refer to as "shadow-drive", have broad practical applications in improving health and agriculture and greatly extend the active genetics toolbox.

}, keywords = {Agriculture, Alleles, Animals, Animals, Genetically Modified, CRISPR-Cas Systems, DNA End-Joining Repair, DNA Mutational Analysis, Drosophila, Female, Gene Drive Technology, Gene Editing, Inheritance Patterns, Male, Mosaicism, RNA, Guide}, issn = {2041-1723}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-019-09694-w}, author = {Guichard, Annabel and Haque, Tisha and Bobik, Marketta and Xu, Xiang-Ru S and Klanseck, Carissa and Kushwah, Raja Babu Singh and Berni, Mateus and Kaduskar, Bhagyashree and Gantz, Valentino M and Bier, Ethan} }