In this section
@article{Davydova:2025:10.1186/s12915-025-02201-2,
author = {Davydova, S and Liu, J and Liu, Y and Prince, K and Mann, J and Kandul, NP and Braswell, WE and Champer, J and Akbari, OS and Meccariello, A},
doi = {10.1186/s12915-025-02201-2},
journal = {BMC Biology},
title = {A self-limiting sterile insect technique alternative for Ceratitis capitata},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02201-2},
volume = {23},
year = {2025}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - BackgroundGenetic biocontrol systems have broad applications in population control of insects implicated in both disease spread and food security. Ceratitis capitata (the Mediterranean fruit fly), a major agricultural pest with a global distribution, is one of the appealing targets for such genetic control.ResultsIn this study, we establish and characterise a novel split-CRISPR/Cas9 system we term Sex Conversion Induced by CRISPR (SCIC) in C. capitata. Using the white eye gene for toolkit selection we achieved up to 100% CRISPR/Cas9 efficiency, displaying the feasibility of C. capitata split-CRISPR/Cas9 systems using constitutive promoters. We then induce sex conversion by targeting the transformer gene in a SCIC approach aimed for SIT-mediated releases upon radiation-based sterilisation. Knock-out of transformer induced partial to full female-to-male sex conversion, with the remaining individuals all being intersex and sterile. SCIC population modelling shows a strong potential to outcompete traditional SIT, allowing for faster population elimination with fewer released sterile males.ConclusionOverall, we construct an appropriate CRISPR/Cas9 toolkit for the use in C capitata. Our results build the foundation for further genetic pest control methods in the species and related tephritid agricultural pests.
AU - Davydova,S
AU - Liu,J
AU - Liu,Y
AU - Prince,K
AU - Mann,J
AU - Kandul,NP
AU - Braswell,WE
AU - Champer,J
AU - Akbari,OS
AU - Meccariello,A
DO - 10.1186/s12915-025-02201-2
PY - 2025///
SN - 1741-7007
TI - A self-limiting sterile insect technique alternative for Ceratitis capitata
T2 - BMC Biology
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02201-2
UR - https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-025-02201-2
VL - 23
ER -
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