A suppression-modification gene drive for malaria control targeting the ultra-conserved RNA gene mir-184.

ABSTRACT: Gene drive technology presents a promising approach to controlling malaria vector populations. Suppression drives are intended to disrupt essential mosquito genes whereas modification drives aim to reduce the individual vectorial capacity of mosquitoes. Here we present a highly efficient homing gene drive in the African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae that targets the microRNA gene mir-184 and combines suppression with modification. Homozygous gene drive (miR-184^D) individuals incur significant fitness costs, including high mortality following a blood meal, that curtail their propensity for malaria transmission. We attribute this to a role of miR-184 in regulating solute transport in the mosquito gut. However, females remain fully fertile, and pure-breeding miR-184^D

SUBMITTER: Verkuijl SAN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12032250 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature