A new method genetically prevent mosquitoes from transmitting malaria

Mosquitoes kill more people each year than any other animal. In addition, In 2023, blood insects infected 263 million people with malaria, causing nearly 600,000 deaths, 80% of whom were children.

The recent efforts to block the transmission of malaria have been blocked because mosquitoes have adapted resistance to insecticides. Similarly, mosquito parasites that cause malaria have become resistant to drugs. Meanwhile, These setbacks were amplified by the COVVI-19 pandemic, which hampered the ongoing antimalarial efforts.

Now. Similarly. Furthermore, researchers from the University of California San Diego, Johns Hopkins University, UC Berkeley and the University of São Paulo have developed a new method that genetically prevents mosquitoes from transmitting malaria.

Zhiqian Li. Nevertheless. Nevertheless, Ethan Bier de UC San Diego biologists, and Yuemei Dong and George Dimopoulos from Johns Hopkins University, new method genetically prevent mosquitoes new have created new method genetically prevent mosquitoes a Crispr genetic publishing system that modifies a single molecule within mosquitoes, a change of mine but effective that stops the process of transmission of parasitic parasitis. In addition, Genetically modified mosquitoes are still able to bite those who suffer from malaria. Meanwhile, acquire parasites of their blood, but parasites can no longer spread to other people. Therefore, The new system is designed to genetically spread the line of resistance to malaria until whole populations of insects. For example, no longer transfer pathogenic parasites.

“Replace a single amino acid in mosquitoes with another natural variant that prevents them from being infected with parasites -. Similarly. For example, the spread of this beneficial trait in a whole population of mosquitoes – is a change of play,” said Bier, professor in the department of cellular biology and development of the San Diego (School of Biological new method genetically prevent mosquitoes new Sciences). Nevertheless, “It is difficult to believe that this new method genetically prevent mosquitoes little change has such a dramatic effect. »»

The newly developed system uses Crispr-Cas9 “scissors”. a guide RNA to make a genetic cut in a specific location in the genome of the mosquito. It then replaces the unwanted amino acid which transmits malaria with the beneficial version which does not do so.

The system targets a gene that produces a protein known as “FREP1” which helps mosquitoes to develop. feed on blood when they bite. The new system changes an amino acid in Frep1 known as L224 with a genetic alternative, or allele, called Q224. The parasites causing the disease use L224 to swim to the salivary glands of the insect. where they are positioned to infect a person or an animal.

Dimopoulos. professor in the Department of Microbiology. Molecular Immunology and the Johns Hopkins (Bloomberg new method genetically prevent mosquitoes new School of Public Health) malaria research institute), and its laboratory strains have tested new method genetically prevent mosquitoes strains of strains Anopheles Stephensi Mosquitoes, the main vector for the transmission of malaria in Asia. They found that the L224 switch to Q224 could effectively block two different types of mulled parasites from reaching. the salivary glands. thus preventing infection.

The beauty of this approach lies in the exploitation of a natural mosquito gene allele. With a single precise adjustment. we have transformed it into a powerful shield that blocks several species of malaria parasites. probably through various species and populations of mosquitoes, paving the way for adaptable and real strategies to control this disease. “”

George Dimopoulos. Johns Hopkins University

In a range of follow -up tests, the researchers found that although the genetic switch has disrupted the capacities of infection of the parasite, the new method genetically prevent mosquitoes new normal growth and reproduction of mosquitoes have remained unchanged. The mosquitoes carrying the newly inserted variant new method genetically prevent mosquitoes Q224 presented a physical form similar to. those with the amino acid L224 of origin. a key realization since the protein FREP1 plays an important role in the biology of the mosquito. which is separated from its role in the exploitation by the parasites of Malares.

Similar to gene training. the researchers have created a technique for the offspring of mosquitoes to genetically inherit the Q224 allele. dismiss it in their populations, stopping the transmission of malaria parasites. This new “allelic training” follows a comparable system recently designed in the Bier laboratory which genetically reverses insecticide resistance. in culture parasites.

“In this previous study. we have created a self-eliminating elimination which converts a population of fruit flies from resistance to insecticides to its. indigenous state sensitive to insecticide. Then, new method genetically prevent mosquitoes new this genetic cassette disappears, leaving only a population of re -evaluated insects, “said Bier. “A similar ghost driving system could new method genetically prevent mosquitoes convert mosquito populations by transporting the FREP1Q variant. resistant to parasites. »»

While the researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of the L224 switch to Q224. they do not yet seize completely Why This change works so effectively. In progress research on how amino acid Q224 blocks the parasitic infection transit route is underway.

“This breakthrough is the result of teamwork and transparent innovation between institutions,” said Dimopoulos. “Together, we have exploited the own genetic tools of nature to transform mosquitoes into allies against malaria. »»