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[Report] A maleness gene in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae

ScienceNOW - Fetched: June 30th, 2016, 3:00pm UTC

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. Authors: Elzbieta Krzywinska, Nathan J. Dennison, Gareth J. Lycett, Jaroslaw Krzywinski

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