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Living Modified Organism
(LMO)
The image below identifies the LMO through its unique identifier, trade name and a link to this page of the BCH. Click on it to download a larger image on your computer. For help on how to use it go to the LMO quick-links page.
2nd Generation Friendly™ Aedes aegypti
EN
OX5034
No
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Organization:Oxitec Limited ()Private sector (business and industry)71 Milton Park OX14 4RX Oxford, England,
,Phone: +44 (0) 1235 832393,Fax: +44 (0) 1235 861138,Email: info@oxitec.com,Website: http://www.oxitec.com,
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were modified female-specific lethality for population suppression and red fluorescence for visual detection.
Sex-specific lethality is achieved through the use of alternative splicing and the expression of a synthetic tetracycline‐transcriptional activator (tTAV) variant. In females, splicing occurs such that the tTAV coding sequence is translated. In males, alternative splicing causes several stop codons to be included upstream of the tTAV coding sequence, interrupting translation and preventing expression of tTAV. In the presence of tetracycline (rearing conditions), tTAV preferentially binds tetracycline instead of the tetracycline operator, thus transcription is repressed and occurs at a basal level. In the absence of tetracycline (environmental conditions), tTAV binds the operator sequences to promote high levels of transcription. High levels of tTAV expression is toxic as it prevents the cells from producing other transcripts required for normal functioning and results in lethality. Thus, females can be produced in rearing conditions, but fail to develop in environments without the presence of tetracycline. Due to the alternative splicing mechanism, males carry and transmit the self-limiting genes to progeny without requiring tetracycline. Population suppression is thus achieved through the biased selection of male offspring.
The modified mosquitoes also include the Discosoma sp. DsRed2 protein for red fluorescence under UV light for visual detection of modified organisms. In comparison to OX513A mosquitoes (see "Related LMOs"), a synthetic nuclear localization signal was included to localize DsRed2 to the nuclei of cells, improving visualization (fluorescence) in larvae and adult mosquitoes.
Sex-specific lethality is achieved through the use of alternative splicing and the expression of a synthetic tetracycline‐transcriptional activator (tTAV) variant. In females, splicing occurs such that the tTAV coding sequence is translated. In males, alternative splicing causes several stop codons to be included upstream of the tTAV coding sequence, interrupting translation and preventing expression of tTAV. In the presence of tetracycline (rearing conditions), tTAV preferentially binds tetracycline instead of the tetracycline operator, thus transcription is repressed and occurs at a basal level. In the absence of tetracycline (environmental conditions), tTAV binds the operator sequences to promote high levels of transcription. High levels of tTAV expression is toxic as it prevents the cells from producing other transcripts required for normal functioning and results in lethality. Thus, females can be produced in rearing conditions, but fail to develop in environments without the presence of tetracycline. Due to the alternative splicing mechanism, males carry and transmit the self-limiting genes to progeny without requiring tetracycline. Population suppression is thus achieved through the biased selection of male offspring.
The modified mosquitoes also include the Discosoma sp. DsRed2 protein for red fluorescence under UV light for visual detection of modified organisms. In comparison to OX513A mosquitoes (see "Related LMOs"), a synthetic nuclear localization signal was included to localize DsRed2 to the nuclei of cells, improving visualization (fluorescence) in larvae and adult mosquitoes.
The term “Recipient organism” refers to an organism (either already modified or non-modified) that was subjected to genetic modification, whereas “Parental organisms” refers to those that were involved in cross breeding or cell fusion.
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BCH-ORGA-SCBD-101472-4 Organism Aedes aegypti (Yellow fever mosquito, AEDAE)Insects
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Dominant lethal Aedes aegypti mosquito| Oxitec Limited | Changes in physiology and/or production (Reproduction), Changes in quality and/or metabolite content (Pigmentation / Coloration), Selectable marker genes and reporter genes
pOX5034
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- Microinjection
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Some of these genetic elements may be present as fragments or truncated forms. Please see notes below, where applicable.
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BCH-GENE-SCBD-105017-2 hr5 Transcriptional Enhancer | Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV)Promoter
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BCH-GENE-SCBD-105018-2 Immediate-early-1 gene promoter | Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV)Promoter
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BCH-GENE-SCBD-101476-6 DsRed2 Fluorescent Protein | Discosoma sp. (Coral anemones, Sea anemones)Protein coding sequence | Changes in quality and/or metabolite content (Pigmentation / Coloration)
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BCH-GENE-SCBD-115341-3 Scraps intron | Drosophila melanogaster (Common Fruit Fly)Intron
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BCH-GENE-SCBD-115342-4 Nuclear localization signalTransit signal
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BCH-GENE-SCBD-114748-3 SV40 poly-adenylation signal | Macaca mulatta polyomavirus 1 (SV40, Simian vacuolating virus 40, simian virus 40, Rhesus macaque polyomavirus)Terminator
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BCH-GENE-SCBD-101475-13 Tetracycline-controlled transactivator | Escherichia coli (ECOLX)Protein coding sequence | Conditional lethality
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BCH-GENE-SCBD-105038-4 Tetracycline Operator | Escherichia coli (ECOLX)Operator
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BCH-GENE-SCBD-115345-2 Ubiquitin | Drosophila melanogaster (Common Fruit Fly)Protein coding sequence | Regulation
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BCH-GENE-SCBD-115343-1 Sex-specific splicing module | Aedes aegypti (Yellow fever mosquito, AEDAE)Intron
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BCH-GENE-SCBD-103762-2 HSP70 minimal promoter | Drosophila melanogaster (Common Fruit Fly)Promoter
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BCH-GENE-SCBD-115246-2 piggyBac | Trichoplusia ni - Cabbage looper, Cabbage looper moth, Cabbage plusia, Common cabbage looper, Lettuce looperTransposon
The modified Aedes aegyptii contains two gene cassettes: a fluorescent marker (Discosoma sp. DsRed2) and a sex-specific lethality cassette (Escherichia coli tetracycline-controlled transactivator; tTAV)
Fluorescent marker
Transcription of the fluorescent marker commences from the Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus immediate-early-1 gene promoter and terminates at the Simian vacuolating virus 40 (SV40) poly-adenylation signal. The transcript initially contains a Drosophila melanogaster scraps intron, two synthetic nuclear localization signals (surrounding the DsRed2 sequence) and the Discosoma sp. DsRed2 fluorescent protein. The scraps intron improves mRNA stability and is required for translation of the protein, but is not expected to be included in the translated polypeptide. After splicing and translation, the nuclear localization signals allow DsRed2 to transit and accumulate in the nuclei of cells.
Sex-specific lethality
Transcription of the tTAV commences from the D. melanogaster heat shock protein 70 minimal promoter and terminates at the same SV40 poly-adenylation signal as the other genetic cassette. The transcript contains the Aedes aegypti sex-specific intron, D. melanogaster ubiquitin and tTAV. In females, splicing removes the sex-specific intron. The remaining transcript is translated to produce a poly-peptide containing ubiquitin and tTAV. Post-translation, ubiquitin is removed, leaving the functional tTAV. Ubiquitin is expected to enhance protein expression within insect cells. In males, splicing occurs from a further downstream site within the sex-specific splicing module. The resulting transcript then contains several stop codons upstream of ubiquitin and tTAV, which disrupt translation and thus prevents the production of the tTAV protein.
Transcriptional expression is also influenced by the tetracycline operator, which is adjacent to the tTAV cassette and acts as a repressible switch. In the presence of tetracycline, tTAV preferentially binds tetracycline rather than the operator sequences. Thus, transcription remains at a basal level and repressed. In the absence of tetracycline, tTAV binds the operator sequences and stimulates transcription, resulting in elevated levels of the tTAV protein.
Fluorescent marker
Transcription of the fluorescent marker commences from the Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus immediate-early-1 gene promoter and terminates at the Simian vacuolating virus 40 (SV40) poly-adenylation signal. The transcript initially contains a Drosophila melanogaster scraps intron, two synthetic nuclear localization signals (surrounding the DsRed2 sequence) and the Discosoma sp. DsRed2 fluorescent protein. The scraps intron improves mRNA stability and is required for translation of the protein, but is not expected to be included in the translated polypeptide. After splicing and translation, the nuclear localization signals allow DsRed2 to transit and accumulate in the nuclei of cells.
Sex-specific lethality
Transcription of the tTAV commences from the D. melanogaster heat shock protein 70 minimal promoter and terminates at the same SV40 poly-adenylation signal as the other genetic cassette. The transcript contains the Aedes aegypti sex-specific intron, D. melanogaster ubiquitin and tTAV. In females, splicing removes the sex-specific intron. The remaining transcript is translated to produce a poly-peptide containing ubiquitin and tTAV. Post-translation, ubiquitin is removed, leaving the functional tTAV. Ubiquitin is expected to enhance protein expression within insect cells. In males, splicing occurs from a further downstream site within the sex-specific splicing module. The resulting transcript then contains several stop codons upstream of ubiquitin and tTAV, which disrupt translation and thus prevents the production of the tTAV protein.
Transcriptional expression is also influenced by the tetracycline operator, which is adjacent to the tTAV cassette and acts as a repressible switch. In the presence of tetracycline, tTAV preferentially binds tetracycline rather than the operator sequences. Thus, transcription remains at a basal level and repressed. In the absence of tetracycline, tTAV binds the operator sequences and stimulates transcription, resulting in elevated levels of the tTAV protein.
EN
- Other (Biocontrol)
Modified mosquitoes can be detected by red fluorescence under UV light due to the presence of DsRed2 protein. Fluorescence is localized to the nuclei of cells.
Male mosquitoes contain insecticide-susceptibility genes, which are expected to dilute insecticide resistance in wild populations.
In Portuguese, the modified mosquito is known as "Aedes do Bem™".
EN
In Portuguese, the modified mosquito is known as "Aedes do Bem™".
| Record type | Field | Record(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Risk Assessment generated by an independent or non-regulatory process | Living modified organism(s) | 1 | |
