title: Reinvestigation of an endogenous meiotic drive system in the mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).
abstract: We have initiated efforts to determine the molecular basis for the M(D) meiotic drive system in the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. The effect of the M(D) gene is a highly male-biased sex ratio, but varies depending on the frequency and sensitivity of a susceptible responder m(s) allele. The M(D) system has potential as a mechanism for driving trangenes for pathogen resistance into natural Ae. aegypti populations. Because all previously existing laboratory strains carrying the M(D) gene have been lost, we have selected for a new strain, T37, that carries a strong driver. Matings between T37 males and drive-susceptible m(s) females result in progeny with highly biased sex ratios, wherein only approximately 14.7% females are produced. We discuss the potential for identifying M(D) candidate genes based on comparisons with the well-described Drosophila melanogaster segregation distorter (SD) meiotic drive system and considerations for release of transgenic Ae. aegypti into natural populations where M(D) and insensitive m3 alleles are likely segregating.
authors.affiliation: Center for Tropical Disease Research and Training, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556-5645, USA.
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Dave D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Chadee
authors.forename: Douglas H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Severson
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics*; D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis / Q000502:physiology*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D012744:Sex Ratio