Molecular karyotyping of the 2La inversion in Anopheles gambiae.
The African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae is polymorphic for alternative arrangements on the left arm of chromosome 2 (2La and 2L+(a)) that are non-randomly distributed with respect to degree of aridity. Detailed studies on the ecological role of inversion 2La have been hindered by the technical demands of traditional karyotype analysis and by sex- and stage-specific limitations on the availability of polytene chromosomes favorable for analysis. Recent molecular characterization of both inversion breakpoints presented the opportunity to develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method for karyotype analysis. Here we report the development of this molecular diagnostic assay and the results of extensive field validation. When tested on 765 An. gambiae specimens sampled across Africa, the molecular approach compared favorably with traditional cytologic methods, correctly scoring > 94% of these specimens. By providing ready access to the 2La karyotype, this tool lays groundwork for future studies of the ecological genomics of this medically important species.
White
Bradley J
BJ
Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA. bwhite2@nd.edu
Santolamazza
Federica
F
Kamau
Luna
L
Pombi
Marco
M
Grushko
Olga
O
Mouline
Karine
K
Brengues
Cecile
C
Guelbeogo
Wamdaogo
W
Coulibaly
Mamadou
M
Kayondo
Jonathan K
JK
Sharakhov
Igor
I
Simard
Frederic
F
Petrarca
Vincenzo
V
Della Torre
Alessandra
A
Besansky
Nora J
NJ
D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000235:genetics*; D007446:Chromosome Inversion / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D017753:Ecosystem; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000235:genetics*; D007621:Karyotyping; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D004247:DNA