Germ-line transformation of the Mexican fruit fly.
Germ-line transformation of a major agricultural pest, the Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens Loew, Mexfly), was achieved using composite piggyBac transposable elements marked with green, yellow and red fluorescent proteins (CopGreen, PhiYFP and J-Red). We also investigated the possibility of generating transposon-free insertions, in order to address potential concerns relating to proposed field use of transgenic Mexfly. We describe a highly efficient method for transforming Mexfly, compare efficiency of piggyBac terminal sequences for transformation and also describe the derivation of a transposon-free insertion line. The development of an efficient transformation system for Mexfly holds great promise for improved applications of the sterile insect technique, a major component of the present control measures for this economically important pest species.
Condon
K C
KC
Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK.
Condon
G C
GC
Dafa'alla
T H
TH
Forrester
O T
OT
Phillips
C E
CE
Scaife
S
S
Alphey
L
L
D000818:Animals; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D005260:Female; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005854:Germ Cells; D008845:Microinjections; D010957:Plasmids; D033621:Tephritidae / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D014170:Transformation, Genetic
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D005819:Genetic Markers