title: A maleness gene in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae.
abstract: 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.affiliation: The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK.
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Krzywinska
authors.affiliation: Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK. Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
authors.forename: Nathan J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Dennison
authors.affiliation: Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
authors.forename: Gareth J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Lycett
authors.affiliation: The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK. Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK. jaroslaw.krzywinski@pirbright.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jaroslaw
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krzywinski
mesh_terms: D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics; D000852:Anopheles / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D020868:Gene Silencing; D005804:Genes, Lethal; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000235:genetics*; D008288:Malaria / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D019849:Sex Determination Processes / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014998:Y Chromosome / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D019476:Insect Proteins