Engineered Antiviral Sensor Targets Infected Mosquitoes
Dalla Benetta E, López-Denman AJ, Li H, Masri RA, Brogan DJ, Bui M, Yang T, Li M, Dunn M, Klein MJ, Jackson S, Catalan K, Blasdell KR, Tng P, Antoshechkin I, Alphey LS, Paradkar PN, Akbari OS.
10.1101/2023.01.27.525922Abstract
Escalating vector disease burdens pose significant global health risks, so innovative tools for targeting mosquitoes are critical. We engineered an antiviral strategy termed REAPER (v R NA E xpression A ctivates P oisonous E ffector R ibonuclease) that leverages the programmable RNA-targeting capabilities of CRISPR Cas13 and its potent collateral activity. Akin to a stealthy Trojan Horse hiding in stealth awaiting the presence of its enemy, REAPER remains concealed within the mosquito until an infectious blood meal is up taken. Upon target viral RNA infection, REAPER activates, triggering programmed destruction of its target arbovirus such as chikungunya. Consequently, Cas13 mediated RNA targeting significantly reduces viral replication and its promiscuous collateral activity can even kill infected mosquitoes. This innovative REAPER technology adds to an arsenal of effective molecular genetic tools to combat mosquito virus transmission. One-Sentence Summary Engineered Cas13-based antiviral sensor kills infected mosquitoes upon activation from arbovirus infection.
Related peer-reviewed publication
Engineered Antiviral Sensor Targets Infected Mosquitoes. · DOI 10.1089/crispr.2023.0056