Open AccesswMel Wolbachia genome remains stable after 7 years in Australian Aedes aegypti field populations
Author(s) -
Kimberley R. Dainty,
Jane Hawkey,
Louise M. Judd,
Etiene Casagrande Pacidônio,
Johanna M. Duyvestyn,
Daniela Gonçalves,
Silk Yu Lin,
Tanya B O'Donnell,
Scott L. O’Neill,
Cameron P. Simmons,
Kathryn E. Holt,
Heather A. Flores
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
microbial genomics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.476
H-Index - 28
ISSN - 2057-5858
DOI - 10.1099/mgen.0.000641
Subject(s) - wolbachia , genome , biology , aedes aegypti , introgression , genetics , synteny , gene , cytoplasmic incompatibility , aedes , dengue fever , virology , ecology , larva
Infection of w Mel Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti imparts two signature features that enable its application for biocontrol of dengue. First, the susceptibility of mosquitoes to viruses such as dengue and Zika is reduced. Second, a reproductive manipulation is caused that enables w Mel introgression into wild-type mosquito populations. The long-term success of this method relies, in part, on evolution of the w Mel genome not compromising the critical features that make it an attractive biocontrol tool. This study compared the w Mel Wolbachia genome at the time of initial releases and 1–7 years post-release in Cairns, Australia. Our results show the w Mel genome remains highly conserved up to 7 years post-release in gene sequence, content, synteny and structure. This work suggests the w Mel genome is stable in its new mosquito host and, therefore, provides reassurance on the potential for w Mel to deliver long-term public-health impacts.