BMC Biology (Apr 2025)

A self-limiting sterile insect technique alternative for Ceratitis capitata

  • Serafima Davydova,
  • Junru Liu,
  • Yiran Liu,
  • Kavya Prince,
  • Jonathan Mann,
  • Nikolay P. Kandul,
  • W. Evan Braswell,
  • Jackson Champer,
  • Omar S. Akbari,
  • Angela Meccariello

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02201-2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. 1
pp. 1 – 14

Abstract

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Abstract Background Genetic biocontrol systems have broad applications in population control of insects implicated in both disease spread and food security. Ceratitis capitata (the Mediterranean fruit fly), a major agricultural pest with a global distribution, is one of the appealing targets for such genetic control. Results In this study, we establish and characterise a novel split-CRISPR/Cas9 system we term Sex Conversion Induced by CRISPR (SCIC) in C. capitata. Using the white eye gene for toolkit selection we achieved up to 100% CRISPR/Cas9 efficiency, displaying the feasibility of C. capitata split-CRISPR/Cas9 systems using constitutive promoters. We then induce sex conversion by targeting the transformer gene in a SCIC approach aimed for SIT-mediated releases upon radiation-based sterilisation. Knock-out of transformer induced partial to full female-to-male sex conversion, with the remaining individuals all being intersex and sterile. SCIC population modelling shows a strong potential to outcompete traditional SIT, allowing for faster population elimination with fewer released sterile males. Conclusion Overall, we construct an appropriate CRISPR/Cas9 toolkit for the use in C capitata. Our results build the foundation for further genetic pest control methods in the species and related tephritid agricultural pests.

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