Genetic engineers in the UK have changed the genome of the Mediterranean fruit fly. Their genetic intervention can prevent the males from breeding viable offspring and could therefore be applied to combat one of the most troublesome pests for fruit-growers world-wide. Introducing genetically sterilised male fruit flies will contain reproduction rates of the fly.
Scientist Luke Alphey and colleagues from the University of Oxford reported their findings in Nature Biotechnology. They made the discovery using a protein which reacts on the antibiotic tretracycline. They implanted the gene for this protein, called tTA, into the fly genome. When the antibiotic is present, only small, harmless amounts of the tTA are produced. Without the antibiotic the genetically engineered flies produce a high, fatal concentration.
On pairing with a genetically changed male, an untreated female lays eggs, but the issue of these eggs is sterile. The genetically engineered insects could contribute to reducing fly numbers, Alphey is reported in the scientific periodical. So far the only alternative method of fruit fly sterilization had been by way of radiation, which jeopardizes the attractiveness of treated males. Males genetically sterilized as per the Oxford research and are able to compete with untreated males.
The Mediterranean fruit fly thrives on 250 different fruit nut and vegetable cultivars causing huge commercial and economic losses to growers.
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