Nanos (nos) genes of the vector mosquitoes, Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti

A number of genetics-based strategies for the control of vector-borne diseases require the development of genetic drive systems for introgressing antipathogen effector genes into wild populations of insects. Modified transposons whose mobilization is controlled by the DNA elements of developmentally regulated genes offer a potential solution for introducing effector genes into mosquitoes. Such elements could exhibit sex-, stage- and species-specific transposition, thus mitigating some of the concerns associated with autonomous transposition. Hybridizations in situ show that the transcription products of the nanos orthologous genes of Anopheles gambiae (Anga nos), An. stephensi (Anst nos) and Aedes aegypti (Aeae nos) accumulate in developing oocytes in adult females and localize to the posterior pole in early embryos. These features make nos genes promising candidates for donating control sequences to modified transposons.