Gene Drive Strategy: Interference

Alleles of some genes enhance their transmission to the next generation by interfering with the development or viability of gametes or embryos  that do not contain the allele displaying gene drive.  There is a growing amount of knowledge about how these alleles affect their non-driving counterparts and it is clear that  multiple mechanisms have evolved.  When interference occurs during meiosis (cell division leading to the formation of gametes- sperm and egg) the resulting gene drive is often referred to as meiotic drive.  But interference can also occur after meiosis and results in a similar outcome – the preferential transmission of an allele over others.

The following short video graphically illustrates the interference strategy.

This video does not have audio.