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Singh C, Kumar R, Sehgal H, Bhati S, Singhal T, Gayacharan, Nimmy MS, Yadav R, Gupta SK, Abdallah NA, Hamwieh A, Kumar R. Unclasping potentials of genomics and gene editing in chickpea to fight climate change and global hunger threat. Front Genet 2023; 14:1085024. [PMID: 37144131 PMCID: PMC10153629 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1085024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomics and genome editing promise enormous opportunities for crop improvement and elementary research. Precise modification in the specific targeted location of a genome has profited over the unplanned insertional events which are generally accomplished employing unadventurous means of genetic modifications. The advent of new genome editing procedures viz; zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), homing endonucleases, transcription activator like effector nucleases (TALENs), Base Editors (BEs), and Primer Editors (PEs) enable molecular scientists to modulate gene expressions or create novel genes with high precision and efficiency. However, all these techniques are exorbitant and tedious since their prerequisites are difficult processes that necessitate protein engineering. Contrary to first generation genome modifying methods, CRISPR/Cas9 is simple to construct, and clones can hypothetically target several locations in the genome with different guide RNAs. Following the model of the application in crop with the help of the CRISPR/Cas9 module, various customized Cas9 cassettes have been cast off to advance mark discrimination and diminish random cuts. The present study discusses the progression in genome editing apparatuses, and their applications in chickpea crop development, scientific limitations, and future perspectives for biofortifying cytokinin dehydrogenase, nitrate reductase, superoxide dismutase to induce drought resistance, heat tolerance and higher yield in chickpea to encounter global climate change, hunger and nutritional threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charul Singh
- USBT, Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, India
| | - Ramesh Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad Prayagraj, Prayagraj, India
| | - Hansa Sehgal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Pilani, India
| | - Sharmista Bhati
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Tripti Singhal
- Division of Genetics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Gayacharan
- Division of Germplasm Evaluation, ICAR- National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, India
| | - M. S. Nimmy
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | | | - Aladdin Hamwieh
- The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rajendra Kumar
- Division of Genetics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
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Saini N, Nikalje GC, Zargar SM, Suprasanna P. Molecular insights into sensing, regulation and improving of heat tolerance in plants. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2022; 41:799-813. [PMID: 34676458 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-021-02793-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Climate-change-mediated increase in temperature extremes has become a threat to plant productivity. Heat stress-induced changes in growth pattern, sensitivity to pests, plant phonologies, flowering, shrinkage of maturity period, grain filling, and increased senescence result in significant yield losses. Heat stress triggers multitude of cellular, physiological and molecular responses in plants beginning from the early sensing followed by signal transduction, osmolyte synthesis, antioxidant defense, and heat stress-associated gene expression. Several genes and metabolites involved in heat perception and in the adaptation response have been isolated and characterized in plants. Heat stress responses are also regulated by the heat stress transcription factors (HSFs), miRNAs and transcriptional factors which together form another layer of regulatory circuit. With the availability of functionally validated candidate genes, transgenic approaches have been applied for developing heat-tolerant transgenic maize, tobacco and sweet potato. In this review, we present an account of molecular mechanisms of heat tolerance and discuss the current developments in genetic manipulation for heat tolerant crops for future sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nupur Saini
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vidyalaya, Raipur, 492012, India
| | - Ganesh Chandrakant Nikalje
- PG Department of Botany, Seva Sadan's R. K. Talreja College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Ulhasnagar, 421003, India.
| | - Sajad Majeed Zargar
- Proteomics Laboratory, Division of Plant Biotechnology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, 190019, India
| | - Penna Suprasanna
- Ex-Scientist, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400085, India.
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Piatek AA, Lenaghan SC, Neal Stewart C. Advanced editing of the nuclear and plastid genomes in plants. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2018; 273:42-49. [PMID: 29907308 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 02/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Genome editing is a powerful suite of technologies utilized in basic and applied plant research. Both nuclear and plastid genomes have been genetically engineered to alter traits in plants. While the most frequent molecular outcome of gene editing has been knockouts resulting in a simple deletion of an endogenous protein of interest from the host's proteome, new genes have been added to plant genomes and, in several instances, the sequence of endogenous genes have been targeted for a few coding changes. Targeted plant characteristics for genome editing range from single gene targets for agronomic input traits to metabolic pathways to endow novel plant function. In this paper, we review the fundamental approaches to editing nuclear and plastid genomes in plants with an emphasis on those utilizing synthetic biology. The differences between the eukaryotic-type nuclear genome and the prokaryotic-type plastid genome (plastome) in plants has profound consequences in the approaches employed to transform, edit, select transformants, and indeed, nearly all aspects of genetic engineering procedures. Thus, we will discuss the two genomes targeted for editing in plants, the toolbox used to make edits, along with strategies for future editing approaches to transform crop production and sustainability. While CRISPR/Cas9 is the current method of choice in editing nuclear genomes, the plastome is typically edited using homologous recombination approaches. A particularly promising synthetic biology approach is to replace the endogenous plastome with a 'synplastome' that is computationally designed, and synthesized and assembled in the lab, then installed into chloroplasts. The editing strategies, transformation methods, characteristics of the novel plant also affect how the genetically engineered plant may be governed and regulated. Each of these components and final products of gene editing affect the future of biotechnology and farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka A Piatek
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Scott C Lenaghan
- Department of Food Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA; Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - C Neal Stewart
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.
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Sattar MN, Iqbal Z, Tahir MN, Shahid MS, Khurshid M, Al-Khateeb AA, Al-Khateeb SA. CRISPR/Cas9: A Practical Approach in Date Palm Genome Editing. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:1469. [PMID: 28878801 PMCID: PMC5572371 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.01469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The genetic modifications through breeding of crop plants have long been used to improve the yield and quality. However, precise genome editing (GE) could be a very useful supplementary tool for improvement of crop plants by targeted genome modifications. Various GE techniques including ZFNs (zinc finger nucleases), TALENs (transcription activator-like effector nucleases), and most recently clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9)-based approaches have been successfully employed for various crop plants including fruit trees. CRISPR/Cas9-based approaches hold great potential in GE due to their simplicity, competency, and versatility over other GE techniques. However, to the best of our knowledge no such genetic improvement has ever been developed in date palm-an important fruit crop in Oasis agriculture. The applications of CRISPR/Cas9 can be a challenging task in date palm GE due to its large and complex genome, high rate of heterozygosity and outcrossing, in vitro regeneration and screening of mutants, high frequency of single-nucleotide polymorphism in the genome and ultimately genetic instability. In this review, we addressed the potential application of CRISPR/Cas9-based approaches in date palm GE to improve the sustainable date palm production. The availability of the date palm whole genome sequence has made it feasible to use CRISPR/Cas9 GE approach for genetic improvement in this species. Moreover, the future prospects of GE application in date palm are also addressed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad N. Sattar
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal UniversityAl-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zafar Iqbal
- Akhuwat-Faisalabad Institute of Research, Science and TechnologyFaisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad N. Tahir
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic EngineeringFaisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad S. Shahid
- Department of Crop Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos UniversityAl-Khoud, Oman
| | - Muhammad Khurshid
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of the PunjabLahore, Pakistan
| | - Abdullatif A. Al-Khateeb
- Plant Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal UniversityAl-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suliman A. Al-Khateeb
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal UniversityAl-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
- Ministry of Environment, Water and AgricultureRiyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Sundin GW, Wang N, Charkowski AO, Castiblanco LF, Jia H, Zhao Y. Perspectives on the Transition From Bacterial Phytopathogen Genomics Studies to Applications Enhancing Disease Management: From Promise to Practice. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2016; 106:1071-1082. [PMID: 27183301 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-03-16-0117-fi] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The advent of genomics has advanced science into a new era, providing a plethora of "toys" for researchers in many related and disparate fields. Genomics has also spawned many new fields, including proteomics and metabolomics, furthering our ability to gain a more comprehensive view of individual organisms and of interacting organisms. Genomic information of both bacterial pathogens and their hosts has provided the critical starting point in understanding the molecular bases of how pathogens disrupt host cells to cause disease. In addition, knowledge of the complete genome sequence of the pathogen provides a potentially broad slate of targets for the development of novel virulence inhibitors that are desperately needed for disease management. Regarding plant bacterial pathogens and disease management, the potential for utilizing genomics resources in the development of durable resistance is enhanced because of developing technologies that enable targeted modification of the host. Here, we summarize the role of genomics studies in furthering efforts to manage bacterial plant diseases and highlight novel genomics-enabled strategies heading down this path.
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Affiliation(s)
- George W Sundin
- First and fourth authors: Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing; second and fifth authors: Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida, Lake Alfred; third author: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; sixth author: Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Nian Wang
- First and fourth authors: Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing; second and fifth authors: Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida, Lake Alfred; third author: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; sixth author: Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Amy O Charkowski
- First and fourth authors: Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing; second and fifth authors: Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida, Lake Alfred; third author: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; sixth author: Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Luisa F Castiblanco
- First and fourth authors: Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing; second and fifth authors: Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida, Lake Alfred; third author: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; sixth author: Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Hongge Jia
- First and fourth authors: Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing; second and fifth authors: Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida, Lake Alfred; third author: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; sixth author: Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Youfu Zhao
- First and fourth authors: Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing; second and fifth authors: Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida, Lake Alfred; third author: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; sixth author: Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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Kamthan A, Chaudhuri A, Kamthan M, Datta A. Genetically modified (GM) crops: milestones and new advances in crop improvement. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2016; 129:1639-55. [PMID: 27381849 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-016-2747-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
New advances in crop genetic engineering can significantly pace up the development of genetically improved varieties with enhanced yield, nutrition and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Genetically modified (GM) crops can act as powerful complement to the crops produced by laborious and time consuming conventional breeding methods to meet the worldwide demand for quality foods. GM crops can help fight malnutrition due to enhanced yield, nutritional quality and increased resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses. However, several biosafety issues and public concerns are associated with cultivation of GM crops developed by transgenesis, i.e., introduction of genes from distantly related organism. To meet these concerns, researchers have developed alternative concepts of cisgenesis and intragenesis which involve transformation of plants with genetic material derived from the species itself or from closely related species capable of sexual hybridization, respectively. Recombinase technology aimed at site-specific integration of transgene can help to overcome limitations of traditional genetic engineering methods based on random integration of multiple copy of transgene into plant genome leading to gene silencing and unpredictable expression pattern. Besides, recently developed technology of genome editing using engineered nucleases, permit the modification or mutation of genes of interest without involving foreign DNA, and as a result, plants developed with this technology might be considered as non-transgenic genetically altered plants. This would open the doors for the development and commercialization of transgenic plants with superior phenotypes even in countries where GM crops are poorly accepted. This review is an attempt to summarize various past achievements of GM technology in crop improvement, recent progress and new advances in the field to develop improved varieties aimed for better consumer acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayushi Kamthan
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Abira Chaudhuri
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Mohan Kamthan
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
- Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, 226 001, India
| | - Asis Datta
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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Le DT, Chu HD, Le NQ. Improving Nutritional Quality of Plant Proteins Through Genetic Engineering. Curr Genomics 2016; 17:220-9. [PMID: 27252589 PMCID: PMC4869009 DOI: 10.2174/1389202917666160202215934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 05/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans and animals are unable to synthesize essential amino acids such as branch chain amino acids methionine (Met), lysine (Lys) and tryptophan (Trp). Therefore, these amino acids need to be supplied through the diets. Several essential amino acids are deficient or completely lacking among crops used for human food and animal feed. For example, soybean is deficient in Met; Lys and Trp are lacking in maize. In this mini review, we will first summarize the roles of essential amino acids in animal nutrition. Next, we will address the question: “What are the amino acids deficient in various plants and their biosynthesis pathways?” And: “What approaches are being used to improve the availability of essential amino acids in plants?” The potential targets for metabolic engineering will also be discussed, including what has already been done and what remains to be tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dung Tien Le
- National Key Laboratory of Plant and Cell Technology, Agricultural Genetics Institute, Vietnam Academy of Agricul-tural Science, Pham Van Dong Str., Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ha Duc Chu
- National Key Laboratory of Plant and Cell Technology, Agricultural Genetics Institute, Vietnam Academy of Agricul-tural Science, Pham Van Dong Str., Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ngoc Quynh Le
- National Key Laboratory of Plant and Cell Technology, Agricultural Genetics Institute, Vietnam Academy of Agricul-tural Science, Pham Van Dong Str., Hanoi, Vietnam
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Weeks DP, Spalding MH, Yang B. Use of designer nucleases for targeted gene and genome editing in plants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2016; 14:483-95. [PMID: 26261084 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2015] [Revised: 06/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The ability to efficiently inactivate or replace genes in model organisms allowed a rapid expansion of our understanding of many of the genetic, biochemical, molecular and cellular mechanisms that support life. With the advent of new techniques for manipulating genes and genomes that are applicable not only to single-celled organisms, but also to more complex organisms such as animals and plants, the speed with which scientists and biotechnologists can expand fundamental knowledge and apply that knowledge to improvements in medicine, industry and agriculture is set to expand in an exponential fashion. At the heart of these advancements will be the use of gene editing tools such as zinc finger nucleases, modified meganucleases, hybrid DNA/RNA oligonucleotides, TAL effector nucleases and modified CRISPR/Cas9. Each of these tools has the ability to precisely target one specific DNA sequence within a genome and (except for DNA/RNA oligonucleotides) to create a double-stranded DNA break. DNA repair to such breaks sometimes leads to gene knockouts or gene replacement by homologous recombination if exogenously supplied homologous DNA fragments are made available. Genome rearrangements are also possible to engineer. Creation and use of such genome rearrangements, gene knockouts and gene replacements by the plant science community is gaining significant momentum. To document some of this progress and to explore the technology's longer term potential, this review highlights present and future uses of designer nucleases to greatly expedite research with model plant systems and to engineer genes and genomes in major and minor crop species for enhanced food production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald P Weeks
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Martin H Spalding
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Bing Yang
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
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Abdallah NA, Prakash CS, McHughen AG. Genome editing for crop improvement: Challenges and opportunities. GM CROPS & FOOD 2015; 6:183-205. [PMID: 26930114 PMCID: PMC5033222 DOI: 10.1080/21645698.2015.1129937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Genome or gene editing includes several new techniques to help scientists precisely modify genome sequences. The techniques also enables us to alter the regulation of gene expression patterns in a pre-determined region and facilitates novel insights into the functional genomics of an organism. Emergence of genome editing has brought considerable excitement especially among agricultural scientists because of its simplicity, precision and power as it offers new opportunities to develop improved crop varieties with clear-cut addition of valuable traits or removal of undesirable traits. Research is underway to improve crop varieties with higher yields, strengthen stress tolerance, disease and pest resistance, decrease input costs, and increase nutritional value. Genome editing encompasses a wide variety of tools using either a site-specific recombinase (SSR) or a site-specific nuclease (SSN) system. Both systems require recognition of a known sequence. The SSN system generates single or double strand DNA breaks and activates endogenous DNA repair pathways. SSR technology, such as Cre/loxP and Flp/FRT mediated systems, are able to knockdown or knock-in genes in the genome of eukaryotes, depending on the orientation of the specific sites (loxP, FLP, etc.) flanking the target site. There are 4 main classes of SSN developed to cleave genomic sequences, mega-nucleases (homing endonuclease), zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcriptional activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and the CRISPR/Cas nuclease system (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR-associated protein). The recombinase mediated genome engineering depends on recombinase (sub-) family and target-site and induces high frequencies of homologous recombination. Improving crops with gene editing provides a range of options: by altering only a few nucleotides from billions found in the genomes of living cells, altering the full allele or by inserting a new gene in a targeted region of the genome. Due to its precision, gene editing is more precise than either conventional crop breeding methods or standard genetic engineering methods. Thus this technology is a very powerful tool that can be used toward securing the world's food supply. In addition to improving the nutritional value of crops, it is the most effective way to produce crops that can resist pests and thrive in tough climates. There are 3 types of modifications produced by genome editing; Type I includes altering a few nucleotides, Type II involves replacing an allele with a pre-existing one and Type III allows for the insertion of new gene(s) in predetermined regions in the genome. Because most genome-editing techniques can leave behind traces of DNA alterations evident in a small number of nucleotides, crops created through gene editing could avoid the stringent regulation procedures commonly associated with GM crop development. For this reason many scientists believe plants improved with the more precise gene editing techniques will be more acceptable to the public than transgenic plants. With genome editing comes the promise of new crops being developed more rapidly with a very low risk of off-target effects. It can be performed in any laboratory with any crop, even those that have complex genomes and are not easily bred using conventional methods.
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Voytas DF, Gao C. Precision genome engineering and agriculture: opportunities and regulatory challenges. PLoS Biol 2014; 12:e1001877. [PMID: 24915127 PMCID: PMC4051594 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant agriculture is poised at a technological inflection point. Recent advances in genome engineering make it possible to precisely alter DNA sequences in living cells, providing unprecedented control over a plant's genetic material. Potential future crops derived through genome engineering include those that better withstand pests, that have enhanced nutritional value, and that are able to grow on marginal lands. In many instances, crops with such traits will be created by altering only a few nucleotides among the billions that comprise plant genomes. As such, and with the appropriate regulatory structures in place, crops created through genome engineering might prove to be more acceptable to the public than plants that carry foreign DNA in their genomes. Public perception and the performance of the engineered crop varieties will determine the extent to which this powerful technology contributes towards securing the world's food supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F. Voytas
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development and Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DFV); (CG)
| | - Caixia Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (DFV); (CG)
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Jia H, Wang N. Targeted genome editing of sweet orange using Cas9/sgRNA. PLoS One 2014; 9:e93806. [PMID: 24710347 PMCID: PMC3977896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2013] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic modification, including plant breeding, has been widely used to improve crop yield and quality, as well as to increase disease resistance. Targeted genome engineering is expected to contribute significantly to future varietal improvement, and genome editing technologies using zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9/single guide RNA (sgRNA) have already been successfully used to genetically modify plants. However, to date, there has been no reported use of any of the current genome editing approaches in sweet orange, an important fruit crop. In this study, we first developed a novel tool, Xcc-facilitated agroinfiltration, for enhancing transient protein expression in sweet orange leaves. We then successfully employed Xcc-facilitated agroinfiltration to deliver Cas9, along with a synthetic sgRNA targeting the CsPDS gene, into sweet orange. DNA sequencing confirmed that the CsPDS gene was mutated at the target site in treated sweet orange leaves. The mutation rate using the Cas9/sgRNA system was approximately 3.2 to 3.9%. Off-target mutagenesis was not detected for CsPDS-related DNA sequences in our study. This is the first report of targeted genome modification in citrus using the Cas9/sgRNA system-a system that holds significant promise for the study of citrus gene function and for targeted genetic modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongge Jia
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, Florida, United States of America
| | - Nian Wang
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, Florida, United States of America
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