1
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Mattar CN, Chew WL, Lai PS. Embryo and fetal gene editing: Technical challenges and progress toward clinical applications. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101229. [PMID: 38533521 PMCID: PMC10963250 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Gene modification therapies (GMTs) are slowly but steadily making progress toward clinical application. As the majority of rare diseases have an identified genetic cause, and as rare diseases collectively affect 5% of the global population, it is increasingly important to devise gene correction strategies to address the root causes of the most devastating of these diseases and to provide access to these novel therapies to the most affected populations. The main barriers to providing greater access to GMTs continue to be the prohibitive cost of developing these novel drugs at clinically relevant doses, subtherapeutic effects, and toxicity related to the specific agents or high doses required. In vivo strategy and treating younger patients at an earlier course of their disease could lower these barriers. Although currently regarded as niche specialties, prenatal and preconception GMTs offer a robust solution to some of these barriers. Indeed, treating either the fetus or embryo benefits from economy of scale, targeting pre-pathological tissues in the fetus prior to full pathogenesis, or increasing the likelihood of complete tissue targeting by correcting pluripotent embryonic cells. Here, we review advances in embryo and fetal GMTs and discuss requirements for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Citra N.Z. Mattar
- Experimental Fetal Medicine Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block, Level 12, Singapore, Singapore 119228
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Health System, Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block, Level 12, Singapore, Singapore 119228
| | - Wei Leong Chew
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, 60 Biopolis St, Singapore, Singapore 138672
| | - Poh San Lai
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block, Level 12, Singapore, Singapore 119228
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2
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Duddy G, Courtis K, Horwood J, Olsen J, Horsler H, Hodgson T, Varsani-Brown S, Abdullah A, Denti L, Lane H, Delaqua F, Janzen J, Strom M, Rosewell I, Crawley K, Davies B. Donor template delivery by recombinant adeno-associated virus for the production of knock-in mice. BMC Biol 2024; 22:26. [PMID: 38302906 PMCID: PMC10836013 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01834-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability of recombinant adeno-associated virus to transduce preimplantation mouse embryos has led to the use of this delivery method for the production of genetically altered knock-in mice via CRISPR-Cas9. The potential exists for this method to simplify the production and extend the types of alleles that can be generated directly in the zygote, obviating the need for manipulations of the mouse genome via the embryonic stem cell route. RESULTS We present the production data from a total of 13 genetically altered knock-in mouse models generated using CRISPR-Cas9 electroporation of zygotes and delivery of donor repair templates via transduction with recombinant adeno-associated virus. We explore the efficiency of gene targeting at a total of 12 independent genetic loci and explore the effects of allele complexity and introduce strategies for efficient identification of founder animals. In addition, we investigate the reliability of germline transmission of the engineered allele from founder mice generated using this methodology. By comparing our production data against genetically altered knock-in mice generated via gene targeting in embryonic stem cells and their microinjection into blastocysts, we assess the animal cost of the two methods. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm that recombinant adeno-associated virus transduction of zygotes provides a robust and effective delivery route for donor templates for the production of knock-in mice, across a range of insertion sizes (0.9-4.7 kb). We find that the animal cost of this method is considerably less than generating knock-in models via embryonic stem cells and thus constitutes a considerable 3Rs reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham Duddy
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | | | | | - Jessica Olsen
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Helen Horsler
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Tina Hodgson
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | | | | | - Laura Denti
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Hollie Lane
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Fabio Delaqua
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Julia Janzen
- Transnetyx Inc, 8110 Cordova Rd. Suite 119, Cordova, TN, 38016, USA
| | - Molly Strom
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Ian Rosewell
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | | | - Benjamin Davies
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
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3
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Bruter AV, Varlamova EA, Okulova YD, Tatarskiy VV, Silaeva YY, Filatov MA. Genetically modified mice as a tool for the study of human diseases. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:135. [PMID: 38236499 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09066-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Modeling a human disease is an essential part of biomedical research. The recent advances in the field of molecular genetics made it possible to obtain genetically modified animals for the study of various diseases. Not only monogenic disorders but also chromosomal and multifactorial disorders can be mimicked in lab animals due to genetic modification. Even human infectious diseases can be studied in genetically modified animals. An animal model of a disease enables the tracking of its pathogenesis and, more importantly, to test new therapies. In the first part of this paper, we review the most common DNA modification technologies and provide key ideas on specific technology choices according to the task at hand. In the second part, we focus on the application of genetically modified mice in studying human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra V Bruter
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 119334
- Federal State Budgetary Institution "National Medical Research Center of Oncology Named After N.N. Blokhin" of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Research Institute of Carcinogenesis, Moscow, Russia, 115478
| | - Ekaterina A Varlamova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 119334
- Federal State Budgetary Institution "National Medical Research Center of Oncology Named After N.N. Blokhin" of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Research Institute of Carcinogenesis, Moscow, Russia, 115478
| | - Yulia D Okulova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 119334
| | - Victor V Tatarskiy
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 119334
| | - Yulia Y Silaeva
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 119334
| | - Maxim A Filatov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 119334.
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4
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Groza T, Gomez FL, Mashhadi HH, Muñoz-Fuentes V, Gunes O, Wilson R, Cacheiro P, Frost A, Keskivali-Bond P, Vardal B, McCoy A, Cheng TK, Santos L, Wells S, Smedley D, Mallon AM, Parkinson H. The International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium: comprehensive knockout phenotyping underpinning the study of human disease. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:D1038-D1045. [PMID: 36305825 PMCID: PMC9825559 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 120.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC; https://www.mousephenotype.org/) web portal makes available curated, integrated and analysed knockout mouse phenotyping data generated by the IMPC project consisting of 85M data points and over 95,000 statistically significant phenotype hits mapped to human diseases. The IMPC portal delivers a substantial reference dataset that supports the enrichment of various domain-specific projects and databases, as well as the wider research and clinical community, where the IMPC genotype-phenotype knowledge contributes to the molecular diagnosis of patients affected by rare disorders. Data from 9,000 mouse lines and 750 000 images provides vital resources enabling the interpretation of the ignorome, and advancing our knowledge on mammalian gene function and the mechanisms underlying phenotypes associated with human diseases. The resource is widely integrated and the lines have been used in over 4,600 publications indicating the value of the data and the materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tudor Groza
- European Bioinformatics Institute, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Welcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Federico Lopez Gomez
- European Bioinformatics Institute, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Welcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Hamed Haseli Mashhadi
- European Bioinformatics Institute, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Welcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Violeta Muñoz-Fuentes
- European Bioinformatics Institute, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Welcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Osman Gunes
- European Bioinformatics Institute, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Welcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Robert Wilson
- European Bioinformatics Institute, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Welcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Pilar Cacheiro
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Anthony Frost
- Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell, Harwell Campus OX11 7UE, UK
| | | | - Bora Vardal
- Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell, Harwell Campus OX11 7UE, UK
| | - Aaron McCoy
- Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell, Harwell Campus OX11 7UE, UK
| | - Tsz Kwan Cheng
- Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell, Harwell Campus OX11 7UE, UK
| | - Luis Santos
- Research Data Team, The Turing Institute, 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB, UK
| | - Sara Wells
- Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell, Harwell Campus OX11 7UE, UK
| | - Damian Smedley
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Ann-Marie Mallon
- Research Data Team, The Turing Institute, 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB, UK
| | - Helen Parkinson
- European Bioinformatics Institute, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Welcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SD, UK
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Chenouard V, Remy S, Tesson L, Ménoret S, Ouisse LH, Cherifi Y, Anegon I. Advances in Genome Editing and Application to the Generation of Genetically Modified Rat Models. Front Genet 2021; 12:615491. [PMID: 33959146 PMCID: PMC8093876 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.615491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The rat has been extensively used as a small animal model. Many genetically engineered rat models have emerged in the last two decades, and the advent of gene-specific nucleases has accelerated their generation in recent years. This review covers the techniques and advances used to generate genetically engineered rat lines and their application to the development of rat models more broadly, such as conditional knockouts and reporter gene strains. In addition, genome-editing techniques that remain to be explored in the rat are discussed. The review also focuses more particularly on two areas in which extensive work has been done: human genetic diseases and immune system analysis. Models are thoroughly described in these two areas and highlight the competitive advantages of rat models over available corresponding mouse versions. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive description of the advantages and potential of rat models for addressing specific scientific questions and to characterize the best genome-engineering tools for developing new projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Chenouard
- CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- genOway, Lyon, France
| | - Séverine Remy
- CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Laurent Tesson
- CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Séverine Ménoret
- CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, SFR Santé, Inserm UMS 016, CNRS UMS 3556, Nantes Université, Nantes, France
| | - Laure-Hélène Ouisse
- CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | | | - Ignacio Anegon
- CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
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6
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Yuan M, Zhang J, Gao Y, Yuan Z, Zhu Z, Wei Y, Wu T, Han J, Zhang Y. HMEJ-based safe-harbor genome editing enables efficient generation of cattle with increased resistance to tuberculosis. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100497. [PMID: 33675752 PMCID: PMC8038940 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas9 system has been used in a wide range of applications in the production of gene-edited animals and plants. Most efforts to insert genes have relied on homology-directed repair (HDR)-mediated integration, but this strategy remains inefficient for the production of gene-edited livestock, especially monotocous species such as cattle. Although efforts have been made to improve HDR efficiency, other strategies have also been proposed to circumvent these challenges. Here we demonstrate that a homology-mediated end-joining (HMEJ)-based method can be used to create gene-edited cattle that displays precise integration of a functional gene at the ROSA26 locus. We found that the HMEJ-based method increased the knock-in efficiency of reporter genes by eightfold relative to the traditional HDR-based method in bovine fetal fibroblasts. Moreover, we identified the bovine homology of the mouse Rosa26 locus that is an accepted genomic safe harbor and produced three live-born gene-edited cattle with higher rates of pregnancy and birth, compared with previous work. These gene-edited cattle exhibited predictable expression of the functional gene natural resistance-associated macrophage protein-1 (NRAMP1), a metal ion transporter that should and, in our experiments does, increase resistance to bovine tuberculosis, one of the most detrimental zoonotic diseases. This research contributes to the establishment of a safe and efficient genome editing system and provides insights for gene-edited animal breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengke Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jingcheng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuanpeng Gao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zikun Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhenliang Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yongke Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Teng Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jing Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
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7
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Abstract
CRISPR /Cas9 is a powerful technology that has transformed gene editing of mammalian genomes, being faster and more cost-effective than standard gene targeting techniques. In this chapter, we provide a step-by-step protocol to obtain Knock-Out (KO ) or Knock-In (KI ) mouse models using CRISPR /Cas9 technology. Detailed instructions for the design of single guide RNAs (sgRNA ) for KO approaches and single-strand oligonucleotide (ssODN ) matrix for generation of KI animals are included. We also describe two independent CRISPR /Cas9 delivery methods to produce gene-edited animals starting from zygote-stage embryos, based either on cytoplasmic injection or electroporation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima El Marjou
- Cell Migration and Invasion Group, Department of Cell Biology, UMR144, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
| | - Colin Jouhanneau
- Institut Curie Plateforme d'Expérimentation In Vivo, Université Paris-Sud 11, Orsay, France
| | - Denis Krndija
- Cell Migration and Invasion Group, Department of Cell Biology, UMR144, Institut Curie, Paris, France
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8
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CRISPR FokI Dead Cas9 System: Principles and Applications in Genome Engineering. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112518. [PMID: 33233344 PMCID: PMC7700487 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of the robust clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) associated endonuclease (Cas9) system gene-editing tool has opened up a wide range of potential therapeutic applications that were restricted by more complex tools, including zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). Nevertheless, the high frequency of CRISPR system off-target activity still limits its applications, and, thus, advanced strategies for highly specific CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing are continuously under development including CRISPR–FokI dead Cas9 (fdCas9). fdCas9 system is derived from linking a FokI endonuclease catalytic domain to an inactive Cas9 protein and requires a pair of guide sgRNAs that bind to the sense and antisense strands of the DNA in a protospacer adjacent motif (PAM)-out orientation, with a defined spacer sequence range around the target site. The dimerization of FokI domains generates DNA double-strand breaks, which activates the DNA repair machinery and results in genomic edit. So far, all the engineered fdCas9 variants have shown promising gene-editing activities in human cells when compared to other platforms. Herein, we review the advantages of all published variants of fdCas9 and their current applications in genome engineering.
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9
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Huang Y, Ding Y, Liu Y, Zhou S, Ding Q, Yan H, Ma B, Zhao X, Wang X, Chen Y. Optimisation of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 : single-guide RNA (sgRNA) delivery system in a goat model. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 31:1533-1537. [PMID: 31079595 DOI: 10.1071/rd18485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system is an efficient method for the production of gene-edited animals. We have successfully generated gene-modified goats and sheep via zygote injection of Cas9 mRNA and single-guide RNA (sgRNA) mixtures. However, the delivery system for microinjection largely refers to methods established for mice; optimised injection conditions are urgently required for the generation of large animals. Here, we designed a study to optimise the Cas9 mRNA and sgRNA delivery system for goats. By comparing four computational tools for sgRNA design and validating the targeting efficiency in goat fibroblasts, we suggest a protocol for the selection of desirable sgRNAs with higher targeting efficiency and negligible off-target mutations. We further evaluated the editing efficiency in goat zygotes injected with Cas9:sgRNA (sg8) and found that injection with 50ngμL-1 Cas9 mRNA and 25ngμL-1 sgRNA yielded an increased editing efficiency. Our results provide a reference protocol for the optimisation of the injection conditions for the efficient editing of large animal genomes via the zygote injection approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; and Biomanufacturing Engineering Laboratory, Advanced Manufacturing Division, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yige Ding
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Shiwei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Qiang Ding
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Hailong Yan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Baohua Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Xiaoe Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yulin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; and Corresponding author.
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10
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Abstract
A transgenic mouse carries within its genome an artificial DNA construct (transgene) that is deliberately introduced by an experimentalist. These animals are widely used to understand gene function and protein function. When addressing the history of transgenic mouse technology, it is apparent that a number of basic science research areas laid the groundwork for success. These include reproductive science, genetics and molecular biology, and micromanipulation and microscopy equipment. From reproductive physiology came applications on how to optimize mouse breeding, how to superovulate mice to produce zygotes for DNA microinjection or preimplantation embryos for combination with embryonic stem (ES) cells, and how to return zygotes and embryos to a pseudopregnant surrogate dam for gestation and birth. From developmental biology, it was learned how to micromanipulate embryos for morula aggregation and blastocyst microinjection and how to establish germline competent ES cells. From genetics came the foundational principles governing the inheritance of genes, the interactions of gene products, and an understanding of the phenotypic consequences of genetic mutations. From molecular biology came a panoply of tools and reagents that are used to clone DNA transgenes, to detect the presence of transgenes, to assess gene expression by measuring transcription, and to detect proteins in cells and tissues. Technical advances in light microscopes, micromanipulators, micropipette pullers, and ancillary equipment made it possible for experimentalists to insert thin glass needles into zygotes or embryos under controlled conditions to inject DNA solutions or ES cells. To fully discuss the breadth of contributions of these numerous scientific disciplines to a comprehensive history of transgenic science is beyond the scope of this work. Examples will be used to illustrate scientific developments central to the foundation of transgenic technology and that are in use today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas L Saunders
- Transgenic Animal Model Core, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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11
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Dumeau CE, Monfort A, Kissling L, Swarts DC, Jinek M, Wutz A. Introducing gene deletions by mouse zygote electroporation of Cas12a/Cpf1. Transgenic Res 2019; 28:525-535. [PMID: 31482512 PMCID: PMC6848045 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-019-00168-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-associated (Cas) nucleases are established tools for engineering of animal genomes. These programmable RNA-guided nucleases have been introduced into zygotes using expression vectors, mRNA, or directly as ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes by different delivery methods. Whereas microinjection techniques are well established, more recently developed electroporation methods simplify RNP delivery but can provide less consistent efficiency. Previously, we have designed Cas12a-crRNA pairs to introduce large genomic deletions in the Ubn1, Ubn2, and Rbm12 genes in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC). Here, we have optimized the conditions for electroporation of the same Cas12a RNP pairs into mouse zygotes. Using our protocol, large genomic deletions can be generated efficiently by electroporation of zygotes with or without an intact zona pellucida. Electroporation of as few as ten zygotes is sufficient to obtain a gene deletion in mice suggesting potential applicability of this method for species with limited availability of zygotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles-Etienne Dumeau
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Asun Monfort
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Kissling
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daan C Swarts
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Jinek
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anton Wutz
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland.
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12
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Hook M, Roy S, Williams EG, Bou Sleiman M, Mozhui K, Nelson JF, Lu L, Auwerx J, Williams RW. Genetic cartography of longevity in humans and mice: Current landscape and horizons. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2018; 1864:2718-2732. [PMID: 29410319 PMCID: PMC6066442 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Aging is a complex and highly variable process. Heritability of longevity among humans and other species is low, and this finding has given rise to the idea that it may be futile to search for DNA variants that modulate aging. We argue that the problem in mapping longevity genes is mainly one of low power and the genetic and environmental complexity of aging. In this review we highlight progress made in mapping genes and molecular networks associated with longevity, paying special attention to work in mice and humans. We summarize 40 years of linkage studies using murine cohorts and 15 years of studies in human populations that have exploited candidate gene and genome-wide association methods. A small but growing number of gene variants contribute to known longevity mechanisms, but a much larger set have unknown functions. We outline these and other challenges and suggest some possible solutions, including more intense collaboration between research communities that use model organisms and human cohorts. Once hundreds of gene variants have been linked to differences in longevity in mammals, it will become feasible to systematically explore gene-by-environmental interactions, dissect mechanisms with more assurance, and evaluate the roles of epistasis and epigenetics in aging. A deeper understanding of complex networks-genetic, cellular, physiological, and social-should position us well to improve healthspan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hook
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Suheeta Roy
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Evan G Williams
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich CH-8093, Switzerland
| | - Maroun Bou Sleiman
- Interfaculty Institute of Bioengineering, Laboratory of Integrative and Systems Physiology, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Khyobeni Mozhui
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - James F Nelson
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology and Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Lu Lu
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Johan Auwerx
- Interfaculty Institute of Bioengineering, Laboratory of Integrative and Systems Physiology, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Robert W Williams
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
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13
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Lanza DG, Gaspero A, Lorenzo I, Liao L, Zheng P, Wang Y, Deng Y, Cheng C, Zhang C, Seavitt JR, DeMayo FJ, Xu J, Dickinson ME, Beaudet AL, Heaney JD. Comparative analysis of single-stranded DNA donors to generate conditional null mouse alleles. BMC Biol 2018; 16:69. [PMID: 29925370 PMCID: PMC6011517 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-018-0529-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium is generating null allele mice for every protein-coding gene in the genome and characterizing these mice to identify gene-phenotype associations. While CRISPR/Cas9-mediated null allele production in mice is highly efficient, generation of conditional alleles has proven to be more difficult. To test the feasibility of using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to generate conditional knockout mice for this large-scale resource, we employed Cas9-initiated homology-driven repair (HDR) with short and long single stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODNs and lssDNAs). RESULTS Using pairs of single guide RNAs and short ssODNs to introduce loxP sites around a critical exon or exons, we obtained putative conditional allele founder mice, harboring both loxP sites, for 23 out of 30 targeted genes. LoxP sites integrated in cis in at least one mouse for 18 of 23 genes. However, loxP sites were mutagenized in 4 of the 18 in cis lines. HDR efficiency correlated with Cas9 cutting efficiency but was minimally influenced by ssODN homology arm symmetry. By contrast, using pairs of guides and single lssDNAs to introduce loxP-flanked exons, conditional allele founders were generated for all four genes targeted, although one founder was found to harbor undesired mutations within the lssDNA sequence interval. Importantly, when employing either ssODNs or lssDNAs, random integration events were detected. CONCLUSIONS Our studies demonstrate that Cas9-mediated HDR with pairs of ssODNs can generate conditional null alleles at many loci, but reveal inefficiencies when applied at scale. In contrast, lssDNAs are amenable to high-throughput production of conditional alleles when they can be employed. Regardless of the single-stranded donor utilized, it is essential to screen for sequence errors at sites of HDR and random insertion of donor sequences into the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise G Lanza
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, MS BCM225, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Mouse ES Cell Core, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Angelina Gaspero
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, MS BCM225, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Isabel Lorenzo
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, MS BCM225, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Mouse ES Cell Core, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Lan Liao
- Department of Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Genetically Engineered Mouse Core, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ping Zheng
- Mouse ES Cell Core, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ying Wang
- Mouse ES Cell Core, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yu Deng
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Chonghui Cheng
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, MS BCM225, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Chuansheng Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - John R Seavitt
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, MS BCM225, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Francesco J DeMayo
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Jianming Xu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Genetically Engineered Mouse Core, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Mary E Dickinson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Arthur L Beaudet
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, MS BCM225, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jason D Heaney
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, MS BCM225, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Mouse ES Cell Core, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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14
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Modzelewski AJ, Chen S, Willis BJ, Lloyd KCK, Wood JA, He L. Efficient mouse genome engineering by CRISPR-EZ technology. Nat Protoc 2018; 13:1253-1274. [PMID: 29748649 PMCID: PMC6296855 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2018.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 technology has transformed mouse genome editing with unprecedented precision, efficiency, and ease; however, the current practice of microinjecting CRISPR reagents into pronuclear-stage embryos remains rate-limiting. We thus developed CRISPR ribonucleoprotein (RNP) electroporation of zygotes (CRISPR-EZ), an electroporation-based technology that outperforms pronuclear and cytoplasmic microinjection in efficiency, simplicity, cost, and throughput. In C57BL/6J and C57BL/6N mouse strains, CRISPR-EZ achieves 100% delivery of Cas9/single-guide RNA (sgRNA) RNPs, facilitating indel mutations (insertions or deletions), exon deletions, point mutations, and small insertions. In a side-by-side comparison in the high-throughput KnockOut Mouse Project (KOMP) pipeline, CRISPR-EZ consistently outperformed microinjection. Here, we provide an optimized protocol covering sgRNA synthesis, embryo collection, RNP electroporation, mouse generation, and genotyping strategies. Using CRISPR-EZ, a graduate-level researcher with basic embryo-manipulation skills can obtain genetically modified mice in 6 weeks. Altogether, CRISPR-EZ is a simple, economic, efficient, and high-throughput technology that is potentially applicable to other mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Modzelewski
- Division of Cellular and Developmental Biology, MCB department, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94705, USA
| | - Sean Chen
- Division of Cellular and Developmental Biology, MCB department, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94705, USA
| | - Brandon J. Willis
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - K C Kent Lloyd
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Joshua A. Wood
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Lin He
- Division of Cellular and Developmental Biology, MCB department, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94705, USA
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15
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Midic U, Hung PH, Vincent KA, Goheen B, Schupp PG, Chen DD, Bauer DE, VandeVoort CA, Latham KE. Quantitative assessment of timing, efficiency, specificity and genetic mosaicism of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of hemoglobin beta gene in rhesus monkey embryos. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 26:2678-2689. [PMID: 28444193 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene editing technologies offer new options for developing novel biomedical research models and for gene and stem cell based therapies. However, applications in many species demand high efficiencies, specificity, and a thorough understanding of likely editing outcomes. To date, overall efficiencies, rates of off-targeting and degree of genetic mosaicism have not been well-characterized for most species, limiting our ability to optimize methods. As a model gene for measuring these parameters of the CRISPR/Cas9 application in a primate species (rhesus monkey), we selected the β-hemoglobin gene (HBB), which also has high relevance to the potential application of gene editing and stem-cell technologies for treating human disease. Our data demonstrate an ability to achieve a high efficiency of gene editing in rhesus monkey zygotes, with no detected off-target effects at selected off-target loci. Considerable genetic mosaicism and variation in the fraction of embryonic cells bearing targeted alleles are observed, and the timing of editing events is revealed using a new model. The uses of Cas9-WT protein combined with optimized concentrations of sgRNAs are two likely areas for further refinement to enhance efficiency while limiting unfavorable outcomes that can be exceedingly costly for application of gene editing in primate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uros Midic
- Department of Animal Science, and Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Pei-Hsuan Hung
- California National Primate Research Center and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kailey A Vincent
- Department of Animal Science, and Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Benjamin Goheen
- Department of Animal Science, and Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Patrick G Schupp
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Diane D Chen
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel E Bauer
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Catherine A VandeVoort
- California National Primate Research Center and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Keith E Latham
- Department of Animal Science, and Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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16
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Hamra FK, Richie CT, Harvey BK. Long Evans rat spermatogonial lines are effective germline vectors for transgenic rat production. Transgenic Res 2017; 26:477-489. [PMID: 28608322 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-017-0025-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Long Evans rat strains are applied as research models in a broad spectrum of biomedical fields (>15,800 citations, NCBI PubMed). Here, we report an approach to genetically modify the Long Evans rat germline in donor spermatogonial stem cells. Long Evans rat spermatogonial lines were derived from freshly isolated laminin-binding spermatogonia. Laminin-binding spermatogonia were cultured over multiple passages on fibroblast feeder layers in serum-free culture medium containing GDNF and FGF2. Long Evans rat spermatogonial lines were genetically modified by transposon transduction to express a germline, tdTomato reporter gene. Donor rat spermatogonial lines robustly regenerated spermatogenesis after transplantation into testes of busulfan-treated, allogenic, Long Evans rats. Donor-derived spermatogenesis largely restored testis size in the chemically sterilized, recipient Long Evans rats. Recipient Long Evans rats stably transmitted the tdTomato germline marker to subsequent generations. Overall, Long Evans rat spermatogonial lines provided effective donor germline vectors for genetically modifying Long Evans rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Kent Hamra
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390, USA. .,Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
| | - Christopher T Richie
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Brandon K Harvey
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
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17
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Quadros RM, Miura H, Harms DW, Akatsuka H, Sato T, Aida T, Redder R, Richardson GP, Inagaki Y, Sakai D, Buckley SM, Seshacharyulu P, Batra SK, Behlke MA, Zeiner SA, Jacobi AM, Izu Y, Thoreson WB, Urness LD, Mansour SL, Ohtsuka M, Gurumurthy CB. Easi-CRISPR: a robust method for one-step generation of mice carrying conditional and insertion alleles using long ssDNA donors and CRISPR ribonucleoproteins. Genome Biol 2017; 18:92. [PMID: 28511701 PMCID: PMC5434640 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-017-1220-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 299] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conditional knockout mice and transgenic mice expressing recombinases, reporters, and inducible transcriptional activators are key for many genetic studies and comprise over 90% of mouse models created. Conditional knockout mice are generated using labor-intensive methods of homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells and are available for only ~25% of all mouse genes. Transgenic mice generated by random genomic insertion approaches pose problems of unreliable expression, and thus there is a need for targeted-insertion models. Although CRISPR-based strategies were reported to create conditional and targeted-insertion alleles via one-step delivery of targeting components directly to zygotes, these strategies are quite inefficient. RESULTS Here we describe Easi-CRISPR (Efficient additions with ssDNA inserts-CRISPR), a targeting strategy in which long single-stranded DNA donors are injected with pre-assembled crRNA + tracrRNA + Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (ctRNP) complexes into mouse zygotes. We show for over a dozen loci that Easi-CRISPR generates correctly targeted conditional and insertion alleles in 8.5-100% of the resulting live offspring. CONCLUSIONS Easi-CRISPR solves the major problem of animal genome engineering, namely the inefficiency of targeted DNA cassette insertion. The approach is robust, succeeding for all tested loci. It is versatile, generating both conditional and targeted insertion alleles. Finally, it is highly efficient, as treating an average of only 50 zygotes is sufficient to produce a correctly targeted allele in up to 100% of live offspring. Thus, Easi-CRISPR offers a comprehensive means of building large-scale Cre-LoxP animal resources.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
- DNA, Single-Stranded/genetics
- DNA, Single-Stranded/metabolism
- Endonucleases/genetics
- Endonucleases/metabolism
- Founder Effect
- Gene Editing/methods
- Genes, Reporter
- Genetic Loci
- Integrases/genetics
- Integrases/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic/genetics
- Mice, Transgenic/growth & development
- Microinjections
- Mutagenesis, Insertional/methods
- RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics
- RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/metabolism
- Recombinational DNA Repair
- Ribonucleoproteins/genetics
- Ribonucleoproteins/metabolism
- Zygote/growth & development
- Zygote/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolen M Quadros
- Mouse Genome Engineering Core Facility, Vice Chancellor for Research Office, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Hiromi Miura
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
- Center for Matrix Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokai University, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
| | - Donald W Harms
- Mouse Genome Engineering Core Facility, Vice Chancellor for Research Office, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Hisako Akatsuka
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
- Department of Host Defense Mechanism, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
| | - Takehito Sato
- Department of Host Defense Mechanism, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
| | - Tomomi Aida
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Medical Research Institute (MRI), Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
- Laboratory of Recombinant Animals, MRI, TMDU, 2-3-10, 2-3-10, Surugadai, Kanda, Chiyoda, Tokyo, 101-0062, Japan
- Present address: McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Ronald Redder
- High-Throughput DNA Sequencing and Genotyping Core Facility, Vice Chancellor for Research Office, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Guy P Richardson
- Sussex Neuroscience, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Yutaka Inagaki
- Center for Matrix Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokai University, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokai University, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sakai
- The Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokai University, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan
| | - Shannon M Buckley
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Disease, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Disease, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Mark A Behlke
- Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., Coralville, IA, 52241, USA
| | - Sarah A Zeiner
- Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., Coralville, IA, 52241, USA
| | - Ashley M Jacobi
- Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., Coralville, IA, 52241, USA
| | - Yayoi Izu
- Department of Animal Risk Management, Chiba Institute of Science, 3 Shiomi-cho, Choshi, Chiba, 288-0025, Japan
| | - Wallace B Thoreson
- Truhlsen Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Lisa D Urness
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Suzanne L Mansour
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
| | - Masato Ohtsuka
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan.
- Center for Matrix Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokai University, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan.
- The Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokai University, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan.
| | - Channabasavaiah B Gurumurthy
- Mouse Genome Engineering Core Facility, Vice Chancellor for Research Office, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Developmental Neuroscience, Munroe Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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