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Freitas-Alves NS, Moreira-Pinto CE, Távora FTPK, Paes-de-Melo B, Arraes FBM, Lourenço-Tessutti IT, Moura SM, Oliveira AC, Morgante CV, Qi Y, Fatima Grossi-de-Sa M. CRISPR/Cas genome editing in soybean: challenges and new insights to overcome existing bottlenecks. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00367-9. [PMID: 39163906 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soybean is a worldwide-cultivated crop due to its applications in the food, feed, and biodiesel industries. Genome editing in soybean began with ZFN and TALEN technologies; however, CRISPR/Cas has emerged and shortly became the preferable approach for soybean genome manipulation since it is more precise, easy to handle, and cost-effective. Recent reports have focused on the conventional Cas9 nuclease, Cas9 nickase (nCas9) derived base editors, and Cas12a (formally Cpf1) as the most commonly used genome editors in soybean. Nonetheless, several challenges in the complex plant genetic engineering pipeline need to be overcome to effectively edit the genome of an elite soybean cultivar. These challenges include (1) optimizing CRISPR cassette design (i.e., gRNA and Cas promoters, gRNA design and testing, number of gRNAs, and binary vector), (2) improving transformation frequency, (3) increasing the editing efficiency ratio of targeted plant cells, and (4) improving soybean crop production. AIM OF REVIEW This review provides an overview of soybean genome editing using CRISPR/Cas technology, discusses current challenges, and highlights theoretical (insights) and practical suggestions to overcome the existing bottlenecks. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW The CRISPR/Cas system was discovered as part of the bacterial innate immune system. It has been used as a biotechnological tool for genome editing and efficiently applied in soybean to unveil gene function, improve agronomic traits such as yield and nutritional grain quality, and enhance biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. To date, the efficiency of gRNAs has been validated using protoplasts and hairy root assays, while stable plant transformation relies on Agrobacterium-mediated and particle bombardment methods. Nevertheless, most steps of the CRISPR/Cas workflow require optimizations to achieve a more effective genome editing in soybean plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayara Sabrina Freitas-Alves
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Clidia E Moreira-Pinto
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, EMBRAPA, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Fabiano T P K Távora
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, EMBRAPA, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Bruno Paes-de-Melo
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, EMBRAPA, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Fabricio B M Arraes
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, EMBRAPA, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Isabela T Lourenço-Tessutti
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, EMBRAPA, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Stéfanie M Moura
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, EMBRAPA, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Antonio C Oliveira
- National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, EMBRAPA, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Federal University of Pelotas (UFPEL), Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Carolina V Morgante
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, EMBRAPA, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Embrapa Semi-Arid, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Maria Fatima Grossi-de-Sa
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT PlantStress Biotech, EMBRAPA, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Catholic University of Brasília, Graduate Program in Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Catholic University Dom Bosco, Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
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Perez Rojo F, Pillow JJ, Kaur P. Bioprospecting microbes and enzymes for the production of pterocarpans and coumestans. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1154779. [PMID: 37187887 PMCID: PMC10175578 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1154779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The isoflavonoid derivatives, pterocarpans and coumestans, are explored for multiple clinical applications as osteo-regenerative, neuroprotective and anti-cancer agents. The use of plant-based systems to produce isoflavonoid derivatives is limited due to cost, scalability, and sustainability constraints. Microbial cell factories overcome these limitations in which model organisms such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae offer an efficient platform to produce isoflavonoids. Bioprospecting microbes and enzymes can provide an array of tools to enhance the production of these molecules. Other microbes that naturally produce isoflavonoids present a novel alternative as production chassis and as a source of novel enzymes. Enzyme bioprospecting allows the complete identification of the pterocarpans and coumestans biosynthetic pathway, and the selection of the best enzymes based on activity and docking parameters. These enzymes consolidate an improved biosynthetic pathway for microbial-based production systems. In this review, we report the state-of-the-art for the production of key pterocarpans and coumestans, describing the enzymes already identified and the current gaps. We report available databases and tools for microbial bioprospecting to select the best production chassis. We propose the use of a holistic and multidisciplinary bioprospecting approach as the first step to identify the biosynthetic gaps, select the best microbial chassis, and increase productivity. We propose the use of microalgal species as microbial cell factories to produce pterocarpans and coumestans. The application of bioprospecting tools provides an exciting field to produce plant compounds such as isoflavonoid derivatives, efficiently and sustainably.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Perez Rojo
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - J. Jane Pillow
- UWA School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Parwinder Kaur
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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3
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Pan C, Qi Y. CRISPR-Combo-mediated orthogonal genome editing and transcriptional activation for plant breeding. Nat Protoc 2023:10.1038/s41596-023-00823-w. [PMID: 37085666 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00823-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas nuclease systems, base editors, and CRISPR activation have greatly advanced plant genome engineering. However, the combinatorial approaches for multiplexed orthogonal genome editing and transcriptional regulation were previously unexploited in plants. We have recently established a single Cas9 protein-based CRISPR-Combo platform, enabling efficient multiplexed orthogonal genome editing (double-strand break-mediated genome editing or base editing) and transcriptional activation in plants via engineering the single guide RNA (sgRNA) structure. Here, we provide step-by-step instructions for constructing CRISPR-Combo systems for speed breeding of transgene-free, genome-edited Arabidopsis plants and enhancing rice regeneration with more heritable targeted mutations in a hormone-free manner. We also provide guidance on designing efficient sgRNA, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Arabidopsis and rice, rice regeneration without exogenous plant hormones, gene editing evaluation and visual identification of transgene-free Arabidopsis plants with high editing activity. With the use of this protocol, it takes ~2 weeks to establish the CRISPR-Combo systems, 4 months to obtain transgene-free genome-edited Arabidopsis plants and 4 months to obtain rice plants with enrichment of heritable targeted mutations by hormone-free tissue culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changtian Pan
- Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA.
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4
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Ma Z, Ma L, Zhou J. Applications of CRISPR/Cas genome editing in economically important fruit crops: recent advances and future directions. MOLECULAR HORTICULTURE 2023; 3:1. [PMID: 37789479 PMCID: PMC10515014 DOI: 10.1186/s43897-023-00049-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Fruit crops, consist of climacteric and non-climacteric fruits, are the major sources of nutrients and fiber for human diet. Since 2013, CRISPR/Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspersed Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR-Associated Protein) genome editing system has been widely employed in different plants, leading to unprecedented progress in the genetic improvement of many agronomically important fruit crops. Here, we summarize latest advancements in CRISPR/Cas genome editing of fruit crops, including efforts to decipher the mechanisms behind plant development and plant immunity, We also highlight the potential challenges and improvements in the application of genome editing tools to fruit crops, including optimizing the expression of CRISPR/Cas cassette, improving the delivery efficiency of CRISPR/Cas reagents, increasing the specificity of genome editing, and optimizing the transformation and regeneration system. In addition, we propose the perspectives on the application of genome editing in crop breeding especially in fruit crops and highlight the potential challenges. It is worth noting that efforts to manipulate fruit crops with genome editing systems are urgently needed for fruit crops breeding and demonstration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Ma
- Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Weifang, 261000, Shandong, China
| | - Lijing Ma
- Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Weifang, 261000, Shandong, China
| | - Junhui Zhou
- Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Weifang, 261000, Shandong, China.
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Deng F, Zeng F, Shen Q, Abbas A, Cheng J, Jiang W, Chen G, Shah AN, Holford P, Tanveer M, Zhang D, Chen ZH. Molecular evolution and functional modification of plant miRNAs with CRISPR. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 27:890-907. [PMID: 35165036 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2022.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Gene editing using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR-associated proteins (CRISPR/Cas) has revolutionized biotechnology and provides genetic tools for medicine and life sciences. However, the application of this technology to miRNAs, with the function as negative gene regulators, has not been extensively reviewed in plants. Here, we summarize the evolution, biogenesis, and structure of miRNAs, as well as their interactions with mRNAs and computational models for predicting target genes. In addition, we review current advances in CRISPR/Cas for functional analysis and for modulating miRNA genes in plants. Extending our knowledge of miRNAs and their manipulation with CRISPR will provide fundamental understanding of the functions of plant miRNAs and facilitate more sustainable and publicly acceptable genetic engineering of crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenglin Deng
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Fanrong Zeng
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Qiufang Shen
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Asad Abbas
- School of Horticulture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Jianhui Cheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Guang Chen
- Central Laboratory, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, China
| | - Adnan Noor Shah
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, Khawaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, 64200, Pakistan
| | - Paul Holford
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Mohsin Tanveer
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7004, Australia.
| | - Dabing Zhang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University-University of Adelaide Joint Centre for Agriculture and Health, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; School of Agriculture, Food, and Wine, University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, SA, Australia.
| | - Zhong-Hua Chen
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
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6
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Zhou H, Xu L, Li F, Li Y. Transcriptional regulation by CRISPR/dCas9 in common wheat. Gene 2022; 807:145919. [PMID: 34454034 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The application of CRISPR/Cas9 system for gene editing, as a technical coup for biotechnology, is worldwide and encompasses multiple of species. The inactivation of catalytical site in Cas9 (dCas9) has been reprogrammed as an effective approach to regulate the transcriptional level of target genes, especially for the functionally essential genes and redundant genes. Here, we exploited the CRISPR/dCas9 system to manipulate the transcriptional level of target genes in common wheat. To improve target gene's expression, we generated transcriptional activator by fusing 6×TAL-VP128 activation domain to the C-terminus of dCas9 in frame. For target gene's repressing expression transcriptionally, 3×SRDX repression domain was conjugated to the C-terminus of dCas9 in frame. Our results showed that dCas9 fused activation or repression domain could increase or decrease the transcriptional level of target gene effectively in stable transgenic lines of wheat. The study on the tRNA-processing system in CRISPR/dCas9 based transcriptional regulation system demonstrated that this robust multiplex targeted tool can be incorporated to the CRISPR/dCas9 system to facilitate the target regulation of several genes' transcriptional level. Our data broaden the application of CRISPR/dCas9 based transcriptional regulation and provide great opportunities to investigate the function of essential genes in common wheat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huajie Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, No. 88 East Wenhua Road, Lixia District, Jinan 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Lei Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, No. 88 East Wenhua Road, Lixia District, Jinan 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Feng Li
- Shandong Shunfeng Biotechnology Co. Ltd., 11 Floor, Main Building, QiLu Innovalley Incubator, High-tech Industry Development Zone, Jinan 250000, Shandong, China
| | - Yansha Li
- Shandong Shunfeng Biotechnology Co. Ltd., 11 Floor, Main Building, QiLu Innovalley Incubator, High-tech Industry Development Zone, Jinan 250000, Shandong, China.
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7
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Sychla A, Casas-Mollano JA, Zinselmeier MH, Smanski M. Characterization of Programmable Transcription Activators in the Model Monocot Setaria viridis Via Protoplast Transfection. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2464:223-244. [PMID: 35258836 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2164-6_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in DNA synthesis and assembly allow for genetic constructs to be designed and constructed in high throughput. Characterizing large numbers of variant genetic designs is not feasible with low-throughput and time-consuming plant transformation workflows. Protoplast transformation offers a rapid, high-throughput compatible alternative for testing genetic constructs in plant-relevant molecular environments. Here, we describe a protocol for protoplast transformation using a recent experiment in genetic optimization of dCas9-based programmable transcription activators as an example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Sychla
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
| | - Juan Armando Casas-Mollano
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
| | - Matthew H Zinselmeier
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
| | - Michael Smanski
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA.
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA.
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA.
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8
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He C, Liu H, Chen D, Xie W, Wang M, Li Y, Gong X, Yan W, Chen L. CRISPR-Cereal: a guide RNA design tool integrating regulome and genomic variation for wheat, maize and rice. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:2141-2143. [PMID: 34310056 PMCID: PMC8541771 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chao He
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Hao Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Dijun Chen
- School of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Wen‐Zhao Xie
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Mengxin Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Yuqi Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Xin Gong
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Wenhao Yan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Ling‐Ling Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐bioresourcesCollege of Life Science and TechnologyGuangxi UniversityNanningChina
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9
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Abdelrahman M, Wei Z, Rohila JS, Zhao K. Multiplex Genome-Editing Technologies for Revolutionizing Plant Biology and Crop Improvement. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:721203. [PMID: 34691102 PMCID: PMC8526792 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.721203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Multiplex genome-editing (MGE) technologies are recently developed versatile bioengineering tools for modifying two or more specific DNA loci in a genome with high precision. These genome-editing tools have greatly increased the feasibility of introducing desired changes at multiple nucleotide levels into a target genome. In particular, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) [CRISPR/Cas] system-based MGE tools allow the simultaneous generation of direct mutations precisely at multiple loci in a gene or multiple genes. MGE is enhancing the field of plant molecular biology and providing capabilities for revolutionizing modern crop-breeding methods as it was virtually impossible to edit genomes so precisely at the single base-pair level with prior genome-editing tools, such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). Recently, researchers have not only started using MGE tools to advance genome-editing applications in certain plant science fields but also have attempted to decipher and answer basic questions related to plant biology. In this review, we discuss the current progress that has been made toward the development and utilization of MGE tools with an emphasis on the improvements in plant biology after the discovery of CRISPR/Cas9. Furthermore, the most recent advancements involving CRISPR/Cas applications for editing multiple loci or genes are described. Finally, insights into the strengths and importance of MGE technology in advancing crop-improvement programs are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Abdelrahman
- National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Rice Research and Training Center, Field Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Kafr El-Shaikh, Egypt
| | - Zheng Wei
- National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jai S. Rohila
- Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Services, Stuttgart, AR, United States
| | - Kaijun Zhao
- National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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10
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Pan C, Wu X, Markel K, Malzahn AA, Kundagrami N, Sretenovic S, Zhang Y, Cheng Y, Shih PM, Qi Y. CRISPR-Act3.0 for highly efficient multiplexed gene activation in plants. NATURE PLANTS 2021; 7:942-953. [PMID: 34168320 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-021-00953-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
RNA-guided CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) systems have been developed in plants. However, the simultaneous activation of multiple genes remains challenging. Here, we develop a highly robust CRISPRa system working in rice, Arabidopsis and tomato, CRISPR-Act3.0, through systematically exploring different effector recruitment strategies and various transcription activators based on deactivated Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (dSpCas9). The CRISPR-Act3.0 system results in fourfold to sixfold higher activation than the state-of-the-art CRISPRa systems. We further develop a tRNA-gR2.0 (single guide RNA 2.0) expression system enabling CRISPR-Act3.0-based robust activation of up to seven genes for metabolic engineering in rice. In addition, CRISPR-Act3.0 allows the simultaneous modification of multiple traits in Arabidopsis, which are stably transmitted to the T3 generations. On the basis of CRISPR-Act3.0, we elucidate guide RNA targeting rules for effective transcriptional activation. To target T-rich protospacer adjacent motifs (PAMs), we transfer this activation strategy to CRISPR-dCas12b and further improve the dAaCas12b-based CRISPRa system. Moreover, we develop a potent near-PAM-less CRISPR-Act3.0 system on the basis of the SpRY dCas9 variant, which outperforms the dCas9-NG system in both activation potency and targeting scope. Altogether, our study has substantially improved the CRISPRa technology in plants and provided plant researchers a powerful toolbox for efficient gene activation in foundational and translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changtian Pan
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Xincheng Wu
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Kasey Markel
- Department of Plant Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Aimee A Malzahn
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Neil Kundagrami
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Simon Sretenovic
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Yingxiao Zhang
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Yanhao Cheng
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Patrick M Shih
- Department of Plant Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Feedstocks Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA.
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11
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Xiong X, Liang J, Li Z, Gong BQ, Li JF. Multiplex and optimization of dCas9-TV-mediated gene activation in plants. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 63:634-645. [PMID: 33058471 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic gene activators consisting of nuclease-dead Cas9 (dCas9) for single-guide RNA (sgRNA)-directed promoter binding and a transcriptional activation domain (TAD) represent new tools for gene activation from endogenous genomic locus in basic and applied plant research. However, multiplex gene coactivation by dCas9-TADs has not been demonstrated in whole plants. There is also room to optimize the performance of these tools. Here, we report that our previously developed gene activator, dCas9-TV, could simultaneously upregulate OsGW7 and OsER1 in rice by up to 3,738 fold, with one sgRNA targeting to each promoter. The gene coactivation could persist to at least the fourth generation. Astonishingly, the polycistronic tRNA-sgRNA expression under the maize ubiquitin promoter, a Pol II promoter, could cause enormous activation of these genes by up to >40,000-fold in rice. Moreover, the yeast GCN4 coiled coil-mediated dCas9-TV dimerization appeared to be promising for enhancing gene activation. Finally, we successfully introduced a self-amplification loop for dCas9-TV expression in Arabidopsis to promote the transcriptional upregulation of AtFLS2, a previously characterized dCas9-TV-refractory gene with considerable basal expression. Collectively, this work illustrates the robustness of dCas9-TV in multigene coactivation and provides broadly useful strategies for boosting transcriptional activation efficacy of dCas9-TADs in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Xiong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Jieping Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Zhenxiang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Ben-Qiang Gong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Jian-Feng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
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Pan C, Sretenovic S, Qi Y. CRISPR/dCas-mediated transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in plants. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 60:101980. [PMID: 33401227 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2020.101980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR Associated) system-mediated precise genome editing has revolutionized genome engineering due to ease of use and versatility of multiplexing. Catalytically inactivated Cas variants (dCas) further expand the usefulness of the CRISPR/Cas system for genetics studies and translational research without inducing DNA double-strand breaks. Fusion of diverse effector domains to dCas proteins empowers the CRISPR/dCas system as a multifunctional platform for gene expression regulation, epigenetic regulation and sequence-specific imaging. In this short review, we summarize the recent advances of CRISPR/dCas-mediated transcriptional activation and repression, and epigenetic modifications. We also highlight the future directions and broader applications of the CRISPR/dCas systems in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changtian Pan
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Simon Sretenovic
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
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Casas-Mollano JA, Zinselmeier MH, Erickson SE, Smanski MJ. CRISPR-Cas Activators for Engineering Gene Expression in Higher Eukaryotes. CRISPR J 2020; 3:350-364. [PMID: 33095045 PMCID: PMC7580621 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2020.0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas-based transcriptional activators allow genetic engineers to specifically induce expression of one or many target genes in trans. Here we review the many design variations of these versatile tools and compare their effectiveness in different eukaryotic systems. Lastly, we highlight several applications of programmable transcriptional activation to interrogate and engineer complex biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Armando Casas-Mollano
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; and Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Matthew H. Zinselmeier
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Samuel E. Erickson
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; and Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Michael J. Smanski
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; and Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
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