1
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Li B, Sun C, Li J, Gao C. Targeted genome-modification tools and their advanced applications in crop breeding. Nat Rev Genet 2024; 25:603-622. [PMID: 38658741 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-024-00720-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Crop improvement by genome editing involves the targeted alteration of genes to improve plant traits, such as stress tolerance, disease resistance or nutritional content. Techniques for the targeted modification of genomes have evolved from generating random mutations to precise base substitutions, followed by insertions, substitutions and deletions of small DNA fragments, and are finally starting to achieve precision manipulation of large DNA segments. Recent developments in base editing, prime editing and other CRISPR-associated systems have laid a solid technological foundation to enable plant basic research and precise molecular breeding. In this Review, we systematically outline the technological principles underlying precise and targeted genome-modification methods. We also review methods for the delivery of genome-editing reagents in plants and outline emerging crop-breeding strategies based on targeted genome modification. Finally, we consider potential future developments in precise genome-editing technologies, delivery methods and crop-breeding approaches, as well as regulatory policies for genome-editing products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boshu Li
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Sun
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayang Li
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Caixia Gao
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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2
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Yan H, Tang W. Programmed RNA editing with an evolved bacterial adenosine deaminase. Nat Chem Biol 2024:10.1038/s41589-024-01661-x. [PMID: 38969862 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01661-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Programmed RNA editing presents an attractive therapeutic strategy for genetic disease. In this study, we developed bacterial deaminase-enabled recoding of RNA (DECOR), which employs an evolved Escherichia coli transfer RNA adenosine deaminase, TadA8e, to deposit adenosine-to-inosine editing to CRISPR-specified sites in the human transcriptome. DECOR functions in a variety of cell types, including human lung fibroblasts, and delivers on-target activity similar to ADAR-overexpressing RNA-editing platforms with 88% lower off-target effects. High-fidelity DECOR further reduces off-target effects to basal level. We demonstrate the clinical potential of DECOR by targeting Van der Woude syndrome-causing interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) insufficiency. DECOR-mediated RNA editing removes a pathogenic upstream open reading frame (uORF) from the 5' untranslated region of IRF6 and rescues primary ORF expression from 12.3% to 36.5%, relative to healthy transcripts. DECOR expands the current portfolio of effector proteins and opens new territory in programmed RNA editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Weixin Tang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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3
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Fan T, Cheng Y, Wu Y, Liu S, Tang X, He Y, Liao S, Zheng X, Zhang T, Qi Y, Zhang Y. High performance TadA-8e derived cytosine and dual base editors with undetectable off-target effects in plants. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5103. [PMID: 38877035 PMCID: PMC11178825 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49473-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytosine base editors (CBEs) and adenine base editors (ABEs) enable precise C-to-T and A-to-G edits. Recently, ABE8e, derived from TadA-8e, enhances A-to-G edits in mammalian cells and plants. Interestingly, TadA-8e can also be evolved to confer C-to-T editing. This study compares engineered CBEs derived from TadA-8e in rice and tomato cells, identifying TadCBEa, TadCBEd, and TadCBEd_V106W as efficient CBEs with high purity and a narrow editing window. A dual base editor, TadDE, promotes simultaneous C-to-T and A-to-G editing. Multiplexed base editing with TadCBEa and TadDE is demonstrated in transgenic rice, with no off-target effects detected by whole genome and transcriptome sequencing, indicating high specificity. Finally, two crop engineering applications using TadDE are shown: introducing herbicide resistance alleles in OsALS and creating synonymous mutations in OsSPL14 to resist OsMIR156-mediated degradation. Together, this study presents TadA-8e derived CBEs and a dual base editor as valuable additions to the plant editing toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Fan
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yanhao Cheng
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, ML, 20742, USA
| | - Yuechao Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Shishi Liu
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Xu Tang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yao He
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Shanyue Liao
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Xuelian Zheng
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, ML, 20742, USA.
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, ML, 20850, USA.
| | - Yong Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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4
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Sanchez A, Ortega P, Sakhtemani R, Manjunath L, Oh S, Bournique E, Becker A, Kim K, Durfee C, Temiz NA, Chen XS, Harris RS, Lawrence MS, Buisson R. Mesoscale DNA features impact APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B deaminase activity and shape tumor mutational landscapes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2370. [PMID: 38499542 PMCID: PMC10948877 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45909-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Antiviral DNA cytosine deaminases APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B are major sources of mutations in cancer by catalyzing cytosine-to-uracil deamination. APOBEC3A preferentially targets single-stranded DNAs, with a noted affinity for DNA regions that adopt stem-loop secondary structures. However, the detailed substrate preferences of APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B have not been fully established, and the specific influence of the DNA sequence on APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B deaminase activity remains to be investigated. Here, we find that APOBEC3B also selectively targets DNA stem-loop structures, and they are distinct from those subjected to deamination by APOBEC3A. We develop Oligo-seq, an in vitro sequencing-based method to identify specific sequence contexts promoting APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B activity. Through this approach, we demonstrate that APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B deaminase activity is strongly regulated by specific sequences surrounding the targeted cytosine. Moreover, we identify the structural features of APOBEC3B and APOBEC3A responsible for their substrate preferences. Importantly, we determine that APOBEC3B-induced mutations in hairpin-forming sequences within tumor genomes differ from the DNA stem-loop sequences mutated by APOBEC3A. Together, our study provides evidence that APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B can generate distinct mutation landscapes in cancer genomes, driven by their unique substrate selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambrocio Sanchez
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Pedro Ortega
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ramin Sakhtemani
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lavanya Manjunath
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Sunwoo Oh
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Elodie Bournique
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Alexandrea Becker
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kyumin Kim
- Molecular and Computational Biology, Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cameron Durfee
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Nuri Alpay Temiz
- Institute for Health Informatics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Xiaojiang S Chen
- Molecular and Computational Biology, Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Reuben S Harris
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Michael S Lawrence
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rémi Buisson
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
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5
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Atia M, Jiang W, Sedeek K, Butt H, Mahfouz M. Crop bioengineering via gene editing: reshaping the future of agriculture. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2024; 43:98. [PMID: 38494539 PMCID: PMC10944814 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-024-03183-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Genome-editing technologies have revolutionized research in plant biology, with major implications for agriculture and worldwide food security, particularly in the face of challenges such as climate change and increasing human populations. Among these technologies, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats [CRISPR]-CRISPR-associated protein [Cas] systems are now widely used for editing crop plant genomes. In this review, we provide an overview of CRISPR-Cas technology and its most significant applications for improving crop sustainability. We also review current and potential technological advances that will aid in the future breeding of crops to enhance food security worldwide. Finally, we discuss the obstacles and challenges that must be overcome to realize the maximum potential of genome-editing technologies for future crop and food production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Atia
- Laboratory for Genome Engineering and Synthetic Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wenjun Jiang
- Laboratory for Genome Engineering and Synthetic Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Sedeek
- Laboratory for Genome Engineering and Synthetic Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haroon Butt
- Laboratory for Genome Engineering and Synthetic Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Magdy Mahfouz
- Laboratory for Genome Engineering and Synthetic Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
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6
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Sun Y, Chen Q, Cheng Y, Wang X, Deng Z, Zhou F, Sun Y. Design and Engineering of Light-Induced Base Editors Facilitating Genome Editing with Enhanced Fidelity. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305311. [PMID: 38039441 PMCID: PMC10837352 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Base editors, which enable targeted locus nucleotide conversion in genomic DNA without double-stranded breaks, have been engineered as powerful tools for biotechnological and clinical applications. However, the application of base editors is limited by their off-target effects. Continuously expressed deaminases used for gene editing may lead to unwanted base alterations at unpredictable genomic locations. In the present study, blue-light-activated base editors (BLBEs) are engineered based on the distinct photoswitches magnets that can switch from a monomer to dimerization state in response to blue light. By fusing the N- and C-termini of split DNA deaminases with photoswitches Magnets, efficient A-to-G and C-to-T base editing is achieved in response to blue light in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Furthermore, the results showed that BLBEs can realize precise blue light-induced gene editing across broad genomic loci with low off-target activity at the DNA- and RNA-level. Collectively, these findings suggest that the optogenetic utilization of base editing and optical base editors may provide powerful tools to promote the development of optogenetic genome engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangning Sun
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Ministry of Education), Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Qi Chen
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Ministry of Education), Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yanbing Cheng
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Ministry of Education), Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Ministry of Education), Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zixin Deng
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Ministry of Education), Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Fuling Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yuhui Sun
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Ministry of Education), Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
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7
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Chen Y, Luo X, Kang R, Cui K, Ou J, Zhang X, Liang P. Current therapies for osteoarthritis and prospects of CRISPR-based genome, epigenome, and RNA editing in osteoarthritis treatment. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:159-183. [PMID: 37516348 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2023.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common degenerative joint diseases worldwide, causing pain, disability, and decreased quality of life. The balance between regeneration and inflammation-induced degradation results in multiple etiologies and complex pathogenesis of OA. Currently, there is a lack of effective therapeutic strategies for OA treatment. With the development of CRISPR-based genome, epigenome, and RNA editing tools, OA treatment has been improved by targeting genetic risk factors, activating chondrogenic elements, and modulating inflammatory regulators. Supported by cell therapy and in vivo delivery vectors, genome, epigenome, and RNA editing tools may provide a promising approach for personalized OA therapy. This review summarizes CRISPR-based genome, epigenome, and RNA editing tools that can be applied to the treatment of OA and provides insights into the development of CRISPR-based therapeutics for OA treatment. Moreover, in-depth evaluations of the efficacy and safety of these tools in human OA treatment are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Rui Kang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Kaixin Cui
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Jianping Ou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Xiya Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China.
| | - Puping Liang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China.
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8
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Xiao YL, Wu Y, Tang W. An adenine base editor variant expands context compatibility. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-023-01994-3. [PMID: 38168987 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-01994-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Adenine base editors (ABEs) are precise gene-editing agents that convert A:T pairs into G:C through a deoxyinosine intermediate. Existing ABEs function most effectively when the target A is in a TA context. Here we evolve the Escherichia coli transfer RNA-specific adenosine deaminase (TadA) to generate TadA8r, which extends potent deoxyadenosine deamination to RA (R = A or G) and is faster in processing GA than TadA8.20 and TadA8e, the two most active TadA variants reported so far. ABE8r, comprising TadA8r and a Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 nickase, expands the editing window at the protospacer adjacent motif-distal end and outperforms ABE7.10, ABE8.20 and ABE8e in correcting disease-associated G:C-to-A:T transitions in the human genome, with a controlled off-target profile. We show ABE8r-mediated editing of clinically relevant sites that are poorly accessed by existing editors, including sites in PCSK9, whose disruption reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and ABCA4-p.Gly1961Glu, the most frequent mutation in Stargardt disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lan Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yuan Wu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Weixin Tang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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9
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Li X, Xie J, Dong C, Zheng Z, Shen R, Cao X, Chen X, Wang M, Zhu JK, Tian Y. Efficient and heritable A-to-K base editing in rice and tomato. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2024; 11:uhad250. [PMID: 38269296 PMCID: PMC10807703 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Cytosine and adenosine base editors (CBE and ABE) have been widely used in plants, greatly accelerating gene function research and crop breeding. Current base editors can achieve efficient A-to-G and C-to-T/G/A editing. However, efficient and heritable A-to-Y (A-to-T/C) editing remains to be developed in plants. In this study, a series of A-to-K base editor (AKBE) systems were constructed for monocot and dicot plants. Furthermore, nSpCas9 was replaced with the PAM-less Cas9 variant (nSpRY) to expand the target range of the AKBEs. Analysis of 228 T0 rice plants and 121 T0 tomato plants edited using AKBEs at 18 endogenous loci revealed that, in addition to highly efficient A-to-G substitution (41.0% on average), the plant AKBEs can achieve A-to-T conversion with efficiencies of up to 25.9 and 10.5% in rice and tomato, respectively. Moreover, the rice-optimized AKBE generates A-to-C conversion in rice, with an average efficiency of 1.8%, revealing the significant value of plant-optimized AKBE in creating genetic diversity. Although most of the A-to-T and A-to-C edits were chimeric, desired editing types could be transmitted to the T1 offspring, similar to the edits generated by the traditional ABE8e. Besides, using AKBEs to target tyrosine (Y, TAT) or cysteine (C, TGT) achieved the introduction of an early stop codon (TAG/TAA/TGA) of target genes, demonstrating its potential use in gene disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbo Li
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
| | - Jiyong Xie
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201602, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chao Dong
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
| | - Zai Zheng
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
| | - Rundong Shen
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
| | - Xuesong Cao
- Institute of Advanced Biotechnology, and School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiaoyan Chen
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
| | - Mugui Wang
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
| | - Jian-Kang Zhu
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
- Institute of Advanced Biotechnology, and School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yifu Tian
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
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10
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Bhuyan SJ, Kumar M, Ramrao Devde P, Rai AC, Mishra AK, Singh PK, Siddique KHM. Progress in gene editing tools, implications and success in plants: a review. Front Genome Ed 2023; 5:1272678. [PMID: 38144710 PMCID: PMC10744593 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2023.1272678] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic modifications are made through diverse mutagenesis techniques for crop improvement programs. Among these mutagenesis tools, the traditional methods involve chemical and radiation-induced mutagenesis, resulting in off-target and unintended mutations in the genome. However, recent advances have introduced site-directed nucleases (SDNs) for gene editing, significantly reducing off-target changes in the genome compared to induced mutagenesis and naturally occurring mutations in breeding populations. SDNs have revolutionized genetic engineering, enabling precise gene editing in recent decades. One widely used method, homology-directed repair (HDR), has been effective for accurate base substitution and gene alterations in some plant species. However, its application has been limited due to the inefficiency of HDR in plant cells and the prevalence of the error-prone repair pathway known as non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). The discovery of CRISPR-Cas has been a game-changer in this field. This system induces mutations by creating double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the genome and repairing them through associated repair pathways like NHEJ. As a result, the CRISPR-Cas system has been extensively used to transform plants for gene function analysis and to enhance desirable traits. Researchers have made significant progress in genetic engineering in recent years, particularly in understanding the CRISPR-Cas mechanism. This has led to various CRISPR-Cas variants, including CRISPR-Cas13, CRISPR interference, CRISPR activation, base editors, primes editors, and CRASPASE, a new CRISPR-Cas system for genetic engineering that cleaves proteins. Moreover, gene editing technologies like the prime editor and base editor approaches offer excellent opportunities for plant genome engineering. These cutting-edge tools have opened up new avenues for rapidly manipulating plant genomes. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of plant genetic engineering, focusing on recently developed tools for gene alteration and their potential applications in plant research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Jyoti Bhuyan
- Department of Biotechnology, Mizoram University (A Central University), Pachhunga University College Campus, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Pandurang Ramrao Devde
- Department of Biotechnology, Mizoram University (A Central University), Pachhunga University College Campus, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
| | - Avinash Chandra Rai
- Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | | | - Prashant Kumar Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Mizoram University (A Central University), Pachhunga University College Campus, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
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11
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Zhang A, Shan T, Sun Y, Chen Z, Hu J, Hu Z, Ming Z, Zhu Z, Li X, He J, Liu S, Jiang L, Dong X, Wu Y, Wang Y, Liu Y, Li C, Wan J. Directed evolution rice genes with randomly multiplexed sgRNAs assembly of base editors. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:2597-2610. [PMID: 37571976 PMCID: PMC10651138 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-based directed evolution is an effective breeding biotechnology to improve agronomic traits in plants. However, its gene diversification is still limited using individual single guide RNA. We described here a multiplexed orthogonal base editor (MoBE), and a randomly multiplexed sgRNAs assembly strategy to maximize gene diversification. MoBE could induce efficiently orthogonal ABE (<36.6%), CBE (<36.0%), and A&CBE (<37.6%) on different targets, while the sgRNA assembling strategy randomized base editing events on various targets. With respective 130 and 84 targets from each strand of the 34th exon of rice acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (OsACC), we observed the target-scaffold combination types up to 27 294 in randomly dual and randomly triple sgRNA libraries. We further performed directed evolution of OsACC using MoBE and randomly dual sgRNA libraries in rice, and obtained single or linked mutations of stronger herbicide resistance. These strategies are useful for in situ directed evolution of functional genes and may accelerate trait improvement in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Tiaofeng Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhipeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jianjian Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhichao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Ziheng Ming
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhitao Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xue Li
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jun He
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Shijia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Ling Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiaoou Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed LaboratorySanyaChina
| | - Yufeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yanpeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome EditingInstitute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yuqiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed LaboratorySanyaChina
| | - Chao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed LaboratorySanyaChina
| | - Jianmin Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed LaboratorySanyaChina
- National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic ImprovementInstitute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
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12
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Li Y, Huang B, Chen J, Huang L, Xu J, Wang Y, Cui G, Zhao H, Xin B, Song W, Zhu J, Lai J. Targeted large fragment deletion in plants using paired crRNAs with type I CRISPR system. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:2196-2208. [PMID: 37641539 PMCID: PMC10579709 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas systems have been widely used as genome editing tools, with type II and V systems typically introducing small indels, and type I system mediating long-range deletions. However, the precision of type I systems for large fragment deletion is still remained to be optimized. Here, we developed a compact Cascade-Cas3 Dvu I-C system with Cas11c for plant genome editing. The Dvu I-C system was efficient to introduce controllable large fragment deletion up to at least 20 kb using paired crRNAs. The paired-crRNAs design also improved the controllability of deletions for the type I-E system. Dvu I-C system was sensitive to spacer length and mismatch, which was benefit for target specificity. In addition, we showed that the Dvu I-C system was efficient for generating stable transgenic lines in maize and rice with the editing efficiency up to 86.67%. Overall, Dvu I-C system we developed here is powerful for achieving controllable large fragment deletions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingnan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Boyu Huang
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Liangliang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jianghai Xu
- College of Biological SciencesChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yingying Wang
- College of Biological SciencesChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Guanghui Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Haiming Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Beibei Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Weibin Song
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jian‐Kang Zhu
- Institute of Advanced Biotechnology and School of Life SciencesSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
- Center for Advanced Bioindustry TechnologiesChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jinsheng Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio‐breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
- Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
- Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural UniversitySanyaChina
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed LaboratorySanyaChina
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13
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Han W, Gao BQ, Zhu J, He Z, Li J, Yang L, Chen J. Design and application of the transformer base editor in mammalian cells and mice. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:3194-3228. [PMID: 37794072 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00877-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Fusing apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like cytidine deaminase with catalytically impaired Cas proteins (e.g., nCas9 or dCas9) provides a novel gene-editing technology, base editing, that grants targeted base substitutions with high efficiency. However, genome-wide and transcriptome-wide off-target mutations are observed in base editing, which raises safety concerns regarding therapeutic applications. Previously, we developed a new base editing system, the transformer base editor (tBE), to induce efficient editing with no observable genome-wide or transcriptome-wide off-target mutations both in mammalian cells and in mice. Here we describe a detailed protocol for the design and application of the tBE. Steps for designing single-guide RNA (sgRNA) and helper sgRNA pairs, making constructs, determining the genome-wide and transcriptome-wide off-target mutations, producing the tBE-containing adeno-associated viruses, delivering adeno-associated viruses into mice and examining the in vivo editing effects are included in this protocol. High-precision base editing by the tBE can be completed within 2-3 weeks (in mammalian cells) or within 6-8 weeks (in mice), with sgRNA-helper sgRNA pairs. The whole process can be collaboratively accomplished by researchers using standard techniques from molecular biology, bioinformatics and mouse husbandry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyan Han
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bao-Qing Gao
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Fudan University and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junjie Zhu
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zongxing He
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianfeng Li
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Li Yang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Fudan University and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jia Chen
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
- Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai, China.
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14
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Xiong X, Liu K, Li Z, Xia FN, Ruan XM, He X, Li JF. Split complementation of base editors to minimize off-target edits. NATURE PLANTS 2023; 9:1832-1847. [PMID: 37845337 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01540-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Base editors (BEs) empower the efficient installation of beneficial or corrective point mutations in crop and human genomes. However, conventional BEs can induce unpredictable guide RNA (gRNA)-independent off-target edits in the genome and transcriptome due to spurious activities of BE-enclosing deaminases, and current improvements mostly rely on deaminase-specific mutagenesis or exogenous regulators. Here we developed a split deaminase for safe editing (SAFE) system applicable to BEs containing distinct cytidine or adenosine deaminases, with no need of external regulators. In SAFE, a BE was properly split at a deaminase domain embedded inside a Cas9 nickase, simultaneously fragmenting and deactivating both the deaminase and the Cas9 nickase. The gRNA-conditioned BE reassembly conferred robust on-target editing in plant, human and yeast cells, while minimizing both gRNA-independent and gRNA-dependent off-target DNA/RNA edits. SAFE also substantially increased product purity by eliminating indels. Altogether, SAFE provides a generalizable solution for BEs to suppress off-target editing and improve on-target performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kehui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Zhenxiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fan-Nv Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue-Ming Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xionglei He
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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15
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Huang X, Jia H, Xu J, Wang Y, Wen J, Wang N. Transgene-free genome editing of vegetatively propagated and perennial plant species in the T0 generation via a co-editing strategy. NATURE PLANTS 2023; 9:1591-1597. [PMID: 37723203 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01520-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Transgene-free plant genome editing in the T0 generation is highly desirable but challenging1,2. Here we achieved such a goal using a co-editing strategy via Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression of cytosine base editor to edit ALS encoding acetolactate synthase to confer herbicide chlorsulfuron resistance as a selection marker, Cas12a/CRISPR RNA for editing gene(s) of interest, and green fluorescent protein for selecting transgene-free transformants. The biallelic/homozygous transgene-free mutation rates for target genes among herbicide-resistant transformants ranged from 1.9% to 42.1% in tomato, tobacco, potato and citrus. This co-editing strategy is particularly useful for transgene-free genome editing of vegetatively propagated and perennial plant species in the T0 generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoen Huang
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, USA
| | - Hongge Jia
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, USA
| | - Jin Xu
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, USA
| | - Yuanchun Wang
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, USA
| | - Jiawen Wen
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, USA
| | - Nian Wang
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, USA.
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16
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Cardi T, Murovec J, Bakhsh A, Boniecka J, Bruegmann T, Bull SE, Eeckhaut T, Fladung M, Galovic V, Linkiewicz A, Lukan T, Mafra I, Michalski K, Kavas M, Nicolia A, Nowakowska J, Sági L, Sarmiento C, Yıldırım K, Zlatković M, Hensel G, Van Laere K. CRISPR/Cas-mediated plant genome editing: outstanding challenges a decade after implementation. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 28:1144-1165. [PMID: 37331842 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2023.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of the CRISPR/Cas genome-editing system has revolutionized our understanding of the plant genome. CRISPR/Cas has been used for over a decade to modify plant genomes for the study of specific genes and biosynthetic pathways as well as to speed up breeding in many plant species, including both model and non-model crops. Although the CRISPR/Cas system is very efficient for genome editing, many bottlenecks and challenges slow down further improvement and applications. In this review we discuss the challenges that can occur during tissue culture, transformation, regeneration, and mutant detection. We also review the opportunities provided by new CRISPR platforms and specific applications related to gene regulation, abiotic and biotic stress response improvement, and de novo domestication of plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodoro Cardi
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources (IBBR), Portici, Italy; CREA Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Pontecagnano, Italy
| | - Jana Murovec
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Allah Bakhsh
- Department of Agricultural Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies, Nigde Omer Halisdemir University, Nigde, Turkey; Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Justyna Boniecka
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland; Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | | | - Simon E Bull
- Molecular Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Switzerland; Plant Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tom Eeckhaut
- Flanders Research Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries and Food, Melle, Belgium
| | | | - Vladislava Galovic
- University of Novi Sad, Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment (ILFE), Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Anna Linkiewicz
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tjaša Lukan
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Isabel Mafra
- Rede de Química e Tecnologia (REQUIMTE) Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde (LAQV), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Krzysztof Michalski
- Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute, National Research Institute, Błonie, Poland
| | - Musa Kavas
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Alessandro Nicolia
- CREA Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Pontecagnano, Italy
| | - Justyna Nowakowska
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Laszlo Sági
- Centre for Agricultural Research, Loránd Eötvös Research Network, Martonvásár, Hungary
| | - Cecilia Sarmiento
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Kubilay Yıldırım
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Milica Zlatković
- University of Novi Sad, Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment (ILFE), Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Goetz Hensel
- Heinrich-Heine-University, Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Centre for Plant Genome Engineering, Düsseldorf, Germany; Division of Molecular Biology, Centre of the Region Hana for Biotechnological and Agriculture Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Katrijn Van Laere
- Flanders Research Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries and Food, Melle, Belgium.
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17
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Rieffer AE, Chen Y, Salamango DJ, Moraes SN, Harris RS. APOBEC Reporter Systems for Evaluating diNucleotide Editing Levels. CRISPR J 2023; 6:430-446. [PMID: 37672599 PMCID: PMC10611974 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2023.0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Precision genome editing has become a reality with the discovery of base editors. Cytosine base editor (CBE) technologies are improving rapidly but are mostly optimized for TC dinucleotide targets. Here, we report the development and implementation of APOBEC Reporter Systems for Evaluating diNucleotide Editing Levels (ARSENEL) in living cells. The ARSENEL panel is comprised of four constructs that quantitatively report editing of each of the four dinucleotide motifs (AC/CC/GC/TC) through real-time accumulation of eGFP fluorescence. Editing rates of APOBEC3Bctd and AIDΔC CBEs reflect established mechanistic preferences with intrinsic biases to TC and GC, respectively. Twelve different (new and established) base editors are tested here using this system with a full-length APOBEC3B CBE showing the greatest on-target TC specificity and an APOBEC3A construct showing the highest editing efficiency. In addition, ARSENEL enables real-time assessment of natural and synthetic APOBEC inhibitors with the most potent to-date being the large subunit of the Epstein-Barr virus ribonucleotide reductase. These reporters have the potential to play important roles in research and development as precision genome engineering technologies progress toward achieving maximal specificity and efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda E. Rieffer
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Yanjun Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA; and University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel J. Salamango
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Sofia N. Moraes
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Reuben S. Harris
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA; and University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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18
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Liu W, Zuo S, Shao Y, Bi K, Zhao J, Huang L, Xu Z, Lian J. Retron-mediated multiplex genome editing and continuous evolution in Escherichia coli. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8293-8307. [PMID: 37471041 PMCID: PMC10450171 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
While there are several genome editing techniques available, few are suitable for dynamic and simultaneous mutagenesis of arbitrary targeted sequences in prokaryotes. Here, to address these limitations, we present a versatile and multiplex retron-mediated genome editing system (REGES). First, through systematic optimization of REGES, we achieve efficiency of ∼100%, 85 ± 3%, 69 ± 14% and 25 ± 14% for single-, double-, triple- and quadruple-locus genome editing, respectively. In addition, we employ REGES to generate pooled and barcoded variant libraries with degenerate RBS sequences to fine-tune the expression level of endogenous and exogenous genes, such as transcriptional factors to improve ethanol tolerance and biotin biosynthesis. Finally, we demonstrate REGES-mediated continuous in vivo protein evolution, by combining retron, polymerase-mediated base editing and error-prone transcription. By these case studies, we demonstrate REGES as a powerful multiplex genome editing and continuous evolution tool with broad applications in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Siqi Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Youran Shao
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Ke Bi
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Jiarun Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Lei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Zhinan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Jiazhang Lian
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311215, China
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19
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Wang C, Wang J, Lu J, Xiong Y, Zhao Z, Yu X, Zheng X, Li J, Lin Q, Ren Y, Hu Y, He X, Li C, Zeng Y, Miao R, Guo M, Zhang B, Zhu Y, Zhang Y, Tang W, Wang Y, Hao B, Wang Q, Cheng S, He X, Yao B, Gao J, Zhu X, Yu H, Wang Y, Sun Y, Zhou C, Dong H, Ma X, Guo X, Liu X, Tian Y, Liu S, Wang C, Cheng Z, Jiang L, Zhou J, Guo H, Jiang L, Tao D, Chai J, Zhang W, Wang H, Wu C, Wan J. A natural gene drive system confers reproductive isolation in rice. Cell 2023; 186:3577-3592.e18. [PMID: 37499659 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid sterility restricts the utilization of superior heterosis of indica-japonica inter-subspecific hybrids. In this study, we report the identification of RHS12, a major locus controlling male gamete sterility in indica-japonica hybrid rice. We show that RHS12 consists of two genes (iORF3/DUYAO and iORF4/JIEYAO) that confer preferential transmission of the RHS12-i type male gamete into the progeny, thereby forming a natural gene drive. DUYAO encodes a mitochondrion-targeted protein that interacts with OsCOX11 to trigger cytotoxicity and cell death, whereas JIEYAO encodes a protein that reroutes DUYAO to the autophagosome for degradation via direct physical interaction, thereby detoxifying DUYAO. Evolutionary trajectory analysis reveals that this system likely formed de novo in the AA genome Oryza clade and contributed to reproductive isolation (RI) between different lineages of rice. Our combined results provide mechanistic insights into the genetic basis of RI as well as insights for strategic designs of hybrid rice breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaolong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jiayu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yehui Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhigang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiaowen Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiaoming Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jing Li
- Food Crops Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming 650200, China
| | - Qibing Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yulong Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiaodong He
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Chao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yonglun Zeng
- Centre for Cell & Developmental Biology and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rong Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Mali Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Bosen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Centre for Cell & Developmental Biology and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yunhui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Weijie Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yunlong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Benyuan Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Qiming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Siqi Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiaojuan He
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Bowen Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Junwen Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xufei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Hao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Chunlei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Hui Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiaoding Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiuping Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yunlu Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Shijia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Chunming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Zhijun Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Ling Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jiawu Zhou
- Food Crops Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming 650200, China
| | - Huishan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Liwen Jiang
- Centre for Cell & Developmental Biology and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dayun Tao
- Food Crops Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming 650200, China
| | - Jijie Chai
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Haiyang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Chuanyin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Jianmin Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
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20
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Huang J, Lin Q, Fei H, He Z, Xu H, Li Y, Qu K, Han P, Gao Q, Li B, Liu G, Zhang L, Hu J, Zhang R, Zuo E, Luo Y, Ran Y, Qiu JL, Zhao KT, Gao C. Discovery of deaminase functions by structure-based protein clustering. Cell 2023; 186:3182-3195.e14. [PMID: 37379837 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
The elucidation of protein function and its exploitation in bioengineering have greatly advanced the life sciences. Protein mining efforts generally rely on amino acid sequences rather than protein structures. We describe here the use of AlphaFold2 to predict and subsequently cluster an entire protein family based on predicted structure similarities. We selected deaminase proteins to analyze and identified many previously unknown properties. We were surprised to find that most proteins in the DddA-like clade were not double-stranded DNA deaminases. We engineered the smallest single-strand-specific cytidine deaminase, enabling efficient cytosine base editor (CBE) to be packaged into a single adeno-associated virus (AAV). Importantly, we profiled a deaminase from this clade that edits robustly in soybean plants, which previously was inaccessible to CBEs. These discovered deaminases, based on AI-assisted structural predictions, greatly expand the utility of base editors for therapeutic and agricultural applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiupeng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyuan Fei
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zixin He
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hu Xu
- Qi Biodesign, Beijing, China
| | - Yunjia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kunli Qu
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
| | - Peng Han
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
| | | | - Boshu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guanwen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Jiacheng Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Erwei Zuo
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yonglun Luo
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China; Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Jin-Long Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Caixia Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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21
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Lue NZ, Liau BB. Base editor screens for in situ mutational scanning at scale. Mol Cell 2023; 83:2167-2187. [PMID: 37390819 PMCID: PMC10330937 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
A fundamental challenge in biology is understanding the molecular details of protein function. How mutations alter protein activity, regulation, and response to drugs is of critical importance to human health. Recent years have seen the emergence of pooled base editor screens for in situ mutational scanning: the interrogation of protein sequence-function relationships by directly perturbing endogenous proteins in live cells. These studies have revealed the effects of disease-associated mutations, discovered novel drug resistance mechanisms, and generated biochemical insights into protein function. Here, we discuss how this "base editor scanning" approach has been applied to diverse biological questions, compare it with alternative techniques, and describe the emerging challenges that must be addressed to maximize its utility. Given its broad applicability toward profiling mutations across the proteome, base editor scanning promises to revolutionize the investigation of proteins in their native contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Z Lue
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Brian B Liau
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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22
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Luo J, Abid M, Tu J, Cai X, Zhang Y, Gao P, Huang H. Cytosine base editors (CBEs) for inducing targeted DNA base editing in Nicotiana benthamiana. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:305. [PMID: 37286962 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04322-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The base editors can introduce point mutations accurately without causing double-stranded DNA breaks or requiring donor DNA templates. Previously, cytosine base editors (CBEs) containing different deaminases are reported for precise and accurate base editing in plants. However, the knowledge of CBEs in polyploid plants is inadequate and needs further exploration. RESULTS In the present study, we constructed three polycistronic tRNA-gRNA expression cassettes CBEs containing A3A, A3A (Y130F), and rAPOBEC1(R33A) to compare their base editing efficiency in allotetraploid N. benthamiana (n = 4x). We used 14 target sites to compare their editing efficiency using transient transformation in tobacco plants. The sanger sequencing and deep sequencing results showed that A3A-CBE was the most efficient base editor. In addition, the results showed that A3A-CBE provided most comprehensive editing window (C1 ~ C17 could be edited) and had a better editing efficiency under the base background of TC. The target sites (T2 and T6) analysis in transformed N. benthamiana showed that only A3A-CBE can have C-to-T editing events and the editing efficiency of T2 was higher than T6. Additionally, no off-target events were found in transformed N. benthamiana. CONCLUSIONS All in all, we conclude that A3A-CBE is the most suitable vector for specific C to T conversion in N. benthamiana. Current findings will provide valuable insights into selecting an appropriate base editor for breeding polyploid plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Luo
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, 332900, China
- College of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Muhammad Abid
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, 332900, China
| | - Jing Tu
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, 332900, China
- College of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Xinxia Cai
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, 332900, China
- College of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, 332900, China
- College of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Puxin Gao
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, 332900, China
| | - Hongwen Huang
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, 332900, China.
- College of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.
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23
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Liang Y, Chen F, Wang K, Lai L. Base editors: development and applications in biomedicine. Front Med 2023; 17:359-387. [PMID: 37434066 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-1013-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Base editor (BE) is a gene-editing tool developed by combining the CRISPR/Cas system with an individual deaminase, enabling precise single-base substitution in DNA or RNA without generating a DNA double-strand break (DSB) or requiring donor DNA templates in living cells. Base editors offer more precise and secure genome-editing effects than other conventional artificial nuclease systems, such as CRISPR/Cas9, as the DSB induced by Cas9 will cause severe damage to the genome. Thus, base editors have important applications in the field of biomedicine, including gene function investigation, directed protein evolution, genetic lineage tracing, disease modeling, and gene therapy. Since the development of the two main base editors, cytosine base editors (CBEs) and adenine base editors (ABEs), scientists have developed more than 100 optimized base editors with improved editing efficiency, precision, specificity, targeting scope, and capacity to be delivered in vivo, greatly enhancing their application potential in biomedicine. Here, we review the recent development of base editors, summarize their applications in the biomedical field, and discuss future perspectives and challenges for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhui Liang
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya, 572000, China
| | - Fangbing Chen
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya, 572000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529020, China
| | - Kepin Wang
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya, 572000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529020, China
| | - Liangxue Lai
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
- Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou, 510530, China.
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya, 572000, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529020, China.
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24
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Guo J, Yu W, Li M, Chen H, Liu J, Xue X, Lin J, Huang S, Shu W, Huang X, Liu Z, Wang S, Qiao Y. A DddA ortholog-based and transactivator-assisted nuclear and mitochondrial cytosine base editors with expanded target compatibility. Mol Cell 2023; 83:1710-1724.e7. [PMID: 37141888 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) cytosine deaminase DddAtox-derived cytosine base editor (DdCBE) and its evolved variant, DddA11, guided by transcription-activator-like effector (TALE) proteins, enable mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) editing at TC or HC (H = A, C, or T) sequence contexts, while it remains relatively unattainable for GC targets. Here, we identified a dsDNA deaminase originated from a Roseburia intestinalis interbacterial toxin (riDddAtox) and generated CRISPR-mediated nuclear DdCBEs (crDdCBEs) and mitochondrial CBEs (mitoCBEs) using split riDddAtox, which catalyzed C-to-T editing at both HC and GC targets in nuclear and mitochondrial genes. Moreover, transactivator (VP64, P65, or Rta) fusion to the tail of DddAtox- or riDddAtox-mediated crDdCBEs and mitoCBEs substantially improved nuclear and mtDNA editing efficiencies by up to 3.5- and 1.7-fold, respectively. We also used riDddAtox-based and Rta-assisted mitoCBE to efficiently stimulate disease-associated mtDNA mutations in cultured cells and in mouse embryos with conversion frequencies of up to 58% at non-TC targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfan Guo
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Wenxia Yu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China; WLA Laboratories, Shanghai 201208, China
| | - Min Li
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China; Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hongyu Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Xiaowen Xue
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jianxiang Lin
- Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China; Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | | | - Wenjie Shu
- Bioinformatics Center of AMMS, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Xingxu Huang
- Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Shengqi Wang
- Bioinformatics Center of AMMS, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Yunbo Qiao
- Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China; Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China.
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25
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Khan A, Pudhuvai B, Shrestha A, Mishra AK, Shah MP, Koul B, Dey N. CRISPR-mediated iron and folate biofortification in crops: advances and perspectives. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2023:1-31. [PMID: 37092872 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2023.2205202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Micronutrient deficiency conditions, such as anemia, are the most prevalent global health problem due to inadequate iron and folate in dietary sources. Biofortification advancements can propel the rapid amelioration of nutritionally beneficial components in crops that are required to combat the adverse effects of micronutrient deficiencies on human health. To date, several strategies have been proposed to increase micronutrients in plants to improve food quality, but very few approaches have intrigued `clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats' (CRISPR) modules for the enhancement of iron and folate concentration in the edible parts of plants. In this review, we discuss two important approaches to simultaneously enhance the bioavailability of iron and folate concentrations in rice endosperms by utilizing advanced CRISPR-Cas9-based technology. This includes the 'tuning of cis-elements' and 'enhancer re-shuffling' in the regulatory components of genes that play a vital role in iron and folate biosynthesis/transportation pathways. In particular, base-editing and enhancer re-installation in native promoters of selected genes can lead to enhanced accumulation of iron and folate levels in the rice endosperm. The re-distribution of micronutrients in specific plant organs can be made possible using the above-mentioned contemporary approaches. Overall, the present review discusses the possible approaches for synchronized iron and folate biofortification through modification in regulatory gene circuits employing CRISPR-Cas9 technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahamed Khan
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Baveesh Pudhuvai
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ankita Shrestha
- Division of Microbial and Plant Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Ajay Kumar Mishra
- Khalifa Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maulin P Shah
- Division of Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Enviro Technology Ltd, Ankleshwar, Gujarat, India
| | - Bhupendra Koul
- Department of Biotechnology, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Nrisingha Dey
- Division of Microbial and Plant Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
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26
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Zhou L, Yao S. Recent advances in therapeutic CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing: mechanisms and applications. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2023; 4:10. [PMID: 37027099 PMCID: PMC10080534 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-023-00115-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 derived editing tools had significantly improved our ability to make desired changes in the genome. Wild-type Cas9 protein recognizes the target genomic loci and induced local double strand breaks (DSBs) in the guidance of small RNA molecule. In mammalian cells, the DSBs are mainly repaired by endogenous non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway, which is error prone and results in the formation of indels. The indels can be harnessed to interrupt gene coding sequences or regulation elements. The DSBs can also be fixed by homology directed repair (HDR) pathway to introduce desired changes, such as base substitution and fragment insertion, when proper donor templates are provided, albeit in a less efficient manner. Besides making DSBs, Cas9 protein can be mutated to serve as a DNA binding platform to recruit functional modulators to the target loci, performing local transcriptional regulation, epigenetic remolding, base editing or prime editing. These Cas9 derived editing tools, especially base editors and prime editors, can introduce precise changes into the target loci at a single-base resolution and in an efficient and irreversible manner. Such features make these editing tools very promising for therapeutic applications. This review focuses on the evolution and mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas9 derived editing tools and their applications in the field of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Zhou
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Shaohua Yao
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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27
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Adeyinka OS, Tabassum B, Koloko BL, Ogungbe IV. Enhancing the quality of staple food crops through CRISPR/Cas-mediated site-directed mutagenesis. PLANTA 2023; 257:78. [PMID: 36913066 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-023-04110-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The enhancement of CRISPR-Cas gene editing with robust nuclease activity promotes genetic modification of desirable agronomic traits, such as resistance to pathogens, drought tolerance, nutritional value, and yield-related traits in crops. The genetic diversity of food crops has reduced tremendously over the past twelve millennia due to plant domestication. This reduction presents significant challenges for the future especially considering the risks posed by global climate change to food production. While crops with improved phenotypes have been generated through crossbreeding, mutation breeding, and transgenic breeding over the years, improving phenotypic traits through precise genetic diversification has been challenging. The challenges are broadly associated with the randomness of genetic recombination and conventional mutagenesis. This review highlights how emerging gene-editing technologies reduce the burden and time necessary for developing desired traits in plants. Our focus is to provide readers with an overview of the advances in CRISPR-Cas-based genome editing for crop improvement. The use of CRISPR-Cas systems in generating genetic diversity to enhance the quality and nutritional value of staple food crops is discussed. We also outlined recent applications of CRISPR-Cas in developing pest-resistant crops and removing unwanted traits, such as allergenicity from crops. Genome editing tools continue to evolve and present unprecedented opportunities to enhance crop germplasm via precise mutations at the desired loci of the plant genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olawale Samuel Adeyinka
- Department of Chemistry, Physics and Atmospheric Sciences Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA.
| | - Bushra Tabassum
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Ifedayo Victor Ogungbe
- Department of Chemistry, Physics and Atmospheric Sciences Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA
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28
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Guo C, Ma X, Gao F, Guo Y. Off-target effects in CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1143157. [PMID: 36970624 PMCID: PMC10034092 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1143157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene editing stands for the methods to precisely make changes to a specific nucleic acid sequence. With the recent development of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system, gene editing has become efficient, convenient and programmable, leading to promising translational studies and clinical trials for both genetic and non-genetic diseases. A major concern in the applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system is about its off-target effects, namely the deposition of unexpected, unwanted, or even adverse alterations to the genome. To date, many methods have been developed to nominate or detect the off-target sites of CRISPR/Cas9, which laid the basis for the successful upgrades of CRISPR/Cas9 derivatives with enhanced precision. In this review, we summarize these technological advancements and discuss about the current challenges in the management of off-target effects for future gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congting Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Peking University Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoteng Ma
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Gao
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Fei Gao, ; Yuxuan Guo,
| | - Yuxuan Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Peking University Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Fei Gao, ; Yuxuan Guo,
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29
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Jin S, Lin Q, Gao Q, Gao C. Optimized prime editing in monocot plants using PlantPegDesigner and engineered plant prime editors (ePPEs). Nat Protoc 2023; 18:831-853. [PMID: 36434096 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-022-00773-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Prime editors (PEs), which can install desired base edits without donor DNA or double-strand breaks, have been used in plants and can, in principle, accelerate crop improvement and breeding. However, their editing efficiency in plants is generally low. Optimizing the prime editing guide RNA (pegRNA) by designing the sequence on the basis of melting temperature, using dual-pegRNAs and engineering PEs have all been shown to enhance PE efficiency. In addition, an automated pegRNA design platform, PlantPegDesigner, has been developed on the basis of rice prime editing experimental data. In this protocol, we present detailed protocols for designing and optimizing pegRNAs using PlantPegDesigner, constructing engineered plant PE vectors with enhanced editing efficiency for prime editing, evaluating prime editing efficiencies using a reporter system and comparing the effectiveness and byproducts of PEs by deep amplicon sequencing. Using this protocol, researchers can construct optimized pegRNAs for prime editing in 4-7 d and obtain prime-edited rice or wheat plants within 3 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiupeng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Qi Biodesign, Life Science Park, Beijing, China
| | - Caixia Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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30
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Getting better all the time - recent progress in the development of CRISPR/Cas-based tools for plant genome engineering. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 79:102854. [PMID: 36455451 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Since their first adaptation for plant genome editing, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated system nucleases and tools have revolutionized the field. While early approaches focused on targeted mutagenesis that relies on mutagenic repair of induced double-strand breaks, newly developed tools now enable the precise induction of predefined modifications. Constant efforts to optimize these tools have led to the generation of more efficient base editors with enlarged editing windows and have enabled previously unachievable C-G transversions. Prime editors were also optimized for the application in plants and now allow to accurately induce substitutions, insertions, and deletions. Recently, great progress was made through precise restructuring of chromosomes, which enables not only the breakage or formation of genetic linkages but also the swapping of promoters.
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31
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Gurel F, Wu Y, Pan C, Cheng Y, Li G, Zhang T, Qi Y. On- and Off-Target Analyses of CRISPR-Cas12b Genome Editing Systems in Rice. CRISPR J 2023; 6:62-74. [PMID: 36342783 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2022.0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR-associated Cas12b system is the third most efficient CRISPR tool for targeted genome editing in plants after Cas9 and Cas12a. Although the genome editing ability of AaCas12b has been previously investigated in rice, its off-target effects in plants are largely not known. In this study, we first engineered single-guide RNA (sgRNA) complexes with various RNA scaffolds to enhance editing frequency. We targeted EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR LIKE 9 (OsEPFL9) and GRAIN SIZE 3 (OsGS3) genes with GTTG and ATTC protospacer adjacent motifs, respectively. The use of two Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris scaffolds (Aac and Aa1.2) significantly increased the frequency of targeted mutagenesis. Next, we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of stably transformed T0 rice plants to assess off-target mutations. WGS analysis revealed background mutations in both coding and noncoding regions with no evidence of sgRNA-dependent off-target activity in edited genomes. We also showed Mendelian segregation of insertion and deletion (indel) mutations in T1 generation. In conclusion, both Aac and Aa1.2 scaffolds provided precise and heritable genome editing in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filiz Gurel
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuechao Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Changtian Pan
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Yanhao Cheng
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Gen Li
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Tao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA.,Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, Maryland, USA
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32
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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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33
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Tao J, Bauer DE, Chiarle R. Assessing and advancing the safety of CRISPR-Cas tools: from DNA to RNA editing. Nat Commun 2023; 14:212. [PMID: 36639728 PMCID: PMC9838544 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-35886-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas gene editing has revolutionized experimental molecular biology over the past decade and holds great promise for the treatment of human genetic diseases. Here we review the development of CRISPR-Cas9/Cas12/Cas13 nucleases, DNA base editors, prime editors, and RNA base editors, focusing on the assessment and improvement of their editing precision and safety, pushing the limit of editing specificity and efficiency. We summarize the capabilities and limitations of each CRISPR tool from DNA editing to RNA editing, and highlight the opportunities for future improvements and applications in basic research, as well as the therapeutic and clinical considerations for their use in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianli Tao
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Daniel E Bauer
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Broad Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Roberto Chiarle
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, 10126, Italy.
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34
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Gaillochet C, Peña Fernández A, Goossens V, D’Halluin K, Drozdzecki A, Shafie M, Van Duyse J, Van Isterdael G, Gonzalez C, Vermeersch M, De Saeger J, Develtere W, Audenaert D, De Vleesschauwer D, Meulewaeter F, Jacobs TB. Systematic optimization of Cas12a base editors in wheat and maize using the ITER platform. Genome Biol 2023; 24:6. [PMID: 36639800 PMCID: PMC9838060 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02836-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testing an ever-increasing number of CRISPR components is challenging when developing new genome engineering tools. Plant biotechnology has few high-throughput options to perform iterative design-build-test-learn cycles of gene-editing reagents. To bridge this gap, we develop ITER (Iterative Testing of Editing Reagents) based on 96-well arrayed protoplast transfections and high-content imaging. RESULTS We validate ITER in wheat and maize protoplasts using Cas9 cytosine and adenine base editors (ABEs), allowing one optimization cycle - from design to results - within 3 weeks. Given that previous LbCas12a-ABEs have low or no activity in plants, we use ITER to develop an optimized LbCas12a-ABE. We show that sequential improvement of five components - NLS, crRNA, LbCas12a, adenine deaminase, and linker - leads to a remarkable increase in activity from almost undetectable levels to 40% on an extrachromosomal GFP reporter. We confirm the activity of LbCas12a-ABE at endogenous targets in protoplasts and obtain base-edited plants in up to 55% of stable wheat transformants and the edits are transmitted to T1 progeny. We leverage these improvements to develop a highly mutagenic LbCas12a nuclease and a LbCas12a-CBE demonstrating that the optimizations can be broadly applied to the Cas12a toolbox. CONCLUSION Our data show that ITER is a sensitive, versatile, and high-throughput platform that can be harnessed to accelerate the development of genome editing technologies in plants. We use ITER to create an efficient Cas12a-ABE by iteratively testing a large panel of vector components. ITER will likely be useful to create and optimize genome editing reagents in a wide range of plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Gaillochet
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium ,grid.511033.5VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alexandra Peña Fernández
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium ,grid.511033.5VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Vera Goossens
- grid.11486.3a0000000104788040Screening Core, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium ,grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Centre for Bioassay Development and Screening (C-BIOS), Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katelijn D’Halluin
- BASF Belgium Coordination Center CommV, Innovation Center Gent, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 101, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andrzej Drozdzecki
- grid.11486.3a0000000104788040Screening Core, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium ,grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Centre for Bioassay Development and Screening (C-BIOS), Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Myriam Shafie
- BASF Belgium Coordination Center CommV, Innovation Center Gent, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 101, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Julie Van Duyse
- grid.11486.3a0000000104788040VIB Flow Core, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gert Van Isterdael
- grid.11486.3a0000000104788040VIB Flow Core, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Camila Gonzalez
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium ,grid.511033.5VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mattias Vermeersch
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium ,grid.511033.5VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jonas De Saeger
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium ,grid.511033.5VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ward Develtere
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium ,grid.511033.5VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dominique Audenaert
- grid.11486.3a0000000104788040Screening Core, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium ,grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Centre for Bioassay Development and Screening (C-BIOS), Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - David De Vleesschauwer
- BASF Belgium Coordination Center CommV, Innovation Center Gent, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 101, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frank Meulewaeter
- BASF Belgium Coordination Center CommV, Innovation Center Gent, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 101, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thomas B. Jacobs
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium ,grid.511033.5VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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35
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Aliaga Goltsman DS, Alexander LM, Lin JL, Fregoso Ocampo R, Freeman B, Lamothe RC, Perez Rivas A, Temoche-Diaz MM, Chadha S, Nordenfelt N, Janson OP, Barr I, Devoto AE, Cost GJ, Butterfield CN, Thomas BC, Brown CT. Compact Cas9d and HEARO enzymes for genome editing discovered from uncultivated microbes. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7602. [PMID: 36522342 PMCID: PMC9755519 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35257-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmable, RNA-guided nucleases are diverse enzymes that have been repurposed for biotechnological applications. However, to further expand the therapeutic application of these tools there is a need for targetable systems that are small enough to be delivered efficiently. Here, we mined an extensive genome-resolved metagenomics database and identified families of uncharacterized RNA-guided, compact nucleases (between 450 and 1,050 aa). We report that Cas9d, a new CRISPR type II subtype, contains Zinc-finger motifs and high arginine content, features that we also found in nucleases related to HEARO effectors. These enzymes exhibit diverse biochemical characteristics and are broadly targetable. We show that natural Cas9d enzymes are capable of genome editing in mammalian cells with >90% efficiency, and further engineered nickase variants into the smallest base editors active in E. coli and human cells. Their small size, broad targeting potential, and translatability suggest that Cas9d and HEARO systems will enable a variety of genome editing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jyun-Liang Lin
- Metagenomi Inc. 1545 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Owen P Janson
- Metagenomi Inc. 1545 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
| | - Ian Barr
- Metagenomi Inc. 1545 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
| | - Audra E Devoto
- Metagenomi Inc. 1545 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
| | - Gregory J Cost
- Metagenomi Inc. 1545 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
| | | | - Brian C Thomas
- Metagenomi Inc. 1545 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
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36
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Qiu HY, Ji RJ, Zhang Y. Current advances of CRISPR-Cas technology in cell therapy. CELL INSIGHT 2022; 1:100067. [PMID: 37193354 PMCID: PMC10120314 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellin.2022.100067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas is a versatile genome editing technology that has been broadly applied in both basic research and translation medicine. Ever since its discovery, the bacterial derived endonucleases have been engineered to a collection of robust genome-editing tools for introducing frameshift mutations or base conversions at site-specific loci. Since the initiation of first-in-human trial in 2016, CRISPR-Cas has been tested in 57 cell therapy trials, 38 of which focusing on engineered CAR-T cells and TCR-T cells for cancer malignancies, 15 trials of engineered hematopoietic stem cells treating hemoglobinopathies, leukemia and AIDS, and 4 trials of engineered iPSCs for diabetes and cancer. Here, we aim to review the recent breakthroughs of CRISPR technology and highlight their applications in cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hou-Yuan Qiu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Rui-Jin Ji
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
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37
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Multiplexed base editing through Cas12a variant-mediated cytosine and adenine base editors. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1163. [PMID: 36323848 PMCID: PMC9630288 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04152-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cas12a can process multiple sgRNAs from a single transcript of CRISPR array, conferring advantages in multiplexed base editing when incorporated into base editor systems, which is extremely helpful given that phenotypes commonly involve multiple genes or single-nucleotide variants. However, multiplexed base editing through Cas12a-derived base editors has been barely reported, mainly due to the compromised efficiencies and restricted protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM) of TTTV for wild-type Cas12a. Here, we develop Cas12a-mediated cytosine base editor (CBE) and adenine base editor (ABE) systems with elevated efficiencies and expanded targeting scope, by combining highly active deaminases with Lachnospiraceae bacterium Cas12a (LbCas12a) variants. We confirm that these CBEs and ABEs can perform efficient C-to-T and A-to-G conversions, respectively, on targets with PAMs of NTTN, TYCN, and TRTN. Notably, multiplexed base editing can be conducted using the developed CBEs and ABEs in somatic cells and embryos. These Cas12a variant-mediated base editors will serve as versatile tools for multiplexed point mutation, which is notably important in genetic improvement, disease modeling, and gene therapy.
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38
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Liu N, Zhou L, Lin G, Hu Y, Jiao Y, Wang Y, Liu J, Yang S, Yao S. HDAC inhibitors improve CRISPR-Cas9 mediated prime editing and base editing. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 29:36-46. [PMID: 35784015 PMCID: PMC9207553 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in CRISPR-Cas9 techniques, especially the discovery of base and prime editing, have significantly improved our ability to make precise changes in the genome. We hypothesized that modulating certain endogenous pathway cells could improve the action of those editing tools in mammalian cells. We established a reporter system in which a small fragment was integrated into the genome by prime editing (PE). With this system, we screened an in-house small-molecule library and identified a group of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) increasing prime editing. We also found that HDACi increased the efficiency of both cytosine base editing (CBE) and adenine base editing (ABE). Moreover, HDACi increased the purity of cytosine base editor products, which was accompanied by an upregulation of the acetylation of uracil DNA glycosylase (UNG) and UNG inhibitor (UGI) and an enhancement of their interaction. In summary, our work demonstrated that HDACi improves Cas9-mediated prime editing and base editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Liu
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lifang Zhou
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Guifeng Lin
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yun Hu
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yaoge Jiao
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanhong Wang
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jingming Liu
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Shengyong Yang
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Shaohua Yao
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
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39
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Wu Y, Ren Q, Zhong Z, Liu G, Han Y, Bao Y, Liu L, Xiang S, Liu S, Tang X, Zhou J, Zheng X, Sretenovic S, Zhang T, Qi Y, Zhang Y. Genome-wide analyses of PAM-relaxed Cas9 genome editors reveal substantial off-target effects by ABE8e in rice. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:1670-1682. [PMID: 35524459 PMCID: PMC9398351 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
PAM-relaxed Cas9 nucleases, cytosine base editors and adenine base editors are promising tools for precise genome editing in plants. However, their genome-wide off-target effects are largely unexplored. Here, we conduct whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analyses of transgenic plants edited by xCas9, Cas9-NGv1, Cas9-NG, SpRY, nCas9-NG-PmCDA1, nSpRY-PmCDA1 and nSpRY-ABE8e in rice. Our results reveal that Cas9 nuclease and base editors, when coupled with the same guide RNA (gRNA), prefer distinct gRNA-dependent off-target sites. De novo generated gRNAs by SpRY editors lead to additional, but insubstantial, off-target mutations. Strikingly, ABE8e results in ~500 genome-wide A-to-G off-target mutations at TA motif sites per transgenic plant. ABE8e's preference for the TA motif is also observed at the target sites. Finally, we investigate the timeline and mechanism of somaclonal variation due to tissue culture, which chiefly contributes to the background mutations. This study provides a comprehensive understanding on the scale and mechanisms of off-target and background mutations occurring during PAM-relaxed genome editing in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuechao Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and PhysiologyAgricultural College of Yangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri‐Product SafetyThe Ministry of Education of ChinaYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Jiangsu Co‐Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain CropsYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
| | - Qiurong Ren
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Zhaohui Zhong
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Guanqing Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and PhysiologyAgricultural College of Yangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri‐Product SafetyThe Ministry of Education of ChinaYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Jiangsu Co‐Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain CropsYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
| | - Yangshuo Han
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and PhysiologyAgricultural College of Yangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri‐Product SafetyThe Ministry of Education of ChinaYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Jiangsu Co‐Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain CropsYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
| | - Yu Bao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and PhysiologyAgricultural College of Yangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri‐Product SafetyThe Ministry of Education of ChinaYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Jiangsu Co‐Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain CropsYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
| | - Li Liu
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Shuyue Xiang
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Shuo Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and PhysiologyAgricultural College of Yangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri‐Product SafetyThe Ministry of Education of ChinaYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Jiangsu Co‐Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain CropsYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
| | - Xu Tang
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Jianping Zhou
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Xuelian Zheng
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Simon Sretenovic
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape ArchitectureUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
| | - Tao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and PhysiologyAgricultural College of Yangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri‐Product SafetyThe Ministry of Education of ChinaYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Jiangsu Co‐Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain CropsYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape ArchitectureUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology ResearchUniversity of MarylandRockvilleMarylandUSA
| | - Yong Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and PhysiologyAgricultural College of Yangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
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40
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Zong Y, Liu Y, Xue C, Li B, Li X, Wang Y, Li J, Liu G, Huang X, Cao X, Gao C. An engineered prime editor with enhanced editing efficiency in plants. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:1394-1402. [PMID: 35332341 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01254-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Prime editing is a versatile genome-editing technology, but it suffers from low editing efficiency. In the present study, we introduce optimized prime editors with substantially improved editing efficiency. We engineered the Moloney-murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase by removing its ribonuclease H domain and incorporated a viral nucleocapsid protein with nucleic acid chaperone activity. Each modification independently improved prime editing efficiency by ~1.8-3.4-fold in plant cells. When combined in our engineered plant prime editor (ePPE), the two modifications synergistically enhanced the efficiency of base substitutions, deletions and insertions at various endogenous sites by on average 5.8-fold compared with the original PPE in cell culture. No significant increase in byproducts or off-target editing was observed. We used the ePPE to generate rice plants tolerant to sulfonylurea and imidazolinone herbicides, observing an editing frequency of 11.3% compared with 2.1% using PPE. We also combined ePPE with the previously reported dual-prime editing guide (peg) RNAs and engineered pegRNAs to further increase efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yijing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chenxiao Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Boshu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangyang Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanpeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ji Li
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guanwen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xingxu Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaofeng Cao
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Caixia Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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41
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Zhang RX, Li BB, Yang ZG, Huang JQ, Sun WH, Bhanbhro N, Liu WT, Chen KM. Dissecting Plant Gene Functions Using CRISPR Toolsets for Crop Improvement. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:7343-7359. [PMID: 35695482 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c01754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The CRISPR-based gene editing technology has become more and more powerful in genome manipulation for agricultural breeding, with numerous improved toolsets springing up. In recent years, many CRISPR toolsets for gene editing, such as base editors (BEs), CRISPR interference (CRISPRi), CRISPR activation (CRISPRa), and plant epigenetic editors (PEEs), have been developed to clarify gene function and full-level gene regulation. Here, we comprehensively summarize the application and capacity of the different CRISPR toolsets in the study of plant gene expression regulation, highlighting their potential application in gene regulatory networks' analysis. The general problems in CRISPR application and the optimal solutions in the existing schemes for high-throughput gene function analysis are also discussed. The CRISPR toolsets targeting gene manipulation discussed here provide new solutions for further genetic improvement and molecular breeding of crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Xiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Area/College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Bin-Bin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Area/College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Zheng-Guang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Area/College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Jia-Qi Huang
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Wei-Hang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Area/College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Nadeem Bhanbhro
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Area/College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Wen-Ting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Area/College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Kun-Ming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Area/College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
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42
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Abstract
The rapid development of CRISPR-Cas genome editing tools has greatly changed the way to conduct research and holds tremendous promise for clinical applications. During genome editing, CRISPR-Cas enzymes induce DNA breaks at the target sites and subsequently the DNA repair pathways are recruited to generate diverse editing outcomes. Besides off-target cleavage, unwanted editing outcomes including chromosomal structural variations and exogenous DNA integrations have recently raised concerns for clinical safety. To eliminate these unwanted editing byproducts, we need to explore the underlying mechanisms for the formation of diverse editing outcomes from the perspective of DNA repair. Here, we describe the involved DNA repair pathways in sealing Cas enzyme-induced DNA double-stranded breaks and discuss the origins and effects of unwanted editing byproducts on genome stability. Furthermore, we propose the potential risk of inhibiting DNA repair pathways to enhance gene editing. The recent combined studies of DNA repair and CRISPR-Cas editing provide a framework for further optimizing genome editing to enhance editing safety.
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43
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Zhu H, Yin X, Holley CL, Meyer KD. Improved Methods for Deamination-Based m6A Detection. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:888279. [PMID: 35573664 PMCID: PMC9092492 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.888279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a critical regulator of gene expression and cellular function. Much of our knowledge of m6A has been enabled by the identification of m6A sites transcriptome-wide. However, global m6A profiling methods require high amounts of input RNA to accurately identify methylated RNAs, making m6A profiling from rare cell types or scarce tissue samples infeasible. To overcome this issue, we previously developed DART-seq, which relies on the expression of a fusion protein consisting of the APOBEC1 cytidine deaminase tethered to the m6A-binding YTH domain. APOBEC1-YTH directs C-to-U mutations adjacent to m6A sites, therefore enabling single nucleotide-resolution m6A mapping. Here, we present an improved version of DART-seq which utilizes a variant of the YTH domain engineered to achieve enhanced m6A recognition. In addition, we develop in vitro DART-seq and show that it performs similarly to cellular DART-seq and can map m6A in any sample of interest using nanogram amounts of total RNA. Altogether, these improvements to the DART-seq approach will enable better m6A detection and will facilitate the mapping of m6A in samples not previously amenable to global m6A profiling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanyu Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Xinhe Yin
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Christopher L. Holley
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Kate D. Meyer
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Kate D. Meyer,
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44
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Das D, Singha DL, Paswan RR, Chowdhury N, Sharma M, Reddy PS, Chikkaputtaiah C. Recent advancements in CRISPR/Cas technology for accelerated crop improvement. PLANTA 2022; 255:109. [PMID: 35460444 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-022-03894-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Precise genome engineering approaches could be perceived as a second paradigm for targeted trait improvement in crop plants, with the potential to overcome the constraints imposed by conventional CRISPR/Cas technology. The likelihood of reduced agricultural production due to highly turbulent climatic conditions increases as the global population expands. The second paradigm of stress-resilient crops with enhanced tolerance and increased productivity against various stresses is paramount to support global production and consumption equilibrium. Although traditional breeding approaches have substantially increased crop production and yield, effective strategies are anticipated to restore crop productivity even further in meeting the world's increasing food demands. CRISPR/Cas, which originated in prokaryotes, has surfaced as a coveted genome editing tool in recent decades, reshaping plant molecular biology in unprecedented ways and paving the way for engineering stress-tolerant crops. CRISPR/Cas is distinguished by its efficiency, high target specificity, and modularity, enables precise genetic modification of crop plants, allowing for the creation of allelic variations in the germplasm and the development of novel and more productive agricultural practices. Additionally, a slew of advanced biotechnologies premised on the CRISPR/Cas methodologies have augmented fundamental research and plant synthetic biology toolkits. Here, we describe gene editing tools, including CRISPR/Cas and its imitative tools, such as base and prime editing, multiplex genome editing, chromosome engineering followed by their implications in crop genetic improvement. Further, we comprehensively discuss the latest developments of CRISPR/Cas technology including CRISPR-mediated gene drive, tissue-specific genome editing, dCas9 mediated epigenetic modification and programmed self-elimination of transgenes in plants. Finally, we highlight the applicability and scope of advanced CRISPR-based techniques in crop genetic improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debajit Das
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India
| | - Dhanawantari L Singha
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India
| | - Ricky Raj Paswan
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, 785013, India
| | - Naimisha Chowdhury
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India
| | - Monica Sharma
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India
| | - Palakolanu Sudhakar Reddy
- International Crop Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Hyderabad, 502 324, India
| | - Channakeshavaiah Chikkaputtaiah
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201 002, India.
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45
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Zhao D, Jiang G, Li J, Chen X, Li S, Wang J, Zhou Z, Pu S, Dai Z, Ma Y, Bi C, Zhang X. Imperfect guide-RNA (igRNA) enables CRISPR single-base editing with ABE and CBE. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:4161-4170. [PMID: 35349689 PMCID: PMC9023296 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR base editing techniques tend to edit multiple bases in the targeted region, which is a limitation for precisely reverting disease-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We designed an imperfect gRNA (igRNA) editing methodology, which utilized a gRNA with one or more bases that were not complementary to the target locus to direct base editing toward the generation of a single-base edited product. Base editing experiments illustrated that igRNA editing with CBEs greatly increased the single-base editing fraction relative to normal gRNA editing with increased editing efficiencies. Similar results were obtained with an adenine base editor (ABE). At loci such as DNMT3B, NSD1, PSMB2, VIATA hs267 and ANO5, near-perfect single-base editing was achieved. Normally an igRNA with good single-base editing efficiency could be selected from a set of a few igRNAs, with a simple protocol. As a proof-of-concept, igRNAs were used in the research to construct cell lines of disease-associated SNP causing primary hyperoxaluria construction research. This work provides a simple strategy to achieve single-base base editing with both ABEs and CBEs and overcomes a key obstacle that limits the use of base editors in treating SNP-associated diseases or creating disease-associated SNP-harboring cell lines and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Zhao
- College of Life Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Guo Jiang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- School of Life Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
| | - Ju Li
- College of Life Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuxu Chen
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- School of Life Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Siwei Li
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- School of Biological Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
| | - Zuping Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
- Guangxi Universities Key Laboratory of Stem cell and Biopharmaceutical Technology, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
| | - Shiming Pu
- School of Life Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
- Guangxi Universities Key Laboratory of Stem cell and Biopharmaceutical Technology, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
| | - Zhubo Dai
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanhe Ma
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Changhao Bi
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Xueli Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
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Gao R, Fu ZC, Li X, Wang Y, Wei J, Li G, Wang L, Wu J, Huang X, Yang L, Chen J. Genomic and Transcriptomic Analyses of Prime Editing Guide RNA-Independent Off-Target Effects by Prime Editors. CRISPR J 2022; 5:276-293. [PMID: 35294852 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2021.0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Prime editors (PEs) were developed to induce versatile edits at a guide-specified genomic locus. With all RNA-guided genome editors, guide-dependent off-target (OT) mutations can occur at other sites bearing similarity to the intended target. However, whether PEs carry the additional risk of guide-independent mutations elicited by their unique enzymatic moiety (i.e., reverse transcriptase) has not been examined systematically in mammalian cells. Here, we developed a cost-effective sensitive platform to profile guide-independent OT effects in human cells. We did not observe guide-independent OT mutations in the DNA or RNA of prime editor 3 (PE3)-edited cells, or alterations to their telomeres, endogenous retroelements, alternative splicing events, or gene expression. Together, our results showed undetectable prime editing guide RNA-independent OT effects of PE3 in human cells, suggesting the high editing specificity of its reverse-transcriptase moiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runze Gao
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, P.R. China; Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China; Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China; and Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Can Fu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiangyang Li
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, P.R. China; Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China; and Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Ying Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jia Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Guangye Li
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, P.R. China; Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China; Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China; and Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Lijie Wang
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, P.R. China; Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China; Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wu
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, P.R. China; Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China; Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xingxu Huang
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, P.R. China; Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Li Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jia Chen
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, P.R. China; Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China; Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
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47
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Hua K, Han P, Zhu JK. Improvement of base editors and prime editors advances precision genome engineering in plants. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:1795-1810. [PMID: 34962995 PMCID: PMC8968349 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated protein (Cas)-mediated gene disruption has revolutionized biomedical research as well as plant and animal breeding. However, most disease-causing mutations and agronomically important genetic variations are single base polymorphisms (single-nucleotide polymorphisms) that require precision genome editing tools for correction of the sequences. Although homology-directed repair of double-stranded breaks (DSBs) can introduce precise changes, such repairs are inefficient in differentiated animal and plant cells. Base editing and prime editing are two recently developed genome engineering approaches that can efficiently introduce precise edits into target sites without requirement of DSB formation or donor DNA templates. They have been applied in several plant species with promising results. Here, we review the extensive literature on improving the efficiency, target scope, and specificity of base editors and prime editors in plants. We also highlight recent progress on base editing in plant organellar genomes and discuss how these precision genome editing tools are advancing basic plant research and crop breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Hua
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201602, China
| | - Peijin Han
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201602, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jian-Kang Zhu
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201602, China
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48
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Zhu G, Zhu H. Modified Gene Editing Systems: Diverse Bioengineering Tools and Crop Improvement. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:847169. [PMID: 35371136 PMCID: PMC8969578 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.847169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Gene-editing systems have emerged as bioengineering tools in recent years. Classical gene-editing systems include zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) with CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) (CRISPR/Cas9), and these tools allow specific sequences to be targeted and edited. Various modified gene-editing systems have been established based on classical gene-editing systems. Base editors (BEs) can accurately carry out base substitution on target sequences, while prime editors (PEs) can replace or insert sequences. CRISPR systems targeting mitochondrial genomes and RNA have also been explored and established. Multiple gene-editing techniques based on CRISPR/Cas9 have been established and applied to genome engineering. Modified gene-editing systems also make transgene-free plants more readily available. In this review, we discuss the modifications made to gene-editing systems in recent years and summarize the capabilities, deficiencies, and applications of these modified gene-editing systems. Finally, we discuss the future developmental direction and challenges of modified gene-editing systems.
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49
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Nguyen Tran MT, Kc R, Hewitt AW. A Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Classification of Diverse Base Editors. CRISPR J 2022; 5:311-328. [PMID: 35244489 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2021.0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Base editors mediate the targeted conversion of single nucleobases in a therapeutically relevant manner. Herein, we present a hypothetical taxonomic and phylogenetic framework for the classification of more than 200 different DNA base editors, and we categorize them based on their described properties. Following evaluation of their in situ activity windows, which were derived by cataloguing their activity in published literature, organization is done hierarchically, with specific base editor signatures being subcategorized according to their on-target activity or nonspecific, genome- or transcriptome-wide activity. Based on this categorization, we curate a phylogenetic framework, based on protein homology alignment, and describe a taxonomic structure that clusters base editor variants on their target chemistry, endonuclease component, identity of their deaminase component, and their described properties into discrete taxa. Thus, we establish a hypothetical taxonomic structure that can describe and organize current and potentially future base editing variants into clearly defined groups that are defined by their characteristics. Finally, we summarize our findings into a navigable database (ShinyApp in R) that allows users to select through our repository to nominate ideal base editor candidates as a starting point for further testing in their specific application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh Thuan Nguyen Tran
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia; and The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rajendra Kc
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia; and The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alex W Hewitt
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia; and The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Centre for Eye Research Australia, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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50
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Wu Y, He Y, Sretenovic S, Liu S, Cheng Y, Han Y, Liu G, Bao Y, Fang Q, Zheng X, Zhou J, Qi Y, Zhang Y, Zhang T. CRISPR-BETS: a base-editing design tool for generating stop codons. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:499-510. [PMID: 34669232 PMCID: PMC8882796 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cytosine base editors (CBEs) can install a predefined stop codon at the target site, representing a more predictable and neater method for creating genetic knockouts without altering the genome size. Due to the enhanced predictability of the editing outcomes, it is also more efficient to obtain homozygous mutants in the first generation. With the recent advancement of CBEs on improved editing activity, purify and specificity in plants and animals, base editing has become a more appealing technology for generating knockouts. However, there is a lack of design tools that can aid the adoption of CBEs for achieving such a purpose, especially in plants. Here, we developed a user-friendly design tool named CRISPR-BETS (base editing to stop), which helps with guide RNA (gRNA) design for introducing stop codons in the protein-coding genes of interest. We demonstrated in rice and tomato that CRISPR-BETS is easy-to-use, and its generated gRNAs are highly specific and efficient for generating stop codons and obtaining homozygous knockout lines. While we tailored the tool for the plant research community, CRISPR-BETS can also serve non-plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuechao Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and PhysiologyAgricultural College of Yangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Jiangsu Co‐Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain CropsYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
| | - Yao He
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Science and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Simon Sretenovic
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape ArchitectureUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
| | - Shishi Liu
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Science and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Yanhao Cheng
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape ArchitectureUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
| | - Yangshuo Han
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and PhysiologyAgricultural College of Yangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Jiangsu Co‐Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain CropsYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
| | - Guanqing Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and PhysiologyAgricultural College of Yangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Jiangsu Co‐Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain CropsYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
| | - Yu Bao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and PhysiologyAgricultural College of Yangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Jiangsu Co‐Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain CropsYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
| | - Qing Fang
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Science and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Xuelian Zheng
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Science and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Jianping Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and PhysiologyAgricultural College of Yangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Science and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape ArchitectureUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology ResearchUniversity of MarylandRockvilleMarylandUSA
| | - Yong Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and PhysiologyAgricultural College of Yangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Science and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Tao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and PhysiologyAgricultural College of Yangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Jiangsu Co‐Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain CropsYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri‐Product SafetyThe Ministry of Education of ChinaYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
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