1
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yu M, Kuang Y, Wang C, Wu X, Li S, Zhang D, Sun W, Zhou X, Ren B, Zhou H. Diverse nucleotide substitutions in rice base editing mediated by novel TadA variants. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 5:100926. [PMID: 38725246 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2024.100926] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR-mediated base editors have been widely used to correct defective alleles and create novel alleles by artificial evolution for the rapid genetic improvement of crops. The editing capabilities of base editors strictly rely on the performance of various nucleotide modification enzymes. Compared with the well-developed adenine base editors (ABEs), cytosine base editors (CBEs) and dual base editors suffer from unstable editing efficiency and patterns at different genomic loci in rice, significantly limiting their application. Here, we comprehensively examined the base editing activities of multiple evolved TadA8e variants in rice. We found that both TadA-CDd and TadA-E27R/N46L achieved more robust C-to-T editing than previously reported hyperactive hAID∗Δ, and TadA-CDd outperformed TadA-E27R/N46L. A C-to-G base editor (CGBE) engineered with TadA-CDd and OsUNG performed highly efficient C-to-G editing in rice compared with that of TadA-N46P. In addition, a dual base editor constructed with a single protein, TadDE, enabled simultaneous, highly efficient C-to-T and A-to-G editing in rice. Collectively, our results demonstrate that TadA8e derivatives improve both CBEs and dual base editors in rice, providing a powerful way to induce diverse nucleotide substitutions for plant genome editing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Man Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yongjie Kuang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chenyang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xuemei Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop Pests in Guilin, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guilin 541399, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment, College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Shaofang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, National Engineering Research Center for Vegetables, Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Dawei Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment, College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Wenxian Sun
- Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xueping Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Bin Ren
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop Pests in Guilin, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guilin 541399, China.
| | - Huanbin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop Pests in Guilin, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guilin 541399, China; Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Sanya 572024, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zheng Z, Liu T, Chai N, Zeng D, Zhang R, Wu Y, Hang J, Liu Y, Deng Q, Tan J, Liu J, Xie X, Liu YG, Zhu Q. PhieDBEs: a DBD-containing, PAM-flexible, high-efficiency dual base editor toolbox with wide targeting scope for use in plants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024. [PMID: 39031643 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Dual base editors (DBEs) enable simultaneous A-to-G and C-to-T conversions, expanding mutation types. However, low editing efficiency and narrow targeting range limit the widespread use of DBEs in plants. The single-strand DNA binding domain of RAD51 DBD can be fused to base editors to improve their editing efficiency. However, it remains unclear how the DBD affects dual base editing performance in plants. In this study, we generated a series of novel plant DBE-SpGn tools consisting of nine constructs using the high-activity cytidine deaminase evoFERNY, adenosine deaminase TadA8e and DBD in various fusion modes with the PAM-flexible Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) nickase variant SpGn (with NG-PAM). By analysing their editing performance on 48 targets in rice, we found that DBE-SpGn constructs containing a single DBD and deaminases located at the N-terminus of SpGn exhibited the highest editing efficiencies. Meanwhile, constructs with deaminases located at the C-terminus and/or multiple DBDs failed to function normally and exhibited inhibited editing activity. We identified three particularly high-efficiency dual base editors (C-A-SpGn, C-A-D-SpGn and A-C-D-SpGn), named PhieDBEs (Plant high-efficiency dual base editors), capable of producing efficient dual base conversions within a narrow editing window (M5 ~ M9, M = A/C). The editing efficiency of C-A-D-SpGn was as high as 95.2% at certain target sites, with frequencies of simultaneous C-to-T and A-to-G conversions as high as 81.0%. In summary, PhieDBEs (especially C-A-D-SpGn) can produce diverse mutants and may prove useful in a wide variety of applications, including plant functional genomics, precise mutagenesis, directed evolution and crop genetic improvement, among others.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiye Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Taoli Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nan Chai
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongchang Zeng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Landscape Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization in Lijiang River Basin, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
| | - Ruixiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaxuan Hang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qindi Deng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiantao Tan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Rice Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of High-Quality Rice in Southern China (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Key Laboratory of New Technology in Rice Breeding, Guangdong Rice Engineering Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jialin Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianrong Xie
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yao-Guang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qinlong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li Y, Li S, Li C, Zhang C, Yan L, Li J, He Y, Guo Y, Xia L. Fusion of a rice endogenous N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase to a plant adenine base transition editor ABE8e enables A-to-K base editing in rice plants. ABIOTECH 2024; 5:127-139. [PMID: 38974865 PMCID: PMC11224198 DOI: 10.1007/s42994-024-00138-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Engineering of a new type of plant base editor for simultaneous adenine transition and transversion within the editing window will greatly expand the scope and potential of base editing in directed evolution and crop improvement. Here, we isolated a rice endogenous hypoxanthine excision protein, N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase (OsMPG), and engineered two plant A-to-K (K = G or T) base editors, rAKBE01 and rAKBE02, for simultaneous adenine transition and transversion base editing in rice by fusing OsMPG or its mutant mOsMPG to a plant adenine transition base editor, ABE8e. We further coupled either OsMPG or mOsMPG with a transactivation factor VP64 to generate rAKBE03 and rAKBE04, respectively. Testing these four rAKBEs, at five endogenous loci in rice protoplasts, indicated that rAKBE03 and rAKBE04 enabled higher levels of A-to-G base transitions when compared to ABE8e and ABE8e-VP64. Furthermore, whereas rAKBE01 only enabled A-to-C/T editing at one endogenous locus, in comparison with rAKBE02 and rAKBE03, rAKBE04 could significantly improve the A-to-C/T base transversion efficiencies by up to 6.57- and 1.75-fold in the rice protoplasts, respectively. Moreover, although no stable lines with A-to-C transversion were induced by rAKBE01 and rAKBE04, rAKBE04 could enable simultaneous A-to-G and A-to-T transition and transversion base editing, at all the five target loci, with the efficiencies of A-to-G transition and A-to-T transversion editing ranging from 70.97 to 92.31% and 1.67 to 4.84% in rice stable lines, respectively. Together, these rAKBEs enable different portfolios of editing products and, thus, now expands the potential of base editing in diverse application scenario for crop improvement. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42994-024-00138-8.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yucai Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), CAAS, Sanya, 572024 China
| | - Shaoya Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), CAAS, Sanya, 572024 China
| | - Chenfei Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Lei Yan
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Jingying Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), CAAS, Sanya, 572024 China
| | - Yubing He
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), CAAS, Sanya, 572024 China
| | - Yan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Lanqin Xia
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), CAAS, Sanya, 572024 China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang G, Wang F, Xu Z, Wang Y, Zhang C, Zhou Y, Hui F, Yang X, Nie X, Zhang X, Jin S. Precise fine-turning of GhTFL1 by base editing tools defines ideal cotton plant architecture. Genome Biol 2024; 25:59. [PMID: 38409014 PMCID: PMC10895741 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03189-8] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CRISPR/Cas-derived base editor enables precise editing of target sites and has been widely used for basic research and crop genetic improvement. However, the editing efficiency of base editors at different targets varies greatly. RESULTS Here, we develop a set of highly efficient base editors in cotton plants. GhABE8e, which is fused to conventional nCas9, exhibits 99.9% editing efficiency, compared to GhABE7.10 with 64.9%, and no off-target editing is detected. We further replace nCas9 with dCpf1, which recognizes TTTV PAM sequences, to broaden the range of the target site. To explore the functional divergence of TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1), we edit the non-coding and coding regions of GhTFL1 with 26 targets to generate a comprehensive allelic population including 300 independent lines in cotton. This allows hidden pleiotropic roles for GhTFL1 to be revealed and allows us to rapidly achieve directed domestication of cotton and create ideotype germplasm with moderate height, shortened fruiting branches, compact plant, and early-flowering. Further, by exploring the molecular mechanism of the GhTFL1L86P and GhTFL1K53G+S78G mutations, we find that the GhTFL1L86P mutation weakens the binding strength of the GhTFL1 to other proteins but does not lead to a complete loss of GhTFL1 function. CONCLUSIONS This strategy provides an important technical platform and genetic information for the study and creation of ideal plant architecture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guanying Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Fuqiu Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Zhongping Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Ying Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Can Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Fengjiao Hui
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Xiyan Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Xinhui Nie
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology Agricultural of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Agricultural College, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832003, China.
| | - Xianlong Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China.
| | - Shuangxia Jin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rogo U, Simoni S, Fambrini M, Giordani T, Pugliesi C, Mascagni F. Future-Proofing Agriculture: De Novo Domestication for Sustainable and Resilient Crops. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2374. [PMID: 38397047 PMCID: PMC10888583 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The worldwide agricultural system confronts a significant challenge represented by the increasing demand for food in the face of a growing global population. This challenge is exacerbated by a reduction in cultivable land and the adverse effects of climate change on crop yield quantity and quality. Breeders actively embrace cutting-edge omics technologies to pursue resilient genotypes in response to these pressing issues. In this global context, new breeding techniques (NBTs) are emerging as the future of agriculture, offering a solution to introduce resilient crops that can ensure food security, particularly against challenging climate events. Indeed, the search for domestication genes as well as the genetic modification of these loci in wild species using genome editing tools are crucial steps in carrying out de novo domestication of wild plants without compromising their genetic background. Current knowledge allows us to take different paths from those taken by early Neolithic farmers, where crop domestication has opposed natural selection. In this process traits and alleles negatively correlated with high resource environment performance are probably eradicated through artificial selection, while others may have been lost randomly due to domestication and genetic bottlenecks. Thus, domestication led to highly productive plants with little genetic diversity, owing to the loss of valuable alleles that had evolved to tolerate biotic and abiotic stresses. Recent technological advances have increased the feasibility of de novo domestication of wild plants as a promising approach for crafting optimal crops while ensuring food security and using a more sustainable, low-input agriculture. Here, we explore what crucial domestication genes are, coupled with the advancement of technologies enabling the precise manipulation of target sequences, pointing out de novo domestication as a promising application for future crop development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Claudio Pugliesi
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (DAFE), University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto, 80-56124 Pisa, Italy; (U.R.); (S.S.); (M.F.); (T.G.); (F.M.)
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tan J, Shen M, Chai N, Liu Q, Liu YG, Zhu Q. Genome editing for plant synthetic metabolic engineering and developmental regulation. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 291:154141. [PMID: 38016350 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2023.154141] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Plant metabolism and development are a reflection of the orderly expression of genetic information intertwined with the environment interactions. Genome editing is the cornerstone for scientists to modify endogenous genes or introduce exogenous functional genes and metabolic pathways, holding immense potential applications in molecular breeding and biosynthesis. Over the course of nearly a decade of development, genome editing has advanced significantly beyond the simple cutting of double-stranded DNA, now enabling precise base and fragment replacements, regulation of gene expression and translation, as well as epigenetic modifications. However, the utilization of genome editing in plant synthetic metabolic engineering and developmental regulation remains exploratory. Here, we provide an introduction and a comprehensive overview of the editing attributes associated with various CRISPR/Cas tools, along with diverse strategies for the meticulous control of plant metabolic pathways and developments. Furthermore, we discuss the limitations of current approaches and future prospects for genome editing-driven plant breeding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiantao Tan
- Rice Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of High-Quality Rice in Southern China (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Key Laboratory of New Technology in Rice Breeding, Guangdong Rice Engineering Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510640, China.
| | - Mengyuan Shen
- Rice Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of High-Quality Rice in Southern China (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Key Laboratory of New Technology in Rice Breeding, Guangdong Rice Engineering Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Nan Chai
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Rice Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of High-Quality Rice in Southern China (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Key Laboratory of New Technology in Rice Breeding, Guangdong Rice Engineering Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Yao-Guang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Qinlong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liu Y, Zhu QF, Li WY, Chen P, Xue J, Yu Y, Feng YZ. The Pivotal Role of Noncoding RNAs in Flowering Time Regulation. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2114. [PMID: 38136936 PMCID: PMC10742506 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122114] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Noncoding RNAs constitute a substantial portion of the transcriptome and play pivotal roles in plant growth and development. Among these processes, flowering stands out as a crucial trait, ensuring reproductive success and seed set, and is meticulously controlled by genetic and environmental factors. With remarkable advancements in the identification and characterization of noncoding RNAs in plants, it has become evident that noncoding RNAs are intricately linked to the regulation of flowering time. In this article, we present an overview of the classification of plant noncoding RNAs and delve into their functions in the regulation of flowering time. Furthermore, we review their molecular mechanisms and their involvement in flowering pathways. Our comprehensive review enhances the understanding of how noncoding RNAs contribute to the regulation of flowering time and sheds light on their potential implications in crop breeding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Yang Yu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Agro-biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; (Y.L.); (Q.-F.Z.); (W.-Y.L.); (P.C.); (J.X.)
| | - Yan-Zhao Feng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Agro-biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; (Y.L.); (Q.-F.Z.); (W.-Y.L.); (P.C.); (J.X.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Li Y, Li S, Li C, Zhang C, Yan L, Li J, He Y, Guo Y, Lin Y, Zhang Y, Xia L. Engineering a plant A-to-K base editor with improved performance by fusion with a transactivation module. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 4:100667. [PMID: 37528582 PMCID: PMC10721455 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2023.100667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yucai Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China; Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), CAAS, Sanya, Hainan Province 572024, China; State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shaoya Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China; Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), CAAS, Sanya, Hainan Province 572024, China
| | - Chenfei Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
| | - Lei Yan
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jingying Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China; Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), CAAS, Sanya, Hainan Province 572024, China
| | - Yubing He
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China; Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), CAAS, Sanya, Hainan Province 572024, China
| | - Yan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yong Lin
- Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co., Ltd., Beijing 10080, China
| | - Yangjun Zhang
- Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co., Ltd., Beijing 10080, China
| | - Lanqin Xia
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China; Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), CAAS, Sanya, Hainan Province 572024, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhang C, Zhong X, Li S, Yan L, Li J, He Y, Lin Y, Zhang Y, Xia L. Artificial evolution of OsEPSPS through an improved dual cytosine and adenine base editor generated a novel allele conferring rice glyphosate tolerance. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 65:2194-2203. [PMID: 37402157 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13543] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Exploiting novel endogenous glyphosate-tolerant alleles is highly desirable and has promising potential for weed control in rice breeding. Here, through fusions of different effective cytosine and adenine deaminases with nCas9-NG, we engineered an effective surrogate two-component composite base editing system, STCBE-2, with improved C-to-T and A-to-G base editing efficiency and expanded the editing window. Furthermore, we targeted a rice endogenous OsEPSPS gene for artificial evolution through STCBE-2-mediated near-saturated mutagenesis. After hygromycin and glyphosate selection, we identified a novel OsEPSPS allele with an Asp-213-Asn (D213N) mutation (OsEPSPS-D213N) in the predicted glyphosate-binding domain, which conferred rice plants reliable glyphosate tolerance and had not been reported or applied in rice breeding. Collectively, we developed a novel dual base editor which will be valuable for artificial evolution of important genes in crops. And the novel glyphosate-tolerant rice germplasm generated in this study will benefit weeds management in rice paddy fields.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhang
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xue Zhong
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
- CAAS/Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Sanya, 572024, China
| | - Shaoya Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
- CAAS/Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Sanya, 572024, China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Sanya, 572024, China
| | - Lei Yan
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jingying Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
- CAAS/Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Sanya, 572024, China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Sanya, 572024, China
| | - Yubing He
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
- CAAS/Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Sanya, 572024, China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Sanya, 572024, China
| | - Yong Lin
- Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co., Ltd, Beijing, 10080, China
| | - Yangjun Zhang
- Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co., Ltd, Beijing, 10080, China
| | - Lanqin Xia
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
- CAAS/Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Sanya, 572024, China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Sanya, 572024, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Feng YZ, Zhu QF, Xue J, Chen P, Yu Y. Shining in the dark: the big world of small peptides in plants. ABIOTECH 2023; 4:238-256. [PMID: 37970469 PMCID: PMC10638237 DOI: 10.1007/s42994-023-00100-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Small peptides represent a subset of dark matter in plant proteomes. Through differential expression patterns and modes of action, small peptides act as important regulators of plant growth and development. Over the past 20 years, many small peptides have been identified due to technical advances in genome sequencing, bioinformatics, and chemical biology. In this article, we summarize the classification of plant small peptides and experimental strategies used to identify them as well as their potential use in agronomic breeding. We review the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of small peptides in plants, discuss current problems in small peptide research and highlight future research directions in this field. Our review provides crucial insight into small peptides in plants and will contribute to a better understanding of their potential roles in biotechnology and agriculture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Zhao Feng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agro-Biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640 China
| | - Qing-Feng Zhu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agro-Biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640 China
| | - Jiao Xue
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agro-Biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640 China
| | - Pei Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agro-Biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640 China
| | - Yang Yu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agro-Biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640 China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Improved Dual Base Editor Systems (iACBEs) for Simultaneous Conversion of Adenine and Cytosine in the Bacterium Escherichia coli. mBio 2023; 14:e0229622. [PMID: 36625577 PMCID: PMC9973308 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02296-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-editing (GE) techniques like base editing are ideal for introducing novel gain-of-function mutations and in situ protein evolution. Features of base editors (BEs) such as higher efficacy, relaxed protospacer adjacent motif (PAM), and a broader editing window enables diversification of user-defined targeted locus. Cytosine (CBE) or adenine (ABE) BEs alone can only alter C-to-T or A-to-G in target sites. In contrast, dual BEs (ACBEs) can concurrently generate C-to-T and A-to-G modifications. Although BE tools have recently been applied in microbes, there is no report of ACBE for microbial GE. In this study, we engineered four improved ACBEs (iACBEs) tethering highly active CBE and ABE variants that can introduce synchronized C-to-T and A-to-G mutations in targeted loci. iACBE4 generated by evoCDA1-ABE9e fusion demonstrated a broader editing window (positions -6 to 15) and is also compatible with the multiplex editing approach in Escherichia coli. We further show that the iACBE4-NG containing PAM-relaxed nCas9-NG expands the targeting scope beyond NGG (N-A/G/C/T) PAM. As a proof-of-concept, iACBE was effectively utilized to identify previously unknown mutations in the rpoB gene, conferring gain-of-function, i.e., rifampicin resistance. The iACBE tool would expand the CRISPR-GE toolkit for microbial genome engineering and synthetic biology. IMPORTANCE Dual base editors are DSB-free CRISPR tools applied in eukaryotes but not yet in bacteria. We developed an improved ACBE toolset for bacteria, combining highly processive deaminases. We believe that the bacterial optimized iACBE toolset is a significant advancement in CRISPR-based E. coli genome editing and adaptable to other microbes.
Collapse
|
15
|
Li J, Zhang C, He Y, Li S, Yan L, Li Y, Zhu Z, Xia L. Plant base editing and prime editing: The current status and future perspectives. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 65:444-467. [PMID: 36479615 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Precise replacement of an allele with an elite allele controlling an important agronomic trait in a predefined manner by gene editing technologies is highly desirable in crop improvement. Base editing and prime editing are two newly developed precision gene editing systems which can introduce the substitution of a single base and install the desired short indels to the target loci in the absence of double-strand breaks and donor repair templates, respectively. Since their discoveries, various strategies have been attempted to optimize both base editor (BE) and prime editor (PE) in order to improve the precise editing efficacy, specificity, and expand the targeting scopes. Here, we summarize the latest development of various BEs and PEs, as well as their applications in plants. Based on these progresses, we recommend the appropriate BEs and PEs for both basic plant research and crop improvement. Moreover, we propose the perspectives for further optimization of these two editors. We envision that both BEs and PEs will become the routine and customized precise gene editing tools for both plant biological research and crop improvement in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingying Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
- National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, 572024, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yubing He
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
- National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, 572024, China
| | - Shaoya Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
- National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, 572024, China
| | - Lei Yan
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yucai Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Ziwei Zhu
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Lanqin Xia
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
- National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, 572024, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Using Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 to Expand the Scope of Potential Gene Targets for Genome Editing in Soybean. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232112789. [DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)/Cas (CRISPR-associated) is a revolutionary genome editing technology that has been used to achieve site-specific gene knock-out, large fragment deletion, or base editing in many plant species including soybean (Glycinemax). The Streptococcuspyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) is widely used in plants at present, although there are some reports describing the application of CRISPR/Cpf1 in soybean. Therefore, the selection range of PAM (protospacer adjacent motif) sequences for soybean is currently limited to 5′-NGG-3′ (SpCas9) or 5′-TTTN-3′ (Cpf1), which in turn limits the number of genes that can be mutated. Another Cas9 enzyme from Staphylococcus aureus (SaCas9) recognizes the PAM sequence 5′-NNGRRT-3′ (where R represents A or G), which can provide a wider range of potential target sequences. In this study, we developed a CRISPR/SaCas9 system and used this tool to specifically induce targeted mutations at five target sites in the GmFT2a (Glyma.16G150700) and GmFT5a (Glyma.16G044100) genes in soybean hairy roots. We demonstrated that this tool can recognize the PAM sequences 5′-AAGGGT-3′, 5′-GGGGAT-3′, 5′-TTGAAT-3′, and 5′-TAGGGT-3′ in soybean, and it achieved mutation rates ranging from 34.5% to 73.3%. Our results show that we have established a highly efficient CRISPR/SaCas9 tool that is as suitable as SpCas9 for genome editing in soybean, and it will be useful for expanding the range of target sequences for genome editing.
Collapse
|
17
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Zeng D, Zheng Z, Liu Y, Liu T, Li T, Liu J, Luo Q, Xue Y, Li S, Chai N, Yu S, Xie X, Liu YG, Zhu Q. Exploring C-to-G and A-to-Y Base Editing in Rice by Using New Vector Tools. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147990. [PMID: 35887335 PMCID: PMC9318980 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9-based cytosine base editors (CBEs) and adenine base editors (ABEs) can efficiently mediate C-to-T/G-to-A and A-to-G/T-to-C substitutions, respectively; however, achieving base transversions (C-to-G/C-to-A and A-to-T/A-to-C) is challenging and has been rarely studied in plants. Here, we constructed new plant C-to-G base editors (CGBEs) and new A-to-Y (T/C) base editors and explored their base editing characteristics in rice. First, we fused the highly active cytidine deaminase evoFENRY and the PAM-relaxed Cas9-nickase variant Cas9n-NG with rice and human uracil DNA N-glycosylase (rUNG and hUNG), respectively, to construct CGBE-rUNG and CGBE-hUNG vector tools. The analysis of five NG-PAM target sites showed that these CGBEs achieved C-to-G conversions with monoallelic editing efficiencies of up to 27.3% in T0 rice, with major byproducts being insertion/deletion mutations. Moreover, for the A-to-Y (C or T) editing test, we fused the highly active adenosine deaminase TadA8e and the Cas9-nickase variant SpGn (with NG-PAM) with Escherichia coli endonuclease V (EndoV) and human alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (hAAG), respectively, to generate ABE8e-EndoV and ABE8e-hAAG vectors. An assessment of five NG-PAM target sites showed that these two vectors could efficiently produce A-to-G substitutions in a narrow editing window; however, no A-to-Y editing was detected. Interestingly, the ABE8e-EndoV also generated precise small fragment deletions in the editing window from the 5′-deaminated A base to the SpGn cleavage site, suggesting its potential value in producing predictable small-fragment deletion mutations. Overall, we objectively evaluated the editing performance of CGBEs in rice, explored the possibility of A-to-Y editing, and developed a new ABE8e-EndoV tool, thus providing a valuable reference for improving and enriching base editing tools in plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongchang Zeng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (D.Z.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.L.); (T.L.); (J.L.); (Q.L.); (Y.X.); (S.L.); (N.C.); (S.Y.); (X.X.); (Y.-G.L.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zhiye Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (D.Z.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.L.); (T.L.); (J.L.); (Q.L.); (Y.X.); (S.L.); (N.C.); (S.Y.); (X.X.); (Y.-G.L.)
| | - Yuxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (D.Z.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.L.); (T.L.); (J.L.); (Q.L.); (Y.X.); (S.L.); (N.C.); (S.Y.); (X.X.); (Y.-G.L.)
| | - Taoli Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (D.Z.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.L.); (T.L.); (J.L.); (Q.L.); (Y.X.); (S.L.); (N.C.); (S.Y.); (X.X.); (Y.-G.L.)
| | - Tie Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (D.Z.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.L.); (T.L.); (J.L.); (Q.L.); (Y.X.); (S.L.); (N.C.); (S.Y.); (X.X.); (Y.-G.L.)
| | - Jianhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (D.Z.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.L.); (T.L.); (J.L.); (Q.L.); (Y.X.); (S.L.); (N.C.); (S.Y.); (X.X.); (Y.-G.L.)
| | - Qiyu Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (D.Z.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.L.); (T.L.); (J.L.); (Q.L.); (Y.X.); (S.L.); (N.C.); (S.Y.); (X.X.); (Y.-G.L.)
| | - Yang Xue
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (D.Z.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.L.); (T.L.); (J.L.); (Q.L.); (Y.X.); (S.L.); (N.C.); (S.Y.); (X.X.); (Y.-G.L.)
| | - Shengting Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (D.Z.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.L.); (T.L.); (J.L.); (Q.L.); (Y.X.); (S.L.); (N.C.); (S.Y.); (X.X.); (Y.-G.L.)
| | - Nan Chai
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (D.Z.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.L.); (T.L.); (J.L.); (Q.L.); (Y.X.); (S.L.); (N.C.); (S.Y.); (X.X.); (Y.-G.L.)
| | - Suize Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (D.Z.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.L.); (T.L.); (J.L.); (Q.L.); (Y.X.); (S.L.); (N.C.); (S.Y.); (X.X.); (Y.-G.L.)
| | - Xianrong Xie
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (D.Z.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.L.); (T.L.); (J.L.); (Q.L.); (Y.X.); (S.L.); (N.C.); (S.Y.); (X.X.); (Y.-G.L.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yao-Guang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (D.Z.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.L.); (T.L.); (J.L.); (Q.L.); (Y.X.); (S.L.); (N.C.); (S.Y.); (X.X.); (Y.-G.L.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Qinlong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (D.Z.); (Z.Z.); (Y.L.); (T.L.); (T.L.); (J.L.); (Q.L.); (Y.X.); (S.L.); (N.C.); (S.Y.); (X.X.); (Y.-G.L.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Xie X, Li F, Tan X, Zeng D, Liu W, Zeng W, Zhu Q, Liu YG. BEtarget: a versatile web-based tool to design guide RNAs for base editing in plants. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:4009-4014. [PMID: 35983232 PMCID: PMC9355906 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.07.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BEtarget supports the gRNA design of base editing with different types of PAM. BEtarget provides an interactive and customized visualization interface. BEtarget can automatically detect the coordinates of coding regions (exons) in the genomic sequence of the target gene.
CRISPR-dependent base editors enable direct nucleotide conversion without the introduction of double-strand DNA break or donor DNA template, thus expanding the CRISPR toolbox for genetic manipulation. However, designing guide RNAs (gRNAs) for base editors to enable gene correction or inactivation is more complicated than using the CRISPR system for gene disruption. Here, we present a user-friendly web tool named BEtarget dedicated to the design of gRNA for base editing. It is currently supported by 46 plant reference genomes and 5 genomes of non-plant model organisms. BEtarget supports the design of gRNAs with different types of protospacer adjacent motifs (PAM) and integrates various functions, including automatic identification of open reading frame, prediction of potential off-target sites, annotation of codon change, and assessment of gRNA quality. Moreover, the program provides an interactive interface for users to selectively display information about the desired target sites. In brief, we have developed a flexible and versatile web-based tool to simplify complications associated with the design of base editing technology. BEtarget is freely accessible at https://skl.scau.edu.cn/betarget/.
Collapse
|
20
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Tan J, Zeng D, Zhao Y, Wang Y, Liu T, Li S, Xue Y, Luo Y, Xie X, Chen L, Liu Y, Zhu Q. PhieABEs: a PAM-less/free high-efficiency adenine base editor toolbox with wide target scope in plants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:934-943. [PMID: 34984801 PMCID: PMC9055815 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Adenine base editors (ABEs), which are generally engineered adenosine deaminases and Cas variants, introduce site-specific A-to-G mutations for agronomic trait improvement. However, notably varying editing efficiencies, restrictive requirements for protospacer-adjacent motifs (PAMs) and a narrow editing window greatly limit their application. Here, we developed a robust high-efficiency ABE (PhieABE) toolbox for plants by fusing an evolved, highly active form of the adenosine deaminase TadA8e and a single-stranded DNA-binding domain (DBD), based on PAM-less/free Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) nickase variants that recognize the PAM NGN (for SpCas9n-NG and SpGn) or NNN (for SpRYn). By targeting 29 representative targets in rice and assessing the results, we demonstrate that PhieABEs have significantly improved base-editing activity, expanded target range and broader editing windows compared to the ABE7.10 and general ABE8e systems. Among these PhieABEs, hyper ABE8e-DBD-SpRYn (hyABE8e-SpRY) showed nearly 100% editing efficiency at some tested sites, with a high proportion of homozygous base substitutions in the editing windows and no single guide RNA (sgRNA)-dependent off-target changes. The original sgRNA was more compatible with PhieABEs than the evolved sgRNA. In conclusion, the DBD fusion effectively promotes base-editing efficiency, and this novel PhieABE toolbox should have wide applications in plant functional genomics and crop improvement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiantao Tan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐BioresourcesGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern AgricultureGuangzhouChina
- College of Life SciencesSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Dongchang Zeng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐BioresourcesGuangzhouChina
- College of Life SciencesSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yanchang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐BioresourcesGuangzhouChina
- College of Life SciencesSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yaxi Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐BioresourcesGuangzhouChina
- College of Life SciencesSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Taoli Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐BioresourcesGuangzhouChina
- College of Life SciencesSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Shuangchun Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐BioresourcesGuangzhouChina
- College of Life SciencesSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yang Xue
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐BioresourcesGuangzhouChina
- College of Life SciencesSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yuyu Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐BioresourcesGuangzhouChina
- College of Life SciencesSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xianrong Xie
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐BioresourcesGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern AgricultureGuangzhouChina
- College of Life SciencesSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Letian Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐BioresourcesGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern AgricultureGuangzhouChina
- College of Life SciencesSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yao‐Guang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐BioresourcesGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern AgricultureGuangzhouChina
- College of Life SciencesSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Qinlong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐BioresourcesGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern AgricultureGuangzhouChina
- College of Life SciencesSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Wei C, Liu H, Wang W, Luo P, Chen Q, Li R, Wang C, Botella JR, Zhang H. Expanding the Editing Window of Cytidine Base Editors With the Rad51 DNA-Binding Domain in Rice. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:865848. [PMID: 35548314 PMCID: PMC9083192 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.865848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Recently developed base editors provide a powerful tool for plant research and crop improvement. Although a number of different deaminases and Cas proteins have been used to improve base editors the editing efficiency, and editing window are still not optimal. Fusion of a non-sequence-specific single-stranded DNA-binding domain (DBD) from the human Rad51 protein between Cas9 nickase and the deaminase has been reported to dramatically increase the editing efficiency and expand the editing window of base editors in the mammalian cell lines and mouse embryos. We report the use of this strategy in rice, by fusing a rice codon-optimized human Rad51 DBD to the cytidine base editors AncBE4max, AncBE4max-NG, and evoFERNY. Our results show that the addition of Rad51 DBD did not increase editing efficiency in the major editing window but the editing range was expanded in all the three systems. Replacing the human Rad51 DBD with the rice Rad51 DBD homolog also expanded the editing window effectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunjie Wei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, Development Center of Plant Germplasm Resources, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, Development Center of Plant Germplasm Resources, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenwen Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, Development Center of Plant Germplasm Resources, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengyu Luo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, Development Center of Plant Germplasm Resources, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiuling Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, Development Center of Plant Germplasm Resources, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rou Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, Development Center of Plant Germplasm Resources, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chong Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, Development Center of Plant Germplasm Resources, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - José Ramón Botella
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Hui Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, Development Center of Plant Germplasm Resources, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
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.
Collapse
|
24
|
Lai Z, Huang Z, Sun J, Jing X, Xiang L, Zhao H, Mo C, Hou X. CRISPR/Cas基因组编辑技术及其在农作物品种改良中的应用. CHINESE SCIENCE BULLETIN-CHINESE 2022. [DOI: 10.1360/tb-2022-0197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
25
|
Guo M, Chen H, Dong S, Zhang Z, Luo H. CRISPR-Cas gene editing technology and its application prospect in medicinal plants. Chin Med 2022; 17:33. [PMID: 35246186 PMCID: PMC8894546 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-022-00584-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas gene editing technology has opened a new era of genome interrogation and genome engineering because of its ease operation and high efficiency. An increasing number of plant species have been subjected to site-directed gene editing through this technology. However, the application of CRISPR-Cas technology to medicinal plants is still in the early stages. Here, we review the research history, structural characteristics, working mechanism and the latest derivatives of CRISPR-Cas technology, and discussed their application in medicinal plants for the first time. Furthermore, we creatively put forward the development direction of CRISPR technology applied to medicinal plant gene editing. The aim is to provide a reference for the application of this technology to genome functional studies, synthetic biology, genetic improvement, and germplasm innovation of medicinal plants. CRISPR-Cas is expected to revolutionize medicinal plant biotechnology in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miaoxian Guo
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyu Chen
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shuting Dong
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Hongmei Luo
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Huang X, Wang Y, Wang N. Base Editors for Citrus Gene Editing. Front Genome Ed 2022; 4:852867. [PMID: 35296063 PMCID: PMC8919994 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2022.852867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Base editors, such as adenine base editors (ABE) and cytosine base editors (CBE), provide alternatives for precise genome editing without generating double-strand breaks (DSBs), thus avoiding the risk of genome instability and unpredictable outcomes caused by DNA repair. Precise gene editing mediated by base editors in citrus has not been reported. Here, we have successfully adapted the ABE to edit the TATA box in the promoter region of the canker susceptibility gene LOB1 from TATA to CACA in grapefruit (Citrus paradise) and sweet orange (Citrus sinensis). TATA-edited plants are resistant to the canker pathogen Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc). In addition, CBE was successfully used to edit the acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene in citrus. ALS-edited plants were resistant to the herbicide chlorsulfuron. Two ALS-edited plants did not show green fluorescence although the starting construct for transformation contains a GFP expression cassette. The Cas9 gene was undetectable in the herbicide-resistant citrus plants. This indicates that the ALS edited plants are transgene-free, representing the first transgene-free gene-edited citrus using the CRISPR technology. In summary, we have successfully adapted the base editors for precise citrus gene editing. The CBE base editor has been used to generate transgene-free citrus via transient expression.
Collapse
|
27
|
Wang G, Xu Z, Wang F, Huang Y, Xin Y, Liang S, Li B, Si H, Sun L, Wang Q, Ding X, Zhu X, Chen L, Yu L, Lindsey K, Zhang X, Jin S. Development of an efficient and precise adenine base editor (ABE) with expanded target range in allotetraploid cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). BMC Biol 2022; 20:45. [PMID: 35164736 PMCID: PMC8845244 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01232-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Base editors (BEs) display diverse applications in a variety of plant species such as Arabidopsis, rice, wheat, maize, soybean, and cotton, where they have been used to mediate precise base pair conversions without the collateral generation of undesirable double-stranded breaks (DSB). Studies of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) underpinning plant traits are still challenging, particularly in polyploidy species where such SNPs are present in multiple copies, and simultaneous modification of all alleles would be required for functional analysis. Allotetraploid cotton has a number of homoeologous gene pairs located in the A and D sub-genomes with considerable SNPs, and it is desirable to develop adenine base editors (ABEs) for efficient and precise A-to-G single-base editing without DSB in such complex genome. RESULTS We established various ABE vectors based on different engineered adenosine deaminase (TadA) proteins fused to Cas9 variants (dCas9, nCas9), enabling efficient A to G editing up to 64% efficiency on-target sites of the allotetraploid cotton genome. Comprehensive analysis showed that GhABE7.10n exhibited the highest editing efficiency, with the main editing sites specifically located at the position A5 (counting the PAM as positions 21-23). Furthermore, DNA and RNA off-target analysis of cotton plants edited with GhABE7.10n and GhABE7.10d by whole genome and whole-transcriptome sequencing revealed no DNA off-target mutations, while very low-level RNA off-target mutations were detected. A new base editor, namely GhABE7.10dCpf1 (7.10TadA + dCpf1), that recognizes a T-rich PAM, was developed for the first time. Targeted A-to-G substitutions generated a single amino acid change in the cotton phosphatidyl ethanolamine-binding protein (GhPEBP), leading to a compact cotton plant architecture, an ideotype for mechanized harvesting of modern cotton production. CONCLUSIONS Our data illustrate the robustness of adenine base editing in plant species with complex genomes, which provides efficient and precise toolkit for cotton functional genomics and precise molecular breeding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guanying Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongping Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuqiu Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuefan Huang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanfeng Xin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Sijia Liang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China.,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Crop Biotechnology, Institute of Nuclear and Biological Technology, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wulumuqi, Xinjaing, 830000, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Si
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiongqiong Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Ding
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangqian Zhu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Luo Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Yu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Keith Lindsey
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Xianlong Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuangxia Jin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Liu T, Zeng D, Zheng Z, Lin Z, Xue Y, Li T, Xie X, Ma G, Liu YG, Zhu Q. The ScCas9 ++ variant expands the CRISPR toolbox for genome editing in plants. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 63:1611-1619. [PMID: 34411422 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The development of clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein (Cas) variants with a broader recognition scope is critical for further improvement of CRISPR/Cas systems. The original Cas9 protein from Streptococcus canis (ScCas9) can recognize simple NNG-protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) targets, and therefore possesses a broader range relative to current CRISPR/Cas systems, but its editing efficiency is low in plants. Evolved ScCas9+ and ScCas9++ variants have been shown to possess higher editing efficiencies in human cells, but their activities in plants are currently unknown. Here, we utilized codon-optimized ScCas9, ScCas9+ and ScCas9++ and a nickase variant ScCas9n++ to systematically investigate genome cleavage activity and cytidine base editing efficiency in rice (Oryza sativa L.). This analysis revealed that ScCas9++ has higher editing efficiency than ScCas9 and ScCas9+ in rice. Furthermore, we fused the evolved cytidine deaminase PmCDA1 with ScCas9n++ to generate a new evoBE4max-type cytidine base editor, termed PevoCDA1-ScCas9n++ . This base editor achieved stable and efficient multiplex-site base editing at NNG-PAM sites with wider editing windows (C- 1 -C17 ) and without target sequence context preference. Multiplex-site base editing of the rice genes OsWx (three targets) and OsEui1 (two targets) achieved simultaneous editing and produced new rice germplasm. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ScCas9++ represents a crucial new tool for improving plant editing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taoli Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Dongchang Zeng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zhiye Zheng
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zhansheng Lin
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yang Xue
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Tie Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Xianrong Xie
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Genglu Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yao-Guang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Qinlong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Molla KA, Sretenovic S, Bansal KC, Qi Y. Precise plant genome editing using base editors and prime editors. NATURE PLANTS 2021; 7:1166-1187. [PMID: 34518669 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-021-00991-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The development of CRISPR-Cas systems has sparked a genome editing revolution in plant genetics and breeding. These sequence-specific RNA-guided nucleases can induce DNA double-stranded breaks, resulting in mutations by imprecise non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair or precise DNA sequence replacement by homology-directed repair (HDR). However, HDR is highly inefficient in many plant species, which has greatly limited precise genome editing in plants. To fill the vital gap in precision editing, base editing and prime editing technologies have recently been developed and demonstrated in numerous plant species. These technologies, which are mainly based on Cas9 nickases, can introduce precise changes into the target genome at a single-base resolution. This Review provides a timely overview of the current status of base editors and prime editors in plants, covering both technological developments and biological applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kutubuddin A Molla
- Crop Improvement Division, ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, India.
| | - Simon Sretenovic
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Kailash C Bansal
- The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture, Asia-India, New Delhi, India
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Li Y, Li W, Li J. The CRISPR/Cas9 revolution continues: From base editing to prime editing in plant science. J Genet Genomics 2021; 48:661-670. [PMID: 34362681 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The ability to precisely inactivate or modify genes in model organisms helps us understand the mysteries of life. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9), a revolutionary technology that could generate targeted mutants, has facilitated notable advances in plant science. Genome editing with CRISPR/Cas9 has gained great popularity and enabled several technical breakthroughs. Herein, we briefly introduce the CRISPR/Cas9, with a focus on the latest breakthroughs in precise genome editing (e.g., base editing and prime editing), and we summarize various platforms that developed to increase the editing efficiency, expand the targeting scope, and improve the specificity of base editing in plants. In addition, we emphasize the recent applications of these technologies to plants. Finally, we predict that CRISPR/Cas9 and CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing will continue to revolutionize plant science and provide technical support for sustainable agricultural development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China; College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Gene Resources and Biotechnology for Carbon Reduction and Environmental Improvement, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China
| | - Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Li S, Zhang C, Li J, Yan L, Wang N, Xia L. Present and future prospects for wheat improvement through genome editing and advanced technologies. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2021; 2:100211. [PMID: 34327324 PMCID: PMC8299080 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2021.100211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Wheat (Triticum aestivum, 2n = 6x = 42, AABBDD) is one of the most important staple food crops in the world. Despite the fact that wheat production has significantly increased over the past decades, future wheat production will face unprecedented challenges from global climate change, increasing world population, and water shortages in arid and semi-arid lands. Furthermore, excessive applications of diverse fertilizers and pesticides are exacerbating environmental pollution and ecological deterioration. To ensure global food and ecosystem security, it is essential to enhance the resilience of wheat production while minimizing environmental pollution through the use of cutting-edge technologies. However, the hexaploid genome and gene redundancy complicate advances in genetic research and precision gene modifications for wheat improvement, thus impeding the breeding of elite wheat cultivars. In this review, we first introduce state-of-the-art genome-editing technologies in crop plants, especially wheat, for both functional genomics and genetic improvement. We then outline applications of other technologies, such as GWAS, high-throughput genotyping and phenotyping, speed breeding, and synthetic biology, in wheat. Finally, we discuss existing challenges in wheat genome editing and future prospects for precision gene modifications using advanced genome-editing technologies. We conclude that the combination of genome editing and other molecular breeding strategies will greatly facilitate genetic improvement of wheat for sustainable global production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaoya Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jingying Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
| | - Lei Yan
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
| | - Lanqin Xia
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
| |
Collapse
|