1
|
Bircheneder M, Schreiber T, Tissier A, Parniske M. A quantitative assay for the efficiency of RNA-guided genome editing in plants. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 119:2564-2577. [PMID: 39032106 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16931] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
RNA-guided endonucleases originating from the bacterial CRISPR/Cas system are a versatile tool for targeted gene editing. To determine the functional relevance of a gene of interest, deletion of the entire open reading frame (ORF) by two independent double-strand breaks (DSBs) is particularly attractive. This strategy greatly benefits from high editing efficiency, which is strongly influenced by the Cas endonuclease version used. We developed two reporter switch-on assays, for quantitative comparison and optimization of Cas constructs. The assays are based on four components: (i) A reporter gene, the mRNA of which carries a hairpin (HP) loop targeted by (ii) the endoribonuclease Csy4. Cleavage of the mRNA at the HP loop by Csy4 abolishes the translation of the reporter. Csy4 was used as the target for full deletion. (iii) A Cas system targeting sites flanking the Csy4 ORF with a 20-bp spacer either side to preferentially detect full-deletion events. Loss of functional Csy4 would lead to reporter gene expression, allowing indirect quantification of Cas-mediated deletion events. (iv) A reference gene for normalization. We tested these assays on Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and Lotus japonicus calli induced on hypocotyl sections, using Firefly luciferase and mCitrine as reporter genes and Renilla luciferase and hygromycin phosphotransferase II as reference genes, respectively. We observed a >90% correlation between reporter expression and full Csy4 deletion events, demonstrating the validity of these assays. The principle of using the Csy4-HP module as Cas target should be applicable to other editing goals including single DSBs in all organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Bircheneder
- Genetics, Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich, Grosshaderner Str. 2-4, Martinsried, D-82152, Germany
| | - Tom Schreiber
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, Halle (Saale), D-06120, Germany
| | - Alain Tissier
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, Halle (Saale), D-06120, Germany
| | - Martin Parniske
- Genetics, Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich, Grosshaderner Str. 2-4, Martinsried, D-82152, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yan J, Liu Y, Yan J, Liu Z, Lou H, Wu J. The salt-activated CBF1/CBF2/CBF3-GALS1 module fine-tunes galactan-induced salt hypersensitivity in Arabidopsis. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 65:1904-1917. [PMID: 37149782 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Plant growth and development are significantly hampered in saline environments, limiting agricultural productivity. Thus, it is crucial to unravel the mechanism underlying plant responses to salt stress. β-1,4-Galactan (galactan), which forms the side chains of pectic rhamnogalacturonan I, enhances plant sensitivity to high-salt stress. Galactan is synthesized by GALACTAN SYNTHASE1 (GALS1). We previously showed that NaCl relieves the direct suppression of GALS1 transcription by the transcription factors BPC1 and BPC2 to induce the excess accumulation of galactan in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). However, how plants adapt to this unfavorable environment remains unclear. Here, we determined that the transcription factors CBF1, CBF2, and CBF3 directly interact with the GALS1 promoter and repress its expression, leading to reduced galactan accumulation and enhanced salt tolerance. Salt stress enhances the binding of CBF1/CBF2/CBF3 to the GALS1 promoter by inducing CBF1/CBF2/CBF3 transcription and accumulation. Genetic analysis suggested that CBF1/CBF2/CBF3 function upstream of GALS1 to modulate salt-induced galactan biosynthesis and the salt response. CBF1/CBF2/CBF3 and BPC1/BPC2 function in parallel to regulate GALS1 expression, thereby modulating the salt response. Our results reveal a mechanism in which salt-activated CBF1/CBF2/CBF3 inhibit BPC1/BPC2-regulated GALS1 expression to alleviate galactan-induced salt hypersensitivity, providing an activation/deactivation fine-tune mechanism for dynamic regulation of GALS1 expression under salt stress in Arabidopsis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Ya Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Jiawen Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Zhihui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Heqiang Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Jiasheng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yu L, Marchisio MA. CRISPR-associated type V proteins as a tool for controlling mRNA stability in S. cerevisiae synthetic gene circuits. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1473-1487. [PMID: 36651298 PMCID: PMC9943656 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Type V-A CRISPR-(d)Cas system has been used in multiplex genome editing and transcription regulation in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. However, mRNA degradation through the endonuclease activity of Cas12a has never been studied. In this work, we present an efficient and powerful tool to induce mRNA degradation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae via the catalytic activity of (d)Cas12a on pre-crRNA structure. Our results point out that dFnCas12a, (d)LbCas12a, denAsCas12a and two variants (which carry either NLSs or NESs) perform significant mRNA degradation upon insertion of pre-crRNA fragments into the 5'- or 3' UTR of the target mRNA. The tool worked well with two more Cas12 proteins-(d)MbCas12a and Casϕ2-whereas failed by using type VI LwaCas13a, which further highlights the great potential of type V-A Cas proteins in yeast. We applied our tool to the construction of Boolean NOT, NAND, and IMPLY gates, whose logic operations are fully based on the control of the degradation of the mRNA encoding for a reporter protein. Compared to other methods for the regulation of mRNA stability in yeast synthetic gene circuits (such as RNAi and riboswitches/ribozymes), our system is far easier to engineer and ensure very high performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, 300072 Tianjin, China
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Garcia K, Cloghessy K, Cooney DR, Shelley B, Chakraborty S, Kafle A, Busidan A, Sonawala U, Collier R, Jayaraman D, Ané JM, Pilot G. The putative transporter MtUMAMIT14 participates in nodule formation in Medicago truncatula. Sci Rep 2023; 13:804. [PMID: 36646812 PMCID: PMC9842706 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28160-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Transport systems are crucial in many plant processes, including plant-microbe interactions. Nodule formation and function in legumes involve the expression and regulation of multiple transport proteins, and many are still uncharacterized, particularly for nitrogen transport. Amino acids originating from the nitrogen-fixing process are an essential form of nitrogen for legumes. This work evaluates the role of MtN21 (henceforth MtUMAMIT14), a putative transport system from the MtN21/EamA-like/UMAMIT family, in nodule formation and nitrogen fixation in Medicago truncatula. To dissect this transporter's role, we assessed the expression of MtUMAMIT14 using GUS staining, localized the corresponding protein in M. truncatula root and tobacco leaf cells, and investigated two independent MtUMAMIT14 mutant lines. Our results indicate that MtUMAMIT14 is localized in endosomal structures and is expressed in both the infection zone and interzone of nodules. Comparison of mutant and wild-type M. truncatula indicates MtUMAMIT14, the expression of which is dependent on the presence of NIN, DNF1, and DNF2, plays a role in nodule formation and nitrogen-fixation. While the function of the transporter is still unclear, our results connect root nodule nitrogen fixation in legumes with the UMAMIT family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Garcia
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7619, USA.
| | - Kaylee Cloghessy
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Danielle R Cooney
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7619, USA
| | - Brett Shelley
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Sanhita Chakraborty
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Arjun Kafle
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7619, USA
| | - Aymeric Busidan
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Unnati Sonawala
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Ray Collier
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.,Molecular Technologies Department, Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53562, USA
| | | | - Jean-Michel Ané
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.,Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Guillaume Pilot
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Huang D, Kosentka PZ, Liu W. Synthetic biology approaches in regulation of targeted gene expression. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 63:102036. [PMID: 33930839 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2021.102036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology approaches are highly sought-after to facilitate the regulation of targeted gene expression in plants for functional genomics research and crop trait improvement. To date, synthetic regulation of gene expression predominantly focuses at the transcription level via engineering of synthetic promoters and transcription factors, while pioneering examples have started to emerge for synthetic regulation of gene expression at the levels of mRNA stability, translation, and protein degradation. This review discusses recent advances in plant synthetic biology for the regulation of gene expression at multiple levels, and highlights their future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Debao Huang
- Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Pawel Z Kosentka
- Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Wusheng Liu
- Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhao C, Pratelli R, Yu S, Shelley B, Collakova E, Pilot G. Detailed characterization of the UMAMIT proteins provides insight into their evolution, amino acid transport properties, and role in the plant. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:6400-6417. [PMID: 34223868 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Amino acid transporters play a critical role in distributing amino acids within the cell compartments and between plant organs. Despite this importance, relatively few amino acid transporter genes have been characterized and their role elucidated with certainty. Two main families of proteins encode amino acid transporters in plants: the amino acid-polyamine-organocation superfamily, containing mostly importers, and the UMAMIT (usually multiple acids move in and out transporter) family, apparently encoding exporters, totaling 63 and 44 genes in Arabidopsis, respectively. Knowledge of UMAMITs is scarce, based on six Arabidopsis genes and a handful of genes from other species. To gain insight into the role of the members of this family and provide data to be used for future characterization, we studied the evolution of the UMAMITs in plants, and determined the functional properties, the structure, and localization of the 47 Arabidopsis UMAMITs. Our analysis showed that the AtUMAMITs are essentially localized at the tonoplast or the plasma membrane, and that most of them are able to export amino acids from the cytosol, confirming a role in intra- and intercellular amino acid transport. As an example, this set of data was used to hypothesize the role of a few AtUMAMITs in the plant and the cell.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chengsong Zhao
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Réjane Pratelli
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Shi Yu
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Brett Shelley
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Eva Collakova
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Guillaume Pilot
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhou Y, Lei C, Zhu Z. A low-background Tet-On system based on post-transcriptional regulation using Csy4. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0244732. [PMID: 33378396 PMCID: PMC7773235 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
On account of its stringent regulation and high rate of induction, the tetracycline regulatory system is used extensively for inducing target gene expression in eukaryotes. However, under certain circumstances, its associated background expression can be problematic, as in the expression of highly toxic proteins. We found that when using the Tet-On 3G system to drive expression of the kid toxin gene in sf9 insect cells, a higher percentage of cells were killed than when using an empty vector in the absence of the induction agent doxycycline, thereby indicating the leaky expression of this inducible expression system. Moreover, we found that the tetracycline-controlled transcriptional silencer (tTS) does not effectively reduce the background expression of the Tet-On 3G system in sf9 cells. However, Csy4, a Cas9 homologous protein in the CRISPR family with sequence-specific endonuclease activity, was found to be effective in reducing the Tet-On 3G system-associated background expression, although there was a concomitant reduction in the maximum induced expression. Nevertheless, we found that modification of the system via incorporation of TRE-controlled anti-sense csy4 in combination with a WSSVie1 (Δ23) promotor-driven sense csy4 significantly reduced the leaky expression of the Tet-On 3G system, and that the level of induction was higher than that initially obtained. This optimized Tet-On 3G system can significantly reduce cell death attributed to the background expression of Kid under uninduced conditions. Therefore, we developed a novel low-background inducible expression system for use in insect cells and potentially in other organisms including mammals based on post-transcriptional regulation using Csy4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yicheng Zhou
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chaoliang Lei
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhihui Zhu
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sharma R, Liang Y, Lee MY, Pidatala VR, Mortimer JC, Scheller HV. Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation of sorghum leaves for accelerating functional genomics and genome editing studies. BMC Res Notes 2020; 13:116. [PMID: 32103777 PMCID: PMC7045639 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-020-04968-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sorghum is one of the most recalcitrant species for transformation. Considering the time and effort required for stable transformation in sorghum, establishing a transient system to screen the efficiency and full functionality of vector constructs is highly desirable. RESULTS Here, we report an Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation assay with intact sorghum leaves using green fluorescent protein as marker. It also provides a good monocot alternative to tobacco and protoplast assays with a direct, native and more reliable system for testing single guide RNA (sgRNA) expression construct efficiency. Given the simplicity and ease of transformation, high reproducibility, and ability to test large constructs, this method can be widely adopted to speed up functional genomic and genome editing studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Sharma
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Crop Genetics and Informatics Group, School of Computational & Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Yan Liang
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Mi Yeon Lee
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Venkataramana R. Pidatala
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Jenny C. Mortimer
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Henrik V. Scheller
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gemmill D, D'souza S, Meier-Stephenson V, Patel TR. Current approaches for RNA-labelling to identify RNA-binding proteins. Biochem Cell Biol 2019; 98:31-41. [PMID: 30931575 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2019-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA is involved in all domains of life, playing critical roles in a host of gene expression processes, host-defense mechanisms, cell proliferation, and diseases. A critical component in many of these events is the ability for RNA to interact with proteins. Over the past few decades, our understanding of such RNA-protein interactions and their importance has driven the search and development of new techniques for the identification of RNA-binding proteins. In determining which proteins bind to the RNA of interest, it is often useful to use the approach where the RNA molecule is the "bait" and allow it to capture proteins from a lysate or other relevant solution. Here, we review a collection of methods for modifying RNA to capture RNA-binding proteins. These include small-molecule modification, the addition of aptamers, DNA-anchoring, and nucleotide substitution. With each, we provide examples of their application, as well as highlight their advantages and potential challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darren Gemmill
- Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute & Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Simmone D'souza
- Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute & Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Vanessa Meier-Stephenson
- Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute & Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Trushar R Patel
- Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute & Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology and Discovery Lab, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Liang Y, Eudes A, Yogiswara S, Jing B, Benites VT, Yamanaka R, Cheng-Yue C, Baidoo EE, Mortimer JC, Scheller HV, Loqué D. A screening method to identify efficient sgRNAs in Arabidopsis, used in conjunction with cell-specific lignin reduction. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2019; 12:130. [PMID: 31143243 PMCID: PMC6532251 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1467-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Single guide RNA (sgRNA) selection is important for the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. However, in plants, the rules governing selection are not well established. RESULTS We developed a facile transient assay to screen sgRNA efficiency. We then used it to test top-performing bioinformatically predicted sgRNAs for two different Arabidopsis genes. In our assay, these sgRNAs had vastly different editing efficiencies, and these efficiencies were replicated in stably transformed Arabidopsis lines. One of the genes, hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA shikimate/quinate hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (HCT), is an essential gene, required for lignin biosynthesis. Previously, HCT function has been studied using gene silencing. Here, to avoid the negative growth effects that are due to the loss of HCT activity in xylem vessels, we used a fiber-specific promoter to drive CAS9 expression. Two independent transgenic lines showed the expected lignin decrease. Successful editing was confirmed via the observation of mutations at the HCT target loci, as well as an approximately 90% decrease in HCT activity. Histochemical analysis and a normal growth phenotype support the fiber-specific knockout of HCT. For the targeting of the second gene, Golgi-localized nucleotide sugar transporter2 (GONST2), a highly efficient sgRNA drastically increased the rate of germline editing in T1 generation. CONCLUSIONS This screening method is widely applicable, and the selection and use of efficient sgRNAs will accelerate the process of expanding germplasm for both molecular breeding and research. In addition, this, to the best of our knowledge, is the first application of constrained genome editing to obtain chimeric plants of essential genes, thereby providing a dominant method to avoid lethal growth phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liang
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Aymerick Eudes
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Sasha Yogiswara
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Beibei Jing
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Veronica T. Benites
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Biological Systems Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Reo Yamanaka
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Clarabelle Cheng-Yue
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Edward E. Baidoo
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Biological Systems Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Jenny C. Mortimer
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Henrik V. Scheller
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Dominique Loqué
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Population growth, climate change, and dwindling finite resources are amongst the major challenges which are facing the planet. Requirements for food, materials, water, and energy will soon exceed capacity. Green biotechnology, fueled by recent plant synthetic biology breakthroughs, may offer solutions. This review summarizes current progress towards robust and predictable engineering of plants. I then discuss applications from the lab and field, with a focus on bioenergy, biomaterials, and medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenny C Mortimer
- 1 Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,2 Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Brophy JAN, LaRue T, Dinneny JR. Understanding and engineering plant form. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 79:68-77. [PMID: 28864344 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A plant's form is an important determinant of its fitness and economic value. Here, we review strategies for producing plants with altered forms. Historically, the process of changing a plant's form has been slow in agriculture, requiring iterative rounds of growth and selection. We discuss modern techniques for identifying genes involved in the development of plant form and tools that will be needed to effectively design and engineer plants with altered forms. Synthetic genetic circuits are highlighted for their potential to generate novel plant forms. We emphasize understanding development as a prerequisite to engineering and discuss the potential role of computer models in translating knowledge about single genes or pathways into a more comprehensive understanding of development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A N Brophy
- Carnegie Institution for Science, Department of Plant Biology, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Therese LaRue
- Stanford University, Department of Biology, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - José R Dinneny
- Carnegie Institution for Science, Department of Plant Biology, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| |
Collapse
|