1
|
Lu M, Billerbeck S. Improving homology-directed repair by small molecule agents for genetic engineering in unconventional yeast?-Learning from the engineering of mammalian systems. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14398. [PMID: 38376092 PMCID: PMC10878012 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability to precisely edit genomes by deleting or adding genetic information enables the study of biological functions and the building of efficient cell factories. In many unconventional yeasts, such as those promising new hosts for cell factory design but also human pathogenic yeasts and food spoilers, this progress has been limited by the fact that most yeasts favour non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) over homologous recombination (HR) as a DNA repair mechanism, impairing genetic access to these hosts. In mammalian cells, small molecules that either inhibit proteins involved in NHEJ, enhance protein function in HR, or arrest the cell cycle in HR-dominant phases are regarded as promising agents for the simple and transient increase of HR-mediated genome editing without the need for a priori host engineering. Only a few of these chemicals have been applied to the engineering of yeast, although the targeted proteins are mostly conserved, making chemical agents a yet-underexplored area for enhancing yeast engineering. Here, we consolidate knowledge of the available small molecules that have been used to improve HR efficiency in mammalian cells and the few ones that have been used in yeast. We include available high-throughput-compatible NHEJ/HR quantification assays that could be used to screen for and isolate yeast-specific inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Lu
- Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology InstituteUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Sonja Billerbeck
- Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology InstituteUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu J, Li W, Jin X, Lin F, Han J, Zhang Y. Optimal tagging strategies for illuminating expression profiles of genes with different abundance in zebrafish. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1300. [PMID: 38129658 PMCID: PMC10739737 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05686-1] [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: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-mediated knock-in (KI) technology opens a new era of fluorescent-protein labeling in zebrafish, a preferred model organism for in vivo imaging. We described here an optimized zebrafish gene-tagging strategy, which enables easy and high-efficiency KI, ensures high odds of obtaining seamless KI germlines and is suitable for wide applications. Plasmid donors for 3'-labeling were optimized by shortening the microhomologous arms and by reducing the number and reversing the sequence of the consensus Cas9/sgRNA binding sites. To allow for scar-less KI across the genome, linearized dsDNA donors with 5'-chemical modifications were generated and successfully incorporated into our method. To refine the germline screen workflow and expedite the screen process, we combined fluorescence enrichment and caudal-fin junction-PCR. Furthermore, to trace proteins expressed at a low abundance, we developed a fluorescent signal amplifier using the transcriptional activation strategy. Together, our strategies enable efficient gene-tagging and sensitive expression detection for almost every gene in zebrafish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiannan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Wenyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xuepu Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Fanjia Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jiahuai Han
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
- Research Unit of Cellular Stress of CAMS, Cancer Research Center of Xiamen University, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
| | - Yingying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Carrington B, Sood R. Fluorescent PCR-based Screening Methods for Precise Knock-in of Small DNA Fragments and Point Mutations in Zebrafish. Bio Protoc 2023; 13:e4732. [PMID: 37575394 PMCID: PMC10415208 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Generation of zebrafish (Danio rerio) models with targeted insertion of epitope tags and point mutations is highly desirable for functional genomics and disease modeling studies. Currently, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in is the method of choice for insertion of exogeneous sequences by providing a repair template for homology-directed repair (HDR). A major hurdle in generating knock-in models is the labor and cost involved in screening of injected fish to identify the precise knock-in events due to low efficiency of the HDR pathway in zebrafish. Thus, we developed fluorescent PCR-based high-throughput screening methods for precise knock-in of epitope tags and point mutations in zebrafish. Here, we provide a step-by-step guide that describes selection of an active sgRNA near the intended knock-in site, design of single-stranded oligonucleotide (ssODN) templates for HDR, quick validation of somatic knock-in using injected embryos, and screening for germline transmission of precise knock-in events to establish stable lines. Our screening method relies on the size-based separation of all fragments in an amplicon by fluorescent PCR and capillary electrophoresis, thus providing a robust and cost-effective strategy. Although we present the use of this protocol for insertion of epitope tags and point mutations, it can be used for insertion of any small DNA fragments (e.g., LoxP sites, in-frame codons). Furthermore, the screening strategy described here can be used to screen for precise knock-in of small DNA sequences in any model system, as PCR amplification of the target region is its only requirement. Key features This protocol expands the use of fluorescent PCR and CRISPR-STAT for screening of precise knock-in of small insertions and point mutations in zebrafish. Allows validation of selected sgRNA and HDR template within two weeks by somatic knock-in screening. Allows robust screening of point mutations by combining restriction digest with CRISPR-STAT. Graphical overview Overview of the three-phase knock-in pipeline in zebrafish (created with BioRender.com).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blake Carrington
- Zebrafish Core, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Raman Sood
- Zebrafish Core, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Richardson C, Kelsh RN, J. Richardson R. New advances in CRISPR/Cas-mediated precise gene-editing techniques. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm049874. [PMID: 36847161 PMCID: PMC10003097 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing has become a powerful tool for generating mutations in a variety of model organisms, from Escherichia coli to zebrafish, rodents and large mammals. CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing effectively generates insertions or deletions (indels), which allow for rapid gene disruption. However, a large proportion of human genetic diseases are caused by single-base-pair substitutions, which result in more subtle alterations to protein function, and which require more complex and precise editing to recreate in model systems. Precise genome editing (PGE) methods, however, typically have efficiencies of less than a tenth of those that generate less-specific indels, and so there has been a great deal of effort to improve PGE efficiency. Such optimisations include optimal guide RNA and mutation-bearing donor DNA template design, modulation of DNA repair pathways that underpin how edits result from Cas-induced cuts, and the development of Cas9 fusion proteins that introduce edits via alternative mechanisms. In this Review, we provide an overview of the recent progress in optimising PGE methods and their potential for generating models of human genetic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Richardson
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Robert N. Kelsh
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Rebecca J. Richardson
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Henke K, Farmer DT, Niu X, Kraus JM, Galloway JL, Youngstrom DW. Genetically engineered zebrafish as models of skeletal development and regeneration. Bone 2023; 167:116611. [PMID: 36395960 PMCID: PMC11080330 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2022.116611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are aquatic vertebrates with significant homology to their terrestrial counterparts. While zebrafish have a centuries-long track record in developmental and regenerative biology, their utility has grown exponentially with the onset of modern genetics. This is exemplified in studies focused on skeletal development and repair. Herein, the numerous contributions of zebrafish to our understanding of the basic science of cartilage, bone, tendon/ligament, and other skeletal tissues are described, with a particular focus on applications to development and regeneration. We summarize the genetic strengths that have made the zebrafish a powerful model to understand skeletal biology. We also highlight the large body of existing tools and techniques available to understand skeletal development and repair in the zebrafish and introduce emerging methods that will aid in novel discoveries in skeletal biology. Finally, we review the unique contributions of zebrafish to our understanding of regeneration and highlight diverse routes of repair in different contexts of injury. We conclude that zebrafish will continue to fill a niche of increasing breadth and depth in the study of basic cellular mechanisms of skeletal biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Henke
- Department of Orthopaedics, Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - D'Juan T Farmer
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Xubo Niu
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Jessica M Kraus
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
| | - Jenna L Galloway
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Daniel W Youngstrom
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sieliwonczyk E, Vandendriessche B, Claes C, Mayeur E, Alaerts M, Holmgren P, Canter Cremers T, Snyders D, Loeys B, Schepers D. Improved selection of zebrafish CRISPR editing by early next-generation sequencing based genotyping. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1491. [PMID: 36707549 PMCID: PMC9883431 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27503-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite numerous prior attempts to improve knock-in (KI) efficiency, the introduction of precise base pair substitutions by the CRISPR-Cas9 technique in zebrafish remains challenging. In our efforts to generate KI zebrafish models of human CACNA1C mutations, we have tested the effect of several CRISPR determinants on KI efficiency across two sites in a single gene and developed a novel method for early selection to ameliorate KI efficiency. We identified optimal KI conditions for Cas9 protein and non-target asymmetric PAM-distal single stranded deoxynucleotide repair templates at both cacna1c sites. An effect of distance to the cut site on the KI efficiency was only observed for a single repair template conformation at one of the two sites. By combining minimally invasive early genotyping with the zebrafish embryo genotyper (ZEG) device and next-generation sequencing, we were able to obtain an almost 17-fold increase in somatic editing efficiency. The added benefit of the early selection procedure was particularly evident for alleles with lower somatic editing efficiencies. We further explored the potential of the ZEG selection procedure for the improvement of germline transmission by demonstrating germline transmission events in three groups of pre-selected embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Sieliwonczyk
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Center for Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Bert Vandendriessche
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Center for Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Claes
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Center for Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Evy Mayeur
- Experimental Neurobiology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maaike Alaerts
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Center for Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Philip Holmgren
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Center for Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tycho Canter Cremers
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Center for Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dirk Snyders
- Experimental Neurobiology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Bart Loeys
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Center for Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Clinical Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Dorien Schepers
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Center for Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.,Experimental Neurobiology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Huang J, Zhou Y, Li J, Lu A, Liang C. CRISPR/Cas systems: Delivery and application in gene therapy. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:942325. [PMID: 36483767 PMCID: PMC9723151 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.942325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas systems in prokaryotes such as bacteria and archaea are the adaptive immune system to prevent infection from viruses, phages, or other foreign substances. When viruses or phages first invade the bacteria, Cas proteins recognize and cut the DNA from viruses or phages into short fragments that will be integrated into the CRISPR array. Once bacteria are invaded again, the modified CRISPR and Cas proteins react quickly to cut DNA at the specified target location, protecting the host. Due to its high efficiency, versatility, and simplicity, the CRISPR/Cas system has become one of the most popular gene editing technologies. In this review, we briefly introduce the CRISPR/Cas systems, focus on several delivery methods including physical delivery, viral vector delivery, and non-viral vector delivery, and the applications of disease therapy. Finally, some problems in CRISPR/Cas9 technology have been proposed, such as the off-target effects, the efficiency of DNA repair mechanisms, and delivery of CRISPR/Cas system safely and efficiently to the target location.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Huang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yitong Zhou
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Aiping Lu
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science (IBTS), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chao Liang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science (IBTS), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Iyer S, Mir A, Vega-Badillo J, Roscoe BP, Ibraheim R, Zhu LJ, Lee J, Liu P, Luk K, Mintzer E, Guo D, Soares de Brito J, Emerson CP, Zamore PD, Sontheimer EJ, Wolfe SA. Efficient Homology-Directed Repair with Circular Single-Stranded DNA Donors. CRISPR J 2022; 5:685-701. [PMID: 36070530 PMCID: PMC9595650 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2022.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
While genome editing has been revolutionized by the advent of CRISPR-based nucleases, difficulties in achieving efficient, nuclease-mediated, homology-directed repair (HDR) still limit many applications. Commonly used DNA donors such as plasmids suffer from low HDR efficiencies in many cell types, as well as integration at unintended sites. In contrast, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) donors can produce efficient HDR with minimal off-target integration. In this study, we describe the use of ssDNA phage to efficiently and inexpensively produce long circular ssDNA (cssDNA) donors. These cssDNA donors serve as efficient HDR templates when used with Cas9 or Cas12a, with integration frequencies superior to linear ssDNA (lssDNA) donors. To evaluate the relative efficiencies of imprecise and precise repair for a suite of different Cas9 or Cas12a nucleases, we have developed a modified traffic light reporter (TLR) system (TLR-multi-Cas variant 1 [MCV1]) that permits side-by-side comparisons of different nuclease systems. We used this system to assess editing and HDR efficiencies of different nuclease platforms with distinct DNA donor types. We then extended the analysis of DNA donor types to evaluate efficiencies of fluorescent tag knockins at endogenous sites in HEK293T and K562 cells. Our results show that cssDNA templates produce efficient and robust insertion of reporter tags. Targeting efficiency is high, allowing production of biallelic integrants using cssDNA donors. cssDNA donors also outcompete lssDNA donors in template-driven repair at the target site. These data demonstrate that circular donors provide an efficient, cost-effective method to achieve knockins in mammalian cell lines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sukanya Iyer
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Aamir Mir
- RNA Therapeutics Institute; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Benjamin P. Roscoe
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Raed Ibraheim
- RNA Therapeutics Institute; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lihua Julie Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jooyoung Lee
- RNA Therapeutics Institute; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pengpeng Liu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kevin Luk
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Esther Mintzer
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dongsheng Guo
- Wellstone Program, Department of Neurology; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Charles P. Emerson
- Wellstone Program, Department of Neurology; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Phillip D. Zamore
- RNA Therapeutics Institute; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erik J. Sontheimer
- RNA Therapeutics Institute; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Program in Molecular Medicine; and Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Li Weibo Institute for Rare Disease Research; University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Address correspondence to: Erik J. Sontheimer, RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605-2324, USA,
| | - Scot A. Wolfe
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Li Weibo Institute for Rare Disease Research; University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Address correspondence to: Scot A. Wolfe, Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, L.R.B. 619, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Shams F, Bayat H, Mohammadian O, Mahboudi S, Vahidnezhad H, Soosanabadi M, Rahimpour A. Advance trends in targeting homology-directed repair for accurate gene editing: An inclusive review of small molecules and modified CRISPR-Cas9 systems. BIOIMPACTS 2022; 12:371-391. [PMID: 35975201 PMCID: PMC9376165 DOI: 10.34172/bi.2022.23871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Introduction: Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat and its associated protein (CRISPR-Cas)-based technologies generate targeted modifications in host genome by inducing site-specific double-strand breaks (DSBs) that can serve as a substrate for homology-directed repair (HDR) in both in vitro and in vivo models. HDR pathway could enhance incorporation of exogenous DNA templates into the CRISPR-Cas9-mediated DSB site. Owing to low rate of HDR pathway, the efficiency of accurate genome editing is diminished. Enhancing the efficiency of HDR can provide fast, easy, and accurate technologies based on CRISPR-Cas9 technologies.
Methods: The current study presents an overview of attempts conducted on the precise genome editing strategies based on small molecules and modified CRISPR-Cas9 systems.
Results: In order to increase HDR rate in targeted cells, several logical strategies have been introduced such as generating CRISPR effector chimeric proteins, anti-CRISPR proteins, modified Cas9 with donor template, and using validated synthetic or natural small molecules for either inhibiting non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), stimulating HDR, or synchronizing cell cycle. Recently, high-throughput screening methods have been applied for identification of small molecules which along with the CRISPR system can regulate precise genome editing through HDR.
Conclusion: The stimulation of HDR components or inhibiting NHEJ can increase the accuracy of CRISPR-Cas-mediated engineering systems. Generating chimeric programmable endonucleases provide this opportunity to direct DNA template close proximity of CRISPR-Cas-mediated DSB. Small molecules and their derivatives can also proficiently block or activate certain DNA repair pathways and bring up novel perspectives for increasing HDR efficiency, especially in human cells. Further, high throughput screening of small molecule libraries could result in more discoveries of promising chemicals that improve HDR efficiency and CRISPR-Cas9 systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Forough Shams
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hadi Bayat
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Omid Mohammadian
- Medical Nano-Technology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Mahboudi
- Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hassan Vahidnezhad
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mohsen Soosanabadi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Azam Rahimpour
- Medical Nano-Technology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gao M, Zhu X, Yang G, Bao J, Bu H. CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene Editing in Porcine Models for Medical Research. DNA Cell Biol 2021; 40:1462-1475. [PMID: 34847741 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2020.6474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pigs have been extensively used as the research models for human disease pathogenesis and gene therapy. They are also the optimal source of cells, tissues, and organs for xenotransplantation due to anatomical and physiological similarities to humans. Several breakthroughs in gene-editing technologies, including the advent of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated 9 (Cas9), have greatly improved the efficiency of genetic manipulation and significantly broadened the application of gene-edited large animal models. In this review, we have not only outlined the important applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in pigs as a means to study human diseases but also discussed the potential challenges of the use of CRISPR/Cas9 in large animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengyu Gao
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chendu, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, Institute of Clinical Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Xinglong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, Institute of Clinical Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Guang Yang
- Experimental Animal Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Ji Bao
- Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, Institute of Clinical Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Hong Bu
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chendu, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, Institute of Clinical Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Chen S, Chen D, Liu B, Haisma HJ. Modulating CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing activity by small molecules. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:951-966. [PMID: 34823004 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)-mediated genome engineering has become a standard procedure for creating genetic and epigenetic changes of DNA molecules in basic biology, biotechnology, and medicine. However, its versatile applications have been hampered by its overall low precise gene modification efficiency and uncontrollable prolonged Cas9 activity. Therefore, overcoming these problems could broaden the therapeutic use of CRISPR/Cas9-based technologies. Here, we review small molecules with the clinical potential to precisely modulate CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome-editing activity and discuss their mechanisms of action. Based on these data, we suggest that direct-acting small molecules for Cas9 are more suitable for precisely regulating Cas9 activity. These findings provide useful information for the identification of novel small-molecule enhancers and inhibitors of Cas9 and Cas9-associated endonucleases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Chen
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 AV, the Netherlands
| | - Deng Chen
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 AV, the Netherlands
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 AV, the Netherlands; RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA(1)
| | - Hidde J Haisma
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 AV, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Barthelson K, Dong Y, Newman M, Lardelli M. PRESENILIN 1 Mutations Causing Early-Onset Familial Alzheimer's Disease or Familial Acne Inversa Differ in Their Effects on Genes Facilitating Energy Metabolism and Signal Transduction. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 82:327-347. [PMID: 34024832 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The most common cause of early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (EOfAD) is mutations in PRESENILIN 1 (PSEN1) allowing production of mRNAs encoding full-length, but mutant, proteins. In contrast, a single known frameshift mutation in PSEN1 causes familial acne inversa (fAI) without EOfAD. The molecular consequences of heterozygosity for these mutation types, and how they cause completely different diseases, remains largely unexplored. OBJECTIVE To analyze brain transcriptomes of young adult zebrafish to identify similarities and differences in the effects of heterozygosity for psen1 mutations causing EOfAD or fAI. METHODS RNA sequencing was performed on mRNA isolated from the brains of a single family of 6-month-old zebrafish siblings either wild type or possessing a single, heterozygous EOfAD-like or fAI-like mutation in their endogenous psen1 gene. RESULTS Both mutations downregulate genes encoding ribosomal subunits, and upregulate genes involved in inflammation. Genes involved in energy metabolism appeared significantly affected only by the EOfAD-like mutation, while genes involved in Notch, Wnt and neurotrophin signaling pathways appeared significantly affected only by the fAI-like mutation. However, investigation of direct transcriptional targets of Notch signaling revealed possible increases in γ-secretase activity due to heterozygosity for either psen1 mutation. Transcriptional adaptation due to the fAI-like frameshift mutation was evident. CONCLUSION We observed both similar and contrasting effects on brain transcriptomes of the heterozygous EOfAD-like and fAI-like mutations. The contrasting effects may illuminate how these mutation types cause distinct diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karissa Barthelson
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Yang Dong
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Morgan Newman
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Michael Lardelli
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Progress in Gene-Editing Technology of Zebrafish. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11091300. [PMID: 34572513 PMCID: PMC8468279 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
As a vertebrate model, zebrafish (Danio rerio) plays a vital role in the field of life sciences. Recently, gene-editing technology has become increasingly innovative, significantly promoting scientific research on zebrafish. However, the implementation of these methods in a reasonable and accurate manner to achieve efficient gene-editing remains challenging. In this review, we systematically summarize the development and latest progress in zebrafish gene-editing technology. Specifically, we outline trends in double-strand break-free genome modification and the prospective applications of fixed-point orientation transformation of any base at any location through a multi-method approach.
Collapse
|
14
|
Lucas CG, Redel BK, Chen PR, Spate LD, Prather RS, Wells KD. Effects of RAD51-stimulatory compound 1 (RS-1) and its vehicle, DMSO, on pig embryo culture. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 105:44-52. [PMID: 34407461 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Pigs have become an important model for agricultural and biomedical purposes. The advent of genomic engineering tools, such as the CRISPR/Cas9 system, has facilitated the production of livestock models with desired modifications. However, precise site-specific modifications in pigs through the homology-directed repair (HDR) pathway remains a challenge. In mammalian embryos, the use of small molecules to inhibit non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or to improve HDR have been tested, but little is known about their toxicity. The compound RS-1 stimulates the activity of the RAD51 protein, which plays a key role in the HDR mechanism, demonstrating enhancement of HDR events in rabbit and bovine zygotes. Thus, in this study, we evaluated the dosage and temporal effects of RS-1 on porcine embryo development and viability. Additionally, we assessed the effects of its vehicle, DMSO, during embryo in vitro culture. Transient exposure to 7.5 μM of RS-1 did not adversely affect early embryo development and was compatible with subsequent development to term. Additionally, low concentrations of its vehicle, DMSO, did not show any toxicity to in vitro produced embryos. The transient use of RS-1 at 7.5 μM during in vitro culture seems to be the best protocol of choice to reduce the potentially toxic effects of RS-1 while attempting to improve HDR in the pig. Direct injection of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, combined with strategies to increase the frequency of targeted modifications via HDR, have become an important tool to simplify and accelerate the production of genetically modified livestock models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C G Lucas
- National Swine Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | - B K Redel
- National Swine Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; USDA-ARS, Plant Genetics Unit, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - P R Chen
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - L D Spate
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - R S Prather
- National Swine Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - K D Wells
- National Swine Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Karapurkar JK, Antao AM, Kim KS, Ramakrishna S. CRISPR-Cas9 based genome editing for defective gene correction in humans and other mammals. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2021; 181:185-229. [PMID: 34127194 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2021.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-Cas9 (CRISPR/Cas9), derived from bacterial and archean immune systems, has received much attention from the scientific community as a powerful, targeted gene editing tool. The CRISPR/Cas9 system enables a simple, relatively effortless and highly specific gene targeting strategy through temporary or permanent genome regulation or editing. This endonuclease has enabled gene correction by taking advantage of the endogenous homology directed repair (HDR) pathway to successfully target and correct disease-causing gene mutations. Numerous studies using CRISPR support the promise of efficient and simple genome manipulation, and the technique has been validated in in vivo and in vitro experiments, indicating its potential for efficient gene correction at any genomic loci. In this chapter, we detailed various strategies related to gene editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. We also outlined strategies to improve the efficiency of gene correction via the HDR pathway and to improve viral and non-viral mediated gene delivery methods, with an emphasis on their therapeutic potential for correcting genetic disorder in humans and other mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ainsley Mike Antao
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kye-Seong Kim
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea; College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Suresh Ramakrishna
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea; College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ranawakage DC, Okada K, Sugio K, Kawaguchi Y, Kuninobu-Bonkohara Y, Takada T, Kamachi Y. Efficient CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Knock-In of Composite Tags in Zebrafish Using Long ssDNA as a Donor. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:598634. [PMID: 33681181 PMCID: PMC7928300 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.598634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the unprecedented gene editing capability of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated targeted knock-in, the efficiency and precision of this technology still require further optimization, particularly for multicellular model organisms, such as the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Our study demonstrated that an ∼200 base-pair sequence encoding a composite tag can be efficiently "knocked-in" into the zebrafish genome using a combination of the CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complex and a long single-stranded DNA (lssDNA) as a donor template. Here, we targeted the sox3, sox11a, and pax6a genes to evaluate the knock-in efficiency of lssDNA donors with different structures in somatic cells of injected embryos and for their germline transmission. The structures and sequence characteristics of the lssDNA donor templates were found to be crucial to achieve a high rate of precise and heritable knock-ins. The following were our key findings: (1) lssDNA donor strand selection is important; however, strand preference and its dependency appear to vary among the target loci or their sequences. (2) The length of the 3' homology arm of the lssDNA donor affects knock-in efficiency in a site-specific manner; particularly, a shorter 50-nt arm length leads to a higher knock-in efficiency than a longer 300-nt arm for the sox3 and pax6a knock-ins. (3) Some DNA sequence characteristics of the knock-in donors and the distance between the CRISPR-Cas9 cleavage site and the tag insertion site appear to adversely affect the repair process, resulting in imprecise editing. By implementing the proposed method, we successfully obtained precisely edited sox3, sox11a, and pax6a knock-in alleles that contained a composite tag composed of FLAGx3 (or PAx3), Bio tag, and HiBiT tag (or His tag) with moderate to high germline transmission rates as high as 21%. Furthermore, the knock-in allele-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for both the 5' and 3' junctions indicated that knock-in allele frequencies were higher at the 3' side of the lssDNAs, suggesting that the lssDNA-templated knock-in was mediated by unidirectional single-strand template repair (SSTR) in zebrafish embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Yusuke Kamachi
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kochi University of Technology, Kochi, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Simpson KE, Venkateshappa R, Pang ZK, Faizi S, Tibbits GF, Claydon TW. Utility of Zebrafish Models of Acquired and Inherited Long QT Syndrome. Front Physiol 2021; 11:624129. [PMID: 33519527 PMCID: PMC7844309 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.624129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-QT Syndrome (LQTS) is a cardiac electrical disorder, distinguished by irregular heart rates and sudden death. Accounting for ∼40% of cases, LQTS Type 2 (LQTS2), is caused by defects in the Kv11.1 (hERG) potassium channel that is critical for cardiac repolarization. Drug block of hERG channels or dysfunctional channel variants can result in acquired or inherited LQTS2, respectively, which are typified by delayed repolarization and predisposition to lethal arrhythmia. As such, there is significant interest in clear identification of drugs and channel variants that produce clinically meaningful perturbation of hERG channel function. While toxicological screening of hERG channels, and phenotypic assessment of inherited channel variants in heterologous systems is now commonplace, affordable, efficient, and insightful whole organ models for acquired and inherited LQTS2 are lacking. Recent work has shown that zebrafish provide a viable in vivo or whole organ model of cardiac electrophysiology. Characterization of cardiac ion currents and toxicological screening work in intact embryos, as well as adult whole hearts, has demonstrated the utility of the zebrafish model to contribute to the development of therapeutics that lack hERG-blocking off-target effects. Moreover, forward and reverse genetic approaches show zebrafish as a tractable model in which LQTS2 can be studied. With the development of new tools and technologies, zebrafish lines carrying precise channel variants associated with LQTS2 have recently begun to be generated and explored. In this review, we discuss the present knowledge and questions raised related to the use of zebrafish as models of acquired and inherited LQTS2. We focus discussion, in particular, on developments in precise gene-editing approaches in zebrafish to create whole heart inherited LQTS2 models and evidence that zebrafish hearts can be used to study arrhythmogenicity and to identify potential anti-arrhythmic compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle E. Simpson
- Molecular Cardiac Physiology Group, Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Ravichandra Venkateshappa
- Molecular Cardiac Physiology Group, Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Zhao Kai Pang
- Molecular Cardiac Physiology Group, Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Shoaib Faizi
- Molecular Cardiac Physiology Group, Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Glen F. Tibbits
- Molecular Cardiac Physiology Group, Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Department of Cardiovascular Science, British Columbia Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tom W. Claydon
- Molecular Cardiac Physiology Group, Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Prill K, Dawson JF. Homology-Directed Repair in Zebrafish: Witchcraft and Wizardry? Front Mol Biosci 2021; 7:595474. [PMID: 33425990 PMCID: PMC7793982 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.595474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introducing desired mutations into the genome of model organisms is a priority for all research focusing on protein function and disease modeling. The need to create stable mutant lines has resulted in the rapid advancement of genetic techniques over the last few decades from chemical mutagenesis and zinc finger nucleases to clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and homology-directed repair (HDR). However, achieving consistently high success rates for direct mutagenesis in zebrafish remains one of the most sought-after techniques in the field. Several genes have been modified using HDR in zebrafish, but published success rates range widely, suggesting that an optimal protocol is required. In this review, we compare target genes, techniques, and protocols from 50 genes that were successfully modified in zebrafish using HDR to find the statistically best variables for efficient HDR rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kendal Prill
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - John F Dawson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Yang H, Ren S, Yu S, Pan H, Li T, Ge S, Zhang J, Xia N. Methods Favoring Homology-Directed Repair Choice in Response to CRISPR/Cas9 Induced-Double Strand Breaks. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6461. [PMID: 32899704 PMCID: PMC7555059 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise gene editing is-or will soon be-in clinical use for several diseases, and more applications are under development. The programmable nuclease Cas9, directed by a single-guide RNA (sgRNA), can introduce double-strand breaks (DSBs) in target sites of genomic DNA, which constitutes the initial step of gene editing using this novel technology. In mammals, two pathways dominate the repair of the DSBs-nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) and homology-directed repair (HDR)-and the outcome of gene editing mainly depends on the choice between these two repair pathways. Although HDR is attractive for its high fidelity, the choice of repair pathway is biased in a biological context. Mammalian cells preferentially employ NHEJ over HDR through several mechanisms: NHEJ is active throughout the cell cycle, whereas HDR is restricted to S/G2 phases; NHEJ is faster than HDR; and NHEJ suppresses the HDR process. This suggests that definitive control of outcome of the programmed DNA lesioning could be achieved through manipulating the choice of cellular repair pathway. In this review, we summarize the DSB repair pathways, the mechanisms involved in choice selection based on DNA resection, and make progress in the research investigating strategies that favor Cas9-mediated HDR based on the manipulation of repair pathway choice to increase the frequency of HDR in mammalian cells. The remaining problems in improving HDR efficiency are also discussed. This review should facilitate the development of CRISPR/Cas9 technology to achieve more precise gene editing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Tingdong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Centers of Biological Products, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (H.Y.); (S.R.); (S.Y.); (H.P.); (J.Z.); (N.X.)
| | - Shengxiang Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Centers of Biological Products, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (H.Y.); (S.R.); (S.Y.); (H.P.); (J.Z.); (N.X.)
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ray U, Vartak SV, Raghavan SC. NHEJ inhibitor SCR7 and its different forms: Promising CRISPR tools for genome engineering. Gene 2020; 763:144997. [PMID: 32783992 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas system currently stands as one of the best multifaceted tools for site-specific genome engineering in mammals. An important aspect of research in this field focusses on improving the specificity and efficacy of precise genome editing in multiple model systems. The cornerstone of this mini-review is one of the extensively investigated small molecule inhibitor, SCR7, which abrogates NHEJ, a Ligase IV-dependent DSB repair pathway, thus guiding integration of the foreign DNA fragment via the more precise homology directed repair during genome editing. One of our recent studies sheds light on properties of different forms of SCR7. Here, we give a succinct account on the use of SCR7 and its different forms in CRISPR-Cas system, highlighting their chemical properties and biological relevance as potent efficiency-enhancing CRISPR tools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ujjayinee Ray
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Supriya V Vartak
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Sathees C Raghavan
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Fabian L, Dowling JJ. Zebrafish Models of LAMA2-Related Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (MDC1A). Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:122. [PMID: 32742259 PMCID: PMC7364686 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
LAMA2-related congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD; LAMA2-MD), also referred to as merosin deficient CMD (MDC1A), is a severe neonatal onset muscle disease caused by recessive mutations in the LAMA2 gene. LAMA2 encodes laminin α2, a subunit of the extracellular matrix (ECM) oligomer laminin 211. There are currently no treatments for MDC1A, and there is an incomplete understanding of disease pathogenesis. Zebrafish, due to their high degree of genetic conservation with humans, large clutch sizes, rapid development, and optical clarity, have emerged as an excellent model system for studying rare Mendelian diseases. They are particularly suitable as a model for muscular dystrophy because they contain at least one orthologue to all major human MD genes, have muscle that is similar to human muscle in structure and function, and manifest obvious and easily measured MD related phenotypes. In this review article, we present the existing zebrafish models of MDC1A, and discuss their contribution to the understanding of MDC1A pathomechanisms and therapy development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lacramioara Fabian
- Program for Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James J Dowling
- Program for Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Carrington B, Weinstein RN, Sood R. BE4max and AncBE4max Are Efficient in Germline Conversion of C:G to T:A Base Pairs in Zebrafish. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071690. [PMID: 32674364 PMCID: PMC7407168 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The ease of use and robustness of genome editing by CRISPR/Cas9 has led to successful use of gene knockout zebrafish for disease modeling. However, it still remains a challenge to precisely edit the zebrafish genome to create single-nucleotide substitutions, which account for ~60% of human disease-causing mutations. Recently developed base editing nucleases provide an excellent alternate to CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homology dependent repair for generation of zebrafish with point mutations. A new set of cytosine base editors, termed BE4max and AncBE4max, demonstrated improved base editing efficiency in mammalian cells but have not been evaluated in zebrafish. Therefore, we undertook this study to evaluate their efficiency in converting C:G to T:A base pairs in zebrafish by somatic and germline analysis using highly active sgRNAs to twist and ntl genes. Our data demonstrated that these improved BE4max set of plasmids provide desired base substitutions at similar efficiency and without any indels compared to the previously reported BE3 and Target-AID plasmids in zebrafish. Our data also showed that AncBE4max produces fewer incorrect and bystander edits, suggesting that it can be further improved by codon optimization of its components for use in zebrafish.
Collapse
|
23
|
Bai H, Liu L, An K, Lu X, Harrison M, Zhao Y, Yan R, Lu Z, Li S, Lin S, Liang F, Qin W. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated precise genome modification by a long ssDNA template in zebrafish. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:67. [PMID: 31964350 PMCID: PMC6974980 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-6493-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene targeting by homology-directed repair (HDR) can precisely edit the genome and is a versatile tool for biomedical research. However, the efficiency of HDR-based modification is still low in many model organisms including zebrafish. Recently, long single-stranded DNA (lssDNA) molecules have been developed as efficient alternative donor templates to mediate HDR for the generation of conditional mouse alleles. Here we report a method, zLOST (zebrafish long single-stranded DNA template), which utilises HDR with a long single-stranded DNA template to produce more efficient and precise mutations in zebrafish. RESULTS The efficiency of knock-ins was assessed by phenotypic rescue at the tyrosinase (tyr) locus and confirmed by sequencing. zLOST was found to be a successful optimised rescue strategy: using zLOST containing a tyr repair site, we restored pigmentation in at least one melanocyte in close to 98% of albino tyr25del/25del embryos, although more than half of the larvae had only a small number of pigmented cells. Sequence analysis showed that there was precise HDR dependent repair of the tyr locus in these rescued pigmented embryos. Furthermore, quantification of zLOST knock-in efficiency at the rps14, nop56 and th loci by next generation sequencing demonstrated that zLOST showed a clear improvement. We utilised the HDR efficiency of zLOST to precisely model specific human disease mutations in zebrafish with ease. Finally, we determined that this method can achieve a germline transmission rate of up to 31.8%. CONCLUSIONS In summary, these results show that zLOST is a useful method of zebrafish genome editing, particularly for generating desired mutations by targeted DNA knock-in through HDR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haipeng Bai
- Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- The Saban Research Institute and Heart Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Lijun Liu
- Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Ke An
- Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xiaochan Lu
- Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Michael Harrison
- The Saban Research Institute and Heart Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Yanqiu Zhao
- Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Ruibin Yan
- Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zhijie Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Healthy and Safe Aquaculture, Institute of Modern Aquaculture Science and Engineering, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangdong, 510631, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Li
- Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Shuo Lin
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Fang Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Healthy and Safe Aquaculture, Institute of Modern Aquaculture Science and Engineering, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangdong, 510631, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wei Qin
- Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Straume AH, Kjærner-Semb E, Ove Skaftnesmo K, Güralp H, Kleppe L, Wargelius A, Edvardsen RB. Indel locations are determined by template polarity in highly efficient in vivo CRISPR/Cas9-mediated HDR in Atlantic salmon. Sci Rep 2020; 10:409. [PMID: 31941961 PMCID: PMC6962318 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-57295-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Precise gene editing such as CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homology directed repair (HDR) can increase our understanding of gene function and improve traits of importance for aquaculture. This fine-tuned technology has not been developed for farmed fish including Atlantic salmon. We performed knock-in (KI) of a FLAG element in the slc45a2 gene in salmon using sense (S), anti-sense (AS) and double-stranded (ds) oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) templates with short (24/48/84 bp) homology arms. We show in vivo ODN integration in almost all the gene edited animals, and demonstrate perfect HDR rates up to 27% in individual F0 embryos, much higher than reported previously in any fish. HDR efficiency was dependent on template concentration, but not homology arm length. Analysis of imperfect HDR variants suggest that repair occurs by synthesis-dependent strand annealing (SDSA), as we show for the first time in any species that indel location is dependent on template polarity. Correct ODN polarity can be used to avoid 5'-indels interrupting the reading frame of an inserted sequence and be of importance for HDR template design in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Hege Straume
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Erik Kjærner-Semb
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kai Ove Skaftnesmo
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Hilal Güralp
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lene Kleppe
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Anna Wargelius
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Espino-Saldaña AE, Rodríguez-Ortiz R, Pereida-Jaramillo E, Martínez-Torres A. Modeling Neuronal Diseases in Zebrafish in the Era of CRISPR. Curr Neuropharmacol 2020; 18:136-152. [PMID: 31573887 PMCID: PMC7324878 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x17666191001145550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Danio rerio is a powerful experimental model for studies in genetics and development. Recently, CRISPR technology has been applied in this species to mimic various human diseases, including those affecting the nervous system. Zebrafish offer multiple experimental advantages: external embryogenesis, rapid development, transparent embryos, short life cycle, and basic neurobiological processes shared with humans. This animal model, together with the CRISPR system, emerging imaging technologies, and novel behavioral approaches, lay the basis for a prominent future in neuropathology and will undoubtedly accelerate our understanding of brain function and its disorders. OBJECTIVE Gather relevant findings from studies that have used CRISPR technologies in zebrafish to explore basic neuronal function and model human diseases. METHODS We systematically reviewed the most recent literature about CRISPR technology applications for understanding brain function and neurological disorders in D. rerio. We highlighted the key role of CRISPR in driving forward our understanding of particular topics in neuroscience. RESULTS We show specific advances in neurobiology when the CRISPR system has been applied in zebrafish and describe how CRISPR is accelerating our understanding of brain organization. CONCLUSION Today, CRISPR is the preferred method to modify genomes of practically any living organism. Despite the rapid development of CRISPR technologies to generate disease models in zebrafish, more efforts are needed to efficiently combine different disciplines to find the etiology and treatments for many brain diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angeles Edith Espino-Saldaña
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro, Qro CP76230, México
- Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Av. de las Ciencias S/N, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Roberto Rodríguez-Ortiz
- CONACYT - Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Querétaro, Qro., México
| | - Elizabeth Pereida-Jaramillo
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro, Qro CP76230, México
| | - Ataúlfo Martínez-Torres
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro, Qro CP76230, México
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Wierson WA, Simone BW, WareJoncas Z, Mann C, Welker JM, Kar B, Emch MJ, Friedberg I, Gendron WA, Barry MA, Clark KJ, Dobbs DL, McGrail MA, Ekker SC, Essner JJ. Expanding the CRISPR Toolbox with ErCas12a in Zebrafish and Human Cells. CRISPR J 2019; 2:417-433. [PMID: 31742435 PMCID: PMC6919245 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2019.0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR and CRISPR-Cas effector proteins enable the targeting of DNA double-strand breaks to defined loci based on a variable length RNA guide specific to each effector. The guide RNAs are generally similar in size and form, consisting of a ∼20 nucleotide sequence complementary to the DNA target and an RNA secondary structure recognized by the effector. However, the effector proteins vary in protospacer adjacent motif requirements, nuclease activities, and DNA binding kinetics. Recently, ErCas12a, a new member of the Cas12a family, was identified in Eubacterium rectale. Here, we report the first characterization of ErCas12a activity in zebrafish and expand on previously reported activity in human cells. Using a fluorescent reporter system, we show that CRISPR-ErCas12a elicits strand annealing mediated DNA repair more efficiently than CRISPR-Cas9. Further, using our previously reported gene targeting method that utilizes short homology, GeneWeld, we demonstrate the use of CRISPR-ErCas12a to integrate reporter alleles into the genomes of both zebrafish and human cells. Together, this work provides methods for deploying an additional CRISPR-Cas system, thus increasing the flexibility researchers have in applying genome engineering technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wesley A. Wierson
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Brandon W. Simone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Zachary WareJoncas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Carla Mann
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Jordan M. Welker
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Bibekananda Kar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Michael J. Emch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Iddo Friedberg
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - William A.C. Gendron
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Michael A. Barry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Karl J. Clark
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Drena L. Dobbs
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Maura A. McGrail
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Stephen C. Ekker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jeffrey J. Essner
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Wu N, Liu B, Du H, Zhao S, Li Y, Cheng X, Wang S, Lin J, Zhou J, Qiu G, Wu Z, Zhang J. The Progress of CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene Editing in Generating Mouse/Zebrafish Models of Human Skeletal Diseases. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2019; 17:954-962. [PMID: 31360334 PMCID: PMC6639410 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic factors play a substantial role in the etiology of skeletal diseases, which involve 1) defects in skeletal development, including intramembranous ossification and endochondral ossification; 2) defects in skeletal metabolism, including late bone growth and bone remodeling; 3) defects in early developmental processes related to skeletal diseases, such as neural crest cell (NCC) and cilia functions; 4) disturbance of the cellular signaling pathways which potentially affect bone growth. Efficient and high-throughput genetic methods have enabled the exploration and verification of disease-causing genes and variants. Animal models including mouse and zebrafish have been extensively used in functional mechanism studies of causal genes and variants. The conventional approaches of generating mutant animal models include spontaneous mutagenesis, random integration, and targeted integration via mouse embryonic stem cells. These approaches are costly and time-consuming. Recent development and application of gene-editing tools, especially the CRISPR/Cas9 system, has significantly accelerated the process of gene-editing in diverse organisms. Here we review both mice and zebrafish models of human skeletal diseases generated by CRISPR/Cas9 system, and their contributions to deciphering the underpins of disease mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Wu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing 100730, China
- Medical Research Center of Orthopedics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Bowen Liu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Huakang Du
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Sen Zhao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yaqi Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xi Cheng
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Shengru Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Jiachen Lin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Junde Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing 100730, China
| | | | - Guixing Qiu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing 100730, China
- Medical Research Center of Orthopedics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
- Central Laboratory & Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihong Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing 100730, China
- Central Laboratory & Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Correspondence to: Z. Wu, Central Laboratory & Medical Research Center, Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, China.
| | - Jianguo Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing 100730, China
- Medical Research Center of Orthopedics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
- Correspondence to: J. Zhang, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Medical Research Center of Orthopedics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Beijing 100730, China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Aksoy YA, Nguyen DT, Chow S, Chung RS, Guillemin GJ, Cole NJ, Hesselson D. Chemical reprogramming enhances homology-directed genome editing in zebrafish embryos. Commun Biol 2019; 2:198. [PMID: 31149642 PMCID: PMC6533270 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0444-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise genome editing is limited by the inefficiency of homology-directed repair (HDR) compared to the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) of double strand breaks (DSBs). The CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)/Cas9 system generates precise, locus-specific DSBs that can serve as substrates for HDR. We developed an in vivo visual reporter assay to quantify HDR-mediated events at single-cell resolution in zebrafish and used this system to identify small-molecule modulators that shift the DNA repair equilibrium in favor of HDR. By further optimizing the reaction environment and repair template, we achieved dramatic enhancement of HDR-mediated repair efficiency in zebrafish. Accordingly, under optimized conditions, inhibition of NHEJ with NU7441 enhanced HDR-mediated repair up to 13.4-fold. Importantly, we demonstrate that the increase in somatic HDR events correlates directly with germline transmission, permitting the efficient recovery of large seamlessly integrated DNA fragments in zebrafish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yagiz A. Aksoy
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW Australia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - David T. Nguyen
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Sharron Chow
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Roger S. Chung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Gilles J. Guillemin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Nicholas J. Cole
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Daniel Hesselson
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Liu K, Petree C, Requena T, Varshney P, Varshney GK. Expanding the CRISPR Toolbox in Zebrafish for Studying Development and Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:13. [PMID: 30886848 PMCID: PMC6409501 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of model organisms has revolutionized our understanding of the mechanisms underlying normal development, adult homeostasis, and human disease. Much of what we know about gene function in model organisms (and its application to humans) has come from gene knockouts: the ability to show analogous phenotypes upon gene inactivation in animal models. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become a popular model organism for many reasons, including the fact that it is amenable to various forms of genetic manipulation. The RNA-guided CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenesis approaches have provided powerful tools to manipulate the genome toward developing new disease models and understanding the pathophysiology of human diseases. CRISPR-based approaches are being used for the generation of both knockout and knock-in alleles, and also for applications including transcriptional modulation, epigenome editing, live imaging of the genome, and lineage tracing. Currently, substantial effort is being made to improve the specificity of Cas9, and to expand the target coverage of the Cas9 enzymes. Novel types of naturally occurring CRISPR systems [Cas12a (Cpf1); engineered variants of Cas9, such as xCas9 and SpCas9-NG], are being studied and applied to genome editing. Since the majority of pathogenic mutations are single point mutations, development of base editors to convert C:G to T:A or A:T to G:C has further strengthened the CRISPR toolbox. In this review, we provide an overview of the increasing number of novel CRISPR-based tools and approaches, including lineage tracing and base editing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Gaurav K. Varshney
- Functional and Chemical Genomics Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Wucherpfennig JI, Miller CT, Kingsley DM. Efficient CRISPR-Cas9 editing of major evolutionary loci in sticklebacks. EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY RESEARCH 2019; 20:107-132. [PMID: 34899072 PMCID: PMC8664273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stickleback fish are widely used to study the genetic and ecological basis of phenotypic evolution. Although several major loci have now been identified that contribute to evolutionary differences between wild populations, further study of the phenotypes associated with particular genes and mutations has been limited by the difficulty of generating targeted mutations at precise locations in the stickleback genome. APPROACH AND AIMS We compared different methods of expressing single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) and Cas9 activity in fertilized stickleback eggs. We used an easily scored pigmentation gene (SLC24A5) to screen for molecular lesions, phenotypic effects, and possible germline transmission of newly induced alleles. We then used the optimized CRISPR methods to target two major evolutionary loci in sticklebacks, KITLG and EDA. We hypothesized that coding region mutations in the KITLG gene would alter body pigmentation and possibly sex determination, and that mutations in the EDA gene would disrupt the formation of most armor plates, fin rays, spines, teeth, and gill rakers. RESULTS Targeted deletions were successfully induced at each target locus by co-injecting one-cell stage stickleback embryos with either Cas9 mRNA or Cas9 protein, together with sgRNAs designed to protein-coding exons. Founder animals were typically mosaic for multiple mutations, which they transmitted through the germline at overall rates of 21 to 100%. We found that the copy of KITLG on the X chromosome (KITLGX) has diverged from the KITLG on the Y chromosome (KITLGY). Predicted loss-of-function mutations in the KITLGX gene dramatically altered pigmentation in both external skin and internal organ, but the same was not true for KITLGY mutations. Predicted loss-of-function mutations in either the KITLGX or KITLGY genes did not lead to sex reversal or prevent fertility. Homozygous loss-of-function mutations in the EDA gene led to complete loss of armor plates, severe reduction or loss of most soft rays in the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins, and severe reductions in tooth and gill raker number. In contrast, long dorsal and pelvic spines remained intact in EDA mutant animals, suggesting that common co-segregation of plate loss and spine reduction in wild populations is unlikely to be due to pleiotropic effects of EDA mutations. CONCLUSION CRISPR-Cas9 approaches can be used to induce germline mutations in key evolutionary loci in sticklebacks. Targeted coding region mutations confirm an important role for KITLG and EDA in skin pigmentation and armor plate reduction, respectively. They also provide new information about the functions of these genes in other body structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia I Wucherpfennig
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305-5329, USA
| | - Craig T Miller
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - David M Kingsley
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305-5329, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305-5329, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Boel A, De Saffel H, Steyaert W, Callewaert B, De Paepe A, Coucke PJ, Willaert A. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homology-directed repair by ssODNs in zebrafish induces complex mutational patterns resulting from genomic integration of repair-template fragments. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:11/10/dmm035352. [PMID: 30355591 PMCID: PMC6215429 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.035352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted genome editing by CRISPR/Cas9 is extremely well fitted to generate gene disruptions, although precise sequence replacement by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homology-directed repair (HDR) suffers from low efficiency, impeding its use for high-throughput knock-in disease modeling. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis to determine the efficiency and reliability of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated HDR using several types of single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ssODN) repair templates for the introduction of disease-relevant point mutations in the zebrafish genome. Our results suggest that HDR rates are strongly determined by repair-template composition, with the most influential factor being homology-arm length. However, we found that repair using ssODNs does not only lead to precise sequence replacement but also induces integration of repair-template fragments at the Cas9 cut site. We observed that error-free repair occurs at a relatively constant rate of 1-4% when using different repair templates, which was sufficient for transmission of point mutations to the F1 generation. On the other hand, erroneous repair mainly accounts for the variability in repair rate between the different repair templates. To further improve error-free HDR rates, elucidating the mechanism behind this erroneous repair is essential. We show that the error-prone nature of ssODN-mediated repair, believed to act via synthesis-dependent strand annealing (SDSA), is most likely due to DNA synthesis errors. In conclusion, caution is warranted when using ssODNs for the generation of knock-in models or for therapeutic applications. We recommend the application of in-depth NGS analysis to examine both the efficiency and error-free nature of HDR events. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: NGS-based analysis reveals that CRISPR/Cas9-induced double-strand-break repair using single-stranded repair templates is error prone in zebrafish, resulting in complex patterns of integrated repair-template fragments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annekatrien Boel
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hanna De Saffel
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wouter Steyaert
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bert Callewaert
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anne De Paepe
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paul J Coucke
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andy Willaert
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Farr GH, Imani K, Pouv D, Maves L. Functional testing of a human PBX3 variant in zebrafish reveals a potential modifier role in congenital heart defects. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm035972. [PMID: 30355621 PMCID: PMC6215422 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.035972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole-genome and exome sequencing efforts are increasingly identifying candidate genetic variants associated with human disease. However, predicting and testing the pathogenicity of a genetic variant remains challenging. Genome editing allows for the rigorous functional testing of human genetic variants in animal models. Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are a prominent example of a human disorder with complex genetics. An inherited sequence variant in the human PBX3 gene (PBX3 p.A136V) has previously been shown to be enriched in a CHD patient cohort, indicating that the PBX3 p.A136V variant could be a modifier allele for CHDs. Pbx genes encode three-amino-acid loop extension (TALE)-class homeodomain-containing DNA-binding proteins with diverse roles in development and disease, and are required for heart development in mouse and zebrafish. Here, we used CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to directly test whether this Pbx gene variant acts as a genetic modifier in zebrafish heart development. We used a single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide to precisely introduce the human PBX3 p.A136V variant in the homologous zebrafish pbx4 gene (pbx4 p.A131V). We observed that zebrafish that are homozygous for pbx4 p.A131V are viable as adults. However, the pbx4 p.A131V variant enhances the embryonic cardiac morphogenesis phenotype caused by loss of the known cardiac specification factor, Hand2. Our study is the first example of using precision genome editing in zebrafish to demonstrate a function for a human disease-associated single nucleotide variant of unknown significance. Our work underscores the importance of testing the roles of inherited variants, not just de novo variants, as genetic modifiers of CHDs. Our study provides a novel approach toward advancing our understanding of the complex genetics of CHDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gist H Farr
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Kimia Imani
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Darren Pouv
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Lisa Maves
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Vartak SV, Swarup HA, Gopalakrishnan V, Gopinatha VK, Ropars V, Nambiar M, John F, Kothanahally SKS, Kumari R, Kumari N, Ray U, Radha G, Dinesh D, Pandey M, Ananda H, Karki SS, Srivastava M, Charbonnier JB, Choudhary B, Mantelingu K, Raghavan SC. Autocyclized and oxidized forms of SCR7 induce cancer cell death by inhibiting nonhomologous DNA end joining in a Ligase IV dependent manner. FEBS J 2018; 285:3959-3976. [PMID: 30230716 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Nonhomologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) is the major DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway in mammals. Previously, we have described a small molecule inhibitor, SCR7, which can inhibit NHEJ in a Ligase IV-dependent manner. Administration of SCR7 within the cells resulted in the accumulation of DNA breaks, cell death, and inhibition of tumor growth in mice. In the present study, we report that parental SCR7, which is unstable, can be autocyclized into a stable form. Both parental SCR7 and cyclized SCR7 possess the same molecular weight (334.09) and molecular formula (C18 H14 N4 OS), whereas its oxidized form, SCR7-pyrazine, possesses a different molecular formula (C18 H12 N4 OS), molecular weight (332.07), and structure. While cyclized form of SCR7 showed robust inhibition of NHEJ in vitro, both forms exhibited efficient cytotoxicity. Cyclized and oxidized forms of SCR7 inhibited DNA end joining catalyzed by Ligase IV, whereas their impact was minimal on Ligase III, Ligase I, and T4 DNA Ligase-mediated joining. Importantly, both forms inhibited V(D)J recombination, although the effect was more pronounced for SCR7-cyclized. Both forms blocked NHEJ in a Ligase IV-dependent manner leading to the accumulation of DSBs within the cells. Although cytotoxicity due to SCR7-cyclized was Ligase IV specific, the pyrazine form exhibited nonspecific cytotoxicity at higher concentrations in Ligase IV-null cells. Finally, we demonstrate that both forms can potentiate the effect of radiation. Thus, we report that cyclized and oxidized forms of SCR7 can inhibit NHEJ in a Ligase IV-dependent manner, although SCR7-pyrazine is less specific to Ligase IV inside the cell.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Supriya V Vartak
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Vidya Gopalakrishnan
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Vindya K Gopinatha
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Virginie Ropars
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ Paris-Sud, Univ Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Mridula Nambiar
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Franklin John
- Department of Chemistry, Sacred Heart College, Kochi, India
| | | | - Rupa Kumari
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Nitu Kumari
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Ujjayinee Ray
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Gudapureddy Radha
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Depina Dinesh
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Monica Pandey
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Hanumappa Ananda
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.,Department of Chemistry, University of Mysore, India
| | - Subhas S Karki
- KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, KLE College of Pharmacy, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, India
| | - Mrinal Srivastava
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Jean Baptiste Charbonnier
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ Paris-Sud, Univ Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Bibha Choudhary
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Sathees C Raghavan
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Rissone A, Burgess SM. Rare Genetic Blood Disease Modeling in Zebrafish. Front Genet 2018; 9:348. [PMID: 30233640 PMCID: PMC6127601 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematopoiesis results in the correct formation of all the different blood cell types. In mammals, it starts from specific hematopoietic stem and precursor cells residing in the bone marrow. Mature blood cells are responsible for supplying oxygen to every cell of the organism and for the protection against pathogens. Therefore, inherited or de novo genetic mutations affecting blood cell formation or the regulation of their activity are responsible for numerous diseases including anemia, immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, hyper- or hypo-inflammation, and cancer. By definition, an animal disease model is an analogous version of a specific clinical condition developed by researchers to gain information about its pathophysiology. Among all the model species used in comparative medicine, mice continue to be the most common and accepted model for biomedical research. However, because of the complexity of human diseases and the intrinsic differences between humans and other species, the use of several models (possibly in distinct species) can often be more helpful and informative than the use of a single model. In recent decades, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become increasingly popular among researchers, because it represents an inexpensive alternative compared to mammalian models, such as mice. Numerous advantages make it an excellent animal model to be used in genetic studies and in particular in modeling human blood diseases. Comparing zebrafish hematopoiesis to mammals, it is highly conserved with few, significant differences. In addition, the zebrafish model has a high-quality, complete genomic sequence available that shows a high level of evolutionary conservation with the human genome, empowering genetic and genomic approaches. Moreover, the external fertilization, the high fecundity and the transparency of their embryos facilitate rapid, in vivo analysis of phenotypes. In addition, the ability to manipulate its genome using the last genome editing technologies, provides powerful tools for developing new disease models and understanding the pathophysiology of human disorders. This review provides an overview of the different approaches and techniques that can be used to model genetic diseases in zebrafish, discussing how this animal model has contributed to the understanding of genetic diseases, with a specific focus on the blood disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Rissone
- Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Shawn M Burgess
- Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|