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Zeng H, Huang B, Xu L, Wu Y. Banana Classification Using Sanger Sequencing of the Ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Region. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:2173. [PMID: 39204609 PMCID: PMC11359176 DOI: 10.3390/plants13162173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Banana (Musa spp.) is one of the most economically important horticultural crops. There are many types of banana, with differing ploidy (usually diploid, triploid, or tetraploid) and genome types (most containing the A or/and B genome). Currently, observation and genome type detection are commonly used to identify banana germplasm resources. However, observation is tedious, while genome type detection cannot distinguish categories below genome types. It is, therefore, urgent to establish a simple and effective method for identifying banana germplasm resources. This study sequenced and analyzed the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of 62 banana germplasm resources and found that the sequencing peaks, especially the 20 bp region near the 420-bp position (referred to as the 420-bp region), exhibited relatively recognizable and repeatable polymorphism characteristics. Using the 420-bp region as a marker, we were able to quickly distinguish bananas belonging to different genome type groups or different subgroups in the same genome type group. Moreover, it appeared that Sanger sequencing of ITS could be used to identify hybrid banana offspring. In general, ITS sequencing simplifies the classification of banana germplasm resources and has potential application in several areas of Musa improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yuanli Wu
- Institute of Fruit Tree Research, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of South Subtropical Fruit Biology and Genetic Resource Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Science and Technology Research on Fruit Tree, Guangzhou 510640, China; (H.Z.)
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Adegbaju MS, Ajose T, Adegbaju IE, Omosebi T, Ajenifujah-Solebo SO, Falana OY, Shittu OB, Adetunji CO, Akinbo O. Genetic engineering and genome editing technologies as catalyst for Africa's food security: the case of plant biotechnology in Nigeria. Front Genome Ed 2024; 6:1398813. [PMID: 39045572 PMCID: PMC11263695 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2024.1398813] [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: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Many African countries are unable to meet the food demands of their growing population and the situation is worsened by climate change and disease outbreaks. This issue of food insecurity may lead to a crisis of epic proportion if effective measures are not in place to make more food available. Thus, deploying biotechnology towards the improvement of existing crop varieties for tolerance or resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses is crucial to increasing crop production. In order to optimize crop production, several African countries have implemented strategies to make the most of this innovative technology. For example, Nigerian government has implemented the National Biotechnology Policy to facilitate capacity building, research, bioresource development and commercialization of biotechnology products for over two decades. Several government ministries, research centers, universities, and agencies have worked together to implement the policy, resulting in the release of some genetically modified crops to farmers for cultivation and Commercialization, which is a significant accomplishment. However, the transgenic crops were only brought to Nigeria for confined field trials; the manufacturing of the transgenic crops took place outside the country. This may have contributed to the suspicion of pressure groups and embolden proponents of biotechnology as an alien technology. Likewise, this may also be the underlying issue preventing the adoption of biotechnology products in other African countries. It is therefore necessary that African universities develop capacity in various aspects of biotechnology, to continuously train indigenous scientists who can generate innovative ideas tailored towards solving problems that are peculiar to respective country. Therefore, this study intends to establish the role of genetic engineering and genome editing towards the achievement of food security in Africa while using Nigeria as a case study. In our opinion, biotechnology approaches will not only complement conventional breeding methods in the pursuit of crop improvements, but it remains a viable and sustainable means of tackling specific issues hindering optimal crop production. Furthermore, we suggest that financial institutions should offer low-interest loans to new businesses. In order to promote the growth of biotechnology products, especially through the creation of jobs and revenues through molecular farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muyiwa Seyi Adegbaju
- Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure, Ondo, Nigeria
| | - Titilayo Ajose
- Fruits and Spices Department, National Horticultural Institute, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria
| | | | - Temitayo Omosebi
- Department of Agricultural Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Nigeria
| | | | - Olaitan Yetunde Falana
- Department of Genetics, Genomic and Bioinformatics, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Olufunke Bolatito Shittu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Biosciences, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
| | | | - Olalekan Akinbo
- African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, Office of Science, Technology and Innovation, Midrand, South Africa
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Jiang Y, Lu XY, Qin YL, Zhang YM, Shao ZQ. Genome-Wide Identification and Evolutionary Analysis of Receptor-like Kinase Family Genes Provides Insights into Anthracnose Resistance of Dioscorea alata. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1274. [PMID: 38732488 PMCID: PMC11085297 DOI: 10.3390/plants13091274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Dioscorea alata, commonly known as "greater yam", is a vital crop in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, yet it faces significant threats from anthracnose disease, mainly caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. However, exploring disease resistance genes in this species has been challenging due to the difficulty of genetic mapping resulting from the loss of the flowering trait in many varieties. The receptor-like kinase (RLK) gene family represents essential immune receptors in plants. In this study, genomic analysis revealed 467 RLK genes in D. alata. The identified RLKs were distributed unevenly across chromosomes, likely due to tandem duplication events. However, a considerable number of ancient whole-genome or segmental duplications dating back over 100 million years contributed to the diversity of RLK genes. Phylogenetic analysis unveiled at least 356 ancient RLK lineages in the common ancestor of Dioscoreaceae, which differentially inherited and expanded to form the current RLK profiles of D. alata and its relatives. The analysis of cis-regulatory elements indicated the involvement of RLK genes in diverse stress responses. Transcriptome analysis identified RLKs that were up-regulated in response to C. gloeosporioides infection, suggesting their potential role in resisting anthracnose disease. These findings provide novel insights into the evolution of RLK genes in D. alata and their potential contribution to disease resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqian Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; (Y.J.); (Y.-L.Q.)
| | - Xin-Yu Lu
- Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China;
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Ya-Li Qin
- School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; (Y.J.); (Y.-L.Q.)
| | - Yan-Mei Zhang
- Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China;
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Zhu-Qing Shao
- School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; (Y.J.); (Y.-L.Q.)
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4
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Sun M, Zhong X, Zhou L, Liu W, Song R, Huang P, Zeng J. CRISPR/Cas9 revolutionizes Macleaya cordata breeding: a leap in sanguinarine biosynthesis. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2024; 11:uhae024. [PMID: 38495029 PMCID: PMC10940120 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Mengshan Sun
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China
- Hunan Institute of Agricultural Environment and Ecology, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, Hunan, China
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhong
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Hunan Institute of Agricultural Environment and Ecology, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China
| | - Rong Song
- Hunan Institute of Agricultural Environment and Ecology, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, Hunan, China
| | - Peng Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China
| | - Jianguo Zeng
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China
- National and Local Union Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Herbal Medicine Resource and Initiative, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, Hunan, China
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Divya K, Thangaraj M, Krishna Radhika N. CRISPR/Cas9: an advanced platform for root and tuber crops improvement. Front Genome Ed 2024; 5:1242510. [PMID: 38312197 PMCID: PMC10836405 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2023.1242510] [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: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Root and tuber crops (RTCs), which include cassava, potato, sweet potato, and yams, principally function as staple crops for a considerable fraction of the world population, in addition to their diverse applications in nutrition, industry, and bioenergy sectors. Even then, RTCs are an underutilized group considering their potential as industrial raw material. Complexities in conventional RTC improvement programs curb the extensive exploitation of the potentials of this group of crop species for food, energy production, value addition, and sustainable development. Now, with the advent of whole-genome sequencing, sufficient sequence data are available for cassava, sweet potato, and potato. These genomic resources provide enormous scope for the improvement of tuber crops, to make them better suited for agronomic and industrial applications. There has been remarkable progress in RTC improvement through the deployment of new strategies like gene editing over the last decade. This review brings out the major areas where CRISPR/Cas technology has improved tuber crops. Strategies for genetic transformation of RTCs with CRISPR/Cas9 constructs and regeneration of edited lines and the bottlenecks encountered in their establishment are also discussed. Certain attributes of tuber crops requiring focus in future research along with putative editing targets are also indicated. Altogether, this review provides a comprehensive account of developments achieved, future lines of research, bottlenecks, and major experimental concerns regarding the establishment of CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing in RTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Divya
- ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | | | - N Krishna Radhika
- ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, India
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Prado GS, Rocha DC, dos Santos LN, Contiliani DF, Nobile PM, Martinati-Schenk JC, Padilha L, Maluf MP, Lubini G, Pereira TC, Monteiro-Vitorello CB, Creste S, Boscariol-Camargo RL, Takita MA, Cristofani-Yaly M, de Souza AA. CRISPR technology towards genome editing of the perennial and semi-perennial crops citrus, coffee and sugarcane. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 14:1331258. [PMID: 38259920 PMCID: PMC10801916 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1331258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Gene editing technologies have opened up the possibility of manipulating the genome of any organism in a predicted way. CRISPR technology is the most used genome editing tool and, in agriculture, it has allowed the expansion of possibilities in plant biotechnology, such as gene knockout or knock-in, transcriptional regulation, epigenetic modification, base editing, RNA editing, prime editing, and nucleic acid probing or detection. This technology mostly depends on in vitro tissue culture and genetic transformation/transfection protocols, which sometimes become the major challenges for its application in different crops. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, biolistics, plasmid or RNP (ribonucleoprotein) transfection of protoplasts are some of the commonly used CRISPR delivery methods, but they depend on the genotype and target gene for efficient editing. The choice of the CRISPR system (Cas9, Cas12), CRISPR mechanism (plasmid or RNP) and transfection technique (Agrobacterium spp., PEG solution, lipofection) directly impacts the transformation efficiency and/or editing rate. Besides, CRISPR/Cas technology has made countries rethink regulatory frameworks concerning genetically modified organisms and flexibilize regulatory obstacles for edited plants. Here we present an overview of the state-of-the-art of CRISPR technology applied to three important crops worldwide (citrus, coffee and sugarcane), considering the biological, methodological, and regulatory aspects of its application. In addition, we provide perspectives on recently developed CRISPR tools and promising applications for each of these crops, thus highlighting the usefulness of gene editing to develop novel cultivars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Souza Prado
- Citrus Research Center “Sylvio Moreira” – Agronomic Institute (IAC), Cordeirópolis, Brazil
| | - Dhiôvanna Corrêia Rocha
- Citrus Research Center “Sylvio Moreira” – Agronomic Institute (IAC), Cordeirópolis, Brazil
- Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Lucas Nascimento dos Santos
- Citrus Research Center “Sylvio Moreira” – Agronomic Institute (IAC), Cordeirópolis, Brazil
- Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Danyel Fernandes Contiliani
- Sugarcane Research Center – Agronomic Institute (IAC), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Paula Macedo Nobile
- Sugarcane Research Center – Agronomic Institute (IAC), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Lilian Padilha
- Coffee Center of the Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC), Campinas, Brazil
- Embrapa Coffee, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Mirian Perez Maluf
- Coffee Center of the Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC), Campinas, Brazil
- Embrapa Coffee, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Greice Lubini
- Sugarcane Research Center – Agronomic Institute (IAC), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Tiago Campos Pereira
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Silvana Creste
- Sugarcane Research Center – Agronomic Institute (IAC), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Marco Aurélio Takita
- Citrus Research Center “Sylvio Moreira” – Agronomic Institute (IAC), Cordeirópolis, Brazil
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Rudenko NN, Vetoshkina DV, Marenkova TV, Borisova-Mubarakshina MM. Antioxidants of Non-Enzymatic Nature: Their Function in Higher Plant Cells and the Ways of Boosting Their Biosynthesis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:2014. [PMID: 38001867 PMCID: PMC10669185 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12112014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants are exposed to a variety of abiotic and biotic stresses leading to increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant cells. ROS are capable of oxidizing proteins, pigments, lipids, nucleic acids, and other cell molecules, disrupting their functional activity. During the process of evolution, numerous antioxidant systems were formed in plants, including antioxidant enzymes and low molecular weight non-enzymatic antioxidants. Antioxidant systems perform neutralization of ROS and therefore prevent oxidative damage of cell components. In the present review, we focus on the biosynthesis of non-enzymatic antioxidants in higher plants cells such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), glutathione, flavonoids, isoprenoids, carotenoids, tocopherol (vitamin E), ubiquinone, and plastoquinone. Their functioning and their reactivity with respect to individual ROS will be described. This review is also devoted to the modern genetic engineering methods, which are widely used to change the quantitative and qualitative content of the non-enzymatic antioxidants in cultivated plants. These methods allow various plant lines with given properties to be obtained in a rather short time. The most successful approaches for plant transgenesis and plant genome editing for the enhancement of biosynthesis and the content of these antioxidants are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia N. Rudenko
- Institute of Basic Biological Problems, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Pushchino 142290, Russia; (D.V.V.); (M.M.B.-M.)
| | - Daria V. Vetoshkina
- Institute of Basic Biological Problems, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Pushchino 142290, Russia; (D.V.V.); (M.M.B.-M.)
| | - Tatiana V. Marenkova
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia;
| | - Maria M. Borisova-Mubarakshina
- Institute of Basic Biological Problems, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Pushchino 142290, Russia; (D.V.V.); (M.M.B.-M.)
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Shelake RM, Jadhav AM, Bhosale PB, Kim JY. Unlocking secrets of nature's chemists: Potential of CRISPR/Cas-based tools in plant metabolic engineering for customized nutraceutical and medicinal profiles. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 203:108070. [PMID: 37816270 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Plant species have evolved diverse metabolic pathways to effectively respond to internal and external signals throughout their life cycle, allowing adaptation to their sessile and phototropic nature. These pathways selectively activate specific metabolic processes, producing plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) governed by genetic and environmental factors. Humans have utilized PSM-enriched plant sources for millennia in medicine and nutraceuticals. Recent technological advances have significantly contributed to discovering metabolic pathways and related genes involved in the biosynthesis of specific PSM in different food crops and medicinal plants. Consequently, there is a growing demand for plant materials rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, marketed as "superfoods". To meet the industrial demand for superfoods and therapeutic PSMs, modern methods such as system biology, omics, synthetic biology, and genome editing (GE) play a crucial role in identifying the molecular players, limiting steps, and regulatory circuitry involved in PSM production. Among these methods, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) is the most widely used system for plant GE due to its simple design, flexibility, precision, and multiplexing capabilities. Utilizing the CRISPR-based toolbox for metabolic engineering (ME) offers an ideal solution for developing plants with tailored preventive (nutraceuticals) and curative (therapeutic) metabolic profiles in an ecofriendly way. This review discusses recent advances in understanding the multifactorial regulation of metabolic pathways, the application of CRISPR-based tools for plant ME, and the potential research areas for enhancing plant metabolic profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Mahadev Shelake
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.
| | - Amol Maruti Jadhav
- Research Institute of Green Energy Convergence Technology (RIGET), Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Pritam Bhagwan Bhosale
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Yean Kim
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea; Division of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea; Nulla Bio Inc, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.
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9
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Chawla R, Poonia A, Samantara K, Mohapatra SR, Naik SB, Ashwath MN, Djalovic IG, Prasad PVV. Green revolution to genome revolution: driving better resilient crops against environmental instability. Front Genet 2023; 14:1204585. [PMID: 37719711 PMCID: PMC10500607 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1204585] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Crop improvement programmes began with traditional breeding practices since the inception of agriculture. Farmers and plant breeders continue to use these strategies for crop improvement due to their broad application in modifying crop genetic compositions. Nonetheless, conventional breeding has significant downsides in regard to effort and time. Crop productivity seems to be hitting a plateau as a consequence of environmental issues and the scarcity of agricultural land. Therefore, continuous pursuit of advancement in crop improvement is essential. Recent technical innovations have resulted in a revolutionary shift in the pattern of breeding methods, leaning further towards molecular approaches. Among the promising approaches, marker-assisted selection, QTL mapping, omics-assisted breeding, genome-wide association studies and genome editing have lately gained prominence. Several governments have progressively relaxed their restrictions relating to genome editing. The present review highlights the evolutionary and revolutionary approaches that have been utilized for crop improvement in a bid to produce climate-resilient crops observing the consequence of climate change. Additionally, it will contribute to the comprehension of plant breeding succession so far. Investing in advanced sequencing technologies and bioinformatics will deepen our understanding of genetic variations and their functional implications, contributing to breakthroughs in crop improvement and biodiversity conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rukoo Chawla
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Atman Poonia
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Bawal, Haryana, India
| | - Kajal Samantara
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Sourav Ranjan Mohapatra
- Department of Forest Biology and Tree Improvement, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - S. Balaji Naik
- Institute of Integrative Biology and Systems, University of Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - M. N. Ashwath
- Department of Forest Biology and Tree Improvement, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala, India
| | - Ivica G. Djalovic
- Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - P. V. Vara Prasad
- Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
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Mainkar P, Manape TK, Satheesh V, Anandhan S. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of PHYTOENE DESATURASE gene in onion ( Allium cepa L.). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1226911. [PMID: 37701798 PMCID: PMC10494252 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1226911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/ CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) is a precise genome editing tool used to introduce genetic modifications in a wide range of crop species. Thus far, there is no report of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in onions (Allium cepa L.). Methods In the present study, we targeted two exons of the gene coding for Phytoene desaturase (AcPDS) in onion cv. Bhima Super. The sgRNA-carrying constructs were co-cultivated with 8-week-old embryogenic calli using an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol and incubated on the media without hygromycin B selection. Results and discussion Out of the total 617 co-cultivated calli, 21 (3.4%) regenerated shoots exhibited three distinct phenotypes: albino, chimeric, and pale green; in comparison to the wild-type non-transformed regenerated shoots. Total chlorophyll content was drastically reduced in albino shoots and significantly decreased in chimeric shoots. Out of the six Cas9 gene PCR-confirmed regenerated shoots, two exhibited the albino phenotype due to insertions/deletions (InDels) and substitution-based mutations in and around the AcPDS target sites. Deep amplicon sequencing revealed a significantly variable InDel frequency between two sgRNAs, ranging from 1.2% to 63.4%, along with a 53.4% substitution frequency. The mutation of the AcPDS gene generated a visually detectable albino phenotype, thus confirming the successful editing of the AcPDS gene. This is the first time a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing protocol has been successfully established in onion, with the AcPDS gene serving as an example. This study will provide the necessary momentum for researchers to further basic and applied research on onions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawan Mainkar
- ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | | | - Viswanathan Satheesh
- Genome Informatics Facility, Office of Biotechnology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
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Mipeshwaree Devi A, Khedashwori Devi K, Premi Devi P, Lakshmipriyari Devi M, Das S. Metabolic engineering of plant secondary metabolites: prospects and its technological challenges. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1171154. [PMID: 37251773 PMCID: PMC10214965 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1171154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Plants produce a wide range of secondary metabolites that play vital roles for their primary functions such as growth, defence, adaptations or reproduction. Some of the plant secondary metabolites are beneficial to mankind as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. Metabolic pathways and their regulatory mechanism are crucial for targeting metabolite engineering. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9-mediated system has been widely applied in genome editing with high accuracy, efficiency, and multiplex targeting ability. Besides its vast application in genetic improvement, the technique also facilitates a comprehensive profiling approach to functional genomics related to gene discovery involved in various plant secondary metabolic pathways. Despite these wide applications, several challenges limit CRISPR/Cas system applicability in genome editing in plants. This review highlights updated applications of CRISPR/Cas system-mediated metabolic engineering of plants and its challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sudripta Das
- Plant Bioresources Division, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Imphal, Manipur, India
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12
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Adeyinka OS, Tabassum B, Koloko BL, Ogungbe IV. Enhancing the quality of staple food crops through CRISPR/Cas-mediated site-directed mutagenesis. PLANTA 2023; 257:78. [PMID: 36913066 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-023-04110-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The enhancement of CRISPR-Cas gene editing with robust nuclease activity promotes genetic modification of desirable agronomic traits, such as resistance to pathogens, drought tolerance, nutritional value, and yield-related traits in crops. The genetic diversity of food crops has reduced tremendously over the past twelve millennia due to plant domestication. This reduction presents significant challenges for the future especially considering the risks posed by global climate change to food production. While crops with improved phenotypes have been generated through crossbreeding, mutation breeding, and transgenic breeding over the years, improving phenotypic traits through precise genetic diversification has been challenging. The challenges are broadly associated with the randomness of genetic recombination and conventional mutagenesis. This review highlights how emerging gene-editing technologies reduce the burden and time necessary for developing desired traits in plants. Our focus is to provide readers with an overview of the advances in CRISPR-Cas-based genome editing for crop improvement. The use of CRISPR-Cas systems in generating genetic diversity to enhance the quality and nutritional value of staple food crops is discussed. We also outlined recent applications of CRISPR-Cas in developing pest-resistant crops and removing unwanted traits, such as allergenicity from crops. Genome editing tools continue to evolve and present unprecedented opportunities to enhance crop germplasm via precise mutations at the desired loci of the plant genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olawale Samuel Adeyinka
- Department of Chemistry, Physics and Atmospheric Sciences Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA.
| | - Bushra Tabassum
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Ifedayo Victor Ogungbe
- Department of Chemistry, Physics and Atmospheric Sciences Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA
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13
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Tripathi L, Dhugga KS, Ntui VO, Runo S, Syombua ED, Muiruri S, Wen Z, Tripathi JN. Genome Editing for Sustainable Agriculture in Africa. Front Genome Ed 2022; 4:876697. [PMID: 35647578 PMCID: PMC9133388 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2022.876697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sustainable intensification of agriculture in Africa is essential for accomplishing food and nutritional security and addressing the rising concerns of climate change. There is an urgent need to close the yield gap in staple crops and enhance food production to feed the growing population. In order to meet the increasing demand for food, more efficient approaches to produce food are needed. All the tools available in the toolbox, including modern biotechnology and traditional, need to be applied for crop improvement. The full potential of new breeding tools such as genome editing needs to be exploited in addition to conventional technologies. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas)-based genome editing has rapidly become the most prevalent genetic engineering approach for developing improved crop varieties because of its simplicity, efficiency, specificity, and easy to use. Genome editing improves crop variety by modifying its endogenous genome free of any foreign gene. Hence, genome-edited crops with no foreign gene integration are not regulated as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in several countries. Researchers are using CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing for improving African staple crops for biotic and abiotic stress resistance and improved nutritional quality. Many products, such as disease-resistant banana, maize resistant to lethal necrosis, and sorghum resistant to the parasitic plant Striga and enhanced quality, are under development for African farmers. There is a need for creating an enabling environment in Africa with science-based regulatory guidelines for the release and adoption of the products developed using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. Some progress has been made in this regard. Nigeria and Kenya have recently published the national biosafety guidelines for the regulation of gene editing. This article summarizes recent advances in developments of tools, potential applications of genome editing for improving staple crops, and regulatory policies in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena Tripathi
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Valentine O. Ntui
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Easter D. Syombua
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Samwel Muiruri
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nairobi, Kenya
- Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Zhengyu Wen
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Texcoco, Mexico
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14
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Gupta P, Hirschberg J. The Genetic Components of a Natural Color Palette: A Comprehensive List of Carotenoid Pathway Mutations in Plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 12:806184. [PMID: 35069664 PMCID: PMC8770946 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.806184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids comprise the most widely distributed natural pigments. In plants, they play indispensable roles in photosynthesis, furnish colors to flowers and fruit and serve as precursor molecules for the synthesis of apocarotenoids, including aroma and scent, phytohormones and other signaling molecules. Dietary carotenoids are vital to human health as a source of provitamin A and antioxidants. Hence, the enormous interest in carotenoids of crop plants. Over the past three decades, the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway has been mainly deciphered due to the characterization of natural and induced mutations that impair this process. Over the year, numerous mutations have been studied in dozens of plant species. Their phenotypes have significantly expanded our understanding of the biochemical and molecular processes underlying carotenoid accumulation in crops. Several of them were employed in the breeding of crops with higher nutritional value. This compendium of all known random and targeted mutants available in the carotenoid metabolic pathway in plants provides a valuable resource for future research on carotenoid biosynthesis in plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph Hirschberg
- Department of Genetics, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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15
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Joo KA, Muszynski MG, Kantar MB, Wang ML, He X, Del Valle Echevarria AR. Utilizing CRISPR-Cas in Tropical Crop Improvement: A Decision Process for Fitting Genome Engineering to Your Species. Front Genet 2021; 12:786140. [PMID: 34868276 PMCID: PMC8633396 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.786140] [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: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adopting modern gene-editing technologies for trait improvement in agriculture requires important workflow developments, yet these developments are not often discussed. Using tropical crop systems as a case study, we describe a workflow broken down into discrete processes with specific steps and decision points that allow for the practical application of the CRISPR-Cas gene editing platform in a crop of interest. While we present the steps of developing genome-edited plants as sequential, in practice parts can be done in parallel, which are discussed in this perspective. The main processes include 1) understanding the genetic basis of the trait along with having the crop’s genome sequence, 2) testing and optimization of the editing reagents, development of efficient 3) tissue culture and 4) transformation methods, and 5) screening methods to identify edited events with commercial potential. Our goal in this perspective is to help any lab that wishes to implement this powerful, easy-to-use tool in their pipeline, thus aiming to democratize the technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen A Joo
- Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Michael G Muszynski
- Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Michael B Kantar
- Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Ming-Li Wang
- Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Waipahu, HI, United States
| | - Xiaoling He
- Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Waipahu, HI, United States
| | - Angel R Del Valle Echevarria
- Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States.,Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Waipahu, HI, United States
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16
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Tussipkan D, Manabayeva SA. Employing CRISPR/Cas Technology for the Improvement of Potato and Other Tuber Crops. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:747476. [PMID: 34764969 PMCID: PMC8576567 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.747476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
New breeding technologies have not only revolutionized biological science, but have also been employed to generate transgene-free products. Genome editing is a powerful technology that has been used to modify genomes of several important crops. This review describes the basic mechanisms, advantages and disadvantages of genome editing systems, such as ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas. Secondly, we summarize in detail all studies of the CRISPR/Cas system applied to potato and other tuber crops, such as sweet potato, cassava, yam, and carrot. Genes associated with self-incompatibility, abiotic-biotic resistance, nutrient-antinutrient content, and post-harvest factors targeted utilizing the CRISPR/Cas system are analyzed in this review. We hope that this review provides fundamental information that will be useful for future breeding of tuber crops to develop novel cultivars.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shuga A. Manabayeva
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, National Center for Biotechnology, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
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17
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Kaur M, Manchanda P, Kalia A, Ahmed FK, Nepovimova E, Kuca K, Abd-Elsalam KA. Agroinfiltration Mediated Scalable Transient Gene Expression in Genome Edited Crop Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10882. [PMID: 34639221 PMCID: PMC8509792 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is one of the most commonly used genetic transformation method that involves transfer of foreign genes into target plants. Agroinfiltration, an Agrobacterium-based transient approach and the breakthrough discovery of CRISPR/Cas9 holds trending stature to perform targeted and efficient genome editing (GE). The predominant feature of agroinfiltration is the abolishment of Transfer-DNA (T-DNA) integration event to ensure fewer biosafety and regulatory issues besides showcasing the capability to perform transcription and translation efficiently, hence providing a large picture through pilot-scale experiment via transient approach. The direct delivery of recombinant agrobacteria through this approach carrying CRISPR/Cas cassette to knockout the expression of the target gene in the intercellular tissue spaces by physical or vacuum infiltration can simplify the targeted site modification. This review aims to provide information on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and implementation of agroinfiltration with GE to widen the horizon of targeted genome editing before a stable genome editing approach. This will ease the screening of numerous functions of genes in different plant species with wider applicability in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maninder Kaur
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141004, India;
| | - Pooja Manchanda
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141004, India;
| | - Anu Kalia
- Electron Microscopy and Nanoscience Laboratory, Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141004, India;
| | - Farah K. Ahmed
- Biotechnology English Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt;
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic;
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic;
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Kamel A. Abd-Elsalam
- Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), 9-Gamaa St., Giza 12619, Egypt;
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18
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Ntui VO, Uyoh EA, Ita EE, Markson AA, Tripathi JN, Okon NI, Akpan MO, Phillip JO, Brisibe EA, Ene‐Obong EE, Tripathi L. Strategies to combat the problem of yam anthracnose disease: Status and prospects. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2021; 22:1302-1314. [PMID: 34275185 PMCID: PMC8435233 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Yam (Dioscorea spp.) anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum alatae, is the most devastating fungal disease of yam in West Africa, leading to 50%-90% of tuber yield losses in severe cases. In some instances, plants die without producing any tubers or each shoot may produce several small tubers before it dies if the disease strikes early. C. alatae affects all parts of the yam plant at all stages of development, including leaves, stems, tubers, and seeds of yams, and it is highly prevalent in the yam belt region and other yam-producing countries in the world. Traditional methods adopted by farmers to control the disease have not been very successful. Fungicides have also failed to provide long-lasting control. Although conventional breeding and genomics-assisted breeding have been used to develop some level of resistance to anthracnose in Dioscorea alata, the appearance of new and more virulent strains makes the development of improved varieties with broad-spectrum and durable resistance critical. These shortcomings, coupled with interspecific incompatibility, dioecy, polyploidy, poor flowering, and the long breeding cycle of the crop, have prompted researchers to explore biotechnological techniques to complement conventional breeding to speed up crop improvement. Modern biotechnological tools have the potential of producing fungus-resistant cultivars, thereby bypassing the natural bottlenecks of traditional breeding. This article reviews the existing biotechnological strategies and proposes several approaches that could be adopted to develop anthracnose-resistant yam varieties for improved food security in West Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentine Otang Ntui
- Department of Genetics and BiotechnologyUniversity of CalabarCalabarNigeria
- International Institute of Tropical AgricultureNairobiKenya
| | - Edak Aniedi Uyoh
- Department of Genetics and BiotechnologyUniversity of CalabarCalabarNigeria
| | - Effiom Eyo Ita
- Department of Genetics and BiotechnologyUniversity of CalabarCalabarNigeria
| | | | | | - Nkese Ime Okon
- Department of Genetics and BiotechnologyUniversity of CalabarCalabarNigeria
| | - Mfon Okon Akpan
- Department of Genetics and BiotechnologyUniversity of CalabarCalabarNigeria
| | | | | | | | - Leena Tripathi
- International Institute of Tropical AgricultureNairobiKenya
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Venezia M, Creasey Krainer KM. Current Advancements and Limitations of Gene Editing in Orphan Crops. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:742932. [PMID: 34630494 PMCID: PMC8493294 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.742932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Gene editing provides precise, heritable genome mutagenesis without permanent transgenesis, and has been widely demonstrated and applied in planta. In the past decade, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas) has revolutionized the application of gene editing in crops, with mechanistic advances expanding its potential, including prime editing and base editing. To date, CRISPR/Cas has been utilized in over a dozen orphan crops with diverse genetic backgrounds, leading to novel alleles and beneficial phenotypes for breeders, growers, and consumers. In conjunction with the adoption of science-based regulatory practices, there is potential for CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing in orphan crop improvement programs to solve a plethora of agricultural problems, especially impacting developing countries. Genome sequencing has progressed, becoming more affordable and applicable to orphan crops. Open-access resources allow for target gene identification and guide RNA (gRNA) design and evaluation, with modular cloning systems and enzyme screening methods providing experimental feasibility. While the genomic and mechanistic limitations are being overcome, crop transformation and regeneration continue to be the bottleneck for gene editing applications. International collaboration between all stakeholders involved in crop improvement is vital to provide equitable access and bridge the scientific gap between the world's most economically important crops and the most under-researched crops. This review describes the mechanisms and workflow of CRISPR/Cas in planta and addresses the challenges, current applications, and future prospects in orphan crops.
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20
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Karavolias NG, Horner W, Abugu MN, Evanega SN. Application of Gene Editing for Climate Change in Agriculture. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.685801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change imposes a severe threat to agricultural systems, food security, and human nutrition. Meanwhile, efforts in crop and livestock gene editing have been undertaken to improve performance across a range of traits. Many of the targeted phenotypes include attributes that could be beneficial for climate change adaptation. Here, we present examples of emerging gene editing applications and research initiatives that are aimed at the improvement of crops and livestock in response to climate change, and discuss technical limitations and opportunities therein. While only few applications of gene editing have been translated to agricultural production thus far, numerous studies in research settings have demonstrated the potential for potent applications to address climate change in the near future.
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21
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Kumar A, Anju T, Kumar S, Chhapekar SS, Sreedharan S, Singh S, Choi SR, Ramchiary N, Lim YP. Integrating Omics and Gene Editing Tools for Rapid Improvement of Traditional Food Plants for Diversified and Sustainable Food Security. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8093. [PMID: 34360856 PMCID: PMC8348985 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Indigenous communities across the globe, especially in rural areas, consume locally available plants known as Traditional Food Plants (TFPs) for their nutritional and health-related needs. Recent research shows that many TFPs are highly nutritious as they contain health beneficial metabolites, vitamins, mineral elements and other nutrients. Excessive reliance on the mainstream staple crops has its own disadvantages. Traditional food plants are nowadays considered important crops of the future and can act as supplementary foods for the burgeoning global population. They can also act as emergency foods in situations such as COVID-19 and in times of other pandemics. The current situation necessitates locally available alternative nutritious TFPs for sustainable food production. To increase the cultivation or improve the traits in TFPs, it is essential to understand the molecular basis of the genes that regulate some important traits such as nutritional components and resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. The integrated use of modern omics and gene editing technologies provide great opportunities to better understand the genetic and molecular basis of superior nutrient content, climate-resilient traits and adaptation to local agroclimatic zones. Recently, realizing the importance and benefits of TFPs, scientists have shown interest in the prospection and sequencing of TFPs for their improvements, cultivation and mainstreaming. Integrated omics such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and ionomics are successfully used in plants and have provided a comprehensive understanding of gene-protein-metabolite networks. Combined use of omics and editing tools has led to successful editing of beneficial traits in several TFPs. This suggests that there is ample scope for improvement of TFPs for sustainable food production. In this article, we highlight the importance, scope and progress towards improvement of TFPs for valuable traits by integrated use of omics and gene editing techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Kumar
- Department of Plant Science, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod 671316, Kerala, India; (T.A.); (S.S.)
| | - Thattantavide Anju
- Department of Plant Science, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod 671316, Kerala, India; (T.A.); (S.S.)
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Department of Botany, Govt. Degree College, Kishtwar 182204, Jammu and Kashmir, India;
| | - Sushil Satish Chhapekar
- Molecular Genetics & Genomics Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (S.S.C.); (S.S.); (S.R.C.)
| | - Sajana Sreedharan
- Department of Plant Science, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod 671316, Kerala, India; (T.A.); (S.S.)
| | - Sonam Singh
- Molecular Genetics & Genomics Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (S.S.C.); (S.S.); (S.R.C.)
| | - Su Ryun Choi
- Molecular Genetics & Genomics Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (S.S.C.); (S.S.); (S.R.C.)
| | - Nirala Ramchiary
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, Delhi, India
| | - Yong Pyo Lim
- Molecular Genetics & Genomics Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (S.S.C.); (S.S.); (S.R.C.)
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22
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Li C, Brant E, Budak H, Zhang B. CRISPR/Cas: a Nobel Prize award-winning precise genome editing technology for gene therapy and crop improvement. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2021; 22:253-284. [PMID: 33835761 PMCID: PMC8042526 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2100009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Since it was first recognized in bacteria and archaea as a mechanism for innate viral immunity in the early 2010s, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) has rapidly been developed into a robust, multifunctional genome editing tool with many uses. Following the discovery of the initial CRISPR/Cas-based system, the technology has been advanced to facilitate a multitude of different functions. These include development as a base editor, prime editor, epigenetic editor, and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) and CRISPR activator (CRISPRa) gene regulators. It can also be used for chromatin and RNA targeting and imaging. Its applications have proved revolutionary across numerous biological fields, especially in biomedical and agricultural improvement. As a diagnostic tool, CRISPR has been developed to aid the detection and screening of both human and plant diseases, and has even been applied during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. CRISPR/Cas is also being trialed as a new form of gene therapy for treating various human diseases, including cancers, and has aided drug development. In terms of agricultural breeding, precise targeting of biological pathways via CRISPR/Cas has been key to regulating molecular biosynthesis and allowing modification of proteins, starch, oil, and other functional components for crop improvement. Adding to this, CRISPR/Cas has been shown capable of significantly enhancing both plant tolerance to environmental stresses and overall crop yield via the targeting of various agronomically important gene regulators. Looking to the future, increasing the efficiency and precision of CRISPR/Cas delivery systems and limiting off-target activity are two major challenges for wider application of the technology. This review provides an in-depth overview of current CRISPR development, including the advantages and disadvantages of the technology, recent applications, and future considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory for Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Eleanor Brant
- Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Hikmet Budak
- Montana BioAgriculture, Inc., Missoula, MT 59802, USA.
| | - Baohong Zhang
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.
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