1
|
Chen S, Lo CH, Liu Z, Wang Q, Ning K, Li T, Sun Y. Base editing correction of OCRL in Lowe syndrome: ABE-mediated functional rescue in patient-derived fibroblasts. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:1142-1151. [PMID: 38557732 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae045] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Lowe syndrome, a rare X-linked multisystem disorder presenting with major abnormalities in the eyes, kidneys, and central nervous system, is caused by mutations in OCRL gene (NG_008638.1). Encoding an inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase, OCRL catalyzes the hydrolysis of PI(4,5)P2 into PI4P. There are no effective targeted treatments for Lowe syndrome. Here, we demonstrate a novel gene therapy for Lowe syndrome in patient fibroblasts using an adenine base editor (ABE) that can efficiently correct pathogenic point mutations. We show that ABE8e-NG-based correction of a disease-causing mutation in a Lowe patient-derived fibroblast line containing R844X mutation in OCRL gene, restores OCRL expression at mRNA and protein levels. It also restores cellular abnormalities that are hallmarks of OCRL dysfunction, including defects in ciliogenesis, microtubule anchoring, α-actinin distribution, and F-actin network. The study indicates that ABE-mediated gene therapy is a feasible treatment for Lowe syndrome, laying the foundation for therapeutic application of ABE in the currently incurable disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1651 Page Mill Road, Rm 2220, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
| | - Chien-Hui Lo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1651 Page Mill Road, Rm 2220, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
| | - Zhiquan Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1651 Page Mill Road, Rm 2220, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1651 Page Mill Road, Rm 2220, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
| | - Ke Ning
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1651 Page Mill Road, Rm 2220, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1651 Page Mill Road, Rm 2220, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 150 Jimo Road, Pudong district, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Yang Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1651 Page Mill Road, Rm 2220, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
- Palo Alto Veterans Administration, 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fan T, Cheng Y, Wu Y, Liu S, Tang X, He Y, Liao S, Zheng X, Zhang T, Qi Y, Zhang Y. High performance TadA-8e derived cytosine and dual base editors with undetectable off-target effects in plants. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5103. [PMID: 38877035 PMCID: PMC11178825 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49473-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytosine base editors (CBEs) and adenine base editors (ABEs) enable precise C-to-T and A-to-G edits. Recently, ABE8e, derived from TadA-8e, enhances A-to-G edits in mammalian cells and plants. Interestingly, TadA-8e can also be evolved to confer C-to-T editing. This study compares engineered CBEs derived from TadA-8e in rice and tomato cells, identifying TadCBEa, TadCBEd, and TadCBEd_V106W as efficient CBEs with high purity and a narrow editing window. A dual base editor, TadDE, promotes simultaneous C-to-T and A-to-G editing. Multiplexed base editing with TadCBEa and TadDE is demonstrated in transgenic rice, with no off-target effects detected by whole genome and transcriptome sequencing, indicating high specificity. Finally, two crop engineering applications using TadDE are shown: introducing herbicide resistance alleles in OsALS and creating synonymous mutations in OsSPL14 to resist OsMIR156-mediated degradation. Together, this study presents TadA-8e derived CBEs and a dual base editor as valuable additions to the plant editing toolbox.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Fan
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yanhao Cheng
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, ML, 20742, USA
| | - Yuechao Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Shishi Liu
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Xu Tang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yao He
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Shanyue Liao
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Xuelian Zheng
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, ML, 20742, USA.
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, ML, 20850, USA.
| | - Yong Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tang X, Ren Q, Yan X, Zhang R, Liu L, Han Q, Zheng X, Qi Y, Song H, Zhang Y. Boosting genome editing in plants with single transcript unit surrogate reporter systems. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 5:100921. [PMID: 38616491 PMCID: PMC11211634 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2024.100921] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas-based genome editing holds immense promise for advancing plant genomics and crop enhancement. However, the challenge of low editing activity complicates the identification of editing events. In this study, we introduce multiple single transcript unit surrogate reporter (STU-SR) systems to enhance the selection of genome-edited plants. These systems use the same single guide RNAs designed for endogenous genes to edit reporter genes, establishing a direct link between reporter gene editing activity and that of endogenous genes. Various strategies are used to restore functional reporter genes after genome editing, including efficient single-strand annealing (SSA) for homologous recombination in STU-SR-SSA systems. STU-SR-base editor systems leverage base editing to reinstate the start codon, enriching C-to-T and A-to-G base editing events. Our results showcase the effectiveness of these STU-SR systems in enhancing genome editing events in the monocot rice, encompassing Cas9 nuclease-based targeted mutagenesis, cytosine base editing, and adenine base editing. The systems exhibit compatibility with Cas9 variants, such as the PAM-less SpRY, and are shown to boost genome editing in Brassica oleracea, a dicot vegetable crop. In summary, we have developed highly efficient and versatile STU-SR systems for enrichment of genome-edited plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xu Tang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Qiurong Ren
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; School of Synbiology, School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Xiaodan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Qinqin Han
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Xuelian Zheng
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
| | - Hongyuan Song
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Yong Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen L, Liu G, Zhang T. Integrating machine learning and genome editing for crop improvement. ABIOTECH 2024; 5:262-277. [PMID: 38974863 PMCID: PMC11224061 DOI: 10.1007/s42994-023-00133-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Genome editing is a promising technique that has been broadly utilized for basic gene function studies and trait improvements. Simultaneously, the exponential growth of computational power and big data now promote the application of machine learning for biological research. In this regard, machine learning shows great potential in the refinement of genome editing systems and crop improvement. Here, we review the advances of machine learning to genome editing optimization, with emphasis placed on editing efficiency and specificity enhancement. Additionally, we demonstrate how machine learning bridges genome editing and crop breeding, by accurate key site detection and guide RNA design. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and prospects of these two techniques in crop improvement. By integrating advanced genome editing techniques with machine learning, progress in crop breeding will be further accelerated in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Long Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 China
| | - Guanqing Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li Y, Li S, Li C, Zhang C, Yan L, Li J, He Y, Guo Y, Xia L. Fusion of a rice endogenous N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase to a plant adenine base transition editor ABE8e enables A-to-K base editing in rice plants. ABIOTECH 2024; 5:127-139. [PMID: 38974865 PMCID: PMC11224198 DOI: 10.1007/s42994-024-00138-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Engineering of a new type of plant base editor for simultaneous adenine transition and transversion within the editing window will greatly expand the scope and potential of base editing in directed evolution and crop improvement. Here, we isolated a rice endogenous hypoxanthine excision protein, N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase (OsMPG), and engineered two plant A-to-K (K = G or T) base editors, rAKBE01 and rAKBE02, for simultaneous adenine transition and transversion base editing in rice by fusing OsMPG or its mutant mOsMPG to a plant adenine transition base editor, ABE8e. We further coupled either OsMPG or mOsMPG with a transactivation factor VP64 to generate rAKBE03 and rAKBE04, respectively. Testing these four rAKBEs, at five endogenous loci in rice protoplasts, indicated that rAKBE03 and rAKBE04 enabled higher levels of A-to-G base transitions when compared to ABE8e and ABE8e-VP64. Furthermore, whereas rAKBE01 only enabled A-to-C/T editing at one endogenous locus, in comparison with rAKBE02 and rAKBE03, rAKBE04 could significantly improve the A-to-C/T base transversion efficiencies by up to 6.57- and 1.75-fold in the rice protoplasts, respectively. Moreover, although no stable lines with A-to-C transversion were induced by rAKBE01 and rAKBE04, rAKBE04 could enable simultaneous A-to-G and A-to-T transition and transversion base editing, at all the five target loci, with the efficiencies of A-to-G transition and A-to-T transversion editing ranging from 70.97 to 92.31% and 1.67 to 4.84% in rice stable lines, respectively. Together, these rAKBEs enable different portfolios of editing products and, thus, now expands the potential of base editing in diverse application scenario for crop improvement. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42994-024-00138-8.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yucai Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), CAAS, Sanya, 572024 China
| | - Shaoya Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), CAAS, Sanya, 572024 China
| | - Chenfei Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Lei Yan
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Jingying Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), CAAS, Sanya, 572024 China
| | - Yubing He
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), CAAS, Sanya, 572024 China
| | - Yan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Lanqin Xia
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081 China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), CAAS, Sanya, 572024 China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
He Y, Han Y, Ma Y, Liu S, Fan T, Liang Y, Tang X, Zheng X, Wu Y, Zhang T, Qi Y, Zhang Y. Expanding plant genome editing scope and profiles with CRISPR-FrCas9 systems targeting palindromic TA sites. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024. [PMID: 38713743 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 is widely used for genome editing, but its PAM sequence requirements limit its efficiency. In this study, we explore Faecalibaculum rodentium Cas9 (FrCas9) for plant genome editing, especially in rice. FrCas9 recognizes a concise 5'-NNTA-3' PAM, targeting more abundant palindromic TA sites in plant genomes than the 5'-NGG-3' PAM sites of the most popular SpCas9. FrCas9 shows cleavage activities at all tested 5'-NNTA-3' PAM sites with editing outcomes sharing the same characteristics of a typical CRISPR-Cas9 system. FrCas9 induces high-efficiency targeted mutagenesis in stable rice lines, readily generating biallelic mutants with expected phenotypes. We augment FrCas9's ability to generate larger deletions through fusion with the exonuclease, TREX2. TREX2-FrCas9 generates much larger deletions than FrCas9 without compromise in editing efficiency. We demonstrate TREX2-FrCas9 as an efficient tool for genetic knockout of a microRNA gene. Furthermore, FrCas9-derived cytosine base editors (CBEs) and adenine base editors (ABE) are developed to produce targeted C-to-T and A-to-G base edits in rice plants. Whole-genome sequencing-based off-target analysis suggests that FrCas9 is a highly specific nuclease. Expression of TREX2-FrCas9 in plants, however, causes detectable guide RNA-independent off-target mutations, mostly as single nucleotide variants (SNVs). Together, we have established an efficient CRISPR-FrCas9 system for targeted mutagenesis, large deletions, C-to-T base editing, and A-to-G base editing in plants. The simple palindromic TA motif in the PAM makes the CRISPR-FrCas9 system a promising tool for genome editing in plants with an expanded targeting scope.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yao He
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yangshuo Han
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanqin Ma
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Shishi Liu
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Tingting Fan
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanling Liang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xu Tang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuelian Zheng
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuechao Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhang D, Boch J. Development of TALE-adenine base editors in plants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:1067-1077. [PMID: 37997697 PMCID: PMC11022790 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Base editors enable precise nucleotide changes at targeted genomic loci without requiring double-stranded DNA breaks or repair templates. TALE-adenine base editors (TALE-ABEs) are genome editing tools, composed of a DNA-binding domain from transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), an engineered adenosine deaminase (TadA8e), and a cytosine deaminase domain (DddA), that allow A•T-to-G•C editing in human mitochondrial DNA. However, the editing ability of TALE-ABEs in plants apart from chloroplast DNA has not been described, so far, and the functional role how DddA enhances TadA8e is still unclear. We tested a series of TALE-ABEs with different deaminase fusion architectures in Nicotiana benthamiana and rice. The results indicate that the double-stranded DNA-specific cytosine deaminase DddA can boost the activities of single-stranded DNA-specific deaminases (TadA8e or APOBEC3A) on double-stranded DNA. We analysed A•T-to-G•C editing efficiencies in a β-glucuronidase reporter system and showed precise adenine editing in genomic regions with high product purity in rice protoplasts. Furthermore, we have successfully regenerated rice plants with A•T-to-G•C mutations in the chloroplast genome using TALE-ABE. Consequently, TALE-adenine base editors provide alternatives for crop improvement and gene therapy by editing nuclear or organellar genomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dingbo Zhang
- Institute of Plant GeneticsLeibniz Universität HannoverHannoverGermany
| | - Jens Boch
- Institute of Plant GeneticsLeibniz Universität HannoverHannoverGermany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Calbry J, Goudounet G, Charlot F, Guyon-Debast A, Perroud PF, Nogué F. The SpRY Cas9 variant release the PAM sequence constraint for genome editing in the model plant Physcomitrium patens. Transgenic Res 2024; 33:67-74. [PMID: 38573428 PMCID: PMC11021247 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-024-00381-1] [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: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Genome editing via CRISPR/Cas has enabled targeted genetic modifications in various species, including plants. The requirement for specific protospacer-adjacent motifs (PAMs) near the target gene, as seen with Cas nucleases like SpCas9, limits its application. PAMless SpCas9 variants, designed with a relaxed PAM requirement, have widened targeting options. However, these so-call PAMless SpCas9 still show variation of editing efficiency depending on the PAM and their efficiency lags behind the native SpCas9. Here we assess the potential of a PAMless SpCas9 variant for genome editing in the model plant Physcomitrium patens. For this purpose, we developed a SpRYCas9i variant, where expression was optimized, and tested its editing efficiency using the APT as a reporter gene. We show that the near PAMless SpRYCas9i effectively recognizes specific PAMs in P. patens that are not or poorly recognized by the native SpCas9. Pattern of mutations found using the SpRYCas9i are similar to the ones found with the SpCas9 and we could not detect off-target activity for the sgRNAs tested in this study. These findings contribute to advancing versatile genome editing techniques in plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Calbry
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Guillaume Goudounet
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Florence Charlot
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Anouchka Guyon-Debast
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Pierre-François Perroud
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Fabien Nogué
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, 78000, Versailles, France.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kozaeva E, Nielsen ZS, Nieto-Domínguez M, Nikel P. The pAblo·pCasso self-curing vector toolset for unconstrained cytidine and adenine base-editing in Gram-negative bacteria. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:e19. [PMID: 38180826 PMCID: PMC10899774 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
A synthetic biology toolkit, exploiting clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and modified CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) base-editors, was developed for genome engineering in Gram-negative bacteria. Both a cytidine base-editor (CBE) and an adenine base-editor (ABE) have been optimized for precise single-nucleotide modification of plasmid and genome targets. CBE comprises a cytidine deaminase conjugated to a Cas9 nickase from Streptococcus pyogenes (SpnCas9), resulting in C→T (or G→A) substitutions. Conversely, ABE consists of an adenine deaminase fused to SpnCas9 for A→G (or T→C) editing. Several nucleotide substitutions were achieved using these plasmid-borne base-editing systems and a novel protospacer adjacent motif (PAM)-relaxed SpnCas9 (SpRY) variant. Base-editing was validated in Pseudomonas putida and other Gram-negative bacteria by inserting premature STOP codons into target genes, thereby inactivating both fluorescent proteins and metabolic (antibiotic-resistance) functions. The functional knockouts obtained by engineering STOP codons via CBE were reverted to the wild-type genotype using ABE. Additionally, a series of induction-responsive vectors was developed to facilitate the curing of the base-editing platform in a single cultivation step, simplifying complex strain engineering programs without relying on homologous recombination and yielding plasmid-free, modified bacterial cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Kozaeva
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Zacharias S Nielsen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Manuel Nieto-Domínguez
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pablo I Nikel
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wang G, Wang F, Xu Z, Wang Y, Zhang C, Zhou Y, Hui F, Yang X, Nie X, Zhang X, Jin S. Precise fine-turning of GhTFL1 by base editing tools defines ideal cotton plant architecture. Genome Biol 2024; 25:59. [PMID: 38409014 PMCID: PMC10895741 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03189-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CRISPR/Cas-derived base editor enables precise editing of target sites and has been widely used for basic research and crop genetic improvement. However, the editing efficiency of base editors at different targets varies greatly. RESULTS Here, we develop a set of highly efficient base editors in cotton plants. GhABE8e, which is fused to conventional nCas9, exhibits 99.9% editing efficiency, compared to GhABE7.10 with 64.9%, and no off-target editing is detected. We further replace nCas9 with dCpf1, which recognizes TTTV PAM sequences, to broaden the range of the target site. To explore the functional divergence of TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1), we edit the non-coding and coding regions of GhTFL1 with 26 targets to generate a comprehensive allelic population including 300 independent lines in cotton. This allows hidden pleiotropic roles for GhTFL1 to be revealed and allows us to rapidly achieve directed domestication of cotton and create ideotype germplasm with moderate height, shortened fruiting branches, compact plant, and early-flowering. Further, by exploring the molecular mechanism of the GhTFL1L86P and GhTFL1K53G+S78G mutations, we find that the GhTFL1L86P mutation weakens the binding strength of the GhTFL1 to other proteins but does not lead to a complete loss of GhTFL1 function. CONCLUSIONS This strategy provides an important technical platform and genetic information for the study and creation of ideal plant architecture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guanying Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Fuqiu Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Zhongping Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Ying Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Can Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Fengjiao Hui
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Xiyan Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Xinhui Nie
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology Agricultural of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Agricultural College, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832003, China.
| | - Xianlong Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China.
| | - Shuangxia Jin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hashemi M, Nazdari N, Gholamiyan G, Paskeh MDA, Jafari AM, Nemati F, Khodaei E, Abyari G, Behdadfar N, Raei B, Raesi R, Nabavi N, Hu P, Rashidi M, Taheriazam A, Entezari M. EZH2 as a potential therapeutic target for gastrointestinal cancers. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 253:154988. [PMID: 38118215 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers continue to be a major cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Understanding the molecular pathways associated with cancer progression and severity is essential for creating effective cancer treatments. In cancer research, there is a notable emphasis on Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a key player in gene expression influenced by its irregular expression and capacity to attach to promoters and alter methylation status. This review explores the impact of EZH2 signaling on various GI cancers, such as colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, hepatocellular, esophageal, and cholangiocarcinoma. The primary function of EZH2 signaling is to facilitate the accelerated progression of cancer cells. Additionally, EZH2 has the capacity to modulate the reaction of GI cancers to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Numerous pathways, including long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs, serve as upstream regulators of EZH2 in these types of cancer. EZH2's enzymatic activity enables it to attach to target gene promoters, resulting in methylation that modifies their expression. EZH2 could be considered as an independent prognostic factor, with increased expression correlating with a worse disease prognosis. Additionally, a range of gene therapies including small interfering RNA, and anti-tumor agents are being explored to target EZH2 for cancer treatment. This comprehensive review underscores the current insights into EZH2 signaling in gastrointestinal cancers and examines the prospect of therapies targeting EZH2 to enhance patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Hashemi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Naghmeh Nazdari
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghazaleh Gholamiyan
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahshid Deldar Abad Paskeh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Moghadas Jafari
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fateme Nemati
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elaheh Khodaei
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghazal Abyari
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nazanin Behdadfar
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Buinzahra Branch, Islamic Azad University, Buinzahra, Iran
| | - Behnaz Raei
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rasoul Raesi
- Department of Health Services Management, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, V6H3Z6 Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Peng Hu
- Department of Emergency, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Mohsen Rashidi
- Department Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; The Health of Plant and Livestock Products Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Maliheh Entezari
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Li X, Xie J, Dong C, Zheng Z, Shen R, Cao X, Chen X, Wang M, Zhu JK, Tian Y. Efficient and heritable A-to-K base editing in rice and tomato. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2024; 11:uhad250. [PMID: 38269296 PMCID: PMC10807703 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Cytosine and adenosine base editors (CBE and ABE) have been widely used in plants, greatly accelerating gene function research and crop breeding. Current base editors can achieve efficient A-to-G and C-to-T/G/A editing. However, efficient and heritable A-to-Y (A-to-T/C) editing remains to be developed in plants. In this study, a series of A-to-K base editor (AKBE) systems were constructed for monocot and dicot plants. Furthermore, nSpCas9 was replaced with the PAM-less Cas9 variant (nSpRY) to expand the target range of the AKBEs. Analysis of 228 T0 rice plants and 121 T0 tomato plants edited using AKBEs at 18 endogenous loci revealed that, in addition to highly efficient A-to-G substitution (41.0% on average), the plant AKBEs can achieve A-to-T conversion with efficiencies of up to 25.9 and 10.5% in rice and tomato, respectively. Moreover, the rice-optimized AKBE generates A-to-C conversion in rice, with an average efficiency of 1.8%, revealing the significant value of plant-optimized AKBE in creating genetic diversity. Although most of the A-to-T and A-to-C edits were chimeric, desired editing types could be transmitted to the T1 offspring, similar to the edits generated by the traditional ABE8e. Besides, using AKBEs to target tyrosine (Y, TAT) or cysteine (C, TGT) achieved the introduction of an early stop codon (TAG/TAA/TGA) of target genes, demonstrating its potential use in gene disruption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinbo Li
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
| | - Jiyong Xie
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201602, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chao Dong
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
| | - Zai Zheng
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
| | - Rundong Shen
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
| | - Xuesong Cao
- Institute of Advanced Biotechnology, and School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiaoyan Chen
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
| | - Mugui Wang
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
| | - Jian-Kang Zhu
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
- Institute of Advanced Biotechnology, and School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yifu Tian
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Institute of Crop Sciences and National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab, Sanya, Hainan 572024, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang A, Shan T, Sun Y, Chen Z, Hu J, Hu Z, Ming Z, Zhu Z, Li X, He J, Liu S, Jiang L, Dong X, Wu Y, Wang Y, Liu Y, Li C, Wan J. Directed evolution rice genes with randomly multiplexed sgRNAs assembly of base editors. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:2597-2610. [PMID: 37571976 PMCID: PMC10651138 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-based directed evolution is an effective breeding biotechnology to improve agronomic traits in plants. However, its gene diversification is still limited using individual single guide RNA. We described here a multiplexed orthogonal base editor (MoBE), and a randomly multiplexed sgRNAs assembly strategy to maximize gene diversification. MoBE could induce efficiently orthogonal ABE (<36.6%), CBE (<36.0%), and A&CBE (<37.6%) on different targets, while the sgRNA assembling strategy randomized base editing events on various targets. With respective 130 and 84 targets from each strand of the 34th exon of rice acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (OsACC), we observed the target-scaffold combination types up to 27 294 in randomly dual and randomly triple sgRNA libraries. We further performed directed evolution of OsACC using MoBE and randomly dual sgRNA libraries in rice, and obtained single or linked mutations of stronger herbicide resistance. These strategies are useful for in situ directed evolution of functional genes and may accelerate trait improvement in rice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Tiaofeng Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhipeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jianjian Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhichao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Ziheng Ming
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhitao Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xue Li
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jun He
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Shijia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Ling Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiaoou Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed LaboratorySanyaChina
| | - Yufeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yanpeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome EditingInstitute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yuqiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed LaboratorySanyaChina
| | - Chao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed LaboratorySanyaChina
| | - Jianmin Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Plant Genome Editing, National Observation and Research Station of Rice Germplasm ResourcesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed LaboratorySanyaChina
- National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic ImprovementInstitute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Xiong X, Liu K, Li Z, Xia FN, Ruan XM, He X, Li JF. Split complementation of base editors to minimize off-target edits. NATURE PLANTS 2023; 9:1832-1847. [PMID: 37845337 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01540-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Base editors (BEs) empower the efficient installation of beneficial or corrective point mutations in crop and human genomes. However, conventional BEs can induce unpredictable guide RNA (gRNA)-independent off-target edits in the genome and transcriptome due to spurious activities of BE-enclosing deaminases, and current improvements mostly rely on deaminase-specific mutagenesis or exogenous regulators. Here we developed a split deaminase for safe editing (SAFE) system applicable to BEs containing distinct cytidine or adenosine deaminases, with no need of external regulators. In SAFE, a BE was properly split at a deaminase domain embedded inside a Cas9 nickase, simultaneously fragmenting and deactivating both the deaminase and the Cas9 nickase. The gRNA-conditioned BE reassembly conferred robust on-target editing in plant, human and yeast cells, while minimizing both gRNA-independent and gRNA-dependent off-target DNA/RNA edits. SAFE also substantially increased product purity by eliminating indels. Altogether, SAFE provides a generalizable solution for BEs to suppress off-target editing and improve on-target performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kehui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Zhenxiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fan-Nv Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue-Ming Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xionglei He
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhong Z, Liu G, Tang Z, Xiang S, Yang L, Huang L, He Y, Fan T, Liu S, Zheng X, Zhang T, Qi Y, Huang J, Zhang Y. Efficient plant genome engineering using a probiotic sourced CRISPR-Cas9 system. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6102. [PMID: 37773156 PMCID: PMC10541446 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41802-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Among CRISPR-Cas genome editing systems, Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9), sourced from a human pathogen, is the most widely used. Here, through in silico data mining, we have established an efficient plant genome engineering system using CRISPR-Cas9 from probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus. We have confirmed the predicted 5'-NGAAA-3' PAM via a bacterial PAM depletion assay and showcased its exceptional editing efficiency in rice, wheat, tomato, and Larix cells, surpassing LbCas12a, SpCas9-NG, and SpRY when targeting the identical sequences. In stable rice lines, LrCas9 facilitates multiplexed gene knockout through coding sequence editing and achieves gene knockdown via targeted promoter deletion, demonstrating high specificity. We have also developed LrCas9-derived cytosine and adenine base editors, expanding base editing capabilities. Finally, by harnessing LrCas9's A/T-rich PAM targeting preference, we have created efficient CRISPR interference and activation systems in plants. Together, our work establishes CRISPR-LrCas9 as an efficient and user-friendly genome engineering tool for diverse applications in crops and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Zhong
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715, Chongqing, China
| | - Guanqing Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, 225012, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, 225012, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, 225012, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhongjie Tang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuyue Xiang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang Yang
- Horticulture Research Institute, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sichuan, China
- Vegetable Germplasm Innovation and Variety Improvement Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, 610066, Chengdu, China
| | - Lan Huang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
| | - Yao He
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
| | - Tingting Fan
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
| | - Shishi Liu
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuelian Zheng
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715, Chongqing, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, 225012, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, 225012, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, 225012, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA.
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China.
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China.
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715, Chongqing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wang D, Chen Y, Zhu T, Wang J, Liu M, Tian S, Wang J, Yuan L. Developing a highly efficient CGBE base editor in watermelon. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2023; 10:uhad155. [PMID: 37719272 PMCID: PMC10500149 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Cytosine and adenosine base editors (CBEs and ABEs) are novel genome-editing tools that have been widely utilized in molecular breeding to precisely modify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) critical for plant agronomic traits and species evolution. However, conventional BE editors are limited to achieve C-to-T and A-to-G substitutions, respectively. To enhance the applicability of base editing technology in watermelon, we developed an efficient CGBE editor (SCGBE2.0) by removing the uracil glycosylase inhibitor (UGI) unit from the commonly used hA3A-CBE and incorporating the uracil-DNA glycosylase (UNG) component. Seven specific guide RNAs (sgRNAs) targeting five watermelon genes were designed to assess the editing efficiency of SCGBE. The results obtained from stably transformed watermelon plants demonstrated that SCGBE2.0 could efficiently induce C-to-G mutations at positions C5-C9 in 43.2% transgenic plants (with a maximum base conversion efficiency of 46.1%) and C-to-A mutation at position C4 in 23.5% transgenic plants (with a maximum base conversion efficiency of 45.9%). These findings highlight the capability of our integrated SCGBE2.0 editor to achieve C-to-G/A mutations in a site-preferred manner, thus providing an efficient base editing tool for precise base modification and site-directed saturated mutagenesis in watermelon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yani Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tao Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Man Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shujuan Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiafa Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Li Yuan
- Corresponding author. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Sretenovic S, Green Y, Wu Y, Cheng Y, Zhang T, Van Eck J, Qi Y. Genome- and transcriptome-wide off-target analyses of a high-efficiency adenine base editor in tomato. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 193:291-303. [PMID: 37315207 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Adenine base editors (ABEs) are valuable, precise genome editing tools in plants. In recent years, the highly promising ADENINE BASE EDITOR8e (ABE8e) was reported for efficient A-to-G editing. However, compared to monocots, comprehensive off-target analyses for ABE8e are lacking in dicots. To determine the occurrence of off-target effects in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), we assessed ABE8e and a high-fidelity version, ABE8e-HF, at 2 independent target sites in protoplasts, as well as stable T0 lines. Since ABE8e demonstrated higher on-target efficiency than ABE8e-HF in tomato protoplasts, we focused on ABE8e for off-target analyses in T0 lines. We conducted whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of wild-type (WT) tomato plants, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing T0 lines, ABE8e-no-gRNA control T0 lines, and edited T0 lines. No guide RNA (gRNA)-dependent off-target edits were detected. Our data showed an average of approximately 1,200 to 1,500 single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) in either GFP control plants or base-edited plants. Also, no specific enrichment of A-to-G mutations were found in base-edited plants. We also conducted RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of the same 6 base-edited and 3 GFP control T0 plants. On average, approximately 150 RNA-level SNVs were discovered per plant for either base-edited or GFP controls. Furthermore, we did not find enrichment of a TA motif on mutated adenine in the genomes and transcriptomes in base-edited tomato plants, as opposed to the recent discovery in rice (Oryza sativa). Hence, we could not find evidence for genome- and transcriptome-wide off-target effects by ABE8e in tomato.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Sretenovic
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Yumi Green
- The Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Yuechao Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yanhao Cheng
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Tao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Joyce Van Eck
- The Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Zhou J, Liu G, Zhao Y, Zhang R, Tang X, Li L, Jia X, Guo Y, Wu Y, Han Y, Bao Y, He Y, Han Q, Yang H, Zheng X, Qi Y, Zhang T, Zhang Y. An efficient CRISPR-Cas12a promoter editing system for crop improvement. NATURE PLANTS 2023; 9:588-604. [PMID: 37024659 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01384-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Promoter editing represents an innovative approach to introduce quantitative trait variation (QTV) in crops. However, an efficient promoter editing system for QTV needs to be established. Here we develop a CRISPR-Cas12a promoter editing (CAPE) system that combines a promoter key-region estimating model and an efficient CRISPR-Cas12a-based multiplexed or singular editing system. CAPE is benchmarked in rice to produce QTV continuums for grain starch content and size by targeting OsGBSS1 and OsGS3, respectively. We then apply CAPE for promoter editing of OsD18, a gene encoding GA3ox in the gibberellin biosynthesis pathway. The resulting lines carry a QTV continuum of semidwarfism without significantly compromising grain measures. Field trials demonstrated that the OsD18 promoter editing lines have the same yield performance and antilodging phenotype as the Green Revolution OsSD1 mutants in different genetic backgrounds. Hence, promoter editing of OsD18 generates a quantitative Green Revolution trait. Together, we demonstrate a CAPE-based promoter editing and tuning pipeline for efficient production of useful QTV continuum in crops.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Zhou
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guanqing Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Agricultural College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Zhao
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xu Tang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinyu Jia
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yachong Guo
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuechao Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Agricultural College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yangshuo Han
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Agricultural College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yu Bao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Agricultural College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yao He
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Qinqin Han
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Han Yang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuelian Zheng
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Rockville, MD, USA.
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - Tao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Agricultural College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Agricultural College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Guo C, Ma X, Gao F, Guo Y. Off-target effects in CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1143157. [PMID: 36970624 PMCID: PMC10034092 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1143157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene editing stands for the methods to precisely make changes to a specific nucleic acid sequence. With the recent development of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system, gene editing has become efficient, convenient and programmable, leading to promising translational studies and clinical trials for both genetic and non-genetic diseases. A major concern in the applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system is about its off-target effects, namely the deposition of unexpected, unwanted, or even adverse alterations to the genome. To date, many methods have been developed to nominate or detect the off-target sites of CRISPR/Cas9, which laid the basis for the successful upgrades of CRISPR/Cas9 derivatives with enhanced precision. In this review, we summarize these technological advancements and discuss about the current challenges in the management of off-target effects for future gene therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Congting Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Peking University Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoteng Ma
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Gao
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Fei Gao, ; Yuxuan Guo,
| | - Yuxuan Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Peking University Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Fei Gao, ; Yuxuan Guo,
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Improved Dual Base Editor Systems (iACBEs) for Simultaneous Conversion of Adenine and Cytosine in the Bacterium Escherichia coli. mBio 2023; 14:e0229622. [PMID: 36625577 PMCID: PMC9973308 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02296-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-editing (GE) techniques like base editing are ideal for introducing novel gain-of-function mutations and in situ protein evolution. Features of base editors (BEs) such as higher efficacy, relaxed protospacer adjacent motif (PAM), and a broader editing window enables diversification of user-defined targeted locus. Cytosine (CBE) or adenine (ABE) BEs alone can only alter C-to-T or A-to-G in target sites. In contrast, dual BEs (ACBEs) can concurrently generate C-to-T and A-to-G modifications. Although BE tools have recently been applied in microbes, there is no report of ACBE for microbial GE. In this study, we engineered four improved ACBEs (iACBEs) tethering highly active CBE and ABE variants that can introduce synchronized C-to-T and A-to-G mutations in targeted loci. iACBE4 generated by evoCDA1-ABE9e fusion demonstrated a broader editing window (positions -6 to 15) and is also compatible with the multiplex editing approach in Escherichia coli. We further show that the iACBE4-NG containing PAM-relaxed nCas9-NG expands the targeting scope beyond NGG (N-A/G/C/T) PAM. As a proof-of-concept, iACBE was effectively utilized to identify previously unknown mutations in the rpoB gene, conferring gain-of-function, i.e., rifampicin resistance. The iACBE tool would expand the CRISPR-GE toolkit for microbial genome engineering and synthetic biology. IMPORTANCE Dual base editors are DSB-free CRISPR tools applied in eukaryotes but not yet in bacteria. We developed an improved ACBE toolset for bacteria, combining highly processive deaminases. We believe that the bacterial optimized iACBE toolset is a significant advancement in CRISPR-based E. coli genome editing and adaptable to other microbes.
Collapse
|
21
|
Getting better all the time - recent progress in the development of CRISPR/Cas-based tools for plant genome engineering. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 79:102854. [PMID: 36455451 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Since their first adaptation for plant genome editing, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated system nucleases and tools have revolutionized the field. While early approaches focused on targeted mutagenesis that relies on mutagenic repair of induced double-strand breaks, newly developed tools now enable the precise induction of predefined modifications. Constant efforts to optimize these tools have led to the generation of more efficient base editors with enlarged editing windows and have enabled previously unachievable C-G transversions. Prime editors were also optimized for the application in plants and now allow to accurately induce substitutions, insertions, and deletions. Recently, great progress was made through precise restructuring of chromosomes, which enables not only the breakage or formation of genetic linkages but also the swapping of promoters.
Collapse
|
22
|
Gurel F, Wu Y, Pan C, Cheng Y, Li G, Zhang T, Qi Y. On- and Off-Target Analyses of CRISPR-Cas12b Genome Editing Systems in Rice. CRISPR J 2023; 6:62-74. [PMID: 36342783 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2022.0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR-associated Cas12b system is the third most efficient CRISPR tool for targeted genome editing in plants after Cas9 and Cas12a. Although the genome editing ability of AaCas12b has been previously investigated in rice, its off-target effects in plants are largely not known. In this study, we first engineered single-guide RNA (sgRNA) complexes with various RNA scaffolds to enhance editing frequency. We targeted EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR LIKE 9 (OsEPFL9) and GRAIN SIZE 3 (OsGS3) genes with GTTG and ATTC protospacer adjacent motifs, respectively. The use of two Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris scaffolds (Aac and Aa1.2) significantly increased the frequency of targeted mutagenesis. Next, we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of stably transformed T0 rice plants to assess off-target mutations. WGS analysis revealed background mutations in both coding and noncoding regions with no evidence of sgRNA-dependent off-target activity in edited genomes. We also showed Mendelian segregation of insertion and deletion (indel) mutations in T1 generation. In conclusion, both Aac and Aa1.2 scaffolds provided precise and heritable genome editing in rice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Filiz Gurel
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuechao Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Changtian Pan
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Yanhao Cheng
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Gen Li
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Tao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA.,Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Zheng X, Zhang S, Liang Y, Zhang R, Liu L, Qin P, Zhang Z, Wang Y, Zhou J, Tang X, Zhang Y. Loss-function mutants of OsCKX gene family based on CRISPR-Cas systems revealed their diversified roles in rice. THE PLANT GENOME 2023:e20283. [PMID: 36660867 DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cytokinin (CTK) is an important plant hormone that promotes cell division, controls cell differentiation, and regulates a variety of plant growth and development processes. Cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX) is an irreversible cytokinin-degrading enzyme that affects plant growth and development by regulating the dynamic balance of CTKs synthesis and degradation. There are presumed 11 members of the CKX gene family in rice (Oryza sativa L.), but limited members have been reported. In this study, based on CRISPR-Cas9 and CRISPR-Cas12a genome-editing technology, we established a complete set of OsCKX1-OsCKX11 single-gene mutants, as well as double-gene and triple-gene mutants of different OsCKXs gene combinations with high similarity. The results revealed that CRISPR-Cas12a outperformed Cas9 to generate biallelic mutations, multi-gene mutants, and more diverse genotypes. And then, we found, except the reported OsCKX2, OsCKX4, OsCKX9 and OsCKX11, OsCKX5, OsCKX6, OsCKX7, and OsCKX8 also had significant effects on agronomic traits such as plant height, panicle size, grain size, and grain number per panicle in rice. In addition, the different loss-of-function of the OsCKX genes also changed the seed appearance quality and starch composition. Interestingly, by comparing different combinations of multi-gene mutants, we found significant functional redundancy among OsCKX gene members in the same phylogenetic clade. These data collectively reveal the diversified regulating capabilities of OsCKX genes in rice, and also provide the valuable reference for further rice molecular breeding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuelian Zheng
- Dep. of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, Univ. of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Shuting Zhang
- Dep. of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, Univ. of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Yanling Liang
- Dep. of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, Univ. of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Dep. of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, Univ. of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Li Liu
- Dep. of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, Univ. of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Pengchen Qin
- Dep. of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, Univ. of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Dep. of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, Univ. of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Dep. of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, Univ. of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Jianping Zhou
- Dep. of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, Univ. of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Xu Tang
- Dep. of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, Univ. of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Dep. of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, Univ. of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Liu H, Lin B, Ren Y, Hao P, Huang L, Xue B, Jiang L, Zhu Y, Hua S. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of double loci of BnFAD2 increased the seed oleic acid content of rapeseed ( Brassica napus L.). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1034215. [PMID: 36483970 PMCID: PMC9723152 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1034215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Seed oleic acid is an important quality trait sought in rapeseed breeding programs. Many methods exist to increase seed oleic acid content, such as the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing system, yet there is no report on seed oleic acid content improvement via this system's precise editing of the double loci of BnFAD2. Here, a precise CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing of the encoded double loci (A5 and C5) of BnFAD2 was established. The results demonstrated high efficiency of regeneration and transformation, with the rapeseed genotype screened in ratios of 20.18% and 85.46%, respectively. The total editing efficiency was 64.35%, whereas the single locus- and double locus-edited ratios were 21.58% and 78.42%, respectively. The relative proportion of oleic acid with other fatty acids in seed oil of mutants was significantly higher for those that underwent the editing on A5 copy than that on C5 copy, but it was still less than 80%. For double locus-edited mutants, their relative proportion of oleic acid was more than 85% in the T1 and T4 generations. A comparison of the sequences between the double locus-edited mutants and reference showed that no transgenic border sequences were detected from the transformed vector. Analysis of the BnFAD2 sequence on A5 and C5 at the mutated locus of double loci mutants uncovered evidence for base deletion and insertion, and combination. Further, no editing issue of FAD2 on the copy of A1 was detected on the three targeted editing regions. Seed yield, yield component, oil content, and relative proportion of oleic acid between one selected double loci-edited mutant and wild type were also compared. These results showed that although the number of siliques per plant of the wild type was significantly higher than those of the mutant, the differences in seed yield and oil content were not significant between them, albeit with the mutant having a markedly higher relative proportion of oleic acid. Altogether, our results confirmed that the established CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing of double loci (A5 and C5) of the BnFAD2 can precisely edit the targeted genes, thereby enhancing the seed oleic acid content to a far greater extent than can a single locus-editing system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han Liu
- Institute of Crops and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Seed Management, Yongding Agriculture and Rural Bureau of Longyan, Longyan, China
| | - Baogang Lin
- Institute of Crops and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yun Ren
- Huzhou Agricultural Science and Technology Development Center, Institution of Crop Science, Huzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Hao
- Institute of Crops and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lan Huang
- Institute of Crops and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bowen Xue
- Institute of Crops and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lixi Jiang
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Zhu
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuijin Hua
- Institute of Crops and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|