1
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Longkumer T, Grillet L, Chang HY, Lường TC, Chen CY, Putra H, Schmidt W, Verslues PE. Insertion of YFP at P5CS1 and AFL1 shows the potential, and potential complications, of gene tagging for functional analyses of stress-related proteins. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024; 47:2011-2026. [PMID: 38392921 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14861] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Crispr/CAS9-enabled homologous recombination to insert a tag in frame with an endogenous gene can circumvent difficulties such as context-dependent promoter activity that complicate analysis of gene expression and protein accumulation patterns. However, there have been few reports examining whether such gene targeting/gene tagging (GT) can alter expression of the target gene. The enzyme encoded by Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase 1 (P5CS1) is key for stress-induced proline synthesis and drought resistance, yet its expression pattern and protein localisation have been difficult to assay. We used GT to insert YFP in frame with the 5' or 3' ends of the endogenous P5CS1 and At14a-Like 1 (AFL1) coding regions. Insertion at the 3' end of either gene generated homozygous lines with expression of the gene-YFP fusion indistinguishable from the wild type allele. However, for P5CS1 this occurred only after selfing and advancement to the T5 generation allowed initial homozygous lethality of the insertion to be overcome. Once this was done, the GT-generated P5CS1-YFP plants revealed new information about P5CS1 localisation and tissue-specific expression. In contrast, insertion of YFP at the 5' end of either gene blocked expression. The results demonstrate that GT can be useful for functional analyses of genes that are problematic to properly express by other means but also show that, in some cases, GT can disrupt expression of the target gene.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Louis Grillet
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Yi Chang
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tài Chiến Lường
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yun Chen
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hadi Putra
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wolfgang Schmidt
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Paul E Verslues
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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2
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Capdeville N, Schindele P, Puchta H. Increasing deletion sizes and the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis by SunTag-mediated TREX1 recruitment. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 118:277-287. [PMID: 38113345 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16586] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Previously, it has been shown that mutagenesis frequencies can be improved by directly fusing the human exonuclease TREX2 to Cas9, resulting in a strong increase in the frequency of smaller deletions at the cut site. Here, we demonstrate that, by using the SunTag system for recruitment of TREX2, the mutagenesis efficiency can be doubled in comparison to the direct fusion in Arabidopsis thaliana. Therefore, we also tested the efficiency of the system for targeted deletion formation by recruiting two other 3'-5' exonucleases, namely the human TREX1 and E. coli ExoI. It turns out that SunTag-mediated recruitment of TREX1 not only improved the general mutation induction efficiency slightly in comparison to TREX2, but that, more importantly, the mean size of the induced deletions was also enhanced, mainly via an increase of deletions of 25 bp or more. EcExoI also yielded a higher amount of larger deletions. However, only in the case of TREX1 and TREX2, the effect was predominately SunTag-dependent, indicating efficient target-specific recruitment. Using SunTag-mediated TREX1 recruitment at other genomic sites, we were able to obtain similar deletion patterns. Thus, we were able to develop an attractive novel editing tool that is especially useful for obtaining deletions in the range from 20 to 40 bp around the cut site. Such sizes are often required for the manipulation of cis-regulatory elements. This feature is closing an existing gap as previous approaches, based on single nucleases or paired nickases or nucleases, resulted in either shorter or longer deletions, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Capdeville
- Department of Molecular Biology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Joseph Gottlieb Kölreuter Institute for Plant Sciences, Fritz-Haber-Weg 4, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Patrick Schindele
- Department of Molecular Biology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Joseph Gottlieb Kölreuter Institute for Plant Sciences, Fritz-Haber-Weg 4, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Holger Puchta
- Department of Molecular Biology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Joseph Gottlieb Kölreuter Institute for Plant Sciences, Fritz-Haber-Weg 4, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
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3
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Bano Z, Westhoff P. A K homology (KH) domain protein identified by a forward genetic screen affects bundle sheath anatomy in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLANT DIRECT 2024; 8:e577. [PMID: 38576996 PMCID: PMC10990680 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Because of their photosynthetic capacity, leaves function as solar panels providing the basis for the growth of the entire plant. Although the molecular mechanisms of leaf development have been well studied in model dicot and monocot species, a lot of information is still needed about the interplay of the genes that regulate cell division and differentiation and thereby affect the photosynthetic performance of the leaf. We were specifically interested in understanding the differentiation of mesophyll and bundle sheath cells in Arabidopsis thaliana and aimed to identify genes that are involved in determining bundle sheath anatomy. To this end, we established a forward genetic screen by using ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) for mutagenizing a reporter line expressing a chloroplast-targeted green fluorescent protein (sGFP) under the control of a bundle sheath-specific promoter. Based on the GFP fluorescence phenotype, numerous mutants were produced, and by pursuing a mapping-by-sequencing approach, the genomic segments containing mutated candidate genes were identified. One of the lines with an enhanced GFP fluorescence phenotype (named ELEVATED BUNDLE SHEATH CELLS SIGNAL 1 [ebss1]) was selected for further study, and the responsible gene was verified by CRISPR/Cas9-based mutagenesis of candidate genes located in the mapped genomic segment. The verified gene, At2g25970, encodes a K homology (KH) domain-containing protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahida Bano
- Institute of Plant Molecular and Developmental BiologyHeinrich‐Heine‐UniversityDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Peter Westhoff
- Institute of Plant Molecular and Developmental BiologyHeinrich‐Heine‐UniversityDüsseldorfGermany
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4
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Kim H, Kim J, Son N, Kuo P, Morgan C, Chambon A, Byun D, Park J, Lee Y, Park YM, Fozard JA, Guérin J, Hurel A, Lambing C, Howard M, Hwang I, Mercier R, Grelon M, Henderson IR, Choi K. Control of meiotic crossover interference by a proteolytic chaperone network. NATURE PLANTS 2024; 10:453-468. [PMID: 38379086 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-024-01633-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Meiosis is a specialized eukaryotic division that produces genetically diverse gametes for sexual reproduction. During meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair and undergo reciprocal exchanges, called crossovers, which recombine genetic variation. Meiotic crossovers are stringently controlled with at least one obligate exchange forming per chromosome pair, while closely spaced crossovers are inhibited by interference. In Arabidopsis, crossover positions can be explained by a diffusion-mediated coarsening model, in which large, approximately evenly spaced foci of the pro-crossover E3 ligase HEI10 grow at the expense of smaller, closely spaced clusters. However, the mechanisms that control HEI10 dynamics during meiosis remain unclear. Here, through a forward genetic screen in Arabidopsis, we identified high crossover rate3 (hcr3), a dominant-negative mutant that reduces crossover interference and increases crossovers genome-wide. HCR3 encodes J3, a co-chaperone related to HSP40, which acts to target protein aggregates and biomolecular condensates to the disassembly chaperone HSP70, thereby promoting proteasomal degradation. Consistently, we show that a network of HCR3 and HSP70 chaperones facilitates proteolysis of HEI10, thereby regulating interference and the recombination landscape. These results reveal a new role for the HSP40/J3-HSP70 chaperones in regulating chromosome-wide dynamics of recombination via control of HEI10 proteolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heejin Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeil Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Namil Son
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Pallas Kuo
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - Chris Morgan
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Aurélie Chambon
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Versailles, France
| | - Dohwan Byun
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihye Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngkyung Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeong Mi Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - John A Fozard
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Julie Guérin
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Versailles, France
| | - Aurélie Hurel
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Versailles, France
| | - Christophe Lambing
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - Martin Howard
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Ildoo Hwang
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Raphael Mercier
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Mathilde Grelon
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Versailles, France
| | - Ian R Henderson
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kyuha Choi
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Divya K, Thangaraj M, Krishna Radhika N. CRISPR/Cas9: an advanced platform for root and tuber crops improvement. Front Genome Ed 2024; 5:1242510. [PMID: 38312197 PMCID: PMC10836405 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2023.1242510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Root and tuber crops (RTCs), which include cassava, potato, sweet potato, and yams, principally function as staple crops for a considerable fraction of the world population, in addition to their diverse applications in nutrition, industry, and bioenergy sectors. Even then, RTCs are an underutilized group considering their potential as industrial raw material. Complexities in conventional RTC improvement programs curb the extensive exploitation of the potentials of this group of crop species for food, energy production, value addition, and sustainable development. Now, with the advent of whole-genome sequencing, sufficient sequence data are available for cassava, sweet potato, and potato. These genomic resources provide enormous scope for the improvement of tuber crops, to make them better suited for agronomic and industrial applications. There has been remarkable progress in RTC improvement through the deployment of new strategies like gene editing over the last decade. This review brings out the major areas where CRISPR/Cas technology has improved tuber crops. Strategies for genetic transformation of RTCs with CRISPR/Cas9 constructs and regeneration of edited lines and the bottlenecks encountered in their establishment are also discussed. Certain attributes of tuber crops requiring focus in future research along with putative editing targets are also indicated. Altogether, this review provides a comprehensive account of developments achieved, future lines of research, bottlenecks, and major experimental concerns regarding the establishment of CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing in RTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Divya
- ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | | | - N Krishna Radhika
- ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, India
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6
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Ahmad N, Fatima S, Hundleby P, Mehboob-Ur-Rahman. Genome Editing in Brassica juncea Using CRISPR/Cas9 Technology. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2788:337-354. [PMID: 38656524 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3782-1_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Modern genome editing tools particularly CRISPR/Cas9 have revolutionized plant genome manipulation for engineering resilience against changing climatic conditions, disease infestation, as well as functional genomic studies. CRISPR-mediated genome editing allows for editing at a single as well as multiple locations in the genome simultaneously, making it an effective tool for polyploid species too. However, still, its applications are limited to the model crops only. Extending it to crop plants will help improve field crops against the changing climates more rapidly and precisely. Here we describe the protocol for editing the genome of a field crop Brassica juncea (mustard), an allotetraploid and important oilseed crop of the Indo-Pak Subcontinent region. This protocol is based on the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation for the delivery of CRISPR components into the plant genome using cotyledon as explants. We elaborate on steps for recovering genome-edited knockouts, for validation of the edits, as well as recovering the transgene-free edited plants through a commonly used segregating approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niaz Ahmad
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College (NIBGE-C), Pakistan Institute for Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan.
| | - Samia Fatima
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College (NIBGE-C), Pakistan Institute for Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Penny Hundleby
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Mehboob-Ur-Rahman
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College (NIBGE-C), Pakistan Institute for Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
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7
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Sasaki T, Saito K, Inoue D, Serk H, Sugiyama Y, Pesquet E, Shimamoto Y, Oda Y. Confined-microtubule assembly shapes three-dimensional cell wall structures in xylem vessels. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6987. [PMID: 37957173 PMCID: PMC10643555 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42487-w] [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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Properly patterned deposition of cell wall polymers is prerequisite for the morphogenesis of plant cells. A cortical microtubule array guides the two-dimensional pattern of cell wall deposition. Yet, the mechanism underlying the three-dimensional patterning of cell wall deposition is poorly understood. In metaxylem vessels, cell wall arches are formed over numerous pit membranes, forming highly organized three-dimensional cell wall structures. Here, we show that the microtubule-associated proteins, MAP70-5 and MAP70-1, regulate arch development. The map70-1 map70-5 plants formed oblique arches in an abnormal orientation in pits. Microtubules fit the aperture of developing arches in wild-type cells, whereas microtubules in map70-1 map70-5 cells extended over the boundaries of pit arches. MAP70 caused the bending and bundling of microtubules. These results suggest that MAP70 confines microtubules within the pit apertures by altering the physical properties of microtubules, thereby directing the growth of pit arches in the proper orientation. This study provides clues to understanding how plants develop three-dimensional structure of cell walls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takema Sasaki
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kei Saito
- Department of Chromosome Science, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
- Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI University, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Inoue
- Factuly of Design, Kyusyu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Henrik Serk
- Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Yuki Sugiyama
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Edouard Pesquet
- Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Arrhenius laboratories, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences (DEEP), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yuta Shimamoto
- Department of Chromosome Science, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
- Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI University, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Oda
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
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8
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Samach A, Mafessoni F, Gross O, Melamed-Bessudo C, Filler-Hayut S, Dahan-Meir T, Amsellem Z, Pawlowski WP, Levy AA. CRISPR/Cas9-induced DNA breaks trigger crossover, chromosomal loss, and chromothripsis-like rearrangements. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:3957-3972. [PMID: 37497643 PMCID: PMC10615209 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) generated by the Cas9 nuclease are commonly repaired via nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) or homologous recombination (HR). However, little is known about unrepaired DSBs and the type of damage they trigger in plants. We designed an assay that detects loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in somatic cells, enabling the study of a broad range of DSB-induced genomic events. The system relies on a mapped phenotypic marker which produces a light purple color (betalain pigment) in all plant tissues. Plants with sectors lacking the Betalain marker upon DSB induction between the marker and the centromere were tested for LOH events. Using this assay, we detected a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) flower with a twin yellow and dark purple sector, corresponding to a germinally transmitted somatic crossover event. We also identified instances of small deletions of genomic regions spanning the T-DNA and whole chromosome loss. In addition, we show that major chromosomal rearrangements including loss of large fragments, inversions, and translocations were clearly associated with the CRISPR-induced DSB. Detailed characterization of complex rearrangements by whole-genome sequencing and molecular and cytological analyses supports a model in which a breakage-fusion-bridge cycle followed by chromothripsis-like rearrangements had been induced. Our LOH assay provides a tool for precise breeding via targeted crossover detection. It also uncovers CRISPR-mediated chromothripsis-like events in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aviva Samach
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001,Israel
| | - Fabrizio Mafessoni
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001,Israel
| | - Or Gross
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001,Israel
| | - Cathy Melamed-Bessudo
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001,Israel
| | - Shdema Filler-Hayut
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001,Israel
| | - Tal Dahan-Meir
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001,Israel
| | - Ziva Amsellem
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001,Israel
| | | | - Avraham A Levy
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001,Israel
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9
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de Koning R, Daryanavard H, Garmyn J, Kiekens R, Toili MEM, Angenon G. Fine-tuning CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) using a hairy root transformation system and in silico prediction models. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1233418. [PMID: 37929181 PMCID: PMC10623320 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1233418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The stable transformation of common bean is a challenging and time-consuming process. Although CRISPR/Cas9 has revolutionized gene editing with its high efficiency and specificity, the performance of the system can be affected by multiple factors, such as sgRNA specificity and effectiveness, and the choice of promoter used to drive Cas9 expression. The use of a hairy root transformation system to initially check the efficiency of sgRNAs and the impact of different promoters could speed up this process and increase the chances of success. We initially tested three different transformation methods to induce hairy roots and selected a preferred method suitable for a variety of different common bean genotypes. This method involved inoculating a severed radicle with Rhizobium rhizogenes K599 and was fast, had a high transformation frequency of 42-48%, and resulted in numerous hairy roots. This method was further used for the transformation of explants using R. rhizogenes harboring different CRISPR/Cas9 constructs and evaluated the on-target activity of sgRNAs targeting raffinose family oligosaccharides biosynthetic genes and the impact of different promoters driving Cas9 on the gene editing efficiency. Additionally, we evaluated the reliability of the in silico tools, CRISPOR, CRISPR RGEN, and inDelphi to predict the sgRNA efficiencies and resulting mutations. Our results showed that the hairy root transformation system allows for rapid evaluation of multiple sgRNAs and promoters. We also identified several highly efficient sgRNAs that induced frameshift mutations at rates of up to 70% when a parsley ubiquitin promoter was driving Cas9 expression, providing valuable information for the selection of the most effective sgRNAs and promoters for future transformation experiments. Although most of the computational models used to predict the sgRNA efficiency did not match the in planta results, the Lindel model proved to be the most reliable for P. vulgaris, accurately predicting the sgRNA efficiency and the type of induced mutation in most hairy roots. Furthermore, the inDelphi algorithm could correctly predict deletions and single nucleotide insertions resulting from DNA double-strand breaks in common bean. These results offer promising implications for enhancing precise editing in plants because they provide the possibility of predicting repair outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramon de Koning
- Research Group Plant Genetics, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hana Daryanavard
- Research Group Plant Genetics, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joyce Garmyn
- Research Group Plant Genetics, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Raphaël Kiekens
- Research Group Plant Genetics, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mary Esther Muyoka Toili
- Research Group Plant Genetics, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Horticulture, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Geert Angenon
- Research Group Plant Genetics, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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10
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Qureshi A, Connolly JB. Bioinformatic and literature assessment of toxicity and allergenicity of a CRISPR-Cas9 engineered gene drive to control Anopheles gambiae the mosquito vector of human malaria. Malar J 2023; 22:234. [PMID: 37580703 PMCID: PMC10426224 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04665-5] [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: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Population suppression gene drive is currently being evaluated, including via environmental risk assessment (ERA), for malaria vector control. One such gene drive involves the dsxFCRISPRh transgene encoding (i) hCas9 endonuclease, (ii) T1 guide RNA (gRNA) targeting the doublesex locus, and (iii) DsRed fluorescent marker protein, in genetically-modified mosquitoes (GMMs). Problem formulation, the first stage of ERA, for environmental releases of dsxFCRISPRh previously identified nine potential harms to the environment or health that could occur, should expressed products of the transgene cause allergenicity or toxicity. METHODS Amino acid sequences of hCas9 and DsRed were interrogated against those of toxins or allergens from NCBI, UniProt, COMPARE and AllergenOnline bioinformatic databases and the gRNA was compared with microRNAs from the miRBase database for potential impacts on gene expression associated with toxicity or allergenicity. PubMed was also searched for any evidence of toxicity or allergenicity of Cas9 or DsRed, or of the donor organisms from which these products were originally derived. RESULTS While Cas9 nuclease activity can be toxic to some cell types in vitro and hCas9 was found to share homology with the prokaryotic toxin VapC, there was no evidence from previous studies of a risk of toxicity to humans and other animals from hCas9. Although hCas9 did contain an 8-mer epitope found in the latex allergen Hev b 9, the full amino acid sequence of hCas9 was not homologous to any known allergens. Combined with a lack of evidence in the literature of Cas9 allergenicity, this indicated negligible risk to humans of allergenicity from hCas9. No matches were found between the gRNA and microRNAs from either Anopheles or humans. Moreover, potential exposure to dsxFCRISPRh transgenic proteins from environmental releases was assessed as negligible. CONCLUSIONS Bioinformatic and literature assessments found no convincing evidence to suggest that transgenic products expressed from dsxFCRISPRh were allergens or toxins, indicating that environmental releases of this population suppression gene drive for malaria vector control should not result in any increased allergenicity or toxicity in humans or animals. These results should also inform evaluations of other GMMs being developed for vector control and in vivo clinical applications of CRISPR-Cas9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alima Qureshi
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Sunninghill, Ascot, UK
| | - John B Connolly
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Sunninghill, Ascot, UK.
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11
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May D, Sanchez S, Gilby J, Altpeter F. Multi-allelic gene editing in an apomictic, tetraploid turf and forage grass ( Paspalum notatum Flüggé) using CRISPR/Cas9. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1225775. [PMID: 37521929 PMCID: PMC10373592 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1225775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Polyploidy is common among grasses (Poaceae) and poses challenges for conventional breeding. Genome editing technology circumvents crossing and selfing, enabling targeted modifications to multiple gene copies in a single generation while maintaining the heterozygous context of many polyploid genomes. Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flüggé; 2n=4x=40) is an apomictic, tetraploid C4 species that is widely grown in the southeastern United States as forage in beef cattle production and utility turf. The chlorophyll biosynthesis gene magnesium chelatase (MgCh) was selected as a rapid readout target for establishing genome editing in tetraploid bahiagrass. Vectors containing sgRNAs, Cas9 and nptII were delivered to callus cultures by biolistics. Edited plants were characterized through PCR-based assays and DNA sequencing, and mutagenesis frequencies as high as 99% of Illumina reads were observed. Sequencing of wild type (WT) bahiagrass revealed a high level of sequence variation in MgCh likely due to the presence of at least two copies with possibly eight different alleles, including pseudogenes. MgCh mutants exhibited visible chlorophyll depletion with up to 82% reductions in leaf greenness. Two lines displayed progression of editing over time which was linked to somatic editing. Apomictic progeny of a chimeric MgCh editing event were obtained and allowed identification of uniformly edited progeny plants among a range of chlorophyll depletion phenotypes. Sanger sequencing of a highly edited mutant revealed elevated frequency of a WT allele, probably due to frequent homology-directed repair (HDR). To our knowledge these experiments comprise the first report of genome editing applied in perennial, warm-season turf or forage grasses. This technology will accelerate bahiagrass cultivar development.
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Affiliation(s)
- David May
- Agronomy Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Sara Sanchez
- Agronomy Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jennifer Gilby
- Agronomy Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Fredy Altpeter
- Agronomy Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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12
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Patel A, Miles A, Strackhouse T, Cook L, Leng S, Patel S, Klinger K, Rudrabhatla S, Potlakayala SD. Methods of crop improvement and applications towards fortifying food security. Front Genome Ed 2023; 5:1171969. [PMID: 37484652 PMCID: PMC10361821 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2023.1171969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Agriculture has supported human life from the beginning of civilization, despite a plethora of biotic (pests, pathogens) and abiotic (drought, cold) stressors being exerted on the global food demand. In the past 50 years, the enhanced understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms in plants has led to novel innovations in biotechnology, resulting in the introduction of desired genes/traits through plant genetic engineering. Targeted genome editing technologies such as Zinc-Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) have emerged as powerful tools for crop improvement. This new CRISPR technology is proving to be an efficient and straightforward process with low cost. It possesses applicability across most plant species, targets multiple genes, and is being used to engineer plant metabolic pathways to create resistance to pathogens and abiotic stressors. These novel genome editing (GE) technologies are poised to meet the UN's sustainable development goals of "zero hunger" and "good human health and wellbeing." These technologies could be more efficient in developing transgenic crops and aid in speeding up the regulatory approvals and risk assessments conducted by the US Departments of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aayushi Patel
- Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States
| | - Andrew Miles
- Penn State University Park, State College, University Park, PA, United States
| | | | - Logan Cook
- Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States
| | - Sining Leng
- Shanghai United Cell Biotechnology Co Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Shrina Patel
- Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States
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13
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Su W, Xu M, Radani Y, Yang L. Technological Development and Application of Plant Genetic Transformation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10646. [PMID: 37445824 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic transformation is an important strategy for enhancing plant biomass or resistance in response to adverse environments and population growth by imparting desirable genetic characteristics. Research on plant genetic transformation technology can promote the functional analysis of plant genes, the utilization of excellent traits, and precise breeding. Various technologies of genetic transformation have been continuously discovered and developed for convenient manipulation and high efficiency, mainly involving the delivery of exogenous genes and regeneration of transformed plants. Here, currently developed genetic transformation technologies were expounded and compared. Agrobacterium-mediated gene delivery methods are commonly used as direct genetic transformation, as well as external force-mediated ways such as particle bombardment, electroporation, silicon carbide whiskers, and pollen tubes as indirect ones. The regeneration of transformed plants usually involves the de novo organogenesis or somatic embryogenesis pathway of the explants. Ectopic expression of morphogenetic transcription factors (Bbm, Wus2, and GRF-GIF) can significantly improve plant regeneration efficiency and enable the transformation of some hard-to-transform plant genotypes. Meanwhile, some limitations in these gene transfer methods were compared including genotype dependence, low transformation efficiency, and plant tissue damage, and recently developed flexible approaches for plant genotype transformation are discussed regarding how gene delivery and regeneration strategies can be optimized to overcome species and genotype dependence. This review summarizes the principles of various techniques for plant genetic transformation and discusses their application scope and limiting factors, which can provide a reference for plant transgenic breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Su
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Mingyue Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yasmina Radani
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Liming Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
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14
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Belshaw N, Grouneva I, Aram L, Gal A, Hopes A, Mock T. Efficient gene replacement by CRISPR/Cas-mediated homologous recombination in the model diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 238:438-452. [PMID: 36307966 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas enables targeted genome editing in many different plant and algal species including the model diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana. However, efficient gene targeting by homologous recombination (HR) to date is only reported for photosynthetic organisms in their haploid life-cycle phase. Here, a CRISPR/Cas construct, assembled using Golden Gate cloning, enabled highly efficient HR in a diploid photosynthetic organism. Homologous recombination was induced in T. pseudonana using sequence-specific CRISPR/Cas, paired with a dsDNA donor matrix, generating substitution of the silacidin, nitrate reductase and urease genes by a resistance cassette (FCP:NAT). Up to c. 85% of NAT-resistant T. pseudonana colonies screened positive for HR by nested PCR. Precise integration of FCP:NAT at each locus was confirmed using an inverse PCR approach. The knockout of the nitrate reductase and urease genes impacted growth on nitrate and urea, respectively, while the knockout of the silacidin gene in T. pseudonana caused a significant increase in cell size, confirming the role of this gene for cell-size regulation in centric diatoms. Highly efficient gene targeting by HR makes T. pseudonana as genetically tractable as Nannochloropsis and Physcomitrella, hence rapidly advancing functional diatom biology, bionanotechnology and biotechnological applications targeted on harnessing the metabolic potential of diatoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel Belshaw
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Irina Grouneva
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Lior Aram
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Assaf Gal
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Amanda Hopes
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Thomas Mock
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
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15
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Guzmán-Benito I, Achkar NP, Bologna N, Ursache R. CRISPR/Cas-mediated inplanta gene targeting: current advances and challenges. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023:erad072. [PMID: 36861321 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We can use gene targeting (GT) to make modifications at a specific region in a plant's genome and create high-precision tools for plant biotechnology and breeding. However, its low efficiency is a major barrier to its use in plants. The discovery of CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)-Cas-based site-specific nucleases capable of inducing double-strand breaks in desired loci resulted in the development of novel approaches for plant GT. Several studies have recently demonstrated improvements in GT efficiency through cell-type-specific expression of Cas nucleases, the use of self-amplified GT-vector DNA, or manipulation of RNA silencing and DNA repair pathways. In this review, we summarize recent advances in CRISPR/Cas-mediated GT in plants and discuss potential efficiency improvements. Increasing the efficiency of GT technology will help us pave the way for increased crop yields and food safety in environmentally friendly agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Guzmán-Benito
- The Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Natalia Patricia Achkar
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Nicolas Bologna
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Robertas Ursache
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
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16
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Rahman SU, McCoy E, Raza G, Ali Z, Mansoor S, Amin I. Improvement of Soybean; A Way Forward Transition from Genetic Engineering to New Plant Breeding Technologies. Mol Biotechnol 2023; 65:162-180. [PMID: 35119645 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-022-00456-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Soybean is considered one of the important crops among legumes. Due to high nutritional contents in seed (proteins, sugars, oil, fatty acids, and amino acids), soybean is used globally for food, feed, and fuel. The primary consumption of soybean is vegetable oil and feed for chickens and livestock. Apart from this, soybean benefits soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen through root nodular bacteria. While conventional breeding is practiced for soybean improvement, with the advent of new biotechnological methods scientists have also engineered soybean to improve different traits (herbicide, insect, and disease resistance) to fulfill consumer requirements and to meet the global food deficiency. Genetic engineering (GE) techniques such as transgenesis and gene silencing help to minimize the risks and increase the adaptability of soybean. Recently, new plant breeding technologies (NPBTs) emerged such as zinc-finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR/Cas9), which paved the way for enhanced genetic modification of soybean. These NPBTs have the potential to improve soybean via gene functional characterization precision genome engineering for trait improvement. Importantly, these NPBTs address the ethical and public acceptance issues related to genetic modifications and transgenesis in soybean. In the present review, we summarized the improvement of soybean through GE and NPBTs. The valuable traits that have been improved through GE for different constraints have been discussed. Moreover, the traits that have been improved through NPBTs and potential targets for soybean improvements via NPBTs and solutions for ethical and public acceptance are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleem Ur Rahman
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Constituent College Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Evan McCoy
- Center for Applied Genetic Technologies (CAGT), University of Georgia, Athens, USA
| | - Ghulam Raza
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Constituent College Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Zahir Ali
- Laboratory for Genome Engineering, Center for Desert Agriculture and Division of Biological Sciences, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shahid Mansoor
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Constituent College Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Imran Amin
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, Pakistan.
- Constituent College Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan.
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17
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Nascimento FDS, Rocha ADJ, Soares JMDS, Mascarenhas MS, Ferreira MDS, Morais Lino LS, Ramos APDS, Diniz LEC, Mendes TADO, Ferreira CF, dos Santos-Serejo JA, Amorim EP. Gene Editing for Plant Resistance to Abiotic Factors: A Systematic Review. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:plants12020305. [PMID: 36679018 PMCID: PMC9860801 DOI: 10.3390/plants12020305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural crops are exposed to various abiotic stresses, such as salinity, water deficits, temperature extremes, floods, radiation, and metal toxicity. To overcome these challenges, breeding programs seek to improve methods and techniques. Gene editing by Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-CRISPR/Cas-is a versatile tool for editing in all layers of the central dogma with focus on the development of cultivars of plants resistant or tolerant to multiple biotic or abiotic stresses. This systematic review (SR) brings new contributions to the study of the use of CRISPR/Cas in gene editing for tolerance to abiotic stress in plants. Articles deposited in different electronic databases, using a search string and predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, were evaluated. This SR demonstrates that the CRISPR/Cas system has been applied to several plant species to promote tolerance to the main abiotic stresses. Among the most studied crops are rice and Arabidopsis thaliana, an important staple food for the population, and a model plant in genetics/biotechnology, respectively, and more recently tomato, whose number of studies has increased since 2021. Most studies were conducted in Asia, specifically in China. The Cas9 enzyme is used in most articles, and only Cas12a is used as an additional gene editing tool in plants. Ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) have emerged as a DNA-free strategy for genome editing without exogenous DNA. This SR also identifies several genes edited by CRISPR/Cas, and it also shows that plant responses to stress factors are mediated by many complex-signaling pathways. In addition, the quality of the articles included in this SR was validated by a risk of bias analysis. The information gathered in this SR helps to understand the current state of CRISPR/Cas in the editing of genes and noncoding sequences, which plays a key role in the regulation of various biological processes and the tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses, with potential for use in plant genetic improvement programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anelita de Jesus Rocha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Feira de Santana State University, Feira de Santana 44036-900, BA, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mileide dos Santos Ferreira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Feira de Santana State University, Feira de Santana 44036-900, BA, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Edson Perito Amorim
- Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura, Cruz das Almas 44380-000, BA, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-75-3312-8058; Fax: +55-75-3312-8097
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18
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Singh S, Chaudhary R, Deshmukh R, Tiwari S. Opportunities and challenges with CRISPR-Cas mediated homologous recombination based precise editing in plants and animals. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 111:1-20. [PMID: 36315306 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-022-01321-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We summarise recent advancements to achieve higher homologous recombination based gene targeting efficiency in different animals and plants. The genome editing has revolutionized the agriculture and human therapeutic sectors by its ability to create precise, stable and predictable mutations in the genome. It depends upon targeted double-strand breaks induction by the engineered endonucleases, which then gets repaired by highly conserved endogenous DNA repair mechanisms. The repairing could be done either through non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homology-directed repair (HDR) pathways. The HDR-based editing can be applied for precise gene targeting such as insertion of a new gene, gene replacement and altering of the regulatory sequence of a gene to control the existing protein expression. However, HDR-mediated editing is considered challenging because of lower efficiency in higher eukaryotes, thus, preventing its widespread application. This article reviews the recent progress of HDR-mediated editing and discusses novel strategies such as cell cycle synchronization, modulation of DNA damage repair factors, engineering of Cas protein favoring HDR and CRISPR-Cas reagents delivery methods to improve efficiency for generating knock-in events in both plants and animals. Further, multiplexing of described methods may be promising towards achieving higher donor template-assisted homologous recombination efficiency at the target locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surender Singh
- Plant Tissue Culture and Genetic Engineering Lab, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology (Government of India), Sector 81, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Roni Chaudhary
- Plant Tissue Culture and Genetic Engineering Lab, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology (Government of India), Sector 81, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | | | - Siddharth Tiwari
- Plant Tissue Culture and Genetic Engineering Lab, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology (Government of India), Sector 81, Knowledge City, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India.
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19
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Kim K, Shin J, Kang TA, Kim B, Kim WC. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated AtGATA25 mutant represents a novel model for regulating hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:31-41. [PMID: 36301462 PMCID: PMC9884261 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07926-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plants have evolved to adapt to the ever-changing environments through various morphological changes. An organism anticipates and responds to changes in its environment via the circadian clock, an endogenous oscillator lasting approximately 24 h. The circadian clock regulates various physiological processes, such as hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Phytochrome interacting factor 4 (PIF4), a member of the bHLH protein family, plays a vital hub role in light signaling pathways and temperature-mediated growth response mechanisms. PIF4 is controlled by the circadian clock and interacts with several factors. However, the components that regulate PIF4 transcription and activity are not clearly understood. METHODS AND RESULTS Here, we showed that the Arabidopsis thaliana GATA25 (AtGATA25) transcription factor plays a fundamental role in promoting hypocotyl elongation by positively regulating the expression of PIF4. This was confirmed to in the loss-of-function mutant of AtGATA25 via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, which inhibits hypocotyl elongation and decreases the expression of PIF4. In contrast, the overexpression of AtGATA25 in transgenic plants resulted in increased expression of PIF4 and enhanced hypocotyl elongation. To better understand AtGATA25-mediated PIF4 transcriptional regulation, we analyzed the promoter region of the target gene PIF4 and characterized the role of GATA25 through transcriptional activation analysis. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest a novel role of the AtGATA25 transcription factor in hypocotyl elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kihwan Kim
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, 41566 Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Juhyung Shin
- Department of Integrative Biology, Kyungpook National University, 41566 Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-An Kang
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, 41566 Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeonggyu Kim
- Department of Integrative Biology, Kyungpook National University, 41566 Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Chan Kim
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, 41566 Daegu, Republic of Korea ,Department of Integrative Biology, Kyungpook National University, 41566 Daegu, Republic of Korea
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20
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CRISPR/Cas Genome Editing Technologies for Plant Improvement against Biotic and Abiotic Stresses: Advances, Limitations, and Future Perspectives. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233928. [PMID: 36497186 PMCID: PMC9736268 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Crossbreeding, mutation breeding, and traditional transgenic breeding take much time to improve desirable characters/traits. CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing (GE) is a game-changing tool that can create variation in desired traits, such as biotic and abiotic resistance, increase quality and yield in less time with easy applications, high efficiency, and low cost in producing the targeted edits for rapid improvement of crop plants. Plant pathogens and the severe environment cause considerable crop losses worldwide. GE approaches have emerged and opened new doors for breeding multiple-resistance crop varieties. Here, we have summarized recent advances in CRISPR/Cas-mediated GE for resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses in a crop molecular breeding program that includes the modification and improvement of genes response to biotic stresses induced by fungus, virus, and bacterial pathogens. We also discussed in depth the application of CRISPR/Cas for abiotic stresses (herbicide, drought, heat, and cold) in plants. In addition, we discussed the limitations and future challenges faced by breeders using GE tools for crop improvement and suggested directions for future improvements in GE for agricultural applications, providing novel ideas to create super cultivars with broad resistance to biotic and abiotic stress.
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21
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Kalaitzandonakes N, Willig C, Zahringer K. The economics and policy of genome editing in crop improvement. THE PLANT GENOME 2022:e20248. [PMID: 36321718 DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In this review article we analyze the economics of genome editing and its potential long-term effect on crop improvement and agriculture. We describe the emergence of genome editing as a novel platform for crop improvement, distinct from the existing platforms of plant breeding and genetic engineering. We review key technical characteristics of genome editing and describe how it enables faster trait development, lower research and development costs, and the development of novel traits not possible through previous crop improvement methods. Given these fundamental technical and economic advantages, we describe how genome editing can greatly increase the productivity and broaden the scope of crop improvement with potential outsized economic effects. We further discuss how the global regulatory policy environment, which is still emerging, can shape the ultimate path of genome editing innovation, its effect on crop improvement, and its overall socioeconomic benefits to society.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kenneth Zahringer
- Division of Applied Social Sciences, Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
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22
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CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Targeted DNA Integration: Rearrangements at the Junction of Plant and Plasmid DNA. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158636. [PMID: 35955778 PMCID: PMC9369344 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted DNA integration into known locations in the genome has potential advantages over the random insertional events typically achieved using conventional means of genetic modification. We studied the presence and extent of DNA rearrangements at the junction of plant and transgenic DNA in five lines of Arabidopsis thaliana suspension cells carrying a site-specific integration of target genes. Two types of templates were used to obtain knock-ins, differing in the presence or absence of flanking DNA homologous to the target site in the genome. For the targeted insertion, we selected the region of the histone H3.3 gene with a very high constitutive level of expression. Our studies showed that all five obtained knock-in cell lines have rearrangements at the borders of the integrated sequence. Significant rearrangements, about 100 or more bp from the side of the right flank, were found in all five plant lines. Reorganizations from the left flank at more than 17 bp were found in three out of five lines. The fact that rearrangements were detected for both variants of the knock-in template (with and without flanks) indicates that the presence of flanks does not affect the occurrence of mutations.
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23
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Nam H, Gupta A, Nam H, Lee S, Cho HS, Park C, Park S, Park SJ, Hwang I. JULGI-mediated increment in phloem transport capacity relates to fruit yield in tomato. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:1533-1545. [PMID: 35478430 PMCID: PMC9342617 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The continuous growth of the global population and the increase in the amount of arid land has severely constrained agricultural crop production. To solve this problem, many researchers have attempted to increase productivity through the efficient distribution of energy; however, the direct relationship between the plant vasculature, specifically phloem development, and crop yield is not well established. Here, we demonstrate that an optimum increase in phloem-transportation capacity by reducing SIJUL expression leads to improved sink strength in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). SIJUL, a negative regulator of phloem development, suppresses the translation of a positive regulator of phloem development, SlSMXL5. The suppression of SlJUL increases the number of phloem cells and sucrose transport, but only an optimal reduction of SlJUL function greatly enhances sink strength in tomato, improving fruit setting, and yield contents by 37% and 60%, respectively. We show that the increment in phloem cell number confers spare transport capacity. Our results suggest that the control of phloem-transport capacity within the threshold could enhance the commitment of photosynthates to instigate yield improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoyoung Nam
- Department of Life SciencesPOSTECH Biotech CenterPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohangKorea
| | - Aarti Gupta
- Department of Life SciencesPOSTECH Biotech CenterPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohangKorea
| | - Heejae Nam
- Department of Life SciencesPOSTECH Biotech CenterPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohangKorea
| | - Seungchul Lee
- Department of Life SciencesPOSTECH Biotech CenterPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohangKorea
| | - Hyun Seob Cho
- Department of Life SciencesPOSTECH Biotech CenterPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohangKorea
| | - Chanyoung Park
- Department of Life SciencesPOSTECH Biotech CenterPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohangKorea
| | - Soyoung Park
- Department of Life SciencesPOSTECH Biotech CenterPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohangKorea
| | - Soon Ju Park
- Division of Biological Sciences and Research Institute for Basic ScienceWonkwang UniversityIksanKorea
| | - Ildoo Hwang
- Department of Life SciencesPOSTECH Biotech CenterPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohangKorea
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Uetz P, Melnik S, Grünwald-Gruber C, Strasser R, Stoger E. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of a prolyl-4-hydroxylase subfamily in Nicotiana benthamiana using DsRed2 for plant selection. Biotechnol J 2022; 17:e2100698. [PMID: 35427441 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202100698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The properties of host plants used for molecular farming can be modified by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to improve the quality and yield of recombinant proteins. However, it is often necessary to target multiple genes simultaneously, particularly when using host plants with large and complex genomes. This is the case for Nicotiana benthamiana, an allotetraploid relative of tobacco frequently used for transient protein expression. A multiplex genome editing system incorporating the DsRed2 fluorescent marker for the identification and selection of transgenic plants was established. As proof of principle, NbP4H4 was targeted encoding a prolyl-4-hydroxylase involved in protein O-linked glycosylation. Using preselected gRNAs with efficiencies confirmed by transient expression, transgenic plant lines with knockout mutations in all four NbP4H4 genes were obtained. Leaf fluorescence was then used to screen for the absence of the SpCas9 transgene in T1 plants, and transgene-free lines with homozygous or biallelic mutations were identified. The analysis of plant-produced recombinant IgA1 as a reporter protein revealed changes in the number of peptides containing hydroxyproline residues and pentoses in the knockout plants. The selection of efficient gRNAs combined with the DsRed2 marker reduces the effort needed to generate N. benthamiana mutants and simplifies the screening processes to obtain transgene-free progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Uetz
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stanislav Melnik
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Clemens Grünwald-Gruber
- Core Facility Mass Spectrometry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard Strasser
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Stoger
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
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25
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Rössner C, Lotz D, Becker A. VIGS Goes Viral: How VIGS Transforms Our Understanding of Plant Science. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 73:703-728. [PMID: 35138878 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-102820-020542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) has developed into an indispensable approach to gene function analysis in a wide array of species, many of which are not amenable to stable genetic transformation. VIGS utilizes the posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) machinery of plants to restrain viral infections systemically and is used to downregulate the plant's endogenous genes. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms of DNA- and RNA-virus-based VIGS, its inherent connection to PTGS, and what is known about the systemic spread of silencing. Recently, VIGS-based technologies have been expanded to enable not only gene silencing but also overexpression [virus-induced overexpression (VOX)], genome editing [virus-induced genome editing (VIGE)], and host-induced gene silencing (HIGS). These techniques expand the genetic toolbox for nonmodel organisms even more. Further, we illustrate the versatility of VIGS and the methods derived from it in elucidating molecular mechanisms, using tomato fruit ripening and programmed cell death as examples. Finally, we discuss challenges of and future perspectives on the use of VIGS to advance gene function analysis in nonmodel plants in the postgenomic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Rössner
- Institute of Botany, Justus-Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany;
| | - Dominik Lotz
- Institute of Botany, Justus-Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany;
| | - Annette Becker
- Institute of Botany, Justus-Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany;
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26
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Green Revolution to Gene Revolution: Technological Advances in Agriculture to Feed the World. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11101297. [PMID: 35631721 PMCID: PMC9146367 DOI: 10.3390/plants11101297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Technological applications in agriculture have evolved substantially to increase crop yields and quality to meet global food demand. Conventional techniques, such as seed saving, selective breeding, and mutation breeding (variation breeding), have dramatically increased crop production, especially during the ‘Green Revolution’ in the 1990s. However, newer issues, such as limited arable lands, climate change, and ever-increasing food demand, pose challenges to agricultural production and threaten food security. In the following ‘Gene Revolution’ era, rapid innovations in the biotechnology field provide alternative strategies to further improve crop yield, quality, and resilience towards biotic and abiotic stresses. These innovations include the introduction of DNA recombinant technology and applications of genome editing techniques, such as transcription activator-like effector (TALEN), zinc-finger nucleases (ZFN), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR associated (CRISPR/Cas) systems. However, the acceptance and future of these modern tools rely on the regulatory frameworks governing their development and production in various countries. Herein, we examine the evolution of technological applications in agriculture, focusing on the motivations for their introduction, technical challenges, possible benefits and concerns, and regulatory frameworks governing genetically engineered product development and production.
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27
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Rozov SM, Permyakova NV, Sidorchuk YV, Deineko EV. Optimization of Genome Knock-In Method: Search for the Most Efficient Genome Regions for Transgene Expression in Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084416. [PMID: 35457234 PMCID: PMC9027324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant expression systems are currently regarded as promising alternative platforms for the production of recombinant proteins, including the proteins for biopharmaceutical purposes. However, the accumulation level of a target protein in plant expression systems is still rather low compared with the other existing systems, namely, mammalian, yeast, and E. coli cells. To solve this problem, numerous methods and approaches have been designed and developed. At the same time, the random nature of the distribution of transgenes over the genome can lead to gene silencing, variability in the accumulation of recombinant protein, and also to various insertional mutations. The current research study considered inserting target genes into pre-selected regions of the plant genome (genomic “safe harbors”) using the CRISPR/Cas system. Regions of genes expressed constitutively and at a high transcriptional level in plant cells (housekeeping genes) that are of interest as attractive targets for the delivery of target genes were characterized. The results of the first attempts to deliver target genes to the regions of housekeeping genes are discussed. The approach of “euchromatization” of the transgene integration region using the modified dCas9 associated with transcription factors is considered. A number of the specific features in the spatial chromatin organization allowing individual genes to efficiently transcribe are discussed.
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28
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Zulfiqar F, Ashraf M. Antioxidants as modulators of arsenic-induced oxidative stress tolerance in plants: An overview. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 427:127891. [PMID: 34848065 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic contaminant in the environment. Although both inorganic and organic types of arsenic exist in the environment, the most common inorganic forms of As that adversely affect plants are arsenite (As III) and arsenate (As V). Despite no evidence for As being essential for plant growth, exposure of roots to this element can cause its uptake primarily via transporters responsible for the transport of essential mineral nutrients. Arsenic exposure even at low concentrations disturbs the plant normal functioning via excessive generation of reactive oxygen species, a condition known as oxidative stress leading to an imbalance in the redox system of the plant. This is associated with considerable damage to the cell components thereby impairing normal cellular functions and activation of several cell survival and cell death pathways. To counteract this oxidative disorder, plants possess natural defense mechanisms such as chemical species and enzymatic antioxidants. This review considers how different types of antioxidants participate in the oxidative defense mechanism to alleviate As stress in plants. Since the underlying phenomena of oxidative stress tolerance are not yet fully elucidated, the potential for "Omics" technologies to uncover molecular mechanisms are discussed. Various strategies to improve As-induced oxidative tolerance in plants such as exogenous supplementation of effective growth regulators, protectant chemicals, transgenic approaches, and genome editing are also discussed thoroughly in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Zulfiqar
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Ashraf
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
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29
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Chen J, Li S, He Y, Li J, Xia L. An update on precision genome editing by homology-directed repair in plants. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:1780-1794. [PMID: 35238390 PMCID: PMC8968426 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Beneficial alleles derived from local landraces or related species, or even orthologs from other plant species, are often caused by differences of one or several single-nucleotide polymorphisms or indels in either the promoter region or the encoding region of a gene and often account for major differences in agriculturally important traits. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated endonuclease Cas9 system (CRISPR/Cas9)-mediated precision genome editing enables targeted allele replacement or insertion of flag or foreign genes at specific loci via homology-directed repair (HDR); however, HDR efficiency is low due to the intrinsic rare occurrence of HDR and insufficient DNA repair template in the proximity of a double-stranded break (DSB). Precise replacement of the targeted gene with elite alleles from landraces or relatives into a commercial variety through genome editing has been a holy grail in the crop genome editing field. In this update, we briefly summarize CRISPR/Cas-mediated HDR in plants. We describe diverse strategies to improve HDR efficiency by manipulating the DNA repair pathway, timing DSB induction, and donor delivery, and so on. Lastly, we outline open questions and challenges in HDR-mediated precision genome editing in both plant biological research and crop improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yubing He
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jingying Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
- National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya 572024, China
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30
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Gehrke F, Schindele A, Puchta H. Nonhomologous end joining as key to CRISPR/Cas-mediated plant chromosome engineering. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:1769-1779. [PMID: 34893907 PMCID: PMC8968298 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Although clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas)-mediated gene editing has revolutionized biology and plant breeding, large-scale, heritable restructuring of plant chromosomes is still in its infancy. Duplications and inversions within a chromosome, and also translocations between chromosomes, can now be achieved. Subsequently, genetic linkages can be broken or can be newly created. Also, the order of genes on a chromosome can be changed. While natural chromosomal recombination occurs by homologous recombination during meiosis, CRISPR/Cas-mediated chromosomal rearrangements can be obtained best by harnessing nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathways in somatic cells. NHEJ can be subdivided into the classical (cNHEJ) and alternative NHEJ (aNHEJ) pathways, which partially operate antagonistically. The cNHEJ pathway not only protects broken DNA ends from degradation but also suppresses the joining of previously unlinked broken ends. Hence, in the absence of cNHEJ, more inversions or translocations can be obtained which can be ascribed to the unrestricted use of the aNHEJ pathway for double-strand break (DSB) repair. In contrast to inversions or translocations, short tandem duplications can be produced by paired single-strand breaks via a Cas9 nickase. Interestingly, the cNHEJ pathway is essential for these kinds of duplications, whereas aNHEJ is required for patch insertions that can also be formed during DSB repair. As chromosome engineering has not only been accomplished in the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) but also in the crop maize (Zea mays), we expect that this technology will soon transform the breeding process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Gehrke
- Botanical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe 76131, Germany
| | - Angelina Schindele
- Botanical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe 76131, Germany
| | - Holger Puchta
- Botanical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe 76131, Germany
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31
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Sharma P, Lew TTS. Principles of Nanoparticle Design for Genome Editing in Plants. Front Genome Ed 2022; 4:846624. [PMID: 35330692 PMCID: PMC8940305 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2022.846624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise plant genome editing technologies have provided new opportunities to accelerate crop improvement and develop more sustainable agricultural systems. In particular, the prokaryote-derived CRISPR platforms allow precise manipulation of the crop genome, enabling the generation of high-yielding and stress-tolerant crop varieties. Nanotechnology has the potential to catalyze the development of a novel molecular toolbox even further by introducing the possibility of a rapid, universal delivery method to edit the plant genome in a species-independent manner. In this Perspective, we highlight how nanoparticles can help unlock the full potential of CRISPR/Cas technology in targeted manipulation of the plant genome to improve agricultural output. We discuss current challenges hampering progress in nanoparticle-enabled plant gene-editing research and application in the field, and highlight how rational nanoparticle design can overcome them. Finally, we examine the implications of the regulatory frameworks and social acceptance for the future of nano-enabled precision breeding in the developing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pushkal Sharma
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Tedrick Thomas Salim Lew
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Tedrick Thomas Salim Lew, , orcid.org/0000-0002-4815-9921
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32
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Nazir R, Mandal S, Mitra S, Ghorai M, Das N, Jha NK, Majumder M, Pandey DK, Dey A. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated genome-editing toolkit to enhance salt stress tolerance in rice and wheat. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2022; 174:e13642. [PMID: 35099818 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The rice and wheat agricultural system is the primary source of food for billions across the world. However, the productivity and long-term sustainability of rice and wheat are threatened by a large number of abiotic stresses, especially salinity stress. Salinity has a significant impact on plant development and productivity and is one of the leading causes of crop yield losses in agricultural soils worldwide. Over the last few decades, several attempts have been undertaken to enhance salinity stress tolerance, most of which have relied on traditional or molecular breeding approaches. These approaches have so far been insufficient in addressing the issues of abiotic stress. However, due to the availability of genome sequences for cereal crops like rice and wheat and the development of genome editing techniques like clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein9 (Cas9), it is now possible to "edit" genes and influence key traits. Here, we review the application of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in both rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to develop salinity tolerant cultivars. The CRISPR/Cas genome editing toolkit holds great promise of producing cereal crops tolerant to salt stress to increase agriculture resilience with a strong impact on the environment and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romaan Nazir
- Department of Biotechnology, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Sayanti Mandal
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sicon Mitra
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering & Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mimosa Ghorai
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Neela Das
- Department of Botany, Rishi Bankim Chandra College, Naihati, West Bengal, India
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering & Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | - Devendra Kumar Pandey
- Department of Biotechnology, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Abhijit Dey
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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Movahedi A, Wei H, Zhou X, Fountain JC, Chen ZH, Mu Z, Sun W, Zhang J, Li D, Guo B, Varshney RK, Yang L, Zhuge Q. Precise exogenous insertion and sequence replacements in poplar by simultaneous HDR overexpression and NHEJ suppression using CRISPR-Cas9. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2022; 9:uhac154. [PMID: 36133672 PMCID: PMC9478684 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhac154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-mediated genome editing has become a powerful tool for the genetic modification of biological traits. However, developing an efficient, site-specific, gene knock-in system based on homology-directed DNA repair (HDR) remains a significant challenge in plants, especially in woody species like poplar. Here, we show that simultaneous inhibition of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) recombination cofactor XRCC4 and overexpression of HDR enhancer factors CtIP and MRE11 can improve HDR efficiency for gene knock-in. Using this approach, the BleoR gene was integrated onto the 3' end of the MKK2 MAP kinase gene to generate a BleoR-MKK2 fusion protein. Based on fully edited nucleotides evaluated by TaqMan real-time PCR, the HDR-mediated knock-in efficiency was up to 48% when using XRCC4 silencing incorporated with a combination of CtIP and MRE11 overexpression compared with no HDR enhancement or NHEJ silencing. Furthermore, this combination of HDR enhancer overexpression and NHEJ repression also increased genome targeting efficiency and gave 7-fold fewer CRISPR-induced insertions and deletions (InDels), resulting in no functional effects on MKK2-based salt stress responses in poplar. Therefore, this approach may be useful not only in poplar and plants or crops but also in mammals for improving CRISPR-mediated gene knock-in efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hui Wei
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | | | | | - Zhong-Hua Chen
- School of Science, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Zhiying Mu
- College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Weibo Sun
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Dawei Li
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Baozhu Guo
- USDA-ARS, Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
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34
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Targeted Inter-Homologs Recombination in Arabidopsis Euchromatin and Heterochromatin. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212096. [PMID: 34829981 PMCID: PMC8622013 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Homologous recombination (HR) typically occurs during meiosis between homologs, at a few unplanned locations along the chromosomes. In this study, we tested whether targeted recombination between homologous chromosomes can be achieved via Clustered Regulatory Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat associated protein Cas9 (CRISPR-Cas9)-induced DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair in Arabidopsis thaliana. Our experimental system includes targets for DSB induction in euchromatic and heterochromatic genomic regions of hybrid F1 plants, in one or both parental chromosomes, using phenotypic and molecular markers to measure Non-Homologous End Joining and HR repair. We present a series of evidence showing that targeted DSBs can be repaired via HR using a homologous chromosome as the template in various chromatin contexts including in pericentric regions. Targeted crossover was rare, but gene conversion events were the most frequent outcome of HR and were found in both “hot and cold” regions. The length of the conversion tracts was variable, ranging from 5 to 7505 bp. In addition, a typical feature of these tracks was that they often were interrupted. Our findings pave the way for the use of targeted gene-conversion for precise breeding.
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35
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Wolter F, Schindele P, Beying N, Scheben A, Puchta H. Different DNA repair pathways are involved in single-strand break-induced genomic changes in plants. THE PLANT CELL 2021; 33:3454-3469. [PMID: 34375428 PMCID: PMC8566284 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In nature, single-strand breaks (SSBs) in DNA occur more frequently (by orders of magnitude) than double-strand breaks (DSBs). SSBs induced by the CRISPR/Cas9 nickase at a distance of 50-100 bp on opposite strands are highly mutagenic, leading to insertions/deletions (InDels), with insertions mainly occurring as direct tandem duplications. As short tandem repeats are overrepresented in plant genomes, this mechanism seems to be important for genome evolution. We investigated the distance at which paired 5'-overhanging SSBs are mutagenic and which DNA repair pathways are essential for insertion formation in Arabidopsis thaliana. We were able to detect InDel formation up to a distance of 250 bp, although with much reduced efficiency. Surprisingly, the loss of the classical nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway factors KU70 or DNA ligase 4 completely abolished tandem repeat formation. The microhomology-mediated NHEJ factor POLQ was required only for patch-like insertions, which are well-known from DSB repair as templated insertions from ectopic sites. As SSBs can also be repaired using homology, we furthermore asked whether the classical homologous recombination (HR) pathway is involved in this process in plants. The fact that RAD54 is not required for homology-mediated SSB repair demonstrates that the mechanisms for DSB- and SSB-induced HR differ in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Wolter
- Botanical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Patrick Schindele
- Botanical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Natalja Beying
- Botanical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Armin Scheben
- Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Holger Puchta
- Botanical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
- Author for correspondence:
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36
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Xue C, Li W, Shen R, Lan P. PERK13 modulates phosphate deficiency-induced root hair elongation in Arabidopsis. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 312:111060. [PMID: 34620427 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2021.111060] [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: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Phosphate starvation (-Pi)-induced root hair is crucial for enhancing plants' Pi absorption. Proline-rich extensin-like receptor kinase 13 (PERK13) is transcriptionally induced by -Pi and co-expressed with genes associated with root hair growth. However, how PERK13 participates in -Pi-induced root hair growth remains unclear. Here, we found that PERK13 was transcriptionally responsive to Pi, nitrogen, and iron deficiencies. Loss of PERK13 function (perk13) enhanced root hair growth under Pi/nitrogen limitation. Similar phenotype was also observed in transgenic lines overexpressing PERK13 (PERK13ox). Under -Pi, both perk13 and PERK13ox showed prolonged root hair elongation and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). Deletion analysis showed, in PERK13ox, the extracellular domain was indispensable for PERK13 in -Pi-induced root hair growth. Different transcription profiles were observed under -Pi between perk13 and PERK13ox with the jasmonate zim-domain genes being repressed in perk13 and genes involved in cell wall remodeling being increased in PERK13ox. Taken together, we demonstrated that PERK13 participates in -Pi-induced root hair growth probably via regulating root hair elongation and the generation of ROS. Our study also suggested PERK13 probably being a vital hub coupling the environmental cues and root hair growth, and might play dual roles in -Pi-induced root hair growth via different processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiwen Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Wenfeng Li
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
| | - Renfang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Ping Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Hassan MM, Zhang Y, Yuan G, De K, Chen JG, Muchero W, Tuskan GA, Qi Y, Yang X. Construct design for CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing in plants. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 26:1133-1152. [PMID: 34340931 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2021.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR construct design is a key step in the practice of genome editing, which includes identification of appropriate Cas proteins, design and selection of guide RNAs (gRNAs), and selection of regulatory elements to express gRNAs and Cas proteins. Here, we review the choices of CRISPR-based genome editors suited for different needs in plant genome editing applications. We consider the technical aspects of gRNA design and the associated computational tools. We also discuss strategies for the design of multiplex CRISPR constructs for high-throughput manipulation of complex biological processes or polygenic traits. We provide recommendations for different elements of CRISPR constructs and discuss the remaining challenges of CRISPR construct optimization in plant genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mahmudul Hassan
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA; The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA; Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali-8602, Bangladesh
| | - Yingxiao Zhang
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Guoliang Yuan
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA; The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Kuntal De
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Jin-Gui Chen
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA; The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Wellington Muchero
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA; The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Gerald A Tuskan
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA; The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, 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.
| | - Xiaohan Yang
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA; The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA.
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Ursache R, Fujita S, Dénervaud Tendon V, Geldner N. Combined fluorescent seed selection and multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 assembly for fast generation of multiple Arabidopsis mutants. PLANT METHODS 2021; 17:111. [PMID: 34717688 PMCID: PMC8556964 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-021-00811-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiplex CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing is an efficient method for targeted disruption of gene function in plants. Use of CRISPR-Cas9 has increased rapidly in recent years and is becoming a routine method for generating single and higher order Arabidopsis thaliana mutants. Low entry, reliable assembly of CRISPR/Cas9 vectors and efficient mutagenesis is necessary to enable a maximum of researchers to break through the genetic redundancy within plant multi-gene families and allow for a plethora of gene function studies that have been previously unachievable. It will also allow routine de novo generation of mutations in ever more complex genetic backgrounds that make introgression of pre-existing alleles highly cumbersome. RESULTS To facilitate rapid and efficient use of CRISPR/Cas9 for Arabidopsis research, we developed a CRISPR/Cas9-based toolbox for generating mutations at multiple genomic loci, using two-color fluorescent seed selection. In our system, up-to eight gRNAs can be routinely introduced into a binary vector carrying either a FastRed, FastGreen or FastCyan fluorescent seed selection cassette. FastRed and FastGreen binary vectors can be co-transformed as a cocktail via floral dip to introduce sixteen gRNAs at the same time. The seeds can be screened either for red or green fluorescence, or for the presence of both colors. Importantly, in the second generation after transformation, Cas9 free plants are identified simply by screening the non-fluorescent seeds. Our collection of binary vectors allows to choose between two widely-used promoters to drive Cas enzymes, either the egg cell-specific (pEC1.2) from A. thaliana or the constitutive promoter from Petroselinum crispum (PcUBi4-2). Available enzymes are "classical" Cas9 codon-optimized for A. thaliana and a recently reported, intron-containing version of Cas9 codon-optimized for Zea mays, zCas9i. We observed the highest efficiency in producing knockout phenotypes by using intron-containing zCas9i driven under egg-cell specific pEC1.2 promoter. Finally, we introduced convenient restriction sites flanking promoter, Cas9 and fluorescent selection cassette in some of the T-DNA vectors, thus allowing straightforward swapping of all three elements for further adaptation and improvement of the system. CONCLUSION A rapid, simple and flexible CISPR/Cas9 cloning system was established that allows assembly of multi-guide RNA constructs in a robust and reproducible fashion, by avoiding generation of very big constructs. The system enables a flexible, fast and efficient screening of single or higher order A. thaliana mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robertas Ursache
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Satoshi Fujita
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- UMR5546 CNRS, Toulouse-INP, University of Toulouse, 24 Chemin de Borde Rouge, Auzeville Tolosane, 31320, France
| | | | - Niko Geldner
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Lawrenson T, Hinchliffe A, Clarke M, Morgan Y, Harwood W. In-planta Gene Targeting in Barley Using Cas9 With and Without Geminiviral Replicons. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:663380. [PMID: 34713258 PMCID: PMC8525372 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.663380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in the use of RNA-guided Cas9-based genome editing in plants have been rapid over the last few years. A desirable application of genome editing is gene targeting (GT), as it allows a wide range of precise modifications; however, this remains inefficient especially in key crop species. Here, we describe successful, heritable gene targeting in barley at the target site of Cas9 using an in-planta strategy but fail to achieve the same using a wheat dwarf virus replicon to increase the copy number of the repair template. Without the replicon, we were able to delete 150 bp of the coding sequence of our target gene whilst simultaneously fusing in-frame mCherry in its place. Starting from 14 original transgenic plants, two plants appeared to have the required gene targeting event. From one of these T0 plants, three independent gene targeting events were identified, two of which were heritable. When the replicon was included, 39 T0 plants were produced and shown to have high copy numbers of the repair template. However, none of the 17 lines screened in T1 gave rise to significant or heritable gene targeting events despite screening twice the number of plants in T1 compared with the non-replicon strategy. Investigation indicated that high copy numbers of repair template created by the replicon approach cause false-positive PCR results which are indistinguishable at the sequence level to true GT events in junction PCR screens widely used in GT studies. In the successful non-replicon approach, heritable gene targeting events were obtained in T1, and subsequently, the T-DNA was found to be linked to the targeted locus. Thus, physical proximity of target and donor sites may be a factor in successful gene targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Lawrenson
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | | | - Martha Clarke
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Yvie Morgan
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Wendy Harwood
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
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Tussipkan D, Manabayeva SA. Employing CRISPR/Cas Technology for the Improvement of Potato and Other Tuber Crops. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:747476. [PMID: 34764969 PMCID: PMC8576567 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.747476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
New breeding technologies have not only revolutionized biological science, but have also been employed to generate transgene-free products. Genome editing is a powerful technology that has been used to modify genomes of several important crops. This review describes the basic mechanisms, advantages and disadvantages of genome editing systems, such as ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas. Secondly, we summarize in detail all studies of the CRISPR/Cas system applied to potato and other tuber crops, such as sweet potato, cassava, yam, and carrot. Genes associated with self-incompatibility, abiotic-biotic resistance, nutrient-antinutrient content, and post-harvest factors targeted utilizing the CRISPR/Cas system are analyzed in this review. We hope that this review provides fundamental information that will be useful for future breeding of tuber crops to develop novel cultivars.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shuga A. Manabayeva
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, National Center for Biotechnology, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
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Peterson D, Barone P, Lenderts B, Schwartz C, Feigenbutz L, St. Clair G, Jones S, Svitashev S. Advances in Agrobacterium transformation and vector design result in high-frequency targeted gene insertion in maize. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:2000-2010. [PMID: 33934470 PMCID: PMC8486252 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas is a powerful DNA double-strand break technology with wide-ranging applications in plant genome modification. However, the efficiency of genome editing depends on various factors including plant genetic transformation processes and types of modifications desired. Agrobacterium infection is the preferred method of transformation and delivery of editing components into the plant cell. While this method has been successfully used to generate gene knockouts in multiple crops, precise nucleotide replacement and especially gene insertion into a pre-defined genomic location remain highly challenging. Here, we report an efficient, selectable marker-free site-specific gene insertion in maize using Agrobacterium infection. Advancements in maize transformation and new vector design enabled increase of targeted insertion frequencies by two orders of magnitude in comparison to conventional Agrobacterium-mediated delivery. Importantly, these advancements allowed not only a significant improvement of the frequency, but also of the quality of generated events. These results further enable the application of genome editing for trait product development in a wide variety of crop species amenable to Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.
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Miki D, Wang R, Li J, Kong D, Zhang L, Zhu JK. Gene Targeting Facilitated by Engineered Sequence-Specific Nucleases: Potential Applications for Crop Improvement. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 62:752-765. [PMID: 33638992 PMCID: PMC8484935 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcab034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Humans are currently facing the problem of how to ensure that there is enough food to feed all of the world's population. Ensuring that the food supply is sufficient will likely require the modification of crop genomes to improve their agronomic traits. The development of engineered sequence-specific nucleases (SSNs) paved the way for targeted gene editing in organisms, including plants. SSNs generate a double-strand break (DSB) at the target DNA site in a sequence-specific manner. These DSBs are predominantly repaired via error-prone non-homologous end joining and are only rarely repaired via error-free homology-directed repair if an appropriate donor template is provided. Gene targeting (GT), i.e. the integration or replacement of a particular sequence, can be achieved with combinations of SSNs and repair donor templates. Although its efficiency is extremely low, GT has been achieved in some higher plants. Here, we provide an overview of SSN-facilitated GT in higher plants and discuss the potential of GT as a powerful tool for generating crop plants with desirable features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Miki
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology and Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology and Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Li
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology and Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dali Kong
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology and Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology and Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jian-Kang Zhu
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology and Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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Schubert MS, Thommandru B, Woodley J, Turk R, Yan S, Kurgan G, McNeill MS, Rettig GR. Optimized design parameters for CRISPR Cas9 and Cas12a homology-directed repair. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19482. [PMID: 34593942 PMCID: PMC8484621 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98965-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas proteins are RNA-guided nucleases used to introduce double-stranded breaks (DSBs) at targeted genomic loci. DSBs are repaired by endogenous cellular pathways such as non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homology-directed repair (HDR). Providing an exogenous DNA template during repair allows for the intentional, precise incorporation of a desired mutation via the HDR pathway. However, rates of repair by HDR are often slow compared to the more rapid but less accurate NHEJ-mediated repair. Here, we describe comprehensive design considerations and optimized methods for highly efficient HDR using single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ssODN) donor templates for several CRISPR-Cas systems including S.p. Cas9, S.p. Cas9 D10A nickase, and A.s. Cas12a delivered as ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. Features relating to guide RNA selection, donor strand preference, and incorporation of blocking mutations in the donor template to prevent re-cleavage were investigated and were implemented in a novel online tool for HDR donor template design. These findings allow for high frequencies of precise repair utilizing HDR in multiple mammalian cell lines. Tool availability: https://www.idtdna.com/HDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie S Schubert
- Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., 1710 Commercial Park, Coralville, IA, 52241, USA
| | - Bernice Thommandru
- Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., 1710 Commercial Park, Coralville, IA, 52241, USA
| | - Jessica Woodley
- Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., 1710 Commercial Park, Coralville, IA, 52241, USA
| | - Rolf Turk
- Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., 1710 Commercial Park, Coralville, IA, 52241, USA
| | - Shuqi Yan
- Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., 1710 Commercial Park, Coralville, IA, 52241, USA
- BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Gavin Kurgan
- Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., 1710 Commercial Park, Coralville, IA, 52241, USA
| | - Matthew S McNeill
- Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., 1710 Commercial Park, Coralville, IA, 52241, USA
| | - Garrett R Rettig
- Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., 1710 Commercial Park, Coralville, IA, 52241, USA.
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Molla KA, Sretenovic S, Bansal KC, Qi Y. Precise plant genome editing using base editors and prime editors. NATURE PLANTS 2021; 7:1166-1187. [PMID: 34518669 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-021-00991-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The development of CRISPR-Cas systems has sparked a genome editing revolution in plant genetics and breeding. These sequence-specific RNA-guided nucleases can induce DNA double-stranded breaks, resulting in mutations by imprecise non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair or precise DNA sequence replacement by homology-directed repair (HDR). However, HDR is highly inefficient in many plant species, which has greatly limited precise genome editing in plants. To fill the vital gap in precision editing, base editing and prime editing technologies have recently been developed and demonstrated in numerous plant species. These technologies, which are mainly based on Cas9 nickases, can introduce precise changes into the target genome at a single-base resolution. This Review provides a timely overview of the current status of base editors and prime editors in plants, covering both technological developments and biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kutubuddin A Molla
- Crop Improvement Division, ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, India.
| | - Simon Sretenovic
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Kailash C Bansal
- The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture, Asia-India, New Delhi, India
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA.
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Permyakova NV, Marenkova TV, Belavin PA, Zagorskaya AA, Sidorchuk YV, Uvarova EA, Kuznetsov VV, Rozov SM, Deineko EV. Assessment of the Level of Accumulation of the dIFN Protein Integrated by the Knock-In Method into the Region of the Histone H3.3 Gene of Arabidopsis thaliana. Cells 2021; 10:2137. [PMID: 34440906 PMCID: PMC8394151 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted DNA integration into known locations in the genome has potential advantages over the random insertional events typically achieved using conventional means of genetic modification. We investigated the possibility of obtaining a suspension cell culture of Arabidopsis thaliana carrying a site-specific integration of a target gene encoding modified human interferon (dIFN) using endonuclease Cas9. For the targeted insertion, we selected the region of the histone H3.3 gene (HTR5) with a high constitutive level of expression. Our results indicated that Cas9-induced DNA integration occurred with the highest frequency with the construction with donor DNA surrounded by homology arms and Cas9 endonuclease recognition sites. Among the monoclones of the four cell lines with knock-in studied, there is high heterogeneity in the level of expression and accumulation of the target protein. The accumulation of dIFN protein in cell lines with targeted insertions into the target region of the HTR5 gene does not statistically differ from the level of accumulation of dIFN protein in the group of lines with random integration of the transgene. However, one among the monoclonal lines with knock-in has a dIFN accumulation level above 2% of TSP, which is very high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalya V. Permyakova
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, pr. Lavrentieva 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (T.V.M.); (P.A.B.); (A.A.Z.); (Y.V.S.); (E.A.U.); (V.V.K.); (S.M.R.); (E.V.D.)
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Khusnutdinov E, Sukhareva A, Panfilova M, Mikhaylova E. Anthocyanin Biosynthesis Genes as Model Genes for Genome Editing in Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8752. [PMID: 34445458 PMCID: PMC8395717 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas, one of the most rapidly developing technologies in the world, has been applied successfully in plant science. To test new nucleases, gRNA expression systems and other inventions in this field, several plant genes with visible phenotypic effects have been constantly used as targets. Anthocyanin pigmentation is one of the most easily identified traits, that does not require any additional treatment. It is also associated with stress resistance, therefore plants with edited anthocyanin genes might be of interest for agriculture. Phenotypic effect of CRISPR/Cas editing of PAP1 and its homologs, DFR, F3H and F3'H genes have been confirmed in several distinct plant species. DFR appears to be a key structural gene of anthocyanin biosynthesis, controlled by various transcription factors. There are still many promising potential model genes that have not been edited yet. Some of them, such as Delila, MYB60, HAT1, UGT79B2, UGT79B3 and miR156, have been shown to regulate drought tolerance in addition to anthocyanin biosynthesis. Genes, also involved in trichome development, such as TTG1, GLABRA2, MYBL2 and CPC, can provide increased visibility. In this review successful events of CRISPR/Cas editing of anthocyanin genes are summarized, and new model genes are proposed. It can be useful for molecular biologists and genetic engineers, crop scientists, plant genetics and physiologists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Elena Mikhaylova
- Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics, Ufa Federal Research Center RAS, Prospekt Oktyabrya 71, 450054 Ufa, Russia; (E.K.); (A.S.); (M.P.)
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Zhang Y, Zhou P, Bozorov TA, Zhang D. Application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in wild apple (Malus sieverii) for paired sites gene editing. PLANT METHODS 2021; 17:79. [PMID: 34281579 PMCID: PMC8287690 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-021-00769-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Xinjiang wild apple is an important tree of the Tianshan Mountains, and in recent years, it has undergone destruction by many biotic and abiotic stress and human activities. It is necessary to use new technologies to research its genomic function and molecular improvement. The clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system has been successfully applied to genetic improvement in many crops, but its editing capability varies depending on the different combinations of the synthetic guide RNA (sgRNA) and Cas9 protein expression devices. RESULTS In this study, we used 2 systems of vectors with paired sgRNAs targeting to MsPDS. As expected, we successfully induced the albino phenotype of calli and buds in both systems. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful system for editing the wild apple genome and expands the range of plants available for gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Tohir A Bozorov
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
| | - Daoyuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China.
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Stress Resistant Plant Conservation and Research, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China.
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48
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Oz MT, Altpeter A, Karan R, Merotto A, Altpeter F. CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Multi-Allelic Gene Targeting in Sugarcane Confers Herbicide Tolerance. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:673566. [PMID: 34713261 PMCID: PMC8525412 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.673566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Sugarcane is the source of 80% of the sugar and 26% of the bioethanol produced globally. However, its complex, highly polyploid genome (2n = 100 - 120) impedes crop improvement. Here, we report efficient and reproducible gene targeting (GT) in sugarcane, enabling precise co-editing of multiple alleles via template-mediated and homology-directed repair (HDR) of DNA double strand breaks induced by the programmable nuclease CRISPR/Cas9. The evaluation of 146 independently transformed plants from five independent experiments revealed a targeted nucleotide replacement that resulted in both targeted amino acid substitutions W574L and S653I in the acetolactate synthase (ALS) in 11 lines in addition to single, targeted amino acid substitutions W574L or S653I in 25 or 18 lines, respectively. Co-editing of up to three ALS copies/alleles that confer herbicide tolerance was confirmed by Sanger sequencing of cloned long polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons. This work will enable crop improvement by conversion of inferior alleles to superior alleles through targeted nucleotide substitutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Tufan Oz
- Agronomy Department, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, IFAS, Gainesville, FL, United States
- DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Angelika Altpeter
- Agronomy Department, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, IFAS, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Ratna Karan
- Agronomy Department, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, IFAS, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Aldo Merotto
- Agronomy Department, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, IFAS, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Fredy Altpeter
- Agronomy Department, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, IFAS, Gainesville, FL, United States
- DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Vangheluwe N, Beeckman T. Lateral Root Initiation and the Analysis of Gene Function Using Genome Editing with CRISPR in Arabidopsis. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12060884. [PMID: 34201141 PMCID: PMC8227676 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lateral root initiation is a post-embryonic process that requires the specification of a subset of pericycle cells adjacent to the xylem pole in the primary root into lateral root founder cells. The first visible event of lateral root initiation in Arabidopsis is the simultaneous migration of nuclei in neighbouring founder cells. Coinciding cell cycle activation is essential for founder cells in the pericycle to undergo formative divisions, resulting in the development of a lateral root primordium (LRP). The plant signalling molecule, auxin, is a major regulator of lateral root development; the understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling lateral root initiation has progressed tremendously by the use of the Arabidopsis model and a continual improvement of molecular methodologies. Here, we provide an overview of the visible events, cell cycle regulators, and auxin signalling cascades related to the initiation of a new LRP. Furthermore, we highlight the potential of genome editing technology to analyse gene function in lateral root initiation, which provides an excellent model to answer fundamental developmental questions such as coordinated cell division, growth axis establishment as well as the specification of cell fate and cell polarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Vangheluwe
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium;
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tom Beeckman
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium;
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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Čermák T. Sequence modification on demand: search and replace tools for precise gene editing in plants. Transgenic Res 2021; 30:353-379. [PMID: 34086167 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-021-00253-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Until recently, our ability to generate allelic diversity in plants was limited to introduction of variants from domesticated and wild species by breeding via uncontrolled recombination or the use of chemical and physical mutagens-processes that are lengthy and costly or lack specificity, respectively. Gene editing provides a faster and more precise way to create new variation, although its application in plants has been dominated by the creation of short insertion and deletion mutations leading to loss of gene function, mostly due to the dependence of editing outcomes on DNA repair pathway choices intrinsic to higher eukaryotes. Other types of edits such as point mutations and precise and pre-designed targeted sequence insertions have rarely been implemented, despite providing means to modulate the expression of target genes or to engineer the function and stability of their protein products. Several advancements have been developed in recent years to facilitate custom editing by regulation of repair pathway choices or by taking advantage of alternative types of DNA repair. We have seen the advent of novel gene editing tools that are independent of DNA double-strand break repair, and methods completely independent of host DNA repair processes are being increasingly explored. With the aim to provide a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art methodology for allele replacement in plants, I discuss the adoption of these improvements for plant genome engineering.
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