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Liu Y, Liu S, Sheng H, Feng X, Wang S, Hu Y, Zhang L, Cai B, Ma Y. Revolutionizing cattle breeding: Gene editing advancements for enhancing economic traits. Gene 2024; 927:148595. [PMID: 38795857 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148595] [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] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Beef and dairy products are rich in protein and amino acids, making them highly nutritious for human consumption. The increasing use of gene editing technology in agriculture has paved the way for genetic improvement in cattle breeding via the development of the CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein) system. Gene sequences are artificially altered and employed in the pursuit of improving bovine breeding research through targeted knockout, knock-in, substitution, and mutation methods. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of the advancements in gene editing technology and its diverse applications in enhancing both quantitative and qualitative traits across livestock. These applications encompass areas such as meat quality, milk quality, fertility, disease resistance, environmental adaptability, sex control, horn development, and coat colour. Furthermore, the review considers prospective ideas and insights that may be employed to refine breeding traits, enhance editing efficiency, and navigate the ethical considerations associated with these advancements. The review's focus on improving the quality of beef and milk is intended to enhance the economic viability of these products. Furthermore, it constitutes a valuable resource for scholars and researchers engaged in the fields of cattle genetic improvement and breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China; Key Laboratory of Ruminant Molecular and Cellular Breeding of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China.
| | - Shuang Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China; Key Laboratory of Ruminant Molecular and Cellular Breeding of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China.
| | - Hui Sheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China; Key Laboratory of Ruminant Molecular and Cellular Breeding of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China.
| | - Xue Feng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China; Key Laboratory of Ruminant Molecular and Cellular Breeding of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China.
| | - Shuzhe Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China; Key Laboratory of Ruminant Molecular and Cellular Breeding of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China.
| | - Yamei Hu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China; Key Laboratory of Ruminant Molecular and Cellular Breeding of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China.
| | - Lingkai Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China; Key Laboratory of Ruminant Molecular and Cellular Breeding of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China.
| | - Bei Cai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China; Key Laboratory of Ruminant Molecular and Cellular Breeding of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Yun Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China; Key Laboratory of Ruminant Molecular and Cellular Breeding of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China.
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Burger BT, Beaton BP, Campbell MA, Brett BT, Rohrer MS, Plummer S, Barnes D, Jiang K, Naswa S, Lange J, Ott A, Alger E, Rincon G, Rounsley S, Betthauser J, Mtango NR, Benne JA, Hammerand J, Durfee CJ, Rotolo ML, Cameron P, Lied AM, Irby MJ, Nyer DB, Fuller CK, Gradia S, Kanner SB, Park KE, Waters J, Simpson S, Telugu BP, Salgado BC, Brandariz-Nuñez A, Rowland RRR, Culbertson M, Rice E, Cigan AM. Generation of a Commercial-Scale Founder Population of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Resistant Pigs Using CRISPR-Cas. CRISPR J 2024; 7:12-28. [PMID: 38353617 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2023.0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Disease resistance genes in livestock provide health benefits to animals and opportunities for farmers to meet the growing demand for affordable, high-quality protein. Previously, researchers used gene editing to modify the porcine CD163 gene and demonstrated resistance to a harmful virus that causes porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). To maximize potential benefits, this disease resistance trait needs to be present in commercially relevant breeding populations for multiplication and distribution of pigs. Toward this goal, a first-of-its-kind, scaled gene editing program was established to introduce a single modified CD163 allele into four genetically diverse, elite porcine lines. This effort produced healthy pigs that resisted PRRS virus infection as determined by macrophage and animal challenges. This founder population will be used for additional disease and trait testing, multiplication, and commercial distribution upon regulatory approval. Applying CRISPR-Cas to eliminate a viral disease represents a major step toward improving animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian T Burger
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Sarah Plummer
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Dylan Barnes
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ke Jiang
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Sudhir Naswa
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jeremy Lange
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Alina Ott
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Elizabeth Alger
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Gonzalo Rincon
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Steven Rounsley
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
- Current address: Inari Agriculture, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Jeff Betthauser
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Namdori R Mtango
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
- Current address: Colossal Biosciences, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Joshua A Benne
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Codie J Durfee
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Marisa L Rotolo
- PIC, Hendersonville, Tennessee, USA
- Current address: National Pork Board, Des Moines, IA, USA
| | - Peter Cameron
- Caribou Biosciences, Berkeley, California, USA
- Current address: Profluent Bio, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Matthew J Irby
- Caribou Biosciences, Berkeley, California, USA
- Current address: Prime Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David B Nyer
- Caribou Biosciences, Berkeley, California, USA
- Current address: Clade Therapeutics, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ki-Eun Park
- RenOVAte Biosciences, Reisterstown, Maryland, USA
| | - Jerel Waters
- RenOVAte Biosciences, Reisterstown, Maryland, USA
| | - Sean Simpson
- RenOVAte Biosciences, Reisterstown, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Brianna C Salgado
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Alberto Brandariz-Nuñez
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Raymond R R Rowland
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Elena Rice
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
| | - A Mark Cigan
- Genus plc Research and Development, DeForest, Wisconsin, USA
- Current address: Cobb-Vantress, Siloam Springs, AR, USA
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Wei J, Brophy B, Cole SA, Leath S, Oback B, Boch J, Wells DN, Laible G. Production of light-coloured, low heat-absorbing Holstein Friesian cattle by precise embryo-mediated genome editing. Reprod Fertil Dev 2023; 36:112-123. [PMID: 38064192 DOI: 10.1071/rd23163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Genome editing enables the introduction of beneficial sequence variants into the genomes of animals with high genetic merit in a single generation. This can be achieved by introducing variants into primary cells followed by producing a live animal from these cells by somatic cell nuclear transfer cloning. The latter step is associated with low efficiencies and developmental problems due to incorrect reprogramming of the donor cells, causing animal welfare concerns. Direct editing of fertilised one-cell embryos could circumvent this issue and might better integrate with genetic improvement strategies implemented by the industry. METHODS In vitro fertilised zygotes were injected with TALEN editors and repair template to introduce a known coat colour dilution mutation in the PMEL gene. Embryo biopsies of injected embryos were screened by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing for intended biallelic edits before transferring verified embryos into recipients for development to term. Calves were genotyped and their coats scanned with visible and hyperspectral cameras to assess thermal energy absorption. KEY RESULTS Multiple non-mosaic calves with precision edited genotypes were produced, including calves from high genetic merit parents. Compared to controls, the edited calves showed a strong coat colour dilution which was associated with lower thermal energy absorbance. CONCLUSIONS Although biopsy screening was not absolutely accurate, non-mosaic, precisely edited calves can be readily produced by embryo-mediated editing. The lighter coat colouring caused by the PMEL mutation can lower radiative heat gain which might help to reduce heat stress. IMPLICATIONS The study validates putative causative sequence variants to rapidly adapt grazing cattle to changing environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Wei
- Animal Biotechnology, Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Brigid Brophy
- Animal Biotechnology, Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Sally-Ann Cole
- Animal Biotechnology, Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Shane Leath
- Animal Biotechnology, Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Björn Oback
- Animal Biotechnology, Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch, Hamilton, New Zealand; and School of Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand; and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jens Boch
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - David N Wells
- Animal Biotechnology, Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Götz Laible
- Animal Biotechnology, Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch, Hamilton, New Zealand; and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Wei J, Brophy B, Cole SA, Moormann J, Boch J, Laible G. Cytoplasmic Injection of Zygotes to Genome Edit Naturally Occurring Sequence Variants Into Bovine Embryos. Front Genet 2022; 13:925913. [PMID: 35899192 PMCID: PMC9310181 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.925913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome editing provides opportunities to improve current cattle breeding strategies through targeted introduction of natural sequence variants, accelerating genetic gain. This can be achieved by harnessing homology-directed repair mechanisms following editor-induced cleavage of the genome in the presence of a repair template. Introducing the genome editors into zygotes and editing in embryos has the advantage of uncompromised development into live animals and alignment with contemporary embryo-based improvement practices. In our study, we investigated the potential to introduce sequence variants, known from the pre-melanosomal protein 17 (PMEL) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) genes, and produce non-mosaic, edited embryos, completely converted into the precision genotype. Injection of gRNA/Cas9 editors into bovine zygotes to introduce a 3 bp deletion variant into the PMEL gene produced up to 11% fully converted embryos. The conversion rate was increased to up to 48% with the use of TALEN but only when delivered by plasmid. Testing three gRNA/Cas9 editors in the context of several known PRLR sequence variants, different repair template designs and delivery as DNA, RNA or ribonucleoprotein achieved full conversion rates up to 8%. Furthermore, we developed a biopsy-based screening strategy for non-mosaic embryos which has the potential for exclusively producing non-mosaic animals with intended precision edits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Wei
- Animal Biotechnology, Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Brigid Brophy
- Animal Biotechnology, Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Sally-Ann Cole
- Animal Biotechnology, Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Jannis Moormann
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jens Boch
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gӧtz Laible
- Animal Biotechnology, Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Gӧtz Laible,
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Genetic approaches for increasing fitness in endangered species. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:332-345. [PMID: 35027225 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The global rate of wildlife extinctions is accelerating, and the persistence of many species requires conservation breeding programs. A central paradigm of these programs is to preserve the genetic diversity of the founder populations. However, this may preserve original characteristics that make them vulnerable to extinction. We introduce targeted genetic intervention (TGI) as an alternative approach that promotes traits that enable species to persist in the face of threats by changing the incidence of alleles that impact on fitness. The TGI toolkit includes methods with established efficacy in model organisms and agriculture but are largely untried for conservation, such as synthetic biology and artificial selection. We explore TGI approaches as a species-restoration tool for intractable threats including infectious disease and climate change.
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Laible G, Cole SA, Brophy B, Wei J, Leath S, Jivanji S, Littlejohn MD, Wells DN. Holstein Friesian dairy cattle edited for diluted coat color as a potential adaptation to climate change. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:856. [PMID: 34836496 PMCID: PMC8626976 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08175-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-producing Holstein Friesian dairy cattle have a characteristic black and white coat, often with large proportions of black. Compared to a light coat color, black absorbs more solar radiation which is a contributing factor to heat stress in cattle. To better adapt dairy cattle to rapidly warming climates, we aimed to lighten their coat color by genome editing. RESULTS Using gRNA/Cas9-mediated editing, we introduced a three bp deletion in the pre-melanosomal protein 17 gene (PMEL) proposed as causative variant for the semi-dominant color dilution phenotype observed in Galloway and Highland cattle. Calves generated from cells with homozygous edits revealed a strong color dilution effect. Instead of the characteristic black and white markings of control calves generated from unedited cells, the edited calves displayed a novel grey and white coat pattern. CONCLUSION This, for the first time, verified the causative nature of the PMEL mutation for diluting the black coat color in cattle. Although only one of the calves was healthy at birth and later succumbed to a naval infection, the study showed the feasibility of generating such edited animals with the possibility to dissect the effects of the introgressed edit and other interfering allelic variants that might exist in individual cattle and accurately determine the impact of only the three bp change.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Laible
- AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand.
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - S-A Cole
- AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - B Brophy
- AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - J Wei
- AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - S Leath
- AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - S Jivanji
- Massey University Manawatu, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - M D Littlejohn
- Massey University Manawatu, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Livestock Improvement Corporation, Newstead, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - D N Wells
- AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
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