Targeting TOR and SnRK1 Genes in Rice with CRISPR/Cas9

Gene-edited protein kinases and phosphatases in molecular plant breeding

Protein phosphorylation, the most common and essential post-translational modification, belongs to crucial regulatory mechanisms in plants, affecting their metabolism, intracellular transport, cytoarchitecture, cell division, growth, development, and interactions with the environment. Protein kinases and phosphatases, two important families of enzymes optimally regulating phosphorylation, have now become important targets for gene editing in crops. We review progress on gene-edited protein kinases and phosphatases in crops using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9). We also provide guidance for computational prediction of alterations and/or changes in function, activity, and binding of protein kinases and phosphatases as consequences of CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing with its possible application in modern crop molecular breeding towards sustainable agriculture.

Mutagenesis in the Age of Next-Generation-Sequencing and Genome Editing

Mutagenesis is a proven, classical technique for inducing a broad spectrum of DNA variations and has led to the creation of thousands of improved varieties in many crop species [...].

The changing landscape of agriculture: role of precision breeding in developing smart crops

Food plants play a crucial role in human survival, providing them essential nutrients. However, traditional breeding methods have not been able to keep up with the demands of the growing population. The improvement of food plants aims to increase yield, quality, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. With CRISPR/Cas9, researchers can identify and edit key genes conferring desirable qualities in agricultural plants, including increased yield, enhanced product quality attributes, and increased tolerance to biotic and abiotic challenges. These modifications have enabled the creation of "smart crops" that exhibit rapid climatic adaptation, resistance to extreme weather conditions and high yield and quality. The use of CRISPR/Cas9 combined with viral vectors or growth regulators has made it possible to produce more efficient modified plants with certain conventional breeding methods. However, ethical and regulatory aspects of this technology must be carefully considered. Proper regulation and application of genome editing technology can bring immense benefits to agriculture and food security. This article provides an overview of genetically modified genes and conventional as well as emerging tools, including CRISPR/Cas9, that have been utilized to enhance the quality of plants/fruits and their products. The review also discusses the challenges and prospects associated with these techniques.