1
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Liu D, Myers EA, Xuan S, Prichard LE, Donahue LI, Ellison EE, Starker CG, Voytas DF. Heritable, multinucleotide deletions in plants using viral delivery of a repair exonuclease and guide RNAs. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 194:2229-2239. [PMID: 38243587 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis typically results in short insertion/deletion mutations, which are often too small to disrupt the function of cis-acting regulatory elements. Here, we describe a highly efficient in planta gene editing approach called VirTREX2-HLDel that achieves heritable multinucleotide deletions in both protein-coding genes and noncoding DNA regulatory elements. VirTREX2-HLDel uses RNA viruses to deliver both the 3 prime repair exonuclease 2 (TREX2) and single-guide RNAs. Our method enables recovery of multiplexed heritable deletions and increases the heritable gene editing frequency at poorly edited sites. We identified functional conservation and divergence of MICRORNA164 (miR164) in Nicotiana benthamiana and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) using VirTREX2-HLDel and observed previously uncharacterized phenotypes in plants with large deletions at this locus. Our viral delivery method reduces the need for tissue culture and will accelerate the understanding of protein-coding and regulatory regions in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Degao Liu
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Erik A Myers
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Shuya Xuan
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Lynn E Prichard
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Lilee I Donahue
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Evan E Ellison
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Colby G Starker
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Daniel F Voytas
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
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2
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Nagalakshmi U, Meier N, Dinesh-Kumar SP. Virus-Induced Heritable Gene Editing in Plants. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2724:273-288. [PMID: 37987913 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3485-1_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: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Gene editing using clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) nuclease is an excellent tool for assessing gene function in plants. However, delivery of CRISPR/Cas-editing components into plant cells is still a major bottleneck and requires tissue culture-based approaches and regeneration of plants. To overcome this limitation, several plant viral vectors have recently been engineered to deliver single-guide RNA (sgRNA) targets into SpCas9-expressing plants. Here, we describe an optimized, step-by-step protocol based on the tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based vector system to deliver sgRNAs fused to mobile tRNA sequences for efficient heritable editing in Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana model systems. The protocol described here could be adopted to study the function of any gene of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugrappa Nagalakshmi
- Department of Plant Biology and The Genome Center, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Nathan Meier
- Department of Plant Biology and The Genome Center, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Savithramma P Dinesh-Kumar
- Department of Plant Biology and The Genome Center, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
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3
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Boone BA, Ichino L, Wang S, Gardiner J, Yun J, Jami-Alahmadi Y, Sha J, Mendoza CP, Steelman BJ, van Aardenne A, Kira-Lucas S, Trentchev I, Wohlschlegel JA, Jacobsen SE. ACD15, ACD21, and SLN regulate the accumulation and mobility of MBD6 to silence genes and transposable elements. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi9036. [PMID: 37967186 PMCID: PMC10651127 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi9036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation mediates silencing of transposable elements and genes in part via recruitment of the Arabidopsis MBD5/6 complex, which contains the methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD) proteins MBD5 and MBD6, and the J-domain containing protein SILENZIO (SLN). Here, we characterize two additional complex members: α-crystalline domain (ACD) containing proteins ACD15 and ACD21. We show that they are necessary for gene silencing, bridge SLN to the complex, and promote higher-order multimerization of MBD5/6 complexes within heterochromatin. These complexes are also highly dynamic, with the mobility of MBD5/6 complexes regulated by the activity of SLN. Using a dCas9 system, we demonstrate that tethering the ACDs to an ectopic site outside of heterochromatin can drive a massive accumulation of MBD5/6 complexes into large nuclear bodies. These results demonstrate that ACD15 and ACD21 are critical components of the gene-silencing MBD5/6 complex and act to drive the formation of higher-order, dynamic assemblies at CG methylation (meCG) sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon A. Boone
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Lucia Ichino
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Shuya Wang
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jason Gardiner
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jaewon Yun
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yasaman Jami-Alahmadi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jihui Sha
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Cristy P. Mendoza
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Bailey J. Steelman
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Aliya van Aardenne
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sophia Kira-Lucas
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Isabelle Trentchev
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - James A. Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Steven E. Jacobsen
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Eli and Edyth Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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4
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Boone BA, Ichino L, Wang S, Gardiner J, Yun J, Jami-Alahmadi Y, Sha J, Mendoza CP, Steelman BJ, van Aardenne A, Kira-Lucas S, Trentchev I, Wohlschlegel JA, Jacobsen SE. ACD15, ACD21 and SLN regulate accumulation and mobility of MBD6 to silence genes and transposable elements. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.23.554494. [PMID: 37662299 PMCID: PMC10473691 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.23.554494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation mediates silencing of transposable elements and genes in part via recruitment of the Arabidopsis MBD5/6 complex, which contains the methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) proteins MBD5 and MBD6, and the J-domain containing protein SILENZIO (SLN). Here we characterize two additional complex members: α-crystalline domain containing proteins ACD15 and ACD21. We show that they are necessary for gene silencing, bridge SLN to the complex, and promote higher order multimerization of MBD5/6 complexes within heterochromatin. These complexes are also highly dynamic, with the mobility of complex components regulated by the activity of SLN. Using a dCas9 system, we demonstrate that tethering the ACDs to an ectopic site outside of heterochromatin can drive massive accumulation of MBD5/6 complexes into large nuclear bodies. These results demonstrate that ACD15 and ACD21 are critical components of gene silencing complexes that act to drive the formation of higher order, dynamic assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon A. Boone
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Lucia Ichino
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Shuya Wang
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jason Gardiner
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Translational Plant Biology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, 3584CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jaewon Yun
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yasaman Jami-Alahmadi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jihui Sha
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Cristy P. Mendoza
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Bailey J. Steelman
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Aliya van Aardenne
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sophia Kira-Lucas
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Isabelle Trentchev
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - James A. Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Steven E. Jacobsen
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Eli and Edyth Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), UCLA; Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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5
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Harris CJ, Amtmann A, Ton J. Epigenetic processes in plant stress priming: Open questions and new approaches. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 75:102432. [PMID: 37523900 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2023.102432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Priming reflects the capacity of plants to memorise environmental stress experience and improve their response to recurring stress. Epigenetic modifications in DNA and associated histone proteins may carry short-term and long-term memory in the same plant or mediate transgenerational effects, but the evidence is still largely circumstantial. New experimental tools now enable scientists to perform targeted manipulations that either prevent or generate a particular epigenetic modification in a particular location of the genome. Such 'reverse epigenetics' approaches allow for the interrogation of causality between individual priming-induced modifications and their role for altering gene expression and plant performance under recurring stress. Furthermore, combining site-directed epigenetic manipulation with conditional and cell-type specific promoters creates novel opportunities to test and engineer spatiotemporal patterns of priming.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Jake Harris
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Anna Amtmann
- School of Molecular Biosciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G128QQ, UK.
| | - Jurriaan Ton
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
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6
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Uranga M, Aragonés V, Daròs JA, Pasin F. Heritable CRISPR-Cas9 editing of plant genomes using RNA virus vectors. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102091. [PMID: 36853698 PMCID: PMC9943877 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral vectors hold enormous potential for genome editing in plants as transient delivery vehicles of CRISPR-Cas components. Here, we describe a protocol to assemble plant viral vectors for single-guide RNA (sgRNA) delivery. The obtained viral constructs are based on compact T-DNA binary vectors of the pLX series and are delivered into Cas9-expressing plants through agroinoculation. This approach allows rapidly assessing sgRNA design for plant genome targeting, as well as the recovery of progeny with heritable mutations at targeted loci. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Uranga et al. (2021)1 and Aragonés et al. (2022).2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia Uranga
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universitat Politècnica de València, Avenida de los Naranjos s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Verónica Aragonés
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universitat Politècnica de València, Avenida de los Naranjos s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
| | - José-Antonio Daròs
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universitat Politècnica de València, Avenida de los Naranjos s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Fabio Pasin
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universitat Politècnica de València, Avenida de los Naranjos s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
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7
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Liu Q, Zhao C, Sun K, Deng Y, Li Z. Engineered biocontainable RNA virus vectors for non-transgenic genome editing across crop species and genotypes. MOLECULAR PLANT 2023; 16:616-631. [PMID: 36751129 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas genome-editing tools provide unprecedented opportunities for basic plant biology research and crop breeding. However, the lack of robust delivery methods has limited the widespread adoption of these revolutionary technologies in plant science. Here, we report an efficient, non-transgenic CRISPR/Cas delivery platform based on the engineered tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), an RNA virus with a host range of over 1000 plant species. We eliminated viral elements essential for insect transmission to liberate genome space for accommodating large genetic cargoes without sacrificing the ability to infect plant hosts. The resulting non-insect-transmissible viral vectors enabled effective and stable in planta delivery of Cas12a and Cas9 nucleases as well as adenine and cytosine base editors. In systemically infected plant tissues, the deconstructed TSWV-derived vectors induced efficient somatic gene mutations and base conversions in multiple crop species with little genotype dependency. Plants with heritable, bi-allelic mutations could be readily regenerated by culturing the virus-infected tissues in vitro without antibiotic selection. Moreover, we showed that antiviral treatment with ribavirin during tissue culture cleared the viral vectors in 100% of regenerated plants and further augmented the recovery of heritable mutations. Because many plants are recalcitrant to stable transformation, the viral delivery system developed in this work provides a promising tool to overcome gene delivery bottlenecks for genome editing in various crop species and elite varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chenglu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kai Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yinlu Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhenghe Li
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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8
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Guo G, Li MJ, Lai JL, Du ZY, Liao QS. Development of tobacco rattle virus-based platform for dual heterologous gene expression and CRISPR/Cas reagent delivery. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 325:111491. [PMID: 36216296 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2022.111491] [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: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A large number of viral delivery systems have been developed for characterizing functional genes and producing heterologous recombinant proteins in plants, and but most of them are unable to co-express two fusion-free foreign proteins in the whole plant for extended periods of time. In this study, we modified tobacco rattle virus (TRV) as a TRVe dual delivery vector, using the strategy of gene substitution. The reconstructed TRVe had the capability to simultaneously produce two fusion-free foreign proteins at the whole level of Nicotiana benthamiana, and maintained the genetic stability for the insert of double foreign genes. Moreover, TRVe allowed systemic expression of two foreign proteins with the total lengths up to ∼900 aa residues. In addition, Cas12a protein and crRNA were delivered by the TRVe expression system for site-directed editing of genomic DNA in N. benthamiana 16c line constitutively expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP). Taker together, the TRV-based delivery system will be a simple and powerful means to rapidly co-express two non-fused foreign proteins at the whole level and facilitate functional genomics studies in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Guo
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, PR China
| | - Meng-Jiao Li
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, PR China
| | - Jia-Liang Lai
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, PR China
| | - Zhi-You Du
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, PR China
| | - Qian-Sheng Liao
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, PR China.
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9
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Robertson G, Burger J, Campa M. CRISPR/Cas-based tools for the targeted control of plant viruses. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2022; 23:1701-1718. [PMID: 35920132 PMCID: PMC9562834 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Plant viruses are known to infect most economically important crops and pose a major threat to global food security. Currently, few resistant host phenotypes have been delineated, and while chemicals are used for crop protection against insect pests and bacterial or fungal diseases, these are inefficient against viral diseases. Genetic engineering emerged as a way of modifying the plant genome by introducing functional genes in plants to improve crop productivity under adverse environmental conditions. Recently, new breeding technologies, and in particular the exciting CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated proteins) technology, was shown to be a powerful alternative to engineer resistance against plant viruses, thus has great potential for reducing crop losses and improving plant productivity to directly contribute to food security. Indeed, it could circumvent the "Genetic modification" issues because it allows for genome editing without the integration of foreign DNA or RNA into the genome of the host plant, and it is simpler and more versatile than other new breeding technologies. In this review, we describe the predominant features of the major CRISPR/Cas systems and outline strategies for the delivery of CRISPR/Cas reagents to plant cells. We also provide an overview of recent advances that have engineered CRISPR/Cas-based resistance against DNA and RNA viruses in plants through the targeted manipulation of either the viral genome or susceptibility factors of the host plant genome. Finally, we provide insight into the limitations and challenges that CRISPR/Cas technology currently faces and discuss a few alternative applications of the technology in virus research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Robertson
- Department of GeneticsStellenbosch UniversityMatielandSouth Africa
- Department of Experimental and Health SciencesUniversitat Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
| | - Johan Burger
- Department of GeneticsStellenbosch UniversityMatielandSouth Africa
| | - Manuela Campa
- Department of GeneticsStellenbosch UniversityMatielandSouth Africa
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10
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Ma H, Meng X, Xu K, Li M, Gmitter FG, Liu N, Gai Y, Huang S, Wang M, Wang M, Wang N, Xu H, Liu J, Sun X, Duan S. Highly efficient hairy root genetic transformation and applications in citrus. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1039094. [PMID: 36388468 PMCID: PMC9647159 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1039094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Highly efficient genetic transformation technology is greatly beneficial for crop gene function analysis and precision breeding. However, the most commonly used genetic transformation technology for woody plants, mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, is time-consuming and inefficient, which limits its utility for gene function analysis. In this study, a simple, universal, and highly efficient genetic transformation technology mediated by A. rhizogenes K599 is described. This technology can be applied to multiple citrus genotypes, and only 2-8 weeks were required for the entire workflow. Genome-editing experiments were simultaneously conducted using 11 plasmids targeting different genomic positions and all corresponding transformants with the target knocked out were obtained, indicating that A. rhizogenes-mediated genome editing was highly efficient. In addition, the technology is advantageous for investigation of specific genes (such as ACD2) for obtaining "hard-to-get" transgenic root tissue. Furthermore, A. rhizogenes can be used for direct viral vector inoculation on citrus bypassing the requirement for virion enrichment in tobacco, which facilitates virus-induced gene silencing and virus-mediated gene expression. In summary, we established a highly efficient genetic transformation technology bypassing tissue culture in citrus that can be used for genome editing, gene overexpression, and virus-mediated gene function analysis. We anticipate that by reducing the cost, required workload, experimental period, and other technical obstacles, this genetic transformation technology will be a valuable tool for routine investigation of endogenous and exogenous genes in citrus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijie Ma
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinyue Meng
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kai Xu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Min Li
- China-USA Citrus Huanglongbing Joint Laboratory (A Joint Laboratory of The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Gannan Normal University), National Navel Orange Engineering Research Center, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Fred G. Gmitter
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, United States
| | - Ningge Liu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunpeng Gai
- School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Suya Huang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Min Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Min Wang
- China-USA Citrus Huanglongbing Joint Laboratory (A Joint Laboratory of The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Gannan Normal University), National Navel Orange Engineering Research Center, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Nian Wang
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, United States
| | - Hairen Xu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jinhua Liu
- Natural Medicine Institute of Zhejiang YangShengTang Co., LTD, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuepeng Sun
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuo Duan
- China-USA Citrus Huanglongbing Joint Laboratory (A Joint Laboratory of The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Gannan Normal University), National Navel Orange Engineering Research Center, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
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11
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Selma S, Gianoglio S, Uranga M, Vázquez‐Vilar M, Espinosa‐Ruiz A, Drapal M, Fraser PD, Daròs J, Orzáez D. Potato virus X-delivered CRISPR activation programs lead to strong endogenous gene induction and transient metabolic reprogramming in Nicotiana benthamiana. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 111:1550-1564. [PMID: 35822533 PMCID: PMC9541417 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Programmable transcriptional regulators based on CRISPR architecture are promising tools for the induction of plant gene expression. In plants, CRISPR gene activation is effective with respect to modulating development processes, such as the flowering time or customizing biochemical composition. The most widely used method for delivering CRISPR components into the plant is Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation, either transient or stable. However, as a result of their versatility and their ability to move, virus-derived systems have emerged as an interesting alternative for supplying the CRISPR components to the plant, in particular guide RNA (gRNA), which represents the variable component in CRISPR strategies. In the present study, we describe a Potato virus X-derived vector that, upon agroinfection in Nicotiana benthamiana, serves as a vehicle for delivery of gRNAs, producing highly specific virus-induced gene activation. The system works in combination with a N. benthamiana transgenic line carrying the remaining complementary CRISPR gene activation components, specifically the dCasEV2.1 cassette, which has been shown previously to mediate strong programmable transcriptional activation in plants. Using an easily scalable, non-invasive spraying method, we show that gRNA-mediated activation programs move locally and systemically, generating a strong activation response in different target genes. Furthermore, by activating three different endogenous MYB transcription factors, we demonstrate that this Potato virus X-based virus-induced gene reprogramming strategy results in program-specific metabolic fingerprints in N. benthamiana leaves characterized by distinctive phenylpropanoid-enriched metabolite profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Selma
- Instituto Biología Molecular y celular de PlantasCSIC‐Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValencia46022Spain
| | - Silvia Gianoglio
- Instituto Biología Molecular y celular de PlantasCSIC‐Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValencia46022Spain
| | - Mireia Uranga
- Instituto Biología Molecular y celular de PlantasCSIC‐Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValencia46022Spain
| | - Marta Vázquez‐Vilar
- Instituto Biología Molecular y celular de PlantasCSIC‐Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValencia46022Spain
| | - Ana Espinosa‐Ruiz
- Instituto Biología Molecular y celular de PlantasCSIC‐Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValencia46022Spain
| | | | | | - José‐Antonio Daròs
- Instituto Biología Molecular y celular de PlantasCSIC‐Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValencia46022Spain
| | - Diego Orzáez
- Instituto Biología Molecular y celular de PlantasCSIC‐Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValencia46022Spain
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12
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Selma S, Sanmartín N, Espinosa‐Ruiz A, Gianoglio S, Lopez‐Gresa MP, Vázquez‐Vilar M, Flors V, Granell A, Orzaez D. Custom-made design of metabolite composition in N. benthamiana leaves using CRISPR activators. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:1578-1590. [PMID: 35514036 PMCID: PMC9342607 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptional regulators based on CRISPR architecture expand our ability to reprogramme endogenous gene expression in plants. One of their potential applications is the customization of plant metabolome through the activation of selected enzymes in a given metabolic pathway. Using the previously described multiplexable CRISPR activator dCasEV2.1, we assayed the selective enrichment in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves of four different flavonoids, namely, naringenin, eriodictyol, kaempferol, and quercetin. After careful selection of target genes and guide RNAs combinations, we created successful activation programmes for each of the four metabolites, each programme activating between three and seven genes, and with individual gene activation levels ranging from 4- to 1500-fold. Metabolic analysis of the flavonoid profiles of each multigene activation programme showed a sharp and selective enrichment of the intended metabolites and their glycosylated derivatives. Remarkably, principal component analysis of untargeted metabolic profiles clearly separated samples according to their activation treatment, and hierarchical clustering separated the samples into five groups, corresponding to the expected four highly enriched metabolite groups, plus an un-activated control. These results demonstrate that dCasEV2.1 is a powerful tool for re-routing metabolic fluxes towards the accumulation of metabolites of interest, opening the door for the custom-made design of metabolic contents in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Selma
- Instituto Biologia Molecular de PlantasCSIC‐UPVValenciaSpain
| | - Neus Sanmartín
- Escuela Superior de Tecnología y Ciencias ExperimentalesUniversidad Jaume ICastellón de la PlanaSpain
| | | | | | | | | | - Victor Flors
- Escuela Superior de Tecnología y Ciencias ExperimentalesUniversidad Jaume ICastellón de la PlanaSpain
| | - Antonio Granell
- Instituto Biologia Molecular de PlantasCSIC‐UPVValenciaSpain
| | - Diego Orzaez
- Instituto Biologia Molecular de PlantasCSIC‐UPVValenciaSpain
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13
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Nagalakshmi U, Meier N, Liu JY, Voytas DF, Dinesh-Kumar SP. High-efficiency multiplex biallelic heritable editing in Arabidopsis using an RNA virus. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 189:1241-1245. [PMID: 35389493 PMCID: PMC9237674 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nathan Meier
- Department of Plant Biology, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- The Genome Center, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Jau-Yi Liu
- Department of Plant Biology, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- The Genome Center, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Daniel F Voytas
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
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14
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Gardiner J, Ghoshal B, Wang M, Jacobsen SE. CRISPR-Cas-mediated transcriptional control and epi-mutagenesis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:1811-1824. [PMID: 35134247 PMCID: PMC8968285 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac033] [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: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Tools for sequence-specific DNA binding have opened the door to new approaches in investigating fundamental questions in biology and crop development. While there are several platforms to choose from, many of the recent advances in sequence-specific targeting tools are focused on developing Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats- CRISPR Associated (CRISPR-Cas)-based systems. Using a catalytically inactive Cas protein (dCas), this system can act as a vector for different modular catalytic domains (effector domains) to control a gene's expression or alter epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation. Recent trends in developing CRISPR-dCas systems include creating versions that can target multiple copies of effector domains to a single site, targeting epigenetic changes that, in some cases, can be inherited to the next generation in the absence of the targeting construct, and combining effector domains and targeting strategies to create synergies that increase the functionality or efficiency of the system. This review summarizes and compares DNA targeting technologies, the effector domains used to target transcriptional control and epi-mutagenesis, and the different CRISPR-dCas systems used in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ming Wang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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15
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Luviano N, Duval D, Ittiprasert W, Allienne JF, Tavernier G, Chaparro C, Cosseau C, Grunau C. Hit-and-Run Epigenetic Editing for Vectors of Snail-Borne Parasitic Diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:794650. [PMID: 35295851 PMCID: PMC8920497 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.794650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Snail-borne parasitic diseases represent an important challenge to human and animal health. Control strategies that target the intermediate snail host has proved very effective. Epigenetic mechanisms are involved in developmental processes and therefore play a fundamental role in developmental variation. DNA methylation is an important epigenetic information carrier in eukaryotes that plays a major role in the control of chromatin structure. Epigenome editing tools have been instrumental to demonstrate functional importance of this mark for gene expression in vertebrates. In invertebrates, such tools are missing, and the role of DNA methylation remains unknown. Here we demonstrate that methylome engineering can be used to modify in vivo the CpG methylation level of a target gene in the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata, intermediate host of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. We used a dCas9-SunTag-DNMT3A complex and synthetic sgRNA to transfect B. glabrata embryos and observed an increase of CpG methylation at the target site in 50% of the hatching snails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelia Luviano
- IHPE, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, CNRS, Ifremer, Univ Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - David Duval
- IHPE, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, CNRS, Ifremer, Univ Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Wannaporn Ittiprasert
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
- Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | | | - Geneviève Tavernier
- Transgenesis Core Facility of UMS006/Inserm/Paul Sabatier University/National Medical Veterinary School, Toulouse, France
- Inserm UMR 1048, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France
| | - Cristian Chaparro
- IHPE, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, CNRS, Ifremer, Univ Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Celine Cosseau
- IHPE, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, CNRS, Ifremer, Univ Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Christoph Grunau
- IHPE, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, CNRS, Ifremer, Univ Montpellier, Perpignan, France
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16
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Gentzel IN, Ohlson EW, Redinbaugh MG, Wang GL. VIGE: virus-induced genome editing for improving abiotic and biotic stress traits in plants. STRESS BIOLOGY 2022; 2:2. [PMID: 37676518 PMCID: PMC10441944 DOI: 10.1007/s44154-021-00026-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural production is hampered by disease, pests, and environmental stresses. To minimize yield loss, it is important to develop crop cultivars with resistance or tolerance to their respective biotic and abiotic constraints. Transformation techniques are not optimized for many species and desirable cultivars may not be amenable to genetic transformation, necessitating inferior cultivar usage and time-consuming introgression through backcrossing to the preferred variety. Overcoming these limitations will greatly facilitate the development of disease, insect, and abiotic stress tolerant crops. One such avenue for rapid crop improvement is the development of viral systems to deliver CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing technology to plants to generate targeted beneficial mutations. Viral delivery of genomic editing constructs can theoretically be applied to span the entire host range of the virus utilized, circumventing the challenges associated with traditional transformation and breeding techniques. Here we explore the types of viruses that have been optimized for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery, the phenotypic outcomes achieved in recent studies, and discuss the future potential of this rapidly advancing technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene N Gentzel
- Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Erik W Ohlson
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Corn, Soybean and Wheat Quality Research Unit, Wooster, OH, 44691, USA
| | | | - Guo-Liang Wang
- Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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17
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Cable J, Ronald PC, Voytas D, Zhang F, Levy AA, Takatsuka A, Arimura SI, Jacobsen SE, Toki S, Toda E, Gao C, Zhu JK, Boch J, Van Eck J, Mahfouz M, Andersson M, Fridman E, Weiss T, Wang K, Qi Y, Jores T, Adams T, Bagchi R. Plant genome engineering from lab to field-a Keystone Symposia report. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1506:35-54. [PMID: 34435370 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Facing the challenges of the world's food sources posed by a growing global population and a warming climate will require improvements in plant breeding and technology. Enhancing crop resiliency and yield via genome engineering will undoubtedly be a key part of the solution. The advent of new tools, such as CRIPSR/Cas, has ushered in significant advances in plant genome engineering. However, several serious challenges remain in achieving this goal. Among them are efficient transformation and plant regeneration for most crop species, low frequency of some editing applications, and high attrition rates. On March 8 and 9, 2021, experts in plant genome engineering and breeding from academia and industry met virtually for the Keystone eSymposium "Plant Genome Engineering: From Lab to Field" to discuss advances in genome editing tools, plant transformation, plant breeding, and crop trait development, all vital for transferring the benefits of novel technologies to the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pamela C Ronald
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, and the Joint BioEnergy Institute, Davis, California
| | - Daniel Voytas
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development; Center for Precision Plant Genomics; and Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
| | - Feng Zhang
- College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
| | - Avraham A Levy
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ayumu Takatsuka
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Arimura
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Steven E Jacobsen
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research; Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology; and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Seiichi Toki
- Division of Applied Genetics, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Erika Toda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Caixia Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Kang Zhu
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jens Boch
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Joyce Van Eck
- The Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, New York, and Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Magdy Mahfouz
- Laboratory for Genome Engineering and Synthetic Biology, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariette Andersson
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Eyal Fridman
- Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Trevor Weiss
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development; Center for Precision Plant Genomics; and Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
| | - Kan Wang
- Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, and Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Tobias Jores
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Rammyani Bagchi
- Department of Nanoscience, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina
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18
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Khakhar A, Voytas DF. RNA Viral Vectors for Accelerating Plant Synthetic Biology. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:668580. [PMID: 34249040 PMCID: PMC8261061 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.668580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The tools of synthetic biology have enormous potential to help us uncover the fundamental mechanisms controlling development and metabolism in plants. However, their effective utilization typically requires transgenesis, which is plagued by long timescales and high costs. In this review we explore how transgenesis can be minimized by delivering foreign genetic material to plants with systemically mobile and persistent vectors based on RNA viruses. We examine the progress that has been made thus far and highlight the hurdles that need to be overcome and some potential strategies to do so. We conclude with a discussion of biocontainment mechanisms to ensure these vectors can be used safely as well as how these vectors might expand the accessibility of plant synthetic biology techniques. RNA vectors stand poised to revolutionize plant synthetic biology by making genetic manipulation of plants cheaper and easier to deploy, as well as by accelerating experimental timescales from years to weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Khakhar
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Daniel F. Voytas
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
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19
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Noshay JM, Springer NM. Stories that can't be told by SNPs; DNA methylation variation in plant populations. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 61:101989. [PMID: 33445144 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2020.101989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic variation has been observed in many plant populations. This variation can influence qualitative and quantitative traits. A key question is whether there is novel information in the epigenome that is not captured by SNP-based genetic markers. The answer likely varies depending on the sources and stability of epigenetic variation as well as the type of population being studied. We consider the epigenetic variation in several plant systems and how this relates to potential for hidden information that could increase our understanding of phenotypic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn M Noshay
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Nathan M Springer
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA.
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20
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CRISPR-based targeting of DNA methylation in Arabidopsis thaliana by a bacterial CG-specific DNA methyltransferase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2125016118. [PMID: 34074795 PMCID: PMC8201958 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2125016118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Site-specific modification of epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation to regulate gene expression is a unique approach to enhance economically important crop traits. This approach allows for the maintenance of the introduced modifications in the absence of the initial transgene inducer in subsequent generations and relies largely on methylation of cytosines in the CG-specific sequence context. We have developed a targeted DNA methylation tool based on a bacterial methyltransferase and the CRISPR-Cas9 platform to directly methylate cytosines at CG sites in Arabidopsis. These tools expand the currently available CRISPR-based targeted DNA methylation tools and provide an approach for the establishment of heritable targeted DNA methylation in plants. CRISPR-based targeted modification of epigenetic marks such as DNA cytosine methylation is an important strategy to regulate the expression of genes and their associated phenotypes. Although plants have DNA methylation in all sequence contexts (CG, CHG, CHH, where H = A, T, C), methylation in the symmetric CG context is particularly important for gene silencing and is very efficiently maintained through mitotic and meiotic cell divisions. Tools that can directly add CG methylation to specific loci are therefore highly desirable but are currently lacking in plants. Here we have developed two CRISPR-based CG-specific targeted DNA methylation systems for plants using a variant of the bacterial CG-specific DNA methyltransferase MQ1 with reduced activity but high specificity. We demonstrate that the methylation added by MQ1 is highly target specific and can be heritably maintained in the absence of the effector. These tools should be valuable both in crop engineering and in plant genetic research.
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21
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Liu L, Lindsay PL, Jackson D. Next Generation Cereal Crop Yield Enhancement: From Knowledge of Inflorescence Development to Practical Engineering by Genome Editing. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5167. [PMID: 34068350 PMCID: PMC8153303 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105167] [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: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial domestication and improvement of the majority of crops began approximately 10,000 years ago, in different parts of the world, to achieve high productivity, good quality, and widespread adaptability. It was initiated from a phenotype-based selection by local farmers and developed to current biotechnology-based breeding to feed over 7 billion people. For most cereal crops, yield relates to grain production, which could be enhanced by increasing grain number and weight. Grain number is typically determined during inflorescence development. Many mutants and genes for inflorescence development have already been characterized in cereal crops. Therefore, optimization of such genes could fine-tune yield-related traits, such as grain number. With the rapidly advancing genome-editing technologies and understanding of yield-related traits, knowledge-driven breeding by design is becoming a reality. This review introduces knowledge about inflorescence yield-related traits in cereal crops, focusing on rice, maize, and wheat. Next, emerging genome-editing technologies and recent studies that apply this technology to engineer crop yield improvement by targeting inflorescence development are reviewed. These approaches promise to usher in a new era of breeding practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David Jackson
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; (L.L.); (P.L.L.)
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