Genome editing approaches,particularly the CRISPR/Cas9 technology,are becoming state-of-the-art for trait development in numerous breeding programs.Significant advances in improving plant traits are enabled by this in...Genome editing approaches,particularly the CRISPR/Cas9 technology,are becoming state-of-the-art for trait development in numerous breeding programs.Significant advances in improving plant traits are enabled by this influential tool,especially for disease resistance,compared to traditional breeding.One of the potyviruses,the turnip mosaic virus(TuMV),is the most widespread and damaging virus that infects Brassica spp.worldwide.We generated the targeted mutation at the eIF(iso)4E gene in the TuMV-susceptible cultivar“Seoul”using CRISPR/Cas9 to develop TuMV-resistant Chinese cabbage.We detected several heritable indel mutations in the edited T0 plants and developed T1 through generational progression.It was indicated in the sequence analysis of the eIF(iso)4E-edited T1 plants that the mutations were transferred to succeeding generations.These edited T1 plants conferred resistance to TuMV.It was shown with ELISA analysis the lack of accumulation of viral particles.Furthermore,we found a strong negative correlation(r=-0.938)between TuMV resistance and the genome editing frequency of eIF(iso)4E.Consequently,it was revealed in this study that CRISPR/Cas9 technique can expedite the breeding process to improve traits in Chinese cabbage plants.展开更多
Dear Editor,Reduction in plant height has been associated with yield increases and yield stability in a number of important crop species,such as wheat and rice[1].In these plants,dwarfing is mainly attributed to the i...Dear Editor,Reduction in plant height has been associated with yield increases and yield stability in a number of important crop species,such as wheat and rice[1].In these plants,dwarfing is mainly attributed to the inability to synthesize or respond to certain phytohormones,predominantly gibberellin(GA)[2].Ideal Plant Architecture 1(IPA1),an miR156 target gene,encodes SPL14 and it is able to bind directly to the promoters of multiple GA biosynthetic,signal,and deactivating genes in rice[3].Moreover,IPA1 loss-of-function mutants exhibit dwarf phenotypes[4].展开更多
NAC transcriptional regulators are crucial for tomato ripening.Virus-induced gene silencing(VIGS)of SNAC9(SlNAC19,Gene ID:101248665)affects tomato ripening,and SNAC9 is involved in ethylene and abscisic acid(ABA)metab...NAC transcriptional regulators are crucial for tomato ripening.Virus-induced gene silencing(VIGS)of SNAC9(SlNAC19,Gene ID:101248665)affects tomato ripening,and SNAC9 is involved in ethylene and abscisic acid(ABA)metabolic pathways.However,the function of SNAC9 in pigment metabolism in tomatoes remains unclear.This work seeks to discover the mechanism of SNAC9 involvement in pigment metabolism during tomato ripening by establishing a SNAC9 knockout model using CRISPR/Cas9 technology.The results indicated that fruit ripening was delayed in knockout(KO)mutants,and SNAC9 mutation significantly affected carotenoid metabolism.The chlorophyll(Chl)degradation rate,total carotenoid content,and lycopene content decreased significantly in the mutants.The transformation rate of chloroplasts to chromoplasts in mutants was slower,which was related to the carotenoid content.Furthermore,SNAC9 changed the expression of critical genes(PSY1,PDS,CRTISO,Z-ISO,SGR1,DXS2,LCYE,LCYB,and CrtR-b2)involved in pigment metabolism in tomato ripening.SNAC9 knockout also altered the expression levels of critical genes involved in the biosynthesis of ethylene and ABA.Accordingly,SNAC9 regulated carotenoid metabolism by directly regulating PSY1,DXS2,SGR1,and CrtR-b2.This research provides a foundation for developing the tomato ripening network and precise tomato ripening regulation.展开更多
The objective of this study was to determine the role of SLC15A4 in the muramyl dipeptide(MDP)-mediated inflammatory response of bovine rumen epithelial cells(BRECs).First,changes in the m RNA expression of proinflamm...The objective of this study was to determine the role of SLC15A4 in the muramyl dipeptide(MDP)-mediated inflammatory response of bovine rumen epithelial cells(BRECs).First,changes in the m RNA expression of proinflammatory factor genes in BRECs following 10μg m L^(–1)MDP treatments were examined.RT-q PCR results showed that the expression of pro-inflammatory factor(IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α)m RNAs were significantly increased under MDP stimulation(P<0.001).Moreover,SLC15A4-Knockout(SLC15A4-KO)cells were obtained through lentivirus packaging,transfection,screening,and cell monoclonal culture.In order to gain further insight into the potential function of SLC15A4,we utilized transcriptome data,which revealed a change in the genes between WT-BRECs and SLC15A4-KO.Five down-regulated pro-inflammatory genes and 13 down-regulated chemokine genes related to the inflammatory response were identified.Meanwhile,the down-regulated genes were mostly enriched in the nuclear factorκB(NF-κB)and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathways.The results of RT-q PCR also verified these detected changes.To further determine the mechanism of how WT and SLC15A4-KO BRECs are involved in inflammatory responses,we investigated the inflammatory responses of cells exposed to MDP.WT-BRECs and SLC15A4-KO were treated with a culture medium containing 10μg m L^(–1)MDP,in comparison to a control without MDP.Our results show that SLC15A4-KO BRECs had reduced the expression of genes(IL-6,TNF-α,CXCL2,CXCL3,CXCL9,and CCL2)and proteins(p-p65 and p-p44/42)from the MDP-mediated inflammatory response compared to WT-BRECs(P<0.05).In this experiment,CRISPR-Cas9 was used to KO the di/tripeptide transporter SLC15A4,and its role was confirmed via the MDP-induced inflammatory response in BRECs.This work will provide a theoretical basis for studying the pro-inflammatory mechanism of MDP and its application in the prevention and treatment of subacute rumen acidosis in dairy cows.展开更多
Cadmium(Cd) intake is harmful to human health and Cd contamination in rice grains represents a severe threat to those consuming rice as a staple food. Knockout of Cd transporters is a promising strategy to reduce Cd a...Cadmium(Cd) intake is harmful to human health and Cd contamination in rice grains represents a severe threat to those consuming rice as a staple food. Knockout of Cd transporters is a promising strategy to reduce Cd accumulation in rice grains. OsNRAMP5 is the major transporter for Cd and manganese(Mn) uptake in rice. Nevertheless, it is uncertain whether knockout of OsNRAMP5 is applicable to produce low Cd rice without affecting plant growth and grain yield. In this study, we adopted CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing technology to knock out OsNRAMP5 in two japonica varieties. We generated three independent transgene-free osnramp5 mutants and investigated the effect of osnramp5 mutations on Cd accumulation and plant growth. Hydroponic experiments showed that plant growth and chlorophyll content were significantly reduced in osnramp5 mutants at low Mn conditions, and this defective growth in the mutants could be fully rescued by supply of high levels of Mn. Cd and Mn accumulation in both roots and shoots was markedly reduced in the mutants compared to that in wild-type plants. In paddy field experiments, although Cd in flag leaves and grains was greatly reduced in osnramp5 mutants, some agronomic traits including plant height, seed setting rate, and grain number per panicle were affected in the mutants, which ultimately caused a mild reduction in grain yield. The reduced plant growth in the mutants can be attributed to a marked decrease in Mn accumulation. Our results reveal that the manipulation of OsNRAMP5 should be treated with caution: When assessing the applicability of osnramp5 mutants, soil pH and soil water content in paddy fields need to be taken into consideration, since they might affect the levels of available Mn in the soil and consequently determine the effect of the mutation on grain yield.展开更多
To explore how rice(Oryza sativa L.) can be safely produced in Cd-polluted soil, OsLCT1 and OsNramp5 mutant lines were generated by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis. One of OsLCT1 mutant(lct1×1) and two of OsNram...To explore how rice(Oryza sativa L.) can be safely produced in Cd-polluted soil, OsLCT1 and OsNramp5 mutant lines were generated by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis. One of OsLCT1 mutant(lct1×1) and two of OsNramp5 mutants(nramp5×7 and nramp5×9) were evaluated for grain Cd accumulation and agronomic performances. In paddy field soil containing approximately 0.9 mg/kg Cd, lct1×1 grains contained approximately 40%(0.17 mg/kg) of the Cd concentration of the wild type parental line, less than the China National Food Safety Standard(0.20 mg/kg). Both OsNramp5 mutants showed low grain Cd accumulation(< 0.06 mg/kg) in the paddy(approximately 0.9 mg/kg Cd) or in pots in soil spiked with 2 mg/kg Cd. However, only nramp5×7 showed normal growth and yield, whereas the growth of nramp5×9 was severely impaired. The study showed that lct1×1 could be used to produce rice grains safe for human consumption in lightly contaminated paddy soils and nramp5×7 used in soils contaminated by much higher levels of Cd.展开更多
Weeds and weedy rice plague commercial rice fields in many countries. Developingherbicide-tolerance rice is the most efficient strategy to control weed proliferation. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, which generates...Weeds and weedy rice plague commercial rice fields in many countries. Developingherbicide-tolerance rice is the most efficient strategy to control weed proliferation. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, which generates small InDels and nucleotide substitutions atand around target sites using error-prone non-homologous end joining DNA repairing, hasbeen widely adopted for generation of novel crop germplasm with a wide range of geneticvariation in important agronomic traits. We created a novel herbicide-tolerance allele inrice by targeting the acetolactate synthase (OsALS) gene using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated geneediting. The novel allele (G628W) arose from a G-to-T transversion at position 1882 of OsALSand conferred a high level of herbicide tolerance. Transgene-free progeny carryinghomozygous G628W allele were identified and showed agronomic performance similar tothat of wild-type plants, suggesting that the G628W allele is a valuable resource fordeveloping elite rice varieties with strong herbicide tolerance. To promote use of the G628Wallele and to accelerate introgression and/or pyramiding of the G628W allele with other elitealleles, we developed a DNA marker for the G628W allele that accurately and robustlydistinguished homozygous from heterozygous segregants. Our result further demonstratesthe feasibility of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing in creating novel genetic variation forcrop breeding.展开更多
Rice is a staple food for more than half of the human population.It has been estimated that by 2030,rice production must increase by 40%to meet the growing demand(Khush,2005).In addition,with the improvement of people...Rice is a staple food for more than half of the human population.It has been estimated that by 2030,rice production must increase by 40%to meet the growing demand(Khush,2005).In addition,with the improvement of people's living standards,the demand for elite rice with better eating and cooking quality(ECQ)is increasing.ECQ is determined by several factors,including amylose content(AC),gel consistency(GC),gelatinization temperature(GT)and viscosity,where AC is the predominant factor(Juliano,1998).展开更多
Downy mildew of grapevine(Vitis vinifera L.),caused by the oomycete pathogen Plasmopara viticola,is one of the most serious concerns for grape production worldwide.It has been widely reported that the pathogenesis-rel...Downy mildew of grapevine(Vitis vinifera L.),caused by the oomycete pathogen Plasmopara viticola,is one of the most serious concerns for grape production worldwide.It has been widely reported that the pathogenesis-related 4(PR4)protein plays important roles in plant resistance to diseases.However,little is known about the role of PR4 in the defense of grapevine against P.viticola.In this study,we engineered loss-of-function mutations in the VvPR4b gene from the cultivar“Thompson Seedless”using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and evaluated the consequences for downy mildew resistance.Sequencing results showed that deletions were the main type of mutation introduced and that no off-target events occurred.Infection assays using leaf discs showed that,compared to wild-type plants,the VvPR4b knockout lines had increased susceptibility to P.viticola.This was accompanied by reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species around stomata.Measurement of the relative genomic abundance of P.viticola in VvPR4b knockout lines also demonstrated that the mutants had increased susceptibility to the pathogen.Our results confirm that VvPR4b plays an active role in the defense of grapevine against downy mildew.展开更多
Unbalanced brain serotonin(5-HT) levels have implications in various behavioral abnormalities and neuropsychiatric disorders. The biosynthesis of neuronal 5-HT is regulated by the rate-limiting enzyme, tryptophan hydr...Unbalanced brain serotonin(5-HT) levels have implications in various behavioral abnormalities and neuropsychiatric disorders. The biosynthesis of neuronal 5-HT is regulated by the rate-limiting enzyme, tryptophan hydroxylase-2(TPH2). In the present study, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated(Cas) system was used to target the Tph2 gene in Bama mini pig fetal fibroblasts. It was found that CRISPR/Cas9 targeting efficiency could be as high as 61.5%, and the biallelic mutation efficiency reached at38.5%. The biallelic modified colonies were used as donors for somatic cell nuclear transfer(SCNT) and 10 Tph2 targeted piglets were successfully generated. These Tph2 KO piglets were viable and appeared normal at the birth.However, their central 5-HT levels were dramatically reduced, and their survival and growth rates were impaired before weaning. These Tph2 KO pigs are valuable large-animal models for studies of 5-HT deficiency induced behavior abnomality.展开更多
The CRISPR/Cas9 mediates efficient gene editing but has off-target effects inconducive to animal breeding. In this study, the efficacy of CRISPR/Cas9 vectors containing different lengths of g RNA in reduction of the o...The CRISPR/Cas9 mediates efficient gene editing but has off-target effects inconducive to animal breeding. In this study, the efficacy of CRISPR/Cas9 vectors containing different lengths of g RNA in reduction of the off-target phenomenon in the bovine MSTN gene knockout fibroblast cell lines was assessed, providing insight into improved methods for livestock breeding. A 20-bp g RNA was designed for the second exon of the bovine MSTN gene, and CRISPR/Cas9-B was constructed to guide the Cas9 protein to the AGAACCAGGAGAAGATGGACTGG site. The alternative CRISPR/Cas9-19, CRISPR/Cas9-18, CRISPR/Cas9-17 and CRISPR/Cas9-15 vectors were constructed using g RNAs truncated by 1, 2, 3 and 5 bp, respectively. These vectors were then introduced into bovine fetal fibroblasts by the electroporation method, and single cells were obtained by flow cytometry sorting. PCR was performed for each off-target site. All samples were sequenced and analyzed, and finally the efficiency of each vector in target and off-target sites was compared. The CRISPR/Cas9-B vector successfully knocked out the MSTN gene, but the off-target phenomenon was observed. The efficiencies of CRISPR/Cas-B, CRISPR/Cas9-19, CRISPR/Cas9-18, CRISPR/Cas9-17 and CRISPR/Cas9-15 in triggering gene mutations at MSTN targeting sites were 62.16, 17.39, 7.69, 74.29 and 3.85%, respectively;rates of each at the Off-MSTN-1 locus were 52.86, 0, 0, 8.82 and 0%, respectively;all were 0% at the Off-MSTN-2 locus;rates at the Off-MSTN-3 site were 44.87, 51.72, 86.36, 0 and 50%, respectively. The efficiency of the CRISPR/Cas9-17 plasmid in the MSTN site was higher than that in the CRISPR/Cas9-B plasmid, and the effect at the three off-target sites was significantly lower. This study demonstrated that the CRISPR/Cas9-17 plasmid constructed by truncating 3 bp g RNA can effectively reduce the off-target effect without reducing the efficiency of bovine MSTN gene targeting. This finding will provide more effective gene editing strategy for use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology.展开更多
Background: Tetracycline(Tet)-regulated expression system has become a widely applied tool to control gene activity. This study aimed to improve the Tet-on system with superior regulatory characteristics.Results: By c...Background: Tetracycline(Tet)-regulated expression system has become a widely applied tool to control gene activity. This study aimed to improve the Tet-on system with superior regulatory characteristics.Results: By comprehensively comparing factors of transactivators, Tet-responsive elements(TREs), orientations of induced expression cassette, and promoters controlling the transactivator, we developed an optimal Tet-on system with enhanced inducible efficiency and lower leakiness. With the system, we successfully performed effective inducible and reversible expression of micro RNA, and presented a more precise and easily reproducible fine-tuning for confirming the target of a mi RNA. Finally, the system was applied in CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of nuclear factor of activated T cells-5(NFAT5), a protective transcription factor in cellular osmoregulation.Conclusions: This study established an improved Tet-on system for powerful and stringent gene regulation in functional genetic studies.展开更多
Venation is a common anthocyanin pattern displayed in flowers that confers important ornamental traits to plants.An anthocyanin-related R2R3-MYB transcription factor,DPL,has been proposed to regulate corolla tube vena...Venation is a common anthocyanin pattern displayed in flowers that confers important ornamental traits to plants.An anthocyanin-related R2R3-MYB transcription factor,DPL,has been proposed to regulate corolla tube venation in petunia plants.Here,however,we provide evidence redefining the role of DPL in petunia.A CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutation of DPL resulted in the absence of the vein-associated anthocyanin pattern above the abaxial surface of the flower bud,but not corolla tube venation,thus indicating that DPL did not regulate the formation of corolla tube venation.Alternately,quantitative real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that the spatiotemporal expression pattern of another R2R3-MYB gene,AN4,coincided with the formation of corolla tube venation in petunia.Furthermore,overexpression of AN4 promoted anthocyanin accumulation by increasing the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes.CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutation of AN4 led to an absence of corolla tube venation,suggesting that this gene in fact determines this key plant trait.Taken together,the results presented here redefine the prime regulator of corolla tube venation,paving the way for further studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying the various venation patterns in petunia.展开更多
The mutant efficiency and hatching ratio are two key factors that significantly affect the construction of genome-modified mutant insects.In the construction of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated dsLmRNase2^(–/–)mutant locusts,we...The mutant efficiency and hatching ratio are two key factors that significantly affect the construction of genome-modified mutant insects.In the construction of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated dsLmRNase2^(–/–)mutant locusts,we found that the tanned eggs which experienced a 20-min contact with the oocyst exhibited a higher success rate compared to fresh newly-laid eggs that were less tanned.However,the heritable efficiency of the dsLmRNase2 deletion to the next generation G_(1 )progeny was similar between adults derived from the tanned or less tanned engineered eggs.Further,the similar effective mutant ratios in the normally developed eggs and G_(0) adults of tanned and less tanned eggs also indicated that tanning did not reduce the absolute mutation efficiency induced by CRISPR/Cas9.Moreover,we found that the syncytial division period,which was longer than the time for tanning,conferred a window period for microinjection treatment with efficient mutation in both tanned and less tanned eggs.We further found that tanned eggs exhibited a higher hatching rate due to a reduced infection rate following microinjection.Both the anti-pressure and ultrastructure analyses indicated that the tanned eggs contained compressed eggshells to withstand increased external pressure.In summary,tanned eggs possess stronger defense responses and higher efficiency of genome editing,providing an improved model for developing Cas9-mediated gene editing procedures in locusts.展开更多
Abscisic acid(ABA)is a critical regulator of seed development and germination.β-glucosidases(BGs)have been suggested to be contributors to increased ABA content because they catalyze the hydrolysis of ABA-glucose est...Abscisic acid(ABA)is a critical regulator of seed development and germination.β-glucosidases(BGs)have been suggested to be contributors to increased ABA content because they catalyze the hydrolysis of ABA-glucose ester to release free ABA.However,whether BGs are involved in seed development is unclear.In this study,a candidate gene,CiBG1,in watermelon was selected for targeted mutagenesis via the CRISPR/Cas9 system.Seed size and weight were significantly reduced in the Clbg1-mutant watermelon lines,which was mainly attributed to decreased cell number resulting from decreased ABA levels.A transcriptome analysis showed that the expression of 1015 and 1429 unique genes was changed 10 and 18 days after pollination(DAP),respectively.Cytoskeleton-and cell cycle-related genes were enriched in the differentially expressed genes of wild type and Clbg1-mutant lines during seed development.Moreover,the expression of genes in the major signaling pathways of seed size control was also changed.In addition,seed germination was promoted in the Cibg1-mutant lines due to decreased ABA content.These results indicate that ClBG1 may be critical for watermelon seed size regulation and germination mainly through the modulation of ABA content and thereby the transcriptional regulation of cytoskeleton-,cell cycle-and signaling-related genes.Our results lay a foundation for dissecting the molecular mechanisms of controlling watermelon seed size,a key agricultural trait of significant economic importance.展开更多
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing can inhibit virus infection by targeting the conserved regions of the viral genomic DNA. Unexpectedly, we found previously that pseudorabies virus(PRV) could escape from CRISPR/Cas9...CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing can inhibit virus infection by targeting the conserved regions of the viral genomic DNA. Unexpectedly, we found previously that pseudorabies virus(PRV) could escape from CRISPR/Cas9-mediated inhibition.In order to elucidate whether the escape of PRV from Cas9-mediated inhibition was due to cell deficiencies, such as genetic instability of sgRNA or Cas9 protein, the positive cells were passaged ten times, and PRV infection in the sgRNA-expressing cells was evaluated in the present study. The results showed that subculturing cells has no effect on Cas9-mediated cleavage of PRV. Different passages of PX459-PRV cells can stably express sgRNA to facilitate Cas9/sgRNA cleavage on the UL30 gene of PRV, resulting in a pronounced inhibition of PRV infection. Studies to elucidate the mechanism of PRV escape are currently in progress.展开更多
Flowering time is an important agronomic trait for soybean yield and adaptation. However, the genetic basis of soybean adaptation to diverse latitudes is still not clear. Four NIGHT LIGHT-INDUCIBLE AND CLOCK-REGULATED...Flowering time is an important agronomic trait for soybean yield and adaptation. However, the genetic basis of soybean adaptation to diverse latitudes is still not clear. Four NIGHT LIGHT-INDUCIBLE AND CLOCK-REGULATED 2(LNK2) homeologs of Arabidopsis thaliana LNK2 were identified in soybean. Three single-guide RNAs were designed for editing the four LNK2 genes. A transgene-free homozygous quadruple mutant of the LNK2 genes was developed using the CRISPR(clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9(CRISPR-associated protein 9). Under long-day(LD) conditions, the quadruple mutant flowered significantly earlier than the wild-type(WT). Quantitative real-time PCR(q RT-PCR)revealed that transcript levels of LNK2 were significantly lower in the quadruple mutant than in the WT under LD conditions. LNK2 promoted the expression of the legume-specific E1 gene and repressed the expression of FT2 a. Genetic markers were developed to identify LNK2 mutants for soybean breeding.These results indicate that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenesis of four LNK2 genes shortens flowering time in soybean. Our findings identify novel components in flowering-time control in soybean and may be beneficial for further soybean breeding in high-latitude environments.展开更多
CRISPR/Cas9 technology is a powerful genome manipulation tool in insects.However,little is known about whether mRNA and protein of a target gene are completely cleared in homozygous mutants.This study generated homozy...CRISPR/Cas9 technology is a powerful genome manipulation tool in insects.However,little is known about whether mRNA and protein of a target gene are completely cleared in homozygous mutants.This study generated homozygous mutants of the insulin receptor gene 2(NlInR2)in the brown planthopper(Nilaparvata lugens)using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing.Both frameshift mutants,E5_D17 and E6_I7,differentiated towards long wings,but there were differences in wing morphology,with E5_D17 showing wing deformities.Subsequent investigations revealed the presence of residual expression of NlInR2 mRNA in both mutants,as well as the occurrence of spliceosomes featuring exon skipping splicing in E5_D17.Additionally,the E5_D17 exhibited the detection of N-terminally truncated NlInR2 protein.RNA interference experiments indicated that the knockdown of NlInR2 expression in the E5_D17 mutant line increased the proportion of wing deformities from 11.1 to 65.6%,suggesting that the residual NlInR2 mRNA of the E5_D17 mutant might have retained some genetic functions.Our results imply that systematic characterization of residual protein expression or function in CRISPR/Cas9-generated mutant lines is necessary for phenotypic interpretation.展开更多
基金This work was carried out with the support of“Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development(Project No.PJ01652201)”Rural Development Administration,Republic of Korea.
文摘Genome editing approaches,particularly the CRISPR/Cas9 technology,are becoming state-of-the-art for trait development in numerous breeding programs.Significant advances in improving plant traits are enabled by this influential tool,especially for disease resistance,compared to traditional breeding.One of the potyviruses,the turnip mosaic virus(TuMV),is the most widespread and damaging virus that infects Brassica spp.worldwide.We generated the targeted mutation at the eIF(iso)4E gene in the TuMV-susceptible cultivar“Seoul”using CRISPR/Cas9 to develop TuMV-resistant Chinese cabbage.We detected several heritable indel mutations in the edited T0 plants and developed T1 through generational progression.It was indicated in the sequence analysis of the eIF(iso)4E-edited T1 plants that the mutations were transferred to succeeding generations.These edited T1 plants conferred resistance to TuMV.It was shown with ELISA analysis the lack of accumulation of viral particles.Furthermore,we found a strong negative correlation(r=-0.938)between TuMV resistance and the genome editing frequency of eIF(iso)4E.Consequently,it was revealed in this study that CRISPR/Cas9 technique can expedite the breeding process to improve traits in Chinese cabbage plants.
基金Thisworkwas funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grants 31960433 and 31860562)Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province(grant 20171ACB20001).
文摘Dear Editor,Reduction in plant height has been associated with yield increases and yield stability in a number of important crop species,such as wheat and rice[1].In these plants,dwarfing is mainly attributed to the inability to synthesize or respond to certain phytohormones,predominantly gibberellin(GA)[2].Ideal Plant Architecture 1(IPA1),an miR156 target gene,encodes SPL14 and it is able to bind directly to the promoters of multiple GA biosynthetic,signal,and deactivating genes in rice[3].Moreover,IPA1 loss-of-function mutants exhibit dwarf phenotypes[4].
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,China[Grant No.32072274 and 31871848].
文摘NAC transcriptional regulators are crucial for tomato ripening.Virus-induced gene silencing(VIGS)of SNAC9(SlNAC19,Gene ID:101248665)affects tomato ripening,and SNAC9 is involved in ethylene and abscisic acid(ABA)metabolic pathways.However,the function of SNAC9 in pigment metabolism in tomatoes remains unclear.This work seeks to discover the mechanism of SNAC9 involvement in pigment metabolism during tomato ripening by establishing a SNAC9 knockout model using CRISPR/Cas9 technology.The results indicated that fruit ripening was delayed in knockout(KO)mutants,and SNAC9 mutation significantly affected carotenoid metabolism.The chlorophyll(Chl)degradation rate,total carotenoid content,and lycopene content decreased significantly in the mutants.The transformation rate of chloroplasts to chromoplasts in mutants was slower,which was related to the carotenoid content.Furthermore,SNAC9 changed the expression of critical genes(PSY1,PDS,CRTISO,Z-ISO,SGR1,DXS2,LCYE,LCYB,and CrtR-b2)involved in pigment metabolism in tomato ripening.SNAC9 knockout also altered the expression levels of critical genes involved in the biosynthesis of ethylene and ABA.Accordingly,SNAC9 regulated carotenoid metabolism by directly regulating PSY1,DXS2,SGR1,and CrtR-b2.This research provides a foundation for developing the tomato ripening network and precise tomato ripening regulation.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31972589)the earmarked fund for China Agriculture Research System(CARS-36)the Postgraduate Research&Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province,China(KYCX21-3283)。
文摘The objective of this study was to determine the role of SLC15A4 in the muramyl dipeptide(MDP)-mediated inflammatory response of bovine rumen epithelial cells(BRECs).First,changes in the m RNA expression of proinflammatory factor genes in BRECs following 10μg m L^(–1)MDP treatments were examined.RT-q PCR results showed that the expression of pro-inflammatory factor(IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α)m RNAs were significantly increased under MDP stimulation(P<0.001).Moreover,SLC15A4-Knockout(SLC15A4-KO)cells were obtained through lentivirus packaging,transfection,screening,and cell monoclonal culture.In order to gain further insight into the potential function of SLC15A4,we utilized transcriptome data,which revealed a change in the genes between WT-BRECs and SLC15A4-KO.Five down-regulated pro-inflammatory genes and 13 down-regulated chemokine genes related to the inflammatory response were identified.Meanwhile,the down-regulated genes were mostly enriched in the nuclear factorκB(NF-κB)and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathways.The results of RT-q PCR also verified these detected changes.To further determine the mechanism of how WT and SLC15A4-KO BRECs are involved in inflammatory responses,we investigated the inflammatory responses of cells exposed to MDP.WT-BRECs and SLC15A4-KO were treated with a culture medium containing 10μg m L^(–1)MDP,in comparison to a control without MDP.Our results show that SLC15A4-KO BRECs had reduced the expression of genes(IL-6,TNF-α,CXCL2,CXCL3,CXCL9,and CCL2)and proteins(p-p65 and p-p44/42)from the MDP-mediated inflammatory response compared to WT-BRECs(P<0.05).In this experiment,CRISPR-Cas9 was used to KO the di/tripeptide transporter SLC15A4,and its role was confirmed via the MDP-induced inflammatory response in BRECs.This work will provide a theoretical basis for studying the pro-inflammatory mechanism of MDP and its application in the prevention and treatment of subacute rumen acidosis in dairy cows.
基金supported by the Key Technologies R&D Program of China during the 12th Five-year Plan period (2015BAD05B04)the Jiangsu Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, China (BK20150027)+1 种基金the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDPB0404)the Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
文摘Cadmium(Cd) intake is harmful to human health and Cd contamination in rice grains represents a severe threat to those consuming rice as a staple food. Knockout of Cd transporters is a promising strategy to reduce Cd accumulation in rice grains. OsNRAMP5 is the major transporter for Cd and manganese(Mn) uptake in rice. Nevertheless, it is uncertain whether knockout of OsNRAMP5 is applicable to produce low Cd rice without affecting plant growth and grain yield. In this study, we adopted CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing technology to knock out OsNRAMP5 in two japonica varieties. We generated three independent transgene-free osnramp5 mutants and investigated the effect of osnramp5 mutations on Cd accumulation and plant growth. Hydroponic experiments showed that plant growth and chlorophyll content were significantly reduced in osnramp5 mutants at low Mn conditions, and this defective growth in the mutants could be fully rescued by supply of high levels of Mn. Cd and Mn accumulation in both roots and shoots was markedly reduced in the mutants compared to that in wild-type plants. In paddy field experiments, although Cd in flag leaves and grains was greatly reduced in osnramp5 mutants, some agronomic traits including plant height, seed setting rate, and grain number per panicle were affected in the mutants, which ultimately caused a mild reduction in grain yield. The reduced plant growth in the mutants can be attributed to a marked decrease in Mn accumulation. Our results reveal that the manipulation of OsNRAMP5 should be treated with caution: When assessing the applicability of osnramp5 mutants, soil pH and soil water content in paddy fields need to be taken into consideration, since they might affect the levels of available Mn in the soil and consequently determine the effect of the mutation on grain yield.
基金supported by the Zhejiang Provincial S & T Project on Breeding of Agricultural (Food) Crops (Grant No. 2016C02050-2)
文摘To explore how rice(Oryza sativa L.) can be safely produced in Cd-polluted soil, OsLCT1 and OsNramp5 mutant lines were generated by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis. One of OsLCT1 mutant(lct1×1) and two of OsNramp5 mutants(nramp5×7 and nramp5×9) were evaluated for grain Cd accumulation and agronomic performances. In paddy field soil containing approximately 0.9 mg/kg Cd, lct1×1 grains contained approximately 40%(0.17 mg/kg) of the Cd concentration of the wild type parental line, less than the China National Food Safety Standard(0.20 mg/kg). Both OsNramp5 mutants showed low grain Cd accumulation(< 0.06 mg/kg) in the paddy(approximately 0.9 mg/kg Cd) or in pots in soil spiked with 2 mg/kg Cd. However, only nramp5×7 showed normal growth and yield, whereas the growth of nramp5×9 was severely impaired. The study showed that lct1×1 could be used to produce rice grains safe for human consumption in lightly contaminated paddy soils and nramp5×7 used in soils contaminated by much higher levels of Cd.
基金This study was supported by the National Transgenic Science and Technology Program(2018ZX08001-02B)the Jiangsu Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Fund(CX(19)3059)the Jiangsu Province Key Research and Development Program(Modern Agriculture,BE2017345-2).
文摘Weeds and weedy rice plague commercial rice fields in many countries. Developingherbicide-tolerance rice is the most efficient strategy to control weed proliferation. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, which generates small InDels and nucleotide substitutions atand around target sites using error-prone non-homologous end joining DNA repairing, hasbeen widely adopted for generation of novel crop germplasm with a wide range of geneticvariation in important agronomic traits. We created a novel herbicide-tolerance allele inrice by targeting the acetolactate synthase (OsALS) gene using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated geneediting. The novel allele (G628W) arose from a G-to-T transversion at position 1882 of OsALSand conferred a high level of herbicide tolerance. Transgene-free progeny carryinghomozygous G628W allele were identified and showed agronomic performance similar tothat of wild-type plants, suggesting that the G628W allele is a valuable resource fordeveloping elite rice varieties with strong herbicide tolerance. To promote use of the G628Wallele and to accelerate introgression and/or pyramiding of the G628W allele with other elitealleles, we developed a DNA marker for the G628W allele that accurately and robustlydistinguished homozygous from heterozygous segregants. Our result further demonstratesthe feasibility of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing in creating novel genetic variation forcrop breeding.
文摘Rice is a staple food for more than half of the human population.It has been estimated that by 2030,rice production must increase by 40%to meet the growing demand(Khush,2005).In addition,with the improvement of people's living standards,the demand for elite rice with better eating and cooking quality(ECQ)is increasing.ECQ is determined by several factors,including amylose content(AC),gel consistency(GC),gelatinization temperature(GT)and viscosity,where AC is the predominant factor(Juliano,1998).
基金supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China(2018YFD1000300)Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China(grant no.2018JQ3012)+1 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant no.31672115,31601716)Shaanxi Province Key Research and Development Program(2018ZDXMNY053-1).
文摘Downy mildew of grapevine(Vitis vinifera L.),caused by the oomycete pathogen Plasmopara viticola,is one of the most serious concerns for grape production worldwide.It has been widely reported that the pathogenesis-related 4(PR4)protein plays important roles in plant resistance to diseases.However,little is known about the role of PR4 in the defense of grapevine against P.viticola.In this study,we engineered loss-of-function mutations in the VvPR4b gene from the cultivar“Thompson Seedless”using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and evaluated the consequences for downy mildew resistance.Sequencing results showed that deletions were the main type of mutation introduced and that no off-target events occurred.Infection assays using leaf discs showed that,compared to wild-type plants,the VvPR4b knockout lines had increased susceptibility to P.viticola.This was accompanied by reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species around stomata.Measurement of the relative genomic abundance of P.viticola in VvPR4b knockout lines also demonstrated that the mutants had increased susceptibility to the pathogen.Our results confirm that VvPR4b plays an active role in the defense of grapevine against downy mildew.
基金supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81570402)a grant from the Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Xenotransplantation (BM2012116)+3 种基金grants from the Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhenthe Fund for High Level Medical Discipline Construction of Shenzhen (No.2016031638)the Shenzhen Foundation of Science and Technology (No.JCYJ20160229204849975 and GCZX2015043017281705)grant from the National Basic Research Program of China (2015CB559200)
文摘Unbalanced brain serotonin(5-HT) levels have implications in various behavioral abnormalities and neuropsychiatric disorders. The biosynthesis of neuronal 5-HT is regulated by the rate-limiting enzyme, tryptophan hydroxylase-2(TPH2). In the present study, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated(Cas) system was used to target the Tph2 gene in Bama mini pig fetal fibroblasts. It was found that CRISPR/Cas9 targeting efficiency could be as high as 61.5%, and the biallelic mutation efficiency reached at38.5%. The biallelic modified colonies were used as donors for somatic cell nuclear transfer(SCNT) and 10 Tph2 targeted piglets were successfully generated. These Tph2 KO piglets were viable and appeared normal at the birth.However, their central 5-HT levels were dramatically reduced, and their survival and growth rates were impaired before weaning. These Tph2 KO pigs are valuable large-animal models for studies of 5-HT deficiency induced behavior abnomality.
基金supported by the National Transgenic Project of China (2016ZX08010001-002 and 2016ZX08010005-001)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81471001)the Inner Mongolia Science and Technology Program, China (201502073)
文摘The CRISPR/Cas9 mediates efficient gene editing but has off-target effects inconducive to animal breeding. In this study, the efficacy of CRISPR/Cas9 vectors containing different lengths of g RNA in reduction of the off-target phenomenon in the bovine MSTN gene knockout fibroblast cell lines was assessed, providing insight into improved methods for livestock breeding. A 20-bp g RNA was designed for the second exon of the bovine MSTN gene, and CRISPR/Cas9-B was constructed to guide the Cas9 protein to the AGAACCAGGAGAAGATGGACTGG site. The alternative CRISPR/Cas9-19, CRISPR/Cas9-18, CRISPR/Cas9-17 and CRISPR/Cas9-15 vectors were constructed using g RNAs truncated by 1, 2, 3 and 5 bp, respectively. These vectors were then introduced into bovine fetal fibroblasts by the electroporation method, and single cells were obtained by flow cytometry sorting. PCR was performed for each off-target site. All samples were sequenced and analyzed, and finally the efficiency of each vector in target and off-target sites was compared. The CRISPR/Cas9-B vector successfully knocked out the MSTN gene, but the off-target phenomenon was observed. The efficiencies of CRISPR/Cas-B, CRISPR/Cas9-19, CRISPR/Cas9-18, CRISPR/Cas9-17 and CRISPR/Cas9-15 in triggering gene mutations at MSTN targeting sites were 62.16, 17.39, 7.69, 74.29 and 3.85%, respectively;rates of each at the Off-MSTN-1 locus were 52.86, 0, 0, 8.82 and 0%, respectively;all were 0% at the Off-MSTN-2 locus;rates at the Off-MSTN-3 site were 44.87, 51.72, 86.36, 0 and 50%, respectively. The efficiency of the CRISPR/Cas9-17 plasmid in the MSTN site was higher than that in the CRISPR/Cas9-B plasmid, and the effect at the three off-target sites was significantly lower. This study demonstrated that the CRISPR/Cas9-17 plasmid constructed by truncating 3 bp g RNA can effectively reduce the off-target effect without reducing the efficiency of bovine MSTN gene targeting. This finding will provide more effective gene editing strategy for use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology.
基金partly supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(31571199,81570046,91739109,81870045,and 81700054)the Shenzhen Municipal Basic Research Program JCYJ20150729104027220 and JCYJ20170818144127727Interdisciplinary Innovation Team Project of Shenzhen University
文摘Background: Tetracycline(Tet)-regulated expression system has become a widely applied tool to control gene activity. This study aimed to improve the Tet-on system with superior regulatory characteristics.Results: By comprehensively comparing factors of transactivators, Tet-responsive elements(TREs), orientations of induced expression cassette, and promoters controlling the transactivator, we developed an optimal Tet-on system with enhanced inducible efficiency and lower leakiness. With the system, we successfully performed effective inducible and reversible expression of micro RNA, and presented a more precise and easily reproducible fine-tuning for confirming the target of a mi RNA. Finally, the system was applied in CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of nuclear factor of activated T cells-5(NFAT5), a protective transcription factor in cellular osmoregulation.Conclusions: This study established an improved Tet-on system for powerful and stringent gene regulation in functional genetic studies.
基金the National Natural Science of China(31272199)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(XDJK2020D038).
文摘Venation is a common anthocyanin pattern displayed in flowers that confers important ornamental traits to plants.An anthocyanin-related R2R3-MYB transcription factor,DPL,has been proposed to regulate corolla tube venation in petunia plants.Here,however,we provide evidence redefining the role of DPL in petunia.A CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutation of DPL resulted in the absence of the vein-associated anthocyanin pattern above the abaxial surface of the flower bud,but not corolla tube venation,thus indicating that DPL did not regulate the formation of corolla tube venation.Alternately,quantitative real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that the spatiotemporal expression pattern of another R2R3-MYB gene,AN4,coincided with the formation of corolla tube venation in petunia.Furthermore,overexpression of AN4 promoted anthocyanin accumulation by increasing the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes.CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutation of AN4 led to an absence of corolla tube venation,suggesting that this gene in fact determines this key plant trait.Taken together,the results presented here redefine the prime regulator of corolla tube venation,paving the way for further studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying the various venation patterns in petunia.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32070502,31730074,32072419 and 31501905).
文摘The mutant efficiency and hatching ratio are two key factors that significantly affect the construction of genome-modified mutant insects.In the construction of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated dsLmRNase2^(–/–)mutant locusts,we found that the tanned eggs which experienced a 20-min contact with the oocyst exhibited a higher success rate compared to fresh newly-laid eggs that were less tanned.However,the heritable efficiency of the dsLmRNase2 deletion to the next generation G_(1 )progeny was similar between adults derived from the tanned or less tanned engineered eggs.Further,the similar effective mutant ratios in the normally developed eggs and G_(0) adults of tanned and less tanned eggs also indicated that tanning did not reduce the absolute mutation efficiency induced by CRISPR/Cas9.Moreover,we found that the syncytial division period,which was longer than the time for tanning,conferred a window period for microinjection treatment with efficient mutation in both tanned and less tanned eggs.We further found that tanned eggs exhibited a higher hatching rate due to a reduced infection rate following microinjection.Both the anti-pressure and ultrastructure analyses indicated that the tanned eggs contained compressed eggshells to withstand increased external pressure.In summary,tanned eggs possess stronger defense responses and higher efficiency of genome editing,providing an improved model for developing Cas9-mediated gene editing procedures in locusts.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC Grant Nos.31701938,31930096,and 1902034)Collaborative Innovation Center of BAAFS(KJCX201907-2)+2 种基金Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China(Grant No.CARS-25)Beijing Scholar Program(Grant No.BSP026)Guanxi Bagui Scholar Program(Grant No.2016A11).
文摘Abscisic acid(ABA)is a critical regulator of seed development and germination.β-glucosidases(BGs)have been suggested to be contributors to increased ABA content because they catalyze the hydrolysis of ABA-glucose ester to release free ABA.However,whether BGs are involved in seed development is unclear.In this study,a candidate gene,CiBG1,in watermelon was selected for targeted mutagenesis via the CRISPR/Cas9 system.Seed size and weight were significantly reduced in the Clbg1-mutant watermelon lines,which was mainly attributed to decreased cell number resulting from decreased ABA levels.A transcriptome analysis showed that the expression of 1015 and 1429 unique genes was changed 10 and 18 days after pollination(DAP),respectively.Cytoskeleton-and cell cycle-related genes were enriched in the differentially expressed genes of wild type and Clbg1-mutant lines during seed development.Moreover,the expression of genes in the major signaling pathways of seed size control was also changed.In addition,seed germination was promoted in the Cibg1-mutant lines due to decreased ABA content.These results indicate that ClBG1 may be critical for watermelon seed size regulation and germination mainly through the modulation of ABA content and thereby the transcriptional regulation of cytoskeleton-,cell cycle-and signaling-related genes.Our results lay a foundation for dissecting the molecular mechanisms of controlling watermelon seed size,a key agricultural trait of significant economic importance.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2017YFD0500103)the Beijing Natural Science Foundation(No.5152023)+4 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31772747 and31272385)the Jilin Province Science and Technology Development Projects(20150204077NY)the Graduate Innovation Fund of Jilin Universitythe Program for Chang jiang Scholarsthe University Innovative Research Team(No.IRT1248)
文摘CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing can inhibit virus infection by targeting the conserved regions of the viral genomic DNA. Unexpectedly, we found previously that pseudorabies virus(PRV) could escape from CRISPR/Cas9-mediated inhibition.In order to elucidate whether the escape of PRV from Cas9-mediated inhibition was due to cell deficiencies, such as genetic instability of sgRNA or Cas9 protein, the positive cells were passaged ten times, and PRV infection in the sgRNA-expressing cells was evaluated in the present study. The results showed that subculturing cells has no effect on Cas9-mediated cleavage of PRV. Different passages of PX459-PRV cells can stably express sgRNA to facilitate Cas9/sgRNA cleavage on the UL30 gene of PRV, resulting in a pronounced inhibition of PRV infection. Studies to elucidate the mechanism of PRV escape are currently in progress.
基金supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China(2017YFD0101305)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31930083,31901568,31801384,31725021,and 31771815)。
文摘Flowering time is an important agronomic trait for soybean yield and adaptation. However, the genetic basis of soybean adaptation to diverse latitudes is still not clear. Four NIGHT LIGHT-INDUCIBLE AND CLOCK-REGULATED 2(LNK2) homeologs of Arabidopsis thaliana LNK2 were identified in soybean. Three single-guide RNAs were designed for editing the four LNK2 genes. A transgene-free homozygous quadruple mutant of the LNK2 genes was developed using the CRISPR(clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9(CRISPR-associated protein 9). Under long-day(LD) conditions, the quadruple mutant flowered significantly earlier than the wild-type(WT). Quantitative real-time PCR(q RT-PCR)revealed that transcript levels of LNK2 were significantly lower in the quadruple mutant than in the WT under LD conditions. LNK2 promoted the expression of the legume-specific E1 gene and repressed the expression of FT2 a. Genetic markers were developed to identify LNK2 mutants for soybean breeding.These results indicate that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenesis of four LNK2 genes shortens flowering time in soybean. Our findings identify novel components in flowering-time control in soybean and may be beneficial for further soybean breeding in high-latitude environments.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31730073).
文摘CRISPR/Cas9 technology is a powerful genome manipulation tool in insects.However,little is known about whether mRNA and protein of a target gene are completely cleared in homozygous mutants.This study generated homozygous mutants of the insulin receptor gene 2(NlInR2)in the brown planthopper(Nilaparvata lugens)using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing.Both frameshift mutants,E5_D17 and E6_I7,differentiated towards long wings,but there were differences in wing morphology,with E5_D17 showing wing deformities.Subsequent investigations revealed the presence of residual expression of NlInR2 mRNA in both mutants,as well as the occurrence of spliceosomes featuring exon skipping splicing in E5_D17.Additionally,the E5_D17 exhibited the detection of N-terminally truncated NlInR2 protein.RNA interference experiments indicated that the knockdown of NlInR2 expression in the E5_D17 mutant line increased the proportion of wing deformities from 11.1 to 65.6%,suggesting that the residual NlInR2 mRNA of the E5_D17 mutant might have retained some genetic functions.Our results imply that systematic characterization of residual protein expression or function in CRISPR/Cas9-generated mutant lines is necessary for phenotypic interpretation.