Delivery of Cas9/sgRNA RNP into wheat microspores using synthetic CPP for genome editing and gene expression modulation

Citation

Bilichak A., Luu J., Jiang F., Laurie J. (2020) Delivery of Cas9/sgRNA RNP into Wheat Microspores Using Synthetic CPP for Genome Editing and Gene Expression Modulation. In: Islam M.T., Bhowmik P.K., Molla K.A. (eds) CRISPR-Cas Methods. Springer Protocols Handbooks. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0616-2_12

Plain language summary

Genome editing using sequence-specific nucleases has, undoubtedly, become one of the most important breakthroughs in biotechnology in recent years, allowing for rapid and efficient generation of crop varieties with novel or improved traits. Despite wide applicability of the technology, a challenge in bringing edited crops to market is the lack of regulatory alignment between jurisdictions (e.g., EU). Additionally, technical difficulties in efficient delivery of genome editing components into plant cells poses a problem for adoption of the technology by many groups, since transgenic pipelines and facilities need to be in place. Even with recent advancements in cell culture and plant regeneration, much work is still needed for reducing the burden of plant transformation. To address this, alternative methods for delivery of the genome editing machinery have been explored that potentially offer non-transgenic means to genome editing. In this chapter, we describe a novel method for delivery of in vitro purified Cas9/sgRNA complexes into wheat microspores for generation of homozygous edited plants. We provide guidelines for purification of Cas9 protein from bacterial culture, in vitro transcription of sgRNA and delivery of the ribonuclear complex into the cells using cell penetrating peptides. Additionally, we demonstrate utility of the technology through non-transgenic modulation of gene activity using the chimeric activators dCas9-VP64. With further optimization, the method has the potential to accelerate the development of cereals with novel traits by speeding up the editing process and by producing germplasm that potentially avoids regulation.

Abstract

Genome editing using sequence-specific nucleases has, undoubtedly, become one of the most important breakthroughs in biotechnology in recent years, allowing for rapid and efficient generation of crop varieties with novel or improved traits. Despite wide applicability of the technology, a challenge in bringing edited crops to market is the lack of regulatory alignment between jurisdictions (e.g., EU). Additionally, technical difficulties in efficient delivery of genome editing components into plant cells poses a problem for adoption of the technology by many groups, since transgenic pipelines and facilities need to be in place. Even with recent advancements in cell culture and plant regeneration, much work is still needed for reducing the burden of plant transformation. To address this, alternative methods for delivery of the genome editing machinery have been explored that potentially offer non-transgenic means to genome editing. In this chapter, we describe a novel method for delivery of in vitro purified Cas9/sgRNA complexes into wheat microspores for generation of homozygous edited plants. We provide guidelines for purification of Cas9 protein from bacterial culture, in vitro transcription of sgRNA and delivery of the ribonuclear complex into the cells using cell penetrating peptides. Additionally, we demonstrate utility of the technology through non-transgenic modulation of gene activity using the chimeric activators dCas9-VP64. With further optimization, the method has the potential to accelerate the development of cereals with novel traits by speeding up the editing process and by producing germplasm that potentially avoids regulation.

Publication date

2020-07-01

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