Precise Genome Engineering in Rice Using Cas9-VirD2 System for HDR
January 29, 2020| |
Precise genome editing by systems like CRISPR-Cas9 needs high-efficiency homology-directed repair (HDR). Various techniques have been developed to improve HDR but with limited success. Thus, scientists from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia fused Cas9 endonuclease and the Agrobacterium VirD2 relaxase (Cas9-VirD2) to facilitate HDR. The results of their study are published in Nature.
The resulting protein exhibits the functions of Cas9, which causes targeted and specific DNA double-strand breaks, and the VirD2 relaxase, which brings the repair template close to the double strand breaks, to facilitate HDR. The Cas9-VirD2 system was tested and worked well for precise ACETOLACTATE SYNTHASE (OsALS) allele modification to generate herbicide resistant rice plants, CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE-7 (OsCCD7) to engineer plant architecture, and generate in-frame fusions with the HA epitope at HISTONE DEACETYLASE (OsHDT) locus.
Based on the results, the Cas9-VirD2 system can be used to improve the vital characteristics of crops. It also opens new possibilities for precision genome engineering of eukaryotic species.
Read more from Nature.
| |
You might also like:
- Pocket K No. 37: Biotech Rice
- Rice Plants Engineered for Better Photosynthesis Make More Rice
- Pocket K No. 54: Plant Breeding Innovation: CRISPR-Cas9
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- Youth and Educators Pledge to Support Biotech Application in Uganda
- US Ag Secretary Perdue Urges EU to Make Science-based Decisions
- Study Reveals Experts' and Public's Attitude Towards Gene-edited Crops
- Researchers Discover Vaccine to Strengthen Plant Immune System
- International Consortium Sequences Genome of White Lupin
- Genetically Edited Plants Will Complement Vertical Farms, Says Aberystwyth Professor
-
Research Highlights
- Computational Model Shows Effects of Crop Rotation Against Plant Pests
- Wild Tomato Shows Better Resistance to Bacterial Canker Than Cultivated Varieties
-
Plant
- GLP Releases Global Gene Editing Regulation Tracker and Index
- Precise Genome Engineering in Rice Using Cas9-VirD2 System for HDR
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (December 4, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (November 27, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet