Scientists Use TALENs for Targeted Genome Editing of Potato

Osaka University and partners reported targeted genome editing in potato using transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). The results are published in Plant Biotechnology journal.

Genome editing using site-specific nucleases such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat–CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) and TALENs are highly useful in crop breeding. In the study, the researchers infected potato, with Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring TALEN-expression vector targeting sterol side chain reductase 2 (SSR2) gene and regenerated shoots without selection. This resulted to regenerated lines with disrupted-SSR2 gene and without transgene of the TALEN gene, indicating transient gene expression.

Based on the results, Agrobacterial mutagenesis has the potential to accelerate the use of genome-editing technology to modify heterozygous plant genomes.

Read the research article in Plant Biotechnology.