Gene Editing Enhances Growth and Muscle Development in Grass Carp

Experts from Shanghai Ocean University, Guangzhou Jianbo Fish Fry Farm Co., Ltd, and Jilin Fisheries Research Institute used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to improve growth and muscle development in grass carp, one of the most important freshwater fish in aquaculture. The study highlights the potential of genome editing to accelerate genetic improvement in aquaculture by targeting the myostatin b (mstnb) gene.

The research team employed CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes to disrupt mstnb, a gene known to limit muscle growth in vertebrates. They were able to achieve 62-97.8% gene editing efficiency in F₀ mosaic individuals, with an overall population efficiency of 67.1%.  The team monitored the mstnb-knockout (KO) fish for seven months and compared them with the control siblings in terms of body measurements, muscle structure, and meat quality.

The study found that the gene-edited fish weighed 17.5% more and exhibited a 7.6% increase in body height and an 8.8% increase in body width compared with control fish. The gene-edited fish also showed significant improvement in muscle fibers and metabolic efficiency, with lower fat and glycogen buildup in the liver. Although there was a slight decrease in certain omega-3 fatty acids, the overall meat quality remained largely the same.

For more information, read the abstract from Aquaculture.