scholarly journals In vivo genome editing rescues photoreceptor degeneration via a Cas9/RecA-mediated homology-directed repair pathway

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. eaav3335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Cai ◽  
Tianlin Cheng ◽  
Yichuan Yao ◽  
Xiao Li ◽  
Yuqian Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Genetic Diseases ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Photoreceptor Degeneration ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Homology Directed Repair ◽  
Phenotypic Rescue ◽  
Rod And Cone Photoreceptors ◽  
Endonuclease Enzyme

Although Cas9-mediated genome editing has been widely used to engineer alleles in animal models of human inherited diseases, very few homology-directed repair (HDR)–based genetic editing systems have been established in postnatal mouse models for effective and lasting phenotypic rescue. Here, we developed an HDR-based Cas9/RecA system to precisely correct Pde6b mutation with increased HDR efficiency in postnatal rodless (rd1) mice, a retinitis pigmentosa (RP) mutant model characterized by photoreceptor degeneration and loss of vision. The Cas9/RecA system incorporated Cas9 endonuclease enzyme to generate double-strand breaks (DSBs) and bacterial recombinase A (RecA) to increase homologous recombination. Our data revealed that Cas9/RecA treatment significantly promoted the survival of both rod and cone photoreceptors, restored the expression of PDE6B in rod photoreceptors, and enhanced the visual functions of rd1 mice. Thus, this study provides a precise therapeutic strategy for RP and other genetic diseases.

scholarly journals Simultaneous precise editing of multiple genes in human cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (19) ◽  
pp. e116-e116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Riesenberg ◽  
Manjusha Chintalapati ◽  
Dominik Macak ◽  
Philipp Kanis ◽  
Tomislav Maricic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Nucleotide Substitutions ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Homology Directed Repair ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining

Abstract When double-strand breaks are introduced in a genome by CRISPR they are repaired either by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), which often results in insertions or deletions (indels), or by homology-directed repair (HDR), which allows precise nucleotide substitutions to be introduced if a donor oligonucleotide is provided. Because NHEJ is more efficient than HDR, the frequency with which precise genome editing can be achieved is so low that simultaneous editing of more than one gene has hitherto not been possible. Here, we introduced a mutation in the human PRKDC gene that eliminates the kinase activity of the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs). This results in an increase in HDR irrespective of cell type and CRISPR enzyme used, sometimes allowing 87% of chromosomes in a population of cells to be precisely edited. It also allows for precise editing of up to four genes simultaneously (8 chromosomes) in the same cell. Transient inhibition of DNA-PKcs by the kinase inhibitor M3814 is similarly able to enhance precise genome editing.

scholarly journals High-throughput in vitro specificity profiling of natural and high-fidelity CRISPR-Cas9 variants

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karthik Murugan ◽  
Arun S. Seetharam ◽  
Andrew J. Severin ◽  
Dipali G. Sashital
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Target Sequence ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Cleavage Assay ◽  
Target Sequences

AbstractCas9 is an RNA-guided endonuclease in the bacterial CRISPR-Cas immune system and a popular tool for genome editing. The most commonly used Cas9 variant, Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9), is relatively non-specific and prone to off-target genome editing. Other Cas9 orthologs and engineered variants of SpCas9 have been reported to be more specific than wild-type (WT) SpCas9. However, systematic comparisons of the cleavage activities of these Cas9 variants have not been reported. In this study, we employed our high-throughput in vitro cleavage assay to compare cleavage activities and specificities of two natural Cas9 variants (SpCas9 and Staphylococcus aureus Cas9) and three engineered SpCas9 variants (SpCas9 HF1, HypaCas9, and HiFi Cas9). We observed that all Cas9s tested were able to cleave target sequences with up to five mismatches. However, the rate of cleavage of both on-target and off-target sequences varied based on the target sequence and Cas9 variant. For targets with multiple mismatches, SaCas9 and engineered SpCas9 variants are more prone to nicking, while WT SpCas9 creates double-strand breaks (DSB). These differences in cleavage rates and DSB formation may account for the varied specificities observed in genome editing studies. Our analysis reveals mismatch position-dependent, off-target nicking activity of Cas9 variants which have been underreported in previous in vivo studies.

scholarly journals Focused Genetic Recombination of Bacteriophage T4 Initiated by Double-Strand Breaks

Genetics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 162 (2) ◽  
pp. 543-556
Author(s):  
Victor Shcherbakov ◽  
Igor Granovsky ◽  
Lidiya Plugina ◽  
Tamara Shcherbakova ◽  
Svetlana Sizova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Recombination ◽  
Bacteriophage T4 ◽  
Proximal Part ◽  
Coupling Model ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
The Right ◽  
Frequency Distance

Abstract A model system for studying double-strand-break (DSB)-induced genetic recombination in vivo based on the ets1 segCΔ strain of bacteriophage T4 was developed. The ets1, a 66-bp DNA fragment of phage T2L containing the cleavage site for the T4 SegC site-specific endonuclease, was inserted into the proximal part of the T4 rIIB gene. Under segC+ conditions, the ets1 behaves as a recombination hotspot. Crosses of the ets1 against rII markers located to the left and to the right of ets1 gave similar results, thus demonstrating the equal and symmetrical initiation of recombination by either part of the broken chromosome. Frequency/distance relationships were studied in a series of two- and three-factor crosses with other rIIB and rIIA mutants (all segC+) separated from ets1 by 12-2100 bp. The observed relationships were readily interpretable in terms of the modified splice/patch coupling model. The advantages of this localized or focused recombination over that distributed along the chromosome, as a model for studying the recombination-replication pathway in T4 in vivo, are discussed.

Involvement of Ku80 in microhomology-mediated end joining for DNA double-strand breaks in vivo

DNA Repair ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 639-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukitaka Katsura ◽  
Shigeru Sasaki ◽  
Masanori Sato ◽  
Kiyoshi Yamaoka ◽  
Kazumi Suzukawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Strand Breaks

scholarly journals Autophosphorylation of DNA-PKCS regulates its dynamics at DNA double-strand breaks

2007 ◽  
Vol 177 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoya Uematsu ◽  
Eric Weterings ◽  
Ken-ichi Yano ◽  
Keiko Morotomi-Yano ◽  
Burkhard Jakob ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kinase Activity ◽  
Laser System ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Dsb Repair ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Dna Ends

The DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKCS) plays an important role during the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). It is recruited to DNA ends in the early stages of the nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) process, which mediates DSB repair. To study DNA-PKCS recruitment in vivo, we used a laser system to introduce DSBs in a specified region of the cell nucleus. We show that DNA-PKCS accumulates at DSB sites in a Ku80-dependent manner, and that neither the kinase activity nor the phosphorylation status of DNA-PKCS influences its initial accumulation. However, impairment of both of these functions results in deficient DSB repair and the maintained presence of DNA-PKCS at unrepaired DSBs. The use of photobleaching techniques allowed us to determine that the kinase activity and phosphorylation status of DNA-PKCS influence the stability of its binding to DNA ends. We suggest a model in which DNA-PKCS phosphorylation/autophosphorylation facilitates NHEJ by destabilizing the interaction of DNA-PKCS with the DNA ends.

scholarly journals Genetic Separation of Sae2 Nuclease Activity from Mre11 Nuclease Functions in Budding Yeast

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sucheta Arora ◽  
Rajashree A. Deshpande ◽  
Martin Budd ◽  
Judy Campbell ◽  
America Revere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclease Activity ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Endonuclease Activity ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Dna Breaks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Dna Ends

ABSTRACT Sae2 promotes the repair of DNA double-strand breaks in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The role of Sae2 is linked to the Mre11/Rad50/Xrs2 (MRX) complex, which is important for the processing of DNA ends into single-stranded substrates for homologous recombination. Sae2 has intrinsic endonuclease activity, but the role of this activity has not been assessed independently from its functions in promoting Mre11 nuclease activity. Here we identify and characterize separation-of-function mutants that lack intrinsic nuclease activity or the ability to promote Mre11 endonucleolytic activity. We find that the ability of Sae2 to promote MRX nuclease functions is important for DNA damage survival, particularly in the absence of Dna2 nuclease activity. In contrast, Sae2 nuclease activity is essential for DNA repair when the Mre11 nuclease is compromised. Resection of DNA breaks is impaired when either Sae2 activity is blocked, suggesting roles for both Mre11 and Sae2 nuclease activities in promoting the processing of DNA ends in vivo. Finally, both activities of Sae2 are important for sporulation, indicating that the processing of meiotic breaks requires both Mre11 and Sae2 nuclease activities.

scholarly journals CRISPR-Cas12a (Cpf1): A Versatile Tool in the Plant Genome Editing Tool Box for Agricultural Advancement

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anindya Bandyopadhyay ◽  
Nagesh Kancharla ◽  
vivek javalkote ◽  
santanu dasgupta ◽  
Thomas Brutnell
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Genome Engineering ◽  
Temperature Stability ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Plant Genome ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Guide Rna ◽  
Versatile Tool ◽  
Type V ◽  
Global Population

Global population is predicted to approach 10 billion by 2050, an increase of over 2 billion from today. To meet the demands of growing, geographically and socio-economically diversified nations, we need to diversity and expand agricultural production. This expansion of agricultural productivity will need to occur under increasing biotic, and environmental constraints driven by climate change. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-site directed nucleases (CRISPR-SDN) and similar genome editing technologies will likely be key enablers to meet future agricultural needs. While the application of CRISPR-Cas9 mediated genome editing has led the way, the use of CRISPR-Cas12a is also increasing significantly for genome engineering of plants. The popularity of the CRISPR-Cas12a, the type V (class-II) system, is gaining momentum because of its versatility and simplified features. These include the use of a small guide RNA devoid of trans-activating crispr RNA (tracrRNA), targeting of T-rich regions of the genome where Cas9 is not suitable for use, RNA processing capability facilitating simpler multiplexing, and its ability to generate double strand breaks (DSB) with staggered ends. Many monocot and dicot species have been successfully edited using this Cas12a system and further research is ongoing to improve its efficiency in plants, including improving the temperature stability of the Cas12a enzyme, identifying new variants of Cas12a or synthetically producing Cas12a with flexible PAM sequences. In this review we provide a comparative survey of CRISPR-Cas12a and Cas9, and provide a perspective on applications of CRISPR-Cas12 in agriculture.

scholarly journals Poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase promotes formation and homology-directed repair of meiotic DNA double-strand breaks independent of its catalytic activity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Janisiw ◽  
Marilina Raices ◽  
Fabiola Balmir ◽  
Luis Paulin Paz ◽  
Antoine Baudrimont ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Catalytic Activity ◽  
Synaptonemal Complex ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Dna Breaks ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Homology Directed Repair ◽  
Damage Repair ◽  
Somatic Tissues

SummaryPoly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a reversible post-translational modification synthetized by ADP-ribose transferases and removed by poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG), which plays important roles in DNA damage repair. While well-studied in somatic tissues, much less is known about poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in the germline, where DNA double-strand breaks are introduced by a regulated program and repaired by crossover recombination to establish a tether between homologous chromosomes. The interaction between the parental chromosomes is facilitated by meiotic specific adaptation of the chromosome axes and cohesins, and reinforced by the synaptonemal complex. Here, we uncover an unexpected role for PARG in promoting the induction of meiotic DNA breaks and their homologous recombination-mediated repair in Caenorhabditis elegans. PARG-1/PARG interacts with both axial and central elements of the synaptonemal complex, REC-8/Rec8 and the MRN/X complex. PARG-1 shapes the recombination landscape and reinforces the tightly regulated control of crossover numbers without requiring its catalytic activity. We unravel roles in regulating meiosis, beyond its enzymatic activity in poly(ADP-ribose) catabolism.

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