Genome Editing in Filamentous Fungus Penicillium Verruculosum Using the CRISPR/Cas9 System
Abstract PurposeTo adapt CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing method for use in filamentous fungus Penicillium verruculosum, which is industrial producer of carbohydrases. ResultsFor the first time the CRISPR/Cas9 method was adapted for genome editing in the filamentous fungi Penicillium verrucullosum. Using the nitrate reductase gene (niaD) as a selective marker with the CRISPR/Cas9 system we performed double knockout of niaD and cellobiohydrolase 1 (cbh1) genes. The efficiency of double editing was 50%. At the same time, it was unexpected that the specific cellobiohydrolase activity rised after knockout of cbh1 gene due to the increase CBH2 expression. ConclusionWe developed effective method for genome editing in P. verruculosum, which can be used to improve qualities of industrial strains.