Allele-specific genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9 causes off-target mutations in diploid yeast

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur R. Gorter de Vries ◽  
Lucas G. F. Couwenberg ◽  
Marcel van den Broek ◽  
Pilar de la Torre Cortés ◽  
Jolanda ter Horst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Loss Of Heterozygosity ◽  
Genetic Modification ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
Yeast Genome ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Homology Directed Repair ◽  
Eukaryotic Gene ◽  
Allele Specific

ABSTRACTTargeted DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) with CRISPR-Cas9 have revolutionized genetic modification by enabling efficient genome editing in a broad range of eukaryotic systems. Accurate gene editing is possible with near-perfect efficiency in haploid or (predominantly) homozygous genomes. However, genomes exhibiting polyploidy and/or high degrees of heterozygosity are less amenable to genetic modification. Here, we report an up to 99-fold lower gene editing efficiency when editing individual heterozygous loci in the yeast genome. Moreover, Cas9-mediated introduction of a DSB resulted in large scale loss of heterozygosity affecting DNA regions up to 360 kb that resulted in introduction of nearly 1700 off-target mutations, due to replacement of sequences on the targeted chromosome by corresponding sequences from its non-targeted homolog. The observed patterns of loss of heterozygosity were consistent with homology directed repair. The extent and frequency of loss of heterozygosity represent a novel mutagenic side-effect of Cas9-mediated genome editing, which would have to be taken into account in eukaryotic gene editing. In addition to contributing to the limited genetic amenability of heterozygous yeasts, Cas9-mediated loss of heterozygosity could be particularly deleterious for human gene therapy, as loss of heterozygous functional copies of anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic genes is a known path to cancer.

scholarly journals In vivo genome editing in mouse restores dystrophin expression in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patient muscle fibers

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Menglong Chen ◽  
Hui Shi ◽  
Shixue Gou ◽  
Xiaomin Wang ◽  
Lei Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Genome Editing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Muscle Fibers ◽  
Muscle Cells

Abstract Background Mutations in the DMD gene encoding dystrophin—a critical structural element in muscle cells—cause Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which is the most common fatal genetic disease. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-mediated gene editing is a promising strategy for permanently curing DMD. Methods In this study, we developed a novel strategy for reframing DMD mutations via CRISPR-mediated large-scale excision of exons 46–54. We compared this approach with other DMD rescue strategies by using DMD patient-derived primary muscle-derived stem cells (DMD-MDSCs). Furthermore, a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) DMD mouse model was established by transplanting DMD-MDSCs into immunodeficient mice. CRISPR gene editing components were intramuscularly delivered into the mouse model by adeno-associated virus vectors. Results Results demonstrated that the large-scale excision of mutant DMD exons showed high efficiency in restoring dystrophin protein expression. We also confirmed that CRISPR from Prevotella and Francisella 1(Cas12a)-mediated genome editing could correct DMD mutation with the same efficiency as CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9). In addition, more than 10% human DMD muscle fibers expressed dystrophin in the PDX DMD mouse model after treated by the large-scale excision strategies. The restored dystrophin in vivo was functional as demonstrated by the expression of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex member β-dystroglycan. Conclusions We demonstrated that the clinically relevant CRISPR/Cas9 could restore dystrophin in human muscle cells in vivo in the PDX DMD mouse model. This study demonstrated an approach for the application of gene therapy to other genetic diseases.

scholarly journals Allele-specific genome editing using CRISPR–Cas9 is associated with loss of heterozygosity in diploid yeast

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 1362-1372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur R Gorter de Vries ◽  
Lucas G F Couwenberg ◽  
Marcel van den Broek ◽  
Pilar de la Torre Cortés ◽  
Jolanda ter Horst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Loss Of Heterozygosity ◽  
Allele Specific

scholarly journals Genome-scale CRISPR screens are efficient in non-homologous end-joining deficient cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joana Ferreira da Silva ◽  
Sejla Salic ◽  
Marc Wiedner ◽  
Paul Datlinger ◽  
Patrick Essletzbichler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Genetic Ablation ◽  
Alternative End Joining ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining ◽  
Genome Scale

Abstract The mutagenic repair of Cas9 generated breaks is thought to predominantly rely on non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), leading to insertions and deletions within DNA that culminate in gene knock-out (KO). In this study, by taking focused as well as genome-wide approaches, we show that this pathway is dispensable for the repair of such lesions. Genetic ablation of NHEJ is fully compensated for by alternative end joining (alt-EJ), in a POLQ-dependent manner, resulting in a distinct repair signature with larger deletions that may be exploited for large-scale genome editing. Moreover, we show that cells deficient for both NHEJ and alt-EJ were still able to repair CRISPR-mediated DNA double-strand breaks, highlighting how little is yet known about the mechanisms of CRISPR-based genome editing.

scholarly journals Loss of heterozygosity of essential genes represents a widespread class of potential cancer vulnerabilities

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin A. Nichols ◽  
William J. Gibson ◽  
Meredith S. Brown ◽  
Jack A. Kosmicki ◽  
John P. Busanovich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Loss Of Heterozygosity ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
Essential Genes ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Driver Genes ◽  
Normal Cells ◽  
Allele Specific ◽  
Potential Cancer

AbstractAlterations in non-driver genes represent an emerging class of potential therapeutic targets in cancer. Hundreds to thousands of non-driver genes undergo loss of heterozygosity (LOH) events per tumor, generating discrete differences between tumor and normal cells. Here we interrogate LOH of polymorphisms in essential genes as a novel class of therapeutic targets. We hypothesized that monoallelic inactivation of the allele retained in tumors can selectively kill cancer cells but not somatic cells, which retain both alleles. We identified 5664 variants in 1278 essential genes that undergo LOH in cancer and evaluated the potential for each to be targeted using allele-specific gene-editing, RNAi, or small-molecule approaches. We further show that allele-specific inactivation of either of two essential genes (PRIM1 and EXOSC8) reduces growth of cells harboring that allele, while cells harboring the non-targeted allele remain intact. We conclude that LOH of essential genes represents a rich class of non-driver cancer vulnerabilities.

scholarly journals Heterochromatin delays CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis but does not influence repair outcome

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eirini M Kallimasioti-Pazi ◽  
Keerthi Thelakkad Chathoth ◽  
Gillian C Taylor ◽  
Alison Meynert ◽  
Tracy Ballinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Imprinted Genes ◽  
Induced Mutations ◽  
Permeable Barrier ◽  
Homology Directed Repair ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
Experimental Parameters ◽  
Allele Specific ◽  
And Function ◽  
Mutagenic Dna Repair

AbstractCRISPR-Cas9 genome editing occurs in the context of chromatin, which is heterogeneous in structure and function across the genome. Chromatin heterogeneity is thought to affect genome editing efficiency, but this has been challenging to quantify due to the presence of confounding variables. Here, we develop a method that exploits the allele-specific chromatin status of imprinted genes in order to address this problem. Because maternal and paternal alleles of imprinted genes have identical DNA sequence and are situated in the same nucleus, allele-specific differences in the frequency and spectrum of Cas9-induced mutations can be attributed unequivocally to epigenetic mechanisms. We found that heterochromatin can impede mutagenesis, but to a degree that depends on other key experimental parameters. Mutagenesis was impeded by up to 7-fold when Cas9 exposure was brief and when intracellular Cas9 expression was low. Surprisingly, the outcome of mutagenic DNA repair was independent of chromatin state, with similar efficiencies of homology directed repair and deletion spectra on maternal and paternal chromosomes. Combined, our data show that heterochromatin imposes a permeable barrier that influences the kinetics, but not the endpoint of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, and suggest that therapeutic applications involving low-level Cas9 exposure will be particularly affected by chromatin status.

scholarly journals Precision genome editing in the CRISPR era

2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayme Salsman ◽  
Graham Dellaire
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Genome Editing ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Genetic Changes ◽  
New Era ◽  
Homology Directed Repair ◽  
Repair Template ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining

With the introduction of precision genome editing using CRISPR–Cas9 technology, we have entered a new era of genetic engineering and gene therapy. With RNA-guided endonucleases, such as Cas9, it is possible to engineer DNA double strand breaks (DSB) at specific genomic loci. DSB repair by the error-prone non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway can disrupt a target gene by generating insertions and deletions. Alternatively, Cas9-mediated DSBs can be repaired by homology-directed repair (HDR) using an homologous DNA repair template, thus allowing precise gene editing by incorporating genetic changes into the repair template. HDR can introduce gene sequences for protein epitope tags, delete genes, make point mutations, or alter enhancer and promoter activities. In anticipation of adapting this technology for gene therapy in human somatic cells, much focus has been placed on increasing the fidelity of CRISPR–Cas9 and increasing HDR efficiency to improve precision genome editing. In this review, we will discuss applications of CRISPR technology for gene inactivation and genome editing with a focus on approaches to enhancing CRISPR–Cas9-mediated HDR for the generation of cell and animal models, and conclude with a discussion of recent advances and challenges towards the application of this technology for gene therapy in humans.

scholarly journals Optimized Cas9 expression improves performance of large-scale CRISPR screening

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joao M. Fernandes Neto ◽  
Katarzyna Jastrzebski ◽  
Cor Lieftink ◽  
Lenno Krenning ◽  
Matheus Dias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
Functional Genomic ◽  
Editing Efficiency ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Genomic Screening ◽  
Invaluable Tool ◽  
Improved Performance

CRISPR technology is an invaluable tool for large-scale functional genomic screening. Genome editing efficiency and timing are important parameters impacting the performance of pooled CRISPR screens. Here we show that by optimizing Cas9 expression levels, the time necessary for gene editing can be reduced contributing to improved performance of CRISPR based screening.

scholarly journals Enabling large-scale genome editing by reducing DNA nicking

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cory J. Smith ◽  
Oscar Castanon ◽  
Khaled Said ◽  
Verena Volf ◽  
Parastoo Khoshakhlagh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Genome Engineering ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Base Editing ◽  
Single Strand Breaks ◽  
Dna Nicking ◽  
Mammalian Genomes ◽  
Induced Pluripotent

AbstractTo extend the frontier of genome editing and enable the radical redesign of mammalian genomes, we developed a set of dead-Cas9 base editor (dBE) variants that allow editing at tens of thousands of loci per cell by overcoming the cell death associated with DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and single-strand breaks (SSBs). We used a set of gRNAs targeting repetitive elements – ranging in target copy number from about 31 to 124,000 per cell. dBEs enabled survival after large-scale base editing, allowing targeted mutations at up to ~13,200 and ~2610 loci in 293T and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), respectively, three orders of magnitude greater than previously recorded. These dBEs can overcome current on-target mutation and toxicity barriers that prevent cell survival after large-scale genome engineering.One Sentence SummaryBase editing with reduced DNA nicking allows for the simultaneous editing of >10,000 loci in human cells.

scholarly journals CRISPR-Cas9: A Genome Editing Tool in Crop Plants: A Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varsha Kumari ◽  
Priyanka Kumawat ◽  
Sharanabasappa Yeri ◽  
Shyam Singh Rajput
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Homology Directed Repair ◽  
Ligase Iv ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Target Dna ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining ◽  
Dna Strand

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) system is a rapid technology for gene editing. CRISPR-Cas9 is an RNA guided gene editing tool where Cas9 acts as endonuclease by cutting the target DNA strand. Double Stranded Breaks (DBS) can be repaired by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homology-directed repair (HDR). The NHEJ employs DNA ligase IV to rejoin the broken ends which cause insertion or deletion mutations, whereas HDR repairs the DSBs based on a homologous complementary template and results in perfect repair of broken ends. CRISPR-Cas9 impart diverse advantageous features in contrast with the conventional methods. In this review article, we have discussed CRISPR-Cas9 based genome editing along with its mechanism of action and role in crop improvement.

scholarly journals Homology Directed Repair by Cas9:Donor Co-localization in Mammalian Cells

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J.R. Roche ◽  
Heidi Gytz ◽  
Faiz Hussain ◽  
Christopher J.F. Cameron ◽  
Denis Paquette ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Hek293 Cells ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Homology Directed Repair ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining

AbstractHomology directed repair (HDR) induced by site specific DNA double strand breaks (DSB) with CRISPR/Cas9 is a precision gene editing approach that occurs at low frequency in comparison to indel forming non homologous end joining (NHEJ). In order to obtain high HDR percentages in mammalian cells, we engineered Cas9 protein fused to a high-affinity monoavidin domain to deliver biotinylated donor DNA to a DSB site. In addition, we used the cationic polymer, polyethylenimine, to deliver Cas9 RNP-donor DNA complex into the cell. Combining these strategies improved HDR percentages of up to 90% in three tested loci (CXCR4, EMX1, and TLR) in standard HEK293 cells. Our approach offers a cost effective, simple and broadly applicable gene editing method, thereby expanding the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing toolbox.SummaryPrecision gene editing occurs at a low percentage in mammalian cells using Cas9. Colocalization of donor with Cas9MAV and PEI delivery raises HDR occurrence.

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