Prime editing for functional repair in patient-derived disease models

Nat Commun. 2020 Oct 23;11(1):5352. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-19136-7.

Abstract

Prime editing is a recent genome editing technology using fusion proteins of Cas9-nickase and reverse transcriptase, that holds promise to correct the vast majority of genetic defects. Here, we develop prime editing for primary adult stem cells grown in organoid culture models. First, we generate precise in-frame deletions in the gene encoding β-catenin (CTNNB1) that result in proliferation independent of Wnt-stimuli, mimicking a mechanism of the development of liver cancer. Moreover, prime editing functionally recovers disease-causing mutations in intestinal organoids from patients with DGAT1-deficiency and liver organoids from a patient with Wilson disease (ATP7B). Prime editing is as efficient in 3D grown organoids as in 2D grown cell lines and offers greater precision than Cas9-mediated homology directed repair (HDR). Base editing remains more reliable than prime editing but is restricted to a subgroup of pathogenic mutations. Whole-genome sequencing of four prime-edited clonal organoid lines reveals absence of genome-wide off-target effects underscoring therapeutic potential of this versatile and precise gene editing strategy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Copper-Transporting ATPases / genetics
  • Deoxyribonuclease I / metabolism
  • Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase / genetics
  • Gene Editing / methods*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / genetics
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Organoids / metabolism*
  • Recombinational DNA Repair
  • Stem Cells
  • Targeted Gene Repair / methods
  • beta Catenin / genetics*

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • beta Catenin
  • DGAT1 protein, human
  • Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase
  • Deoxyribonuclease I
  • ATP7B protein, human
  • Copper-Transporting ATPases