Identifying genome-wide off-target sites of CRISPR RNA-guided nucleases and deaminases with Digenome-seq

Nat Protoc. 2021 Feb;16(2):1170-1192. doi: 10.1038/s41596-020-00453-6. Epub 2021 Jan 18.

Abstract

Digested genome sequencing (Digenome-seq) is a highly sensitive, easy-to-carry-out, cell-free method for experimentally identifying genome-wide off-target sites of programmable nucleases and deaminases (also known as base editors). Genomic DNA is digested in vitro using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats ribonucleoproteins (RNPs; plus DNA-modifying enzymes to cleave both strands of DNA at sites containing deaminated base products, in the case of base editors) and subjected to whole-genome sequencing (WGS) with a typical sequencing depth of 30×. A web-based program is available to map in vitro cleavage sites corresponding to on- and off-target sites. Chromatin DNA, in parallel with histone-free genomic DNA, can also be used to account for the effects of chromatin structure on off-target nuclease activity. Digenome-seq is more sensitive and comprehensive than cell-based methods for identifying off-target sites. Unlike other cell-free methods, Digenome-seq does not involve enrichment of DNA ends through PCR amplification. The entire process other than WGS, which takes ~1-2 weeks, including purification and preparation of RNPs, digestion of genomic DNA and bioinformatic analysis after WGS, takes about several weeks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9 / metabolism
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Chromatin
  • Chromosome Mapping / methods
  • Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
  • DNA
  • Endonucleases / metabolism
  • Gene Editing / methods*
  • Genome, Human
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods*
  • Humans
  • Nucleotide Deaminases / genetics
  • Nucleotide Deaminases / metabolism
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Ribonucleases / genetics
  • Ribonucleases / metabolism
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods*
  • Whole Genome Sequencing / methods

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • DNA
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9
  • Endonucleases
  • Ribonucleases
  • Nucleotide Deaminases