The CRISPR/Cas9 system for plant genome editing and beyond

Luisa Bortesi; Rainer Fischer

doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2014.12.006

The CRISPR/Cas9 system for plant genome editing and beyond

Biotechnol Adv. 2015 Jan-Feb;33(1):41-52. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2014.12.006. Epub 2014 Dec 20.

Authors

Luisa Bortesi¹, Rainer Fischer²

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: luisa.bortesi@molbiotech.rwth-aachen.de.
² Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.

PMID: 25536441
DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2014.12.006

Abstract

Targeted genome editing using artificial nucleases has the potential to accelerate basic research as well as plant breeding by providing the means to modify genomes rapidly in a precise and predictable manner. Here we describe the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system, a recently developed tool for the introduction of site-specific double-stranded DNA breaks. We highlight the strengths and weaknesses of this technology compared with two well-established genome editing platforms: zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). We summarize recent results obtained in plants using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, discuss possible applications in plant breeding and consider potential future developments.

Keywords: CRISPR; Cas9; Gene targeting; Genome editing; Plants; Site-specific nuclease; Targeted mutagenesis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

CRISPR-Cas Systems*
DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded
Deoxyribonucleases / genetics
Deoxyribonucleases / metabolism
Gene Targeting
Genetic Engineering / methods*
Genome, Plant*
Plants / genetics
Plants, Genetically Modified*
Transcriptional Activation
Zinc Fingers

Substances

Deoxyribonucleases