Simplified CRISPR tools for efficient genome editing and streamlined protocols for their delivery into mammalian cells and mouse zygotes

Methods. 2017 May 15:121-122:16-28. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2017.03.021. Epub 2017 Mar 27.

Abstract

Genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system requires the presence of guide RNAs bound to the Cas9 endonuclease as a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex in cells, which cleaves the host cell genome at sites specified by the guide RNAs. New genetic material may be introduced during repair of the double-stranded break via homology dependent repair (HDR) if suitable DNA templates are delivered with the CRISPR components. Early methods used plasmid or viral vectors to make these components in the host cell, however newer approaches using recombinant Cas9 protein with synthetic guide RNAs introduced directly as an RNP complex into cells shows faster onset of action with fewer off-target effects. This approach also enables use of chemically modified synthetic guide RNAs that have improved nuclease stability and reduces the risk of triggering an innate immune response in the host cell. This article provides detailed methods for genome editing using the RNP approach with synthetic guide RNAs using lipofection or electroporation in mammalian cells or using microinjection in murine zygotes, with or without addition of a single-stranded HDR template DNA.

Keywords: CRISPR; Cas9; Genome editing; Homology directed repair (HDR); Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex; crRNA-tracrRNA.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems*
  • Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Electroporation
  • Endonucleases / genetics*
  • Endonucleases / metabolism
  • Gene Editing / methods*
  • Gene Targeting / methods
  • Gene Transfer Techniques*
  • Genome
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Lipids / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Microinjections
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / chemical synthesis
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics*
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinational DNA Repair
  • Ribonucleoproteins / genetics*
  • Ribonucleoproteins / metabolism
  • Zygote / cytology
  • Zygote / metabolism

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Lipids
  • Lipofectamine
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • DNA
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9
  • Cas9 endonuclease Streptococcus pyogenes
  • Endonucleases