Dual base editor catalyzes both cytosine and adenine base conversions in human cells

Nat Biotechnol. 2020 Jul;38(7):856-860. doi: 10.1038/s41587-020-0527-y. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Abstract

Although base editors are useful tools for precise genome editing, current base editors can only convert either adenines or cytosines. We developed a dual adenine and cytosine base editor (A&C-BEmax) by fusing both deaminases with a Cas9 nickase to achieve C-to-T and A-to-G conversions at the same target site. Compared to single base editors, A&C-BEmax's activity on adenines is slightly reduced, whereas activity on cytosines is higher and RNA off-target activity is substantially decreased.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenine*
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9 / genetics
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics*
  • Cytosine*
  • Deoxyribonuclease I / genetics
  • Gene Editing / methods*
  • Humans
  • RNA / genetics

Substances

  • RNA
  • Cytosine
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9
  • Deoxyribonuclease I
  • Adenine