CRISPR/Cas-Based Epigenome Editing: Advances, Applications, and Clinical Utility

Jacob H Goell; Isaac B Hilton

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.10.012

CRISPR/Cas-Based Epigenome Editing: Advances, Applications, and Clinical Utility

Trends Biotechnol. 2021 Jul;39(7):678-691. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.10.012. Epub 2021 May 7.

Authors

Jacob H Goell¹, Isaac B Hilton²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
² Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA; Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: isaac.hilton@rice.edu.

PMID: 33972106
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.10.012

Abstract

The epigenome dynamically regulates gene expression and guides cellular differentiation throughout the lifespan of eukaryotic organisms. Recent advances in clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas-based epigenome editing technologies have enabled researchers to site-specifically program epigenetic modifications to endogenous DNA and histones and to manipulate the architecture of native chromatin. As a result, epigenome editing has helped to uncover the causal relationships between epigenetic marks and gene expression. As epigenome editing tools have continued to develop, researchers have applied them in new ways to explore the function of the epigenome in human health and disease. In this review, we discuss the recent technical improvements in CRISPR/Cas-based epigenome editing that have advanced clinical research and examine how these technologies could be improved for greater future utility.

Keywords: CRISPR/Cas9; bioengineering; chromatin; epigenetics; epigenome editing; gene expression.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

CRISPR-Cas Systems*
Epigenome / genetics
Epigenomics / trends
Gene Editing* / trends
Humans