Development of a mono-promoter-driven CRISPR/Cas9 system in mammalian cells

Sci Rep. 2015 Dec 16:5:18341. doi: 10.1038/srep18341.

Abstract

The CRISPR/Cas9 system has been used for spatio-temporal gene modification through the ubiquitous expression of gRNA by an RNA polymerase III promoter and the controlled expression of Cas9 using a tissue-specific or inducible promoter. However, unexpected gene disruptions indicate the necessity of a tissue-specific or inducible expression of not only Cas9 but also gRNA. In the present study, we attempted to develop a CRISPR/Cas9 system that could express functional gRNAs and Cas9 by a single RNA polymerase II promoter and induce multi-loci disruptions in specific cells. To this end, we designed vectors expressing ribozyme-flanked gRNAs (RGRs) and Cas9 mRNAs simultaneously. We showed that the mono-promoter-driven vector induces gene disruptions at the target loci in HEK 293 cells after transfection. In addition, two target loci were disrupted simultaneously by the transfection of a mono-promoter-driven vector expressing two RGRs and Cas9 mRNA. Finally, we constructed a universal vector for use in the construction of plasmids to be applied to the present mono-promoter-driven CRISPR/Cas9 system. We have thus provided a versatile tool for generating gene disruptions by the CRISPR/Cas9 system; this system should contribute to a wide range of investigations, including studies on spatio-temporal gene functions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CRISPR-Cas Systems*
  • Gene Expression*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic*
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism*
  • RNA Polymerase III / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA Polymerase II
  • RNA Polymerase III