A non-inheritable maternal Cas9-based multiple-gene editing system in mice

Sci Rep. 2016 Jan 28:6:20011. doi: 10.1038/srep20011.

Abstract

The CRISPR/Cas9 system is capable of editing multiple genes through one-step zygote injection. The preexisting method is largely based on the co-injection of Cas9 DNA (or mRNA) and guide RNAs (gRNAs); however, it is unclear how many genes can be simultaneously edited by this method, and a reliable means to generate transgenic (Tg) animals with multiple gene editing has yet to be developed. Here, we employed non-inheritable maternal Cas9 (maCas9) protein derived from Tg mice with systemic Cas9 overexpression (Cas9 mice). The maCas9 protein in zygotes derived from mating or in vitro fertilization of Tg/+ oocytes and +/+ sperm could successfully edit the target genome. The efficiency of such maCas9-based genome editing was comparable to that of zygote microinjection-based genome editing widely used at present. Furthermore, we demonstrated a novel approach to create "Cas9 transgene-free" gene-modified mice using non-Tg (+/+) zygotes carrying maCas9. The maCas9 protein in mouse zygotes edited nine target loci simultaneously after injection with nine different gRNAs alone. Cas9 mouse-derived zygotes have the potential to facilitate the creation of genetically modified animals carrying the Cas9 transgene, enabling repeatable genome engineering and the production of Cas9 transgene-free mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • CRISPR-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems*
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Galactosyltransferases / genetics
  • Gene Editing*
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Loci
  • Genome
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • INDEL Mutation
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutation
  • Oocytes / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Spermatozoa / metabolism
  • Transgenes
  • Zygote / metabolism

Substances

  • CRISPR-Associated Proteins
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Galactosyltransferases