CRISPR/Cas editing of a CPC gene in Arabidopsis thaliana

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Identification of target genes responsible for visible phenotypic effect may contribute to the development of transgene-free bioengineering strategies and application of crop varieties with edited genome. CAPRICE (CPC) is a single-repeat R3 MYB transcription factor, involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis and trichome formation. It is assumed that CPC controls the expression of Dihydroflavonol-4-reductase (DFR), a key gene of anthocyanin biosynthesis.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine whether knockout of the CPC gene using CRISPR/Cas9 results in visible anthocyanin accumulation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three guide RNAs were designed to excise a MYB domain from the CPC gene of Arabidopsis thaliana. Anthocyanin content and expression of CPC and DFR genes were studied in edited plants.

RESULTS: The expected 662 bp deletion was detected in 2,7% of glufosinate-resistant plants, however none of the mutations were homozygous. Four edited lines were studied in four generations. An upregulation of the DFR gene was observed in edited lines, however CPC gene expression, anthocyanin content and trichome development were not significantly different from those in control plants. Moreover, in A. thaliana pigmentation did not directly depend on DFR or CPC gene expression.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CPC gene is involved in regulation of DFR gene expression and anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway, however in case of mutations plants might utilize other transcription factors to maintain homeostasis. Therefore, CPC gene is not a suitable target for CRISPR/Cas studies in Arabidopsis.

About the authors

Emil A. Khusnutdinov

Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: emil.khusnutdinov.18@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6626-3928

PhD student, junior researcher, Institute of biochemistry and genetics

Russian Federation, 71 Oktyabrya av., Ufa, 450054

Maria A. Panfilova

Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Ufa State Petroleum University

Email: masha.panfi@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0594-2630

PhD student, junior researcher

Russian Federation, 71 Oktyabrya av., Ufa, 450054; Ufa

Mikhail P. Terekhov

Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: morganm2007@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0006-4549-7470
Russian Federation, 71 Oktyabrya av., Ufa, 450054

Elena V. Mikhaylova

Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Ufa State Petroleum University

Author for correspondence.
Email: mikhele@list.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7374-8405
SPIN-code: 2961-1658
Scopus Author ID: 55822733800
ResearcherId: C-2551-2017

Cand. Sci. (Biol.), Senior Researcher

Russian Federation, 71 Oktyabrya av., Ufa, 450054; Ufa

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Supplementary files

Supplementary Files
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1. JATS XML
2. Fig. 1. Genetic construct, used in the study. A gRNA assembled into B2103 vector (а), CRISPR/Cas9 final vector construction via Golden Gate assembly (b)

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3. Fig. 2. Results of the editing of CPC gene. Location of gRNAs, MYB domain and CRISPR-induced deletion on the map of the CPC gene (a). Location of the mutation sites in CPC gene (b). PCR products of the CPC gene in control and first generation progeny of edited plants compared to Step100 long molecular weight marker (Biolabmix). Normal PCR product is 1036 bp, product with deletion is 374 bp (с)

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4. Fig. 3. Analysis of the edited plants. Progeny of edited plant No. 6 (a). Extracts from dried leaf tissue in descendants of plant No. 43 in pH 1.0 buffer while determining anthocyanin content (b). CPC gene expression level in the second generation compared to actin reference gene expression (c). DFR gene expression level in the second generation compared to actin reference gene expression (d). Correlation measurement between DFR expression level and anthocyanin content in descendants of plant No. 43 and control plants on a scatter diagram (e). Asterisk (*) indicates a significant difference from control plants. Means and standard deviation (p < 0.05) were compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA)

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5. Supplementary file 1
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6. Supplementary file 2
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