CRISPR/Cas9 System for Efficient Genome Editing and Targeting in the Mouse NIH/3T3 Cells.

BACKGROUND

The Clustered, Regularly Interspaced, Short Palindromic Repeats (CRIS-PR) and CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system has been used as a powerful tool for genome engineering. In this study, the application of this system is reported for targeting genes to produce mutant mouse NIH/3T3 cell line. The 1 and 2 genes are essential for generation of mature B and T lymphocytes. Disruption of genes causes disease like Severe Combined Immunodeficiency syndrome (SCID). Here, the efficiency and specificity of CRISPR system were tested with highly active sgRNAs to generate novel mutations in the NIH/3T3 mouse cell line.

METHODS

Four single guide RNAs were designed to target sequences in the coding region of the 1 and 2 genes. Four sgRNA-CAS9 plasmids were tested to target and .

RESULTS

Based on T7 endonuclease assay and sequencing analysis, the expression of sgRNAs targeting two sites in 1 resulted in deletion of the intervening DNA fragment. The expression of sgRNAs with Cas9 targeting two sites in 2 gene resulted in indel mutations at both sites. In this report, fragment deletion in 1 gene was detected in about 50% of transfected cells.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, CRISPR/Cas9 system can be highly efficient and specific when gRNAs are designed rationally and provides a powerful approach for genetic engineering of cells and model animals.