CRISPR genomic editing to obtain more productive and nutritious plant varieties

A new study by IBMCP of the university UPV enables the use of the CRISPR genomic editing method on plants.

A team of researchers from the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Plant Biology (IBMCP), the mixed center of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) have taken another step to facilitate genomic preparation of plants . Their breakup will allow the use of CRISPR systems – a genetic cut and paste owned by Alicante’s father Francis Mojica – that opens the door to new, more productive and nutritious varieties that are more resistant to pests, pathogens and other environmental hazards such as drought or extreme temperatures. The work of IBMCP researchers has been published in The Plant Journal.

The new genome editing technologies derived from the CRISPR / Cas systems of bacteria and archaea make it possible to edit the genetic information of almost every organism, which represents a real revolution in the field of biotechnology. However, in the case of plants, CRISP / Cas gene mutation continues as a laborious process that requires time and extensive experimental use. Now, breaking the IBMCP researchers would make it easier and faster.

In plants, in order to express the reactions required for the desired editing of the genome – usually Cas nuclease and guiding RNAs (sgRNA) -, genetic mutation is required. previously present on plant cloth, usually with the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Another way to streamline this process is to use a line transformed by Cas nuclease, for example Cas9, and to express the sgRNAs with a viral vector. ”

José Antonio Darós, CSIC Scientific Researcher at the IBMCP

In the editing process, the Cas9 nuclease cuts the genomic DNA at the desired location guided by the sgRNAs. Thus, while Cas9 is a common element in all editing processes, sgRNAs vary according to the gen to be edited, which makes the process more difficult.

The solution revolves around the vectors derived from plant viruses that, due to their ability to reproduce and move, are able to express high levels of sgRNA in plant cigarettes in a very short time. . IBMCP researchers have developed a new viral vector derived from the X virus of the potato that allows the simultaneous expression of several sgRNAs in a simple and efficient manner.

“The results of our research have shown how several sgRNAs can express themselves with this viral vector without being separated by signals for their processing. Nevertheless, high levels of preparation are achieved in all species, ”says Mireia Uranga, one of the study’s co-authors. IBMCP researchers have also demonstrated how new plants can be generated from the seeds of plants infected with the vector with a perfectly prepared genome that is virus-free. “This kind of technological advancement will significantly speed up the inhibition of new varieties of plants with improved nutritional and agronomic properties,” concluded José Antonio Darós.