Researchers Develop Guide RNA Design for CRISPR Applications in Cereals

Experts from Huazhong Agricultural University in China reported a guide RNA design tool for CRISPR applications in cereals such as wheat, maize, and rice. The details are published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal.

CRISPR-Cas genome editing system is revolutionizing agriculture. To optimize the integration of regulome and genomic variation for cereals, the researchers presented a guide RNA design tool. In this strategy, a guide sequence that matches a particular genomic DNA is placed in front of a synthetic RNA that consists of a scaffold sequence necessary for Cas-binding to form a guide RNA. The guide RNA-Cas complex attaches to the target DNA that carries a protospacer adjacent motif through base-paring and generates a double-strand break by Cas protein. Mutations will be created when the double-strand break cannot be perfectly repaired. Of the Cas variants used with CRISPR, Cas9 and Cas12a showed the highest edit efficiency.

Read the abstract in the Plant Biotechnology Journal.