• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.687-691
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• 2016

Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) are powerful tools for targeted genome editing in diverse cell types and organisms. However, the highly identical TALE repeat sequences make it challenging to assemble TALEs using conventional cloning approaches, and multiple repeats in one plasmid are easily catalyzed for homologous recombination in bacteria. Although the methods for TALE assembly are constantly improving, these methods are not convenient because of laborious assembly steps or large module libraries, limiting their broad utility. To overcome the barrier of multiple assembly steps, we report a one-step system for the convenient and flexible assembly of a 180 TALE module library. This study is the first demonstration to ligate 9 mono-/dimer modules and one circular TALEN backbone vector in a one step process, generating 9.5 to 18.5 repeat sequences with an overall assembly rate higher than 50%. This system makes TALEN assembly much simpler than the conventional cloning of two DNA fragments because this strategy combines digestion and ligation into one step using circular vectors and different modules to avoid gel extraction. Therefore, this system provides a convenient tool for the application of TALEN-mediated genome editing in scientific studies and clinical trials.

• Mycobiology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.599-603
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• 2021

CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing systems have been established in a broad range of eukaryotic species. Herein, we report the first method for genetic engineering in pyogo (shiitake) mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) using CRISPR/Cas9. For in vivo expression of guide RNAs (gRNAs) targeting the mating-type gene HD1 (LeA1), we identified an endogenous LeU6 promoter in the L. edodes genome. We constructed a plasmid containing the LeU6 and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (LeGPD) promoters to express the Cas9 protein. Among the eight gRNAs we tested, three successfully disrupted the LeA1 locus. Although the CRISPR-Cas9-induced alleles did not affect mating with compatible monokaryotic strains, disruption of the transcription levels of the downstream genes of LeHD1 and LeHD2 was detected. Based on this result, we present the first report of a simple and powerful genetic manipulation tool using the CRISPR/Cas9 toolbox for the scientifically and industrially important edible mushroom, L. edodes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.194-194
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• 2022

Recently, food-induced allergies have emerged as major global concerns. In the past ten years, it has doubled in western nations, and it has also increased in Asia and Africa. In many cases of food allergy, peanut allergy is prevalent, typically permanent, and frequently life-threatening. Therefore, we utilized gene editing techniques on the three major allergen genes in peanuts, Ara h 1, Ara h 2, and Ara h 3. Using gibson assembly and golden gate assembly, we created two vectors, the gRNA-tRNA array CRISPR-Cas9 system and Prime-editing. Using LBA4404 strain and agrobacterium-mediated transformation, the vectors were transferred to two elite Korean peanut lines. After co-cultivation and tissue culture, we extracted the tissue cultured peanut DNA amplified the hygromycin resistance gene and Cas9 gene in the T-DNA region. The integration of the T-DNA region into the host genome was demonstrated by the presence of a specific band in some samples. There have only been a few reported peanut gene editing studies. So, this study will contribute to peanut allergy and gene editing research.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.200-200
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• 2022

Recently, food-induced allergies have emerged as major global concerns. In the past ten years, it has doubled in western nations, and it has also increased in Asia and Africa. In many cases of food allergy, peanut allergy is prevalent, typically permanent, and frequently life-threatening. Therefore, we utilized gene editing techniques on the three major allergen genes in peanuts, Ara h 1, Ara h 2, and Ara h 3. Using gibson assembly and golden gate assembly, we created two vectors, the gRNA-tRNA array CRISPR-Cas9 system and Prime-editing. Using LBA4404 strain and agrobacterium-mediated transformation, the vectors were transferred to two elite Korean peanut lines. After co-cultivation and tissue culture, we extracted the tissue cultured peanut DNA amplified the hygromycin resistance gene and Cas9 gene in the T-DNA region. The integration of the T-DNA region into the host genome was demonstrated by the presence of a specific band in some samples. There have only been a few reported peanut gene editing studies. So, this study will contribute to peanut allergy and gene editing research.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.791-803
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• 2022

Genome/gene-editing (GE) techniques, characterized by a low technological barrier, high efficiency, and broad application among organisms, are now being employed not only in medical science but also in agriculture/veterinary science. Different engineered CRISPR/Cas9s have been identified to expand the application of this technology. In pig production, GE is a precise new breeding technology (NBT), and promising outcomes in improving economic traits, such as growth, lean or healthy meat production, animal welfare, and disease resistance, have already been documented and reviewed. These promising achievements in porcine gene editing, including the Myostatin gene knockout (KO) in indigenous breeds to improve lean meat production, the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) gene knock-in to enhance piglet thermogenesis and survival under cold stress, the generation of GGTA1 and CMP-N-glycolylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH) gene double KO (dKO) pigs to produce healthy red meat, and the KO or deletion of exon 7 of the CD163 gene to confer resistance to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection, are described in the present article. Other related approaches for such purposes are also discussed. The current trend of global regulations or legislation for GE organisms is that they are exempted from classification as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) if no exogenes are integrated into the genome, according to product-based and not process-based methods. Moreover, an updated case study in the EU showed that current GMO legislation is not fit for purpose in term of NBTs, which contribute to the objectives of the EU's Green Deal and biodiversity strategies and even meet the United Nations' sustainable development goals for a more resilient and sustainable agri-food system. The GE pigs generated via NBT will be exempted from classification as GMOs, and their global valorization and commercialization can be foreseen.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.34-43
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• 2021

Targeted genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system is a ground-breaking technology that is being widely used to produce plants with useful traits. However, for woody plants, only a few successful attempts have been reported. These successes have used Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, which has been reported to be very efficient at producing genetically modified trees. Nonetheless, there are unresolved problems with plasmid sequences that remain in the plant genome. In this study, we demonstrated a DNA-free genome editing technique in which purified CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) are delivered directly to the protoplasts of a hybrid poplar (Populus alba × Populus glandulosa). We designed three single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) to target the stress-associated protein 1 gene (PagSAP1) in the hybrid poplar. Deep sequencing results showed that pre-assembled RNPs had a more efficient target mutagenesis insertion and deletion (indel) frequency than did non-assembled RNPs. Moreover, the RNP of sgRNA3 had a significantly higher editing efficacy than those of sgRNA1 and sgRNA2. Our results suggest that the CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein-mediated transfection approach is useful for the production of transgene-free genome-edited tree plants.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.60-65
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• 2024

The CRISPR-Cas9 system has significantly advanced regenerative medicine research by enabling genome editing in stem cells. Due to their desirable properties, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have recently emerged as highly promising therapeutic agents, which properties include differentiation ability and cytokine production. While CRISPR-Cas9 technology is applied to develop MSC-based therapeutics, MSCs exhibit inefficient genome editing, and susceptibility to plasmid DNA. In this study, we compared and optimized plasmid DNA and RNP approaches for efficient genome engineering in MSCs. The RNP-mediated approach enabled genome editing with high indel frequency and low cytotoxicity in MSCs. By utilizing Cas9 RNPs, we successfully generated B2M-knockout MSCs, which reduced T-cell differentiation, and improved MSC survival. Furthermore, this approach enhanced the immunomodulatory effect of IFN-r priming. These findings indicate that the RNP-mediated engineering of MSC genomes can achieve high efficiency, and engineered MSCs offer potential as a promising therapeutic strategy.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.6-6
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• 2019

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.114-117
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• 2022

Lindera angustifolia is mainly distributed in the temperate climate zone of China but shows an extraordinary distribution, disjunctively isolated on the western coastal islands of Korea. We therefore present the complete chloroplast genome of Korean L. angustifolia. The complete plastome was 152,836 bp in length, with an overall GC content of 39.2%. A large single copy (93,726 bp) and a small single copy (18,946 bp) of the genome were separated by a pair of inverted repeats (20,082 bp). The genome consists of 125 genes, including 81 protein-coding, eight ribosomal RNA, and 36 transfer RNA genes. While five RNA editing genes (psbL, rpl2, ndhB×2, and ndhD) were identified in L. angustifolia from China, the "ndhD" gene was not recognized as an RNA editing site in the corresponding Korean individual. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that Korean L. angustifolia is most closely related to the Chinese L. angustifolia with strong bootstrap support, forming a sister group of L. glauca.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2017

Implementation of crop improvement programs relies on genetic diversity. To overcome the limited occurrence of natural mutations, researchers and breeders applied diverse methods, ranging from conventional crossing to classical bio-technologies. Earlier generations of knockout and gain-of-function technologies often result in incomplete gene disruption or random insertions of transgenes into plant genomes. The newly developed editing tool, CRISPR/Cas9 system, not only provides a powerful platform to efficiently modify target traits, but also broadens the scope and prospects of genome editing. Customized Cas9/guide RNA (gRNA) systems suitable for efficient genomic modification of mammalian cells or plants have been reported. Following successful demonstration of this technology in mammalian cells, CRISPR/Cas9 was successfully adapted in plants, and accumulating evidence of its feasibility has been reported in model plants and major crops. Recently, a modified version of CRISPR/Cas9 with added novel functions has been developed that enables programmable direct irreversible conversion of a target DNA base. In this review, we summarized the milestone applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in plants with a focus on major crops. We also present the implications of an improved version of this technology in the current plant breeding programs.