Utilization of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for the efficient production of mutant mice using crRNA/tracrRNA with Cas9 nickase and FokI-dCas9

Exp Anim. 2016 Jul 29;65(3):275-83. doi: 10.1538/expanim.15-0116. Epub 2016 Mar 14.

Abstract

The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a powerful genome editing tool for the production of genetically modified animals. To produce mutant mice, chimeric single-guide RNA (sgRNA) is cloned in a plasmid vector and a mixture of sgRNA and Cas9 are microinjected into the fertilized eggs. An issue associated with gene manipulation using the CRISPR/Cas9 system is that there can be off-target effects. To simplify the production of mutant mice with low risks of off-target effects caused by the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we demonstrated that genetically modified mice can be efficiently obtained using chemically synthesized CRISPR RNA (crRNA), trans-activating crRNA (tracrRNA), and modified Cas9s, such as the nickase version and FokI-fused catalytically inactive Cas9, by microinjection into fertilized eggs. Using this method, it is no longer necessary to clone sgRNA into a plasmid vector, and this enables high-throughput production of mutant mice.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified / genetics*
  • CRISPR-Associated Proteins* / administration & dosage
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems*
  • Deoxyribonuclease I*
  • Gene Editing / methods*
  • Mice, Mutant Strains / genetics*
  • Microinjections
  • RNA / administration & dosage
  • RNA / genetics
  • Transcriptional Activation / genetics
  • Zygote

Substances

  • CRISPR-Associated Proteins
  • RNA
  • Deoxyribonuclease I