Adenine base editing in mouse embryos and an adult mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Nat Biotechnol. 2018 Jul;36(6):536-539. doi: 10.1038/nbt.4148. Epub 2018 Apr 27.

Abstract

Adenine base editors (ABEs) composed of an engineered adenine deaminase and the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 nickase enable adenine-to-guanine (A-to-G) single-nucleotide substitutions in a guide RNA (gRNA)-dependent manner. Here we demonstrate application of this technology in mouse embryos and adult mice. We also show that long gRNAs enable adenine editing at positions one or two bases upstream of the window that is accessible with standard single guide RNAs (sgRNAs). We introduced the Himalayan point mutation in the Tyr gene by microinjecting ABE mRNA and an extended gRNA into mouse embryos, obtaining Tyr mutant mice with an albino phenotype. Furthermore, we delivered the split ABE gene, using trans-splicing adeno-associated viral vectors, to muscle cells in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy to correct a nonsense mutation in the Dmd gene, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of base editing in adult animals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenine / chemistry
  • Albinism / embryology
  • Albinism / genetics
  • Albinism / therapy
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Biotechnology
  • DNA / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dystrophin / deficiency
  • Dystrophin / genetics
  • Gene Editing / methods*
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / genetics
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / genetics*
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / therapy*
  • Targeted Gene Repair / methods

Substances

  • Dystrophin
  • apo-dystrophin 1
  • DNA
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase
  • Adenine