Genomic and Transcriptomic Analyses of Prime Editing Guide RNA-Independent Off-Target Effects by Prime Editors

CRISPR J. 2022 Apr;5(2):276-293. doi: 10.1089/crispr.2021.0080. Epub 2022 Mar 14.

Abstract

Prime editors (PEs) were developed to induce versatile edits at a guide-specified genomic locus. With all RNA-guided genome editors, guide-dependent off-target (OT) mutations can occur at other sites bearing similarity to the intended target. However, whether PEs carry the additional risk of guide-independent mutations elicited by their unique enzymatic moiety (i.e., reverse transcriptase) has not been examined systematically in mammalian cells. Here, we developed a cost-effective sensitive platform to profile guide-independent OT effects in human cells. We did not observe guide-independent OT mutations in the DNA or RNA of prime editor 3 (PE3)-edited cells, or alterations to their telomeres, endogenous retroelements, alternative splicing events, or gene expression. Together, our results showed undetectable prime editing guide RNA-independent OT effects of PE3 in human cells, suggesting the high editing specificity of its reverse-transcriptase moiety.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Gene Editing* / methods
  • Humans
  • Mammals / genetics
  • RNA / genetics
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • RNA