Multi-Knock—a multi-targeted genome-scale CRISPR toolbox to overcome functional redundancy in plants

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Yangjie Hu
  • Priyanka Patra
  • Odelia Pisanty
  • Anat Shafir
  • Jenia Binenbaum
  • Shir Ben Yaakov
  • Bihai Shi
  • Laurence Charrier
  • Gal Hyams
  • Yuqin Zhang
  • Maor Trabulsky
  • Omer Caldararu
  • Daniela Weiss
  • Christoph Crocoll
  • Adi Avni
  • Teva Vernoux
  • Markus Geisler
  • Itay Mayrose
  • Eilon Shani

Plant genomes are characterized by large and complex gene families that often result in similar and partially overlapping functions. This genetic redundancy severely hampers current efforts to uncover novel phenotypes, delaying basic genetic research and breeding programmes. Here we describe the development and validation of Multi-Knock, a genome-scale clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat toolbox that overcomes functional redundancy in Arabidopsis by simultaneously targeting multiple gene-family members, thus identifying genetically hidden components. We computationally designed 59,129 optimal single-guide RNAs that each target two to ten genes within a family at once. Furthermore, partitioning the library into ten sublibraries directed towards a different functional group allows flexible and targeted genetic screens. From the 5,635 single-guide RNAs targeting the plant transportome, we generated over 3,500 independent Arabidopsis lines that allowed us to identify and characterize the first known cytokinin tonoplast-localized transporters in plants. With the ability to overcome functional redundancy in plants at the genome-scale level, the developed strategy can be readily deployed by scientists and breeders for basic research and to expedite breeding efforts.

Original languageEnglish
JournalNature Plants
Volume9
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)572-587
Number of pages16
ISSN2055-026X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.

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